Series XI Ep 4 Report (Spoiler-Free)

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

You know you're an insane fan when you make a six hour journey each way with only a standby ticket which doesn't guarantee entry to your favourite show.  Luckily they let me in. :p

This will be as spoiler-free as I can make it but I will discuss things which have been leaked by cast and crew on Twitter e.g. costumes so if you want no spoilers at all, don't click on the cut.


Comparing the studio they're using at Pinewood with the one at Shepperton (I saw "Trojan" recorded) was interesting.  The sets were the same size but the audience space was smaller.  When I told a member of staff that I had to leave at a certain time I was moved from the back row to the third row which was a pleasant bonus.  I missed the last "one-and-a-half" scenes according to warm-up man Ray Peacock.  As soon he said that I got up and left (it was during a suitable break in proceedings).

SETS

Last time I was opposite the bunkroom and got a good look at it so it was good to be in front of the Science Room this time.  It's been completely revamped and is very impressive.  There was a prop which I suspect will probably be made use of in other shows but wasn't here.

I don't think it's giving much away to say that the bunkroom from X is back, but it's not identical.  The set's been redressed with new props including a new sofa which was used extensively.   There was also a corridor set which featured in VTs (pre-recorded scenes).

And yes, Starbug is back and we got a cockpit scene.  We couldn't see the cast performing the scene on the set itself as it was off to one side but we did see them live on the monitors, if that makes sense.  Craig dropped an F bomb after smegging up which Robert gleefully echoed.

MAIN CAST

In the opening scene they all seemed a little shaky and numerous fluffs were made - Craig joked about having a certain prop in his hand which can be used violently - although that wasn't its purpose in the scene - after Robert messed up.  It was also retaken from different angles, affording Craig the opportunity to stand up with a swagger in various ways.

The plot of this Rimmer-centric ep meant that Rimmer was isolated from the other three for parts of it or only interacted with Kryten.  This did lead to amusing scenes including a visual gag related to the Tube and a bit which reminded me of a scene from "Blackadder".

GUEST CAST

There were two guest actors on VT in small roles but the main guest star was the only one who interacted with the main cast.  His presence drove the plot and there was something unusual about him which Doug mined for laughs as much as he could.

One of the other guest stars looked like a very popular British comedy actress, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't her as it was a tiny part and the audience didn't react.

RAY PEACOCK

The aforementioned warm-up man was actually there throughout the recording as it's his job to keep the audience from flagging.  He's obviously a genuine fan of the show - he smiled and laughed along with the VTs - but wasn't above using the "obsessive fan" stereotype as a running gag.  It was funny, so who cares?

He asked audience members to put their hands up if they were a "scary fan".  A young man in a RD T-shirt volunteered and we older fans were chastened to learn he was born in 1993 after Series VI.

Ray suggested to the audience that he play a joke on Craig and "warn" him that this young man was a stalker on a mission to lick him!  Craig seemed to take this in his stride and later joked to Danny that he wasn't really surprised as "He's not made of wood, is he?"  Danny: "No, but something else is!"

They continued riffing on that theme with Craig joking about his past substance abuse issues and Robert chiming in: "I once licked Mr Charles.  I had a very strange afternoon!"

COSTUMES

Basically the same as X apart from Cat who looked sharp as always in a glittery suit which I think was purple but also looked to have multi-coloured highlights in one scene.  They all looked good even if Lister's weight was mocked in one scene.  He was in his leathers and kept the jacket on throughout.  His shirt was obscured by a long scarf but from what I could see it was tie-dye with - I think - bright yellow bits.

VERDICT

Obviously I liked it - it's new RD!  Comparing it with the other ep I saw, I'd say it's not as good as "Trojan" but I adore that ep so that's no slight.  It felt very much like a continuation of Series X but also reminded me of IV, V and VI at times.  It didn't have a standout guest performance like Mark Dexter's but the guest actors were fine.  As for the main four, they sometimes seemed frustrated with the retakes but got there in the end and it was most entertaining watching them.  I feel privileged to have been there.

TEASER

Land Of The Rising Bum.

Comments

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Two things though - he really, truly didn't look overweight in any reasonable sense of the word. Admittedly Chris and Danny looked very sleek and streamlined, but they generally do. In fact it was Robert who looked bulkiest but it was impossible to tell whether or not that was down to the costume.

And secondly, it completely fits Lister's character to put on a bit of weight as he ages. It also makes sense that he wouldn't start dressing "appropriately" for his age and would still stubbornly squeeze into his leather trousers.

I'm sure Craig will survive given that he's been the "chubby" one for 27 years - I mean, Rimmer calls him "pregnant" in the third episode! ;)

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

Yes, making fun of Lister's weight is practically a Red Dwarf tradition;-)