Red Dwarf (1988)

In the year 2121, Dave Lister, a lowly technician aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf, is caught smuggling a cat on board. When he is discovered, he is placed in stasis for 18 months as punishment. During this time, a radiation leak occurs on the ship, killing the entire crew. Lister remains in stasis, unaware of the disaster that has unfolded.

When Lister is finally awakened from stasis, he discovers that he is the last human alive. The ship is now a ghostly shell, filled with the remnants of the crew and the eerie silence of space. He learns from the ship's computer, Holly, that the radiation leak killed everyone, and he has been in stasis for three million years. Lister is initially devastated by the loss of humanity and the realization that he is utterly alone.

In his loneliness, Lister begins to explore the ship. He finds a holographic version of his former superior officer, Arnold Rimmer, who has been created by Holly to keep Lister company. Rimmer is pompous and self-important, and their interactions are filled with tension and comedic bickering. Lister is frustrated by Rimmer's presence, but he reluctantly accepts him as a companion.

As Lister continues to navigate the ship, he discovers a stash of food and begins to indulge in the luxuries of the ship's long-abandoned supplies. He also learns that the ship's computer has been malfunctioning, leading to various humorous and absurd situations. Lister's desire for companionship leads him to seek out a way to bring back life aboard the ship.

In a desperate attempt to combat his loneliness, Lister decides to use the ship's DNA scanner to create a new life form. He inputs his own DNA and the DNA of his cat, which he had smuggled aboard. The result is a creature that is part human and part cat, which he names Cat. Cat is vain, self-absorbed, and obsessed with his appearance, but he quickly becomes a source of comic relief and a new companion for Lister.

As the trio--Lister, Rimmer, and Cat--navigate the ship, they encounter various challenges, including malfunctioning systems and bizarre alien life forms. They also face the threat of a creature known as the "Simulant," a deadly android programmed to hunt down and kill humans. The group must work together to outsmart the Simulant and survive its attacks.

Throughout their adventures, Lister grapples with his feelings of isolation and the loss of humanity. He often reflects on his past life and the relationships he had, particularly with his girlfriend, who he believes has long since moved on. Rimmer, on the other hand, is consumed by his own insecurities and desires to prove himself, often leading to conflicts with Lister.

As the story progresses, the group encounters various alien civilizations and engages in comedic misadventures. They face challenges that test their friendship and loyalty to one another. Lister's desire to return to Earth and find a way to revive humanity becomes a central theme, driving the narrative forward.

In the climax of the story, the crew confronts the Simulant in a final showdown. They devise a plan to outsmart the android, using their unique skills and teamwork to defeat it. The battle is filled with tension and humor, showcasing the characters' growth and their ability to work together despite their differences.

Ultimately, Lister, Rimmer, and Cat emerge victorious, but the victory is bittersweet. Lister realizes that while he has found companionship in his new friends, the loss of humanity weighs heavily on him. The story concludes with the trio continuing their journey through space, facing the unknown together, and embracing the absurdity of their situation.

In the final episode of Red Dwarf's first series, titled "The End," the story concludes with Dave Lister, the last human alive, navigating the vastness of space aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf. He is accompanied by a hologram of his deceased bunkmate, Arnold Rimmer, and a creature that evolved from his pet cat, now known as Cat. The episode ends with Lister realizing he is utterly alone in the universe, but he finds a sense of companionship in Rimmer and Cat, setting the stage for their ongoing adventures.

As the episode unfolds, we begin with Dave Lister, who awakens from stasis after a radiation leak on the spaceship Red Dwarf. He discovers that he has been in stasis for three million years, and the crew is long gone. The ship is now a ghostly shell, filled with the remnants of a once-bustling mining operation. Lister's initial shock gives way to a deep sense of loneliness as he roams the empty corridors, desperately searching for any sign of life.

In his exploration, Lister encounters the holographic projection of Arnold Rimmer, his former superior officer, who has been brought back to life as a hologram due to the ship's emergency protocols. Rimmer is initially self-absorbed and concerned about his own predicament, but as the two interact, it becomes clear that he is also struggling with his own feelings of inadequacy and fear of being alone. Their banter is filled with tension, as Lister's laid-back attitude clashes with Rimmer's uptight nature.

As they continue their journey, Lister discovers that his pet cat, which he had smuggled aboard the ship, has evolved into a humanoid creature known simply as Cat. Cat is vain and obsessed with his appearance, but he also provides a much-needed comic relief to the otherwise bleak situation. The dynamic between Lister, Rimmer, and Cat becomes a central focus, showcasing their contrasting personalities and how they cope with their isolation.

The trio faces various challenges, including the threat of the ship's malfunctioning systems and the haunting memories of their past lives. Lister grapples with the reality of being the last human, feeling a profound sense of loss for his friends and the world he once knew. Rimmer, on the other hand, is forced to confront his own failures and insecurities, while Cat remains largely indifferent to the emotional weight of their situation, focused instead on his own survival and vanity.

As the episode progresses, Lister's determination to find a way to revive the crew leads him to explore the ship's systems and technology. He discovers a way to potentially bring back the crew, but the plan is fraught with complications and risks. The tension builds as they navigate the ship's dangers, and Lister's hope for companionship clashes with the reality of their situation.

In the climactic moments, Lister realizes that despite the odds, he has formed a bond with Rimmer and Cat. They may not be the family he once had, but they are his companions in this vast, lonely universe. The episode concludes with Lister accepting his fate as the last human, but also embracing the absurdity of his situation. He finds solace in the camaraderie of Rimmer and Cat, setting the stage for their future adventures together.

In the end, Lister, Rimmer, and Cat are left aboard the Red Dwarf, a motley crew of misfits navigating the cosmos. Lister's journey from isolation to companionship highlights the importance of connection, even in the most unlikely circumstances. Rimmer's struggle with his identity and Cat's self-absorption serve as a reminder of the complexities of friendship and the human experience, even in a sci-fi setting. The episode closes with a sense of hope and humor, leaving the door open for their continued escapades in the vastness of space.

In the original 1988 series of Red Dwarf, there are no post-credit scenes. The episodes typically conclude with the credits rolling without any additional content following them. The show maintains a straightforward format, focusing on the comedic and often absurd adventures of the last human, Dave Lister, and his companions aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf. Each episode wraps up its storyline without the inclusion of extra scenes or teasers that would appear after the credits.

Dave Lister, the last human alive, is put into stasis after a radiation leak caused by his cat, which he had smuggled aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf. He is placed in stasis for 3 million years, during which time the ship's crew dies, and he awakens to find himself alone in a desolate future.

After Lister is revived from stasis, he discovers that the ship's computer has created a hologram of Arnold Rimmer, his former bunkmate and a rather pompous and insecure individual. Rimmer is brought back as a hologram to keep Lister company, but he is also burdened by his own insecurities and failures, leading to a complex and often humorous dynamic between the two.

The Cat is a humanoid creature who evolved from Lister's pet cat during the 3 million years Lister was in stasis. He is obsessed with his appearance and is incredibly vain, often preening himself and wearing flamboyant outfits. The Cat's character adds a comedic element to the show, as he embodies the traits of a feline while also being a self-centered and stylish individual.

Holly is the ship's computer, who has a very dry sense of humor and often provides comic relief. Initially portrayed as a male character, Holly later appears as a female in the series. Holly's intelligence and quirky personality help guide Lister and Rimmer through their misadventures, often with a sarcastic twist.

The relationship between Lister and Rimmer is central to the series, characterized by a mix of camaraderie and conflict. Initially, Rimmer is portrayed as a self-important and often antagonistic figure, but as the series progresses, their dynamic shifts. Lister's laid-back attitude contrasts with Rimmer's neuroticism, leading to both comedic clashes and moments of unexpected friendship, revealing deeper layers to their characters.

"Red Dwarf," produced in 1988, is a British science fiction sitcom that features a unique blend of humor, adventure, and existential themes. While it has a comedic tone, there are several aspects that may be considered objectionable or upsetting for children or sensitive viewers:

1. Language: The show contains occasional strong language and mild profanity, which may not be suitable for younger audiences.

2. Violence: There are scenes that depict cartoonish violence, such as characters being shot or harmed in exaggerated ways, which may be unsettling for some viewers.

3. Dark Humor: The series often employs dark humor, including themes of death, isolation, and the absurdity of existence, which might be difficult for children to understand or process.

4. Sexual References: There are innuendos and sexual references throughout the series, which may not be appropriate for younger viewers.

5. Existential Themes: The show explores complex themes such as loneliness, despair, and the meaning of life, which could be heavy for sensitive audiences.

6. Alien Creatures: Some of the alien characters and creatures may be visually unsettling or frightening to younger viewers.

Overall, while "Red Dwarf" is a beloved classic with a strong fan base, its humor and themes may not be suitable for all children or sensitive individuals.