Fathers and Suns notices ...

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I watched the second episode again and had a couple of thoughts.

First, I don't find it that odd that Rimmer would have a breast fixation. We know from little clues he likes, um, larger features on the ladies (the rude Renaissance paintings from the first novel; his remarks about big thighs in "Memory" to name two). I can reconcile him being gay and still fascinated with women's bodies - he certainly wouldn't be the first gay man I've known to like boobs. Most seem to.

Second, a bit of costumey - anyone glimpse the little horizontal pleating on the sides of Rimmer's tunic at waist level? Nice detail, is all.

Finally, did anyone else notice Rimmer putting that hardlight strength to work with the forklifts at the end? The others were trying to push them off one at a time, but Rimmer was visibly straining in the back - one hand on each, holding them off the entire group until Lister made Pree shut down. You can even see Rimmer lowering his arms afterward. Quite a switch from his Rimmerworld runner (from a purely survivalist POV, Rimmer could've gone to softlight here and his bee wouldn't have been hurt at all, even if the others had been spiked or crushed).

No wonder Rimmer did a little dance with the others after; aww, he helped!

In that vein, I feel like the boys are all more cohesive and affectionate - family-like - this season, than ever before, and concerned about one another. Maybe that's what many people like about X so far, I don't know.

Comments

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

I get a strong feeling of that too and I think it stems partly from the cast and partly from the writing. In the commentary for BTE Robert mentions how much he loves the early scene of them all in the bunk room for that very reason - I can't remember the exact quote but he makes reference to them being a family.
I loved a comment from Craig in one of the recent interviews as well, saying about how close they've all become over the years and now 'we finish each others sentences'. So cute and lovely!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I do think Doug likes a familial feel more than Rob did; reading Rob's solo novels, I got a feeling of isolation for each character except in a few instances (which were more powerful when employed). Even in Backwards each character feels sort of isolated in dealing with their own problems or neuroses (and Ace is the ultimate loner).

I rewatched Tikka the other day and was struck by how different Rimmer was from even Series 6, under just Doug's writing. You could argue it's natural progression, but I think he'd have been different if Rob had still been on board...