Red Dwarf (TV Series) Siliconia (2017) User Reviews

Robo Revenge

[justinboggan · 8/10 · 19 October 2017]

SPOILERS

The crew encounter a ship of rogue mechanoids who've formed a resistance movement to fight back against being the slaves of humans.

The Red Dwarf crew investigates the ship, only to be taken prisoner and have their minds transferred to mechanoid bodies, where they are punished by doing the assignments they have had Kryten do for them for years.

But like most resistance movements, they turn out to be an elite group of hypocrites who think they're special and above it all and people have to pay at their own unilateral law making decisions.

This season, thus far, and the prior season, are the best we've had from "Red Dwarf" in years. It's not as good as the show's hay day, but as long as they keep making episodes as good as this, I for one will keep watching.

The crew discover what it is like to be like Kryten

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 22 October 2017]

As this episode opens Kryten discovers Lister's guitar, which had been 'accidentally' left in an airlock and lost in space. As the crew take Starbug to retrieve the guitar they are captured by a giant ship crewed entirely by mechanoids. They are part of the Mechanoid Intergalactic Liberation Front and they intend to punish Lister, Cat and Rimmer for all the menial tasks they make Kryten undertake. Their consciousnesses are transferred into mechanoid bodies and soon they are being forced to do various tasks… not long afterwards it becomes clear that they are gradually losing their personalities and behaving like actual mechanoids. Lister tries to lead an escape and while doing so makes a shocking discovery about who does the menial tasks on this ship.

This was another fun episode; I liked the concept of having the crew having the crew turned into mechanoids and the way they gradually lost their personalities was well handled… it was particularly fun watching Rimmer actually enjoy his new existence. The story had some good twists; especially when we see who is doing the menial jobs on the mechs' ship and the way those in charge don't see their own hypocrisy. It was fun to see the how Dave had been coping without his guitar… its replacement was creative and sounded even worse! Overall this was another fine episode with a 'classic' feel which provides a good story and plenty of laughs.

Siliconia

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 20 April 2020]

It looks like this series of Red Dwarf will examine mechanoid life.

Kryten has been liberated by a ship populated with his kind of androids who have rebelled against their programming. They will no longer be slaves.

As a punishment Lister, Rimmer and Cat will have their brains transferred to mechanoids and be forced to do the tasks that Kryten did for them.

Only Lister still has the consciousness in his new body to still rebel and plan an escape.

A fun and enjoyable episode with a nod to Orwell's Animal Farm. The the Mechanoid Intergalactic Liberation Front may not be as enlightened.

So many mechs

[dave-03795 · 8/10 · 26 October 2017]

The Red Dwarf crew encounter a ship full of mechs, who roam space rescuing other mechs from their lives of slavery.

Classic Dwarf, and of course some great Kryten moments. But, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first episode of the season; it wasn't quite as tight, and the story didn't hang together as neatly.

Still, a good edition to the Dwarf library.

Solid and amusing episode

[snoozejonc · 7/10 · 14 January 2021]

When trying to retrieve Lister's guitar the boys are intercepted by an enormous ship crewed by mechanoids.

I enjoyed this one for it's themes, the humour and performances.

The plot is fairly simply and contains some interesting themes about slavery and satire on revolutionary movements. There is quite a Sparticus feel to it with the themes and when certain characters are made to fight to the death. It does a good job showing the hypocrisy of the revolutionary situations where on the surface things look to be changing for the better, when in reality the only thing that changes are those in power.

From a comedy perspective it has plenty of amusement. There are no real laugh out loud moments, but I did find myself chuckling and smiling throughout.

All performances are great as always. I especially enjoyed Chris Barrie who is the most adept at changing character and has to essential play Kryten as the episode progresses.

The visuals and effects were some of the best I've seen in the franchise.

Siliconia

[MrFilmAndTelevisionShow · 8/10 · 3 September 2021]

A really good episode, very interesting dynamic, not as good as "Cured" but still a quality addition to the season and Red Dwarf canon in general.