I was able to finally get my hands on Red Dwarf: The Promised LandâŚ.and boy was I not expecting it to give me so many feelings.
Iâll just start listing the parts that felt so different but also so integral to the characters development.
First off- Iâve been waiting for a very Cat centered story and really loved this storyline that was silly but accurate for the show/ Catâs humor.
The obvious religion satire tickled me. âI only saved my cat three-million years ago out of kindness youâve turned me into something Iâm notâ
The theme of comradery felt more sincere, but with the obvious jabs at one another which was appropriate, and the damn humor in this show is so sharp if you disregard the general gags. Kryton has some of the best lines that are just dry explanations of situations.
Iâm a huge fan of tangible sets and props.
Now let me get down to the part that oddly made me big feels.
Rimmer having his existential crisis. Chris did that so well just how Rimmer would respond to that feeling he hadnât thought of on a deeper level. Cat mocking him. Kryton concerned about the impact his emotions would have on the situationâŚand Lister concerned for him and takes a moment to tell Cat to knock it off despite being in such a desperate situation.
Then we have of course the moonlight/ Sun scene. Which was one of the most endearing acts of love (platonic or romantic whatever you choose) Iâve seen. Lister was explaining to Rimmer âthere is no me without youâ I love that Rimmer was brought back to keep Lister alive because they were anything but alike. The Computer even says how much more time heâs spent with Rimmer than anyone else. They bicker they argue and still seek one another out- and share a room for a very long time. (I get that filming in two rooms wouldnât work but it works for the story in the long run.) I love shipping those two, but the show really captures a strong platonic agitating love so well and that just makes it even stronger.
Rimmer was for once the hero he always wanted to be. He saves the ship and he (somewhat reluctantly but we all knew he would) save Kryton. When they see him apparently sacrifice himself to save them Cat says, âI didnât like himâŚbut I liked not liking him.â Which to me is so cuteâŚyou become so familiar with someone the idea of their annoyance being gone is a loss you never thought youâd feel. It also gave Cat a moment- for once- honesty and only a smidge of sarcasm in only a way Cat could.
This whole special episode/movie was a really wonderful way to end it (Iâd watch more if they wanted obviously) and I love how theyâve aged with their characters. I mean realistically Kryton and Rimmer wouldnât have to- and instead of using cgi to portray that they just had these cute old men continue to evolve their characters theyâve played for ever.
The laser pointers distracting the Cats. Amazing.
Chris Barrieâs wig was literally perfect game of thrones could never.
Cat choosing to stay with The Boys From the Dwarf was such a big arc as well. Theyâve been together too long! Thatâs his family!
Anyways. Really enjoyed this so much it was a huge pick me up and this show is so silly and smart and has such a big found family theme which is one of my favorite tropes (Star Trek Voyager is my favorite example of this.) I found this show in the late 90âs when I was scouring for anything science fiction and I always loved when it comes back into my life because I sometimes forget how delightful it is.


















