Red Dwarf

Writer Doug Naylor never forgets that he should always provide a sci-fi framework on which to hang his comedy – and tonight’s plot is a real doozy. It involves a derelict ship’s ‘karma drive’ that analyses behaviour and manipulates the atmosphere, punishing or rewarding the crew as it sees fit. Basically, if you act immorally, you pay the price. And vice versa. The trouble is that Rimmer and Lister have survived their journey through deep space on a diet of sniping and petty one-upmanship – so having to suddenly be kind in order to save themselves isn’t going to come easily. As ever, it’s the verbal sparring that offers the biggest laughs, while a last-minute twist provides a neat pay-off.