Queeg is perhaps the most perfectly plotted episode of Red Dwarf, there's no fat on it at all.
PLOT
After a near-death experience, the crew lose faith in Holly's ability to lead them. Soon after, he is replaced by a dictatorial backup computer named Queeg, who intends to whip the crew up to shape.
THOUGHTS/CHARACTERS
It's a bit difficult to have any kind of lengthy discussion about Queeg, because the entire episode is essentially just one joke extended to 25 minutes. It's a great joke, with a killer punchline. I certainly admire the show for pulling it off. But there isn't much to dissect, is what I'm saying. It's brilliant in its simplicity.
Of course, the best part is finally getting a spotlight on Norman Lovett. It's not hard to see why this is his favourite episode, with the amount of wonderful gags he gets (my personal favourite being Holly's stint as the night watchman). Seeing the crew whimper and struggle through actual work is also very funny. I feel like this script wrote itself for the most part.
I noticed the inclusion of several monologues which seemed to be almost stand-up comedy routines, namely Lister's story about Petersen's shoes, and Rimmer elaborating on the Lord of the Flies situation he endured as a child. I wonder if these were developed separately and then written into the show, because they're so elaborate and seem to barely work within the context of the characters (would Lister really come up with a long-winded joke, and would even Rimmer be broiled over a campfire?)
Despite obviously not being his actual sendoff, the scene of Holly's goodbye is played with such sincerity that it still makes me feel emotional. I love that Holly recognises each of the crew's deepest desires ("And Arnold, well, I hope you meet those aliens you're looking for who can give you a body, and you become an officer and you get a sex life... and all the other millions of things you feel you need to make you happy.") and his hope for them to remember him as just someone who was fun having around is incredibly adorable. He's such a dad figure for them. The type who's kind of lazy and just wants to be seen as cool. It's a wonderful, wonderful performance by Lovett.
NOTES
- I have to once again comment on how cozy and relatable this series has been. The opening scene has Lister try to solve a women's quiz (perfectly capturing the pre-smartphone vibe of having free time but nothing to do), Cat's listening to music, Rimmer's playing checkers. And they're all doing their separate things together in one room, because that's how it would be. They're on this big ship alone but they enjoy knowing there's someone near. It's very heartwarming.
- Does Rimmer put a tiny 'Rimmer' flag on all of his checkers pieces???
- "You're about as much use as a condom machine in the Vatican." Top 10 Red Dwarf quote.
- Chris Barrie gets to briefly show off his impersonation skills during the Hologrammatic Suite meltdown scene. His Craig Charles is particularly good. His Danny John-Jules... not so much.
- Rimmer suggesting they euthanise Holly with a shotgun is fucking hilarious.
- There's little hints about Queeg's nature throughout the episode: it doesn't make sense that a hologram would be forced to exercise by regulations (I always assumed Rimmer's PE routines were his own), and Lister couldn't possibly survive to fulfil his duties by eating only a slice of toast and a pea.
- I noticed the the bunks no longer have a ladder. Presumably Lister prefers jumping up there. Now I wonder if there's any particular reason why Lister has the top bunk and Rimmer's got the bottom one. You'd think Rimmer would have demanded the top one.
- I love how Holly doesn't dismiss Cat's ludicrous "advice", but just nods at him. It's sweet.
- This marks the final appearance of the original title sequence.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
- Lister mentions Petersen, and Holly mentions Kochanski.
- The ship is still on its way to Earth.
- Rimmer assumes Queeg is an alien, in keeping with his obsession for them (Waiting for God, Kryten, Thanks for the Memory).
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