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But to what extent is this USP a curse?
CanRed Dwarf in the words of its very own big-gloved, white-masked Inquisitor justify itself?
Could it argue its way out of oblivions reach on the strength of series X and XI alone?
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Open arms… or open airlock?
I couldnt let it fall into heathen hands.
For two weeks I lent substance to the stereotype of my Scottish nationality by practising extreme miserliness.
The show has also had to contend with the advancing ages of its showrunner, cast and core audience.
Series VII suffered both from the decision to forgo a live studio-audience and the semi-departure of Chris Barrie.
Mind you, in Kochanskis defence, not many elements gelled particularly well that year.
Mercifully, though, series X was good.
Not earth-shatteringly brilliant, admittedly, but good.
Shards of it were even great.
The best, most consistent episodes of series X are those that bookend the series,TrojanandThe Beginning.
Series X, then, left me cautiously optimistic about the possibility of an eleventh series.
Lets deal with the less stellar elements first, because series XI is far from perfect.
Kryten: Not you.
Cat: Not you.
Lister: (sighs) Why is there nobody good here?
Its funny, and Chris Barrie sells the line well.
The bunk scenes between Lister and Rimmer feel intimate and natural again, and are far funnier for it.
Indeed, many parts of series XI have the feel of lost episodes from series I and II.
The episodeOfficer Rimmeris a real highlight of series XI.
So, yes, series XI niggles over similes aside is also very, very funny.
Which is a reasonably important quality for a comedy show to possess, I suppose.
And one that forgives many sins.
My verdict is in, and its a tentatively extended thumbs up.
Its ready to come back for a twelfth series.
And a fourteenth, and a fifteenth if Doug and the gangs still got it in them.
That makes old me and teenage me both very happy.
I want it to endure.
I want its legacy to be ensured.
I want my kids to feel the same way.
I want them to be quoting lines and whole scenes of it to their pals at school.
Welcome back, crimson short one.
I hope that theres plenty of life and love left in the old Dwarf yet.
Read Dwarf XII starts on Thursday the 12th of October at 9pm on Dave.
