Red Dwarf - Series 5 & 6 (1989)

It's brown alert time all over again for Red Dwarf fans with the fifth season of the much-loved U.K. sci-fi/comedy series. Episode-wise, it's business as usual for the crew of the Red Dwarf--that is, if one considers encountering an alien squid that squirts a despair-inducing hallucinogen ("Back to Reality," later voted the best episode of the series by British viewers--and Stephen Hawking!), evil (and not particularly bright) versions of the crew ("Demons and Angels"), a virus that causes insanity ("Quarantine"), and a trip to a moon created entirely from the mind of the insufferable hologram Rimmer ("Terrorform") business as usual. In short, it's six hilarious episodes, highlighted by the typically terrific writing of creators Rob Grant and Doug Naylor (who also direct two episodes). As with the previous deluxe DVD releases, Series V features a wealth of supplemental features, the most intriguing of which is a look at the failed attempt to recreate the show in America (with U.K. cast member Robert Llewellyn and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Terry Farrell as Cat). Also included are cast and fan commentaries, featurettes on the show's "science" and villains, special effects tests, blooper reels, and a sampling of Grant and Naylor's BBC 4 radio sketch "Dave Hollins, Space Cadet," which served as the inspiration for Red Dwarf. Dedicated DVD owners will also be rewarded by Easter eggs lurking throughout the menus.

Series 6 is possibly the most eagerly awaited of the Red Dwarf DVD sets, due to its acclaimed third episode, "Gunmen of the Apocalypse," which earned the program an International Emmy Award in 1994. However, the five other episodes in the series have their own share of absurd laughs, and the two-disc set features enough supplemental features to keep even the most demanding RD fan happy. The crux of series 6 is that the Red Dwarf has been stolen (no thanks to Lister, who can't remember where he left it), and the crew must recover it; their pursuit brings them in contact with brain-consuming aliens ("Psirens," with guest star Jenny Agutter), a polymorph that turns Rimmer and Cat into their alternate identities from Series V ("Emohawk--Polymorph II"), the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse tricked out as gunslingers ("Gunmen of the Apocalypse"), an army of Rimmer clones ("Rimmerworld"), and finally, their own future selves, who turn out to be particularly awful (worse than the present-day ones, that is), and cause a cliffhanger ending that just might spell the end for the Red Dwarf crew.... In short, series 6 more than earns its popular status among Red Dwarf's fanbase, thanks to its sharp writing (sadly, it would be the last series to feature scripts by co-creator Rob Grant) and energetic performances. And the double-disc set matches the quality of the programs with some terrific extras, including commentaries by the RD crew and fans (the latter on "Gunmen of the Apocalypse" only), and featurettes on composer Howard Goodall and series director Andy de Emmony; these are rounded out by the usual collections of "smeg-ups" (bloopers), deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and another episode of the "Dave Hollins, Space Cadet" radio sketch that inspired the show. And again, the most patient of viewers will find Easter eggs on the menus (happy hunting). --Paul Gaita Amazon.com

The laughs never smeggin' stop!

Season 5 of this incredibly funny sci-fi Britcom is just about the funniest season the show ever produced! Season 6, although still very good, began a downward slide from which the show would never recover. As I said, this was a good and funny season, although it was becoming obvious that the writers had 'shot their wad' as far as fresh, original and even remotely believable and engrossing material. They needed to throw some changes in to save the show. The writers decided to leave The Dwarfers stuck in Starbug because Lister lost The Red Dwarf, and they spend all of season 6 chasing after their mother ship. A couple of running gags develop in this season, such as tuning in on the fact that Cat should have a greater sense of smell than humans. Also, they play up the fact that Rimmer finally got a hold of The Space Corps Directive Manual, and after a sad attempt to memorize it, constantly misquotes directives in his attempt to rule the ship. Kryten is constantly called upon to correct him. My favorite is when Kryten tells Rimmer, "Space Corps Directive 5795224? Let's see, 'Any officer caught sniffing the saddle of the excercise bike in the women's gym will be immediately discharged without a trial'? That is indeed a good law, sir. But, I hardly see how it helps with our current problem." There is at least one of these misquotes in almost every episode. Once again, season 6 is very funny, but the struggle to maintain a good show starts to become apparent as this series progresses. Season 5, however, is the best season the show ever did. I don't want to break it down epidode-by-episode. There are probably other reviews that do that. But, the show really caught a wave of smegging brilliance here! Whether facing 'their good selves vs. their bad selves', or white holes that spew time back into the universe, or mad hologramatic doctors that want to kill them, "Dispair Squid" who want to induce suicidal fits with hallucinagenic ink or rogue androids that want to erase them from history all together, their quest for survival and the perfect curry continues. These two seasons go good together, and they are a great addition to your Red Dwarf collection. Only a total smeghead would miss these two funny seasons of one of the best Britcoms ever!
August 8, 2008

Red Dwarf - Series 5 & 6

The product was shipped and arrived extremely fast! Not one thing wrong with it, no damages! Brand New in it's original wrapping. Mint condition! Great special effects, sound, clarity! Extras & much more! We kept missing it when it was being aired on TV. This way we are never at a wrong time to view our favorite show! A great buy! Very Happy with our purchase, and we've completed our collection now! March 31, 2008

Red Dwarf Series 5 and 6

I like the extras and features. Much easier to play each episode than series 1 and 2 DVD's. January 1, 2008

Red Dwarf! a must watch series!

Great series... everyone should watch! even the extras dvd is great!!! May 13, 2007

One star down

Anyone who has followed the show from series one will already have noticed how much it chages, but in the past those changes have been undisputedly for the better, culminating in series 4. Now however, the show takes a much sharper turn away from its roots, and begins to take itself too seriously. Plus, you'l notice something very diffrent about the quality of the picture (not neccecarily better or worse, but very diffrent)

Despte all this, no true dwarfer, or sci-fi but, or britcom fan, should miss this without "sevre punishment!". It remains one of the funniest shows on TV. (or off TV, as it were)
March 21, 2007

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