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Stoke Me a Clipper
Stoke Me a Clipper
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"Stoke Me a Clipper"
Red Dwarf episode
Episode no.Series 7
Episode 2
Directed byEd Bye
Written byPaul Alexander and Doug Naylor
Original air date24 January 1997 (1997-01-24)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"Stoke Me a Clipper" is the second episode of science fiction sit-com Red Dwarf Series VII and the 38th in the series run. It was first broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 24 January 1997,[1] was written by Paul Alexander and Doug Naylor, and was directed by Ed Bye. It was the first episode to involve a writer other than co-creator/writers Grant or Naylor.

Plot

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Ace Rimmer, Rimmer's (Chris Barrie) better-looking heroic alternate self, from "Dimension Jump" and "Emohawk: Polymorph II" makes a rescue attempt on a captured princess. Although he succeeds in rescuing her, Ace takes a fatal bullet hit. Meanwhile on Starbug, Lister (Craig Charles) is tired of taking cold showers, nearly using all the water supplies in the process, so he goes into the artificial reality machine with his book of cheats. He challenges the king's best knight so he can win the honour of spending a night and a day with the queen of Camelot. Using his cheat codes he defeats the knight, claims his prize and with one last cheat the queen's chastity belt falls freely to the ground. Lister and the queen then proceed to make love, with an interruption by Lister asking for whipped cream from the astounded crowd and king.

Ace transports into Starbug's dimension and gets a welcome reception from all but Rimmer. Once they are alone, Ace reveals to Rimmer that he is dying and wants Rimmer to replace him as Ace. He also tells Rimmer and Lister of the Ace secret—The original Ace Rimmer is long dead: the man before them is the latest in a long line of alternate versions of Rimmer from countless dimensions who have all taken the reins to be Ace. And now that he is doomed to die, Ace must train Rimmer to succeed him and keep the legend going. After encouragement from Lister, Rimmer decides to accept the offer and begins his training, but soon gives in so Ace forcibly redresses him as Ace to help him get into character. Rimmer then encounters the King's Best Knight in the corridors of Starbug (who supposedly escaped from AR), and who is searching for 'Lister of Smeg'. After a brief sword fight, Rimmer shoots the Knight, revealed afterwards to be a disguised Lister, who switched the ammo for blanks. Rimmer makes it back to Ace in time to watch him die. Lister then tells Cat (Danny John-Jules) and Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) that Rimmer is Ace, and the dead light bee belongs to their shipmate killed by the Knight.

With the help of Lister, Rimmer passes himself off as Ace (nearly), and they hold a funeral for their shipmate. When Rimmer reveals he is still nervous, Lister follows up on a promise he made Ace and they follow the coffin to a planet with a ring made of billions of coffins, showing the number of Rimmers who succeeded in becoming Ace and passing the flame, causing Lister to ask if he'll be the one to 'break the chain'. After a few weeks, Rimmer fully accepts his role as Ace and says his goodbye to the crew before leaving Starbug.

Production

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Going solo for Series VII had worried Doug Naylor. To help him with the writing duties he hired a small group of writers. Paul Alexander, a Jasper Carrott writing regular, was the first one to help out. This was a new situation to Naylor having previously had control over every script. He would however re-write and edit each script to make them fit into the Red Dwarf's creative pedigree.[2]

This episode featured a large number of famous guest actors. Scottish-born Hollywood movie veteran Brian Cox played the medieval English king while British comedy actress Sarah Alexander portrayed his French queen. English actor Ken Morley portrayed the German commander Captain Voorhese. British television actress Alison Senior portrayed Princess Bonjella. Andy Gell also appeared as a soldier. The crocodile used in the episode is credited as being named Allison, supplied by London Zoo, despite the fact that it is clearly a rubber prop.[3] The medieval scenes were staged with the aid of the Mediaeval Combat Society and the Plantagenet Medieval Archery and Combat Society.[3]

Chris Barrie had decided to leave the series at this point, and had committed to four more episodes, but was written out in the second episode anyway, allowing more time to develop Kochanski's character, who would be arriving in the next episode. This episode marks the original Rimmer hologram's final 'real' appearance in series VII, with his other appearances taking the forms of flashbacks and dream sequences.[2] In Series VIII Chris Barrie would portray a resurrected human form of Rimmer. He would reappear as the original hologram Rimmer again in Red Dwarf: Back to Earth.

The German base scene was filmed at RAF Northolt, and the medieval scenes were filmed at Newark Priory.

Cultural and historical references

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Reception

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"Stoke Me A Clipper" was liked by some critics. DVDActive called it "one of the funnier episodes of the series [with] some good laughs".[4] DVD Verdict stated that "some of the scenes are very moving, especially when you consider that Barrie was, supposedly, never coming back."[5] Sci-Fi Online on the other hand, felt that the episode starts well but then seemed to forget to be a comedy, instead "embarking upon a Jedi-style training mission."[6]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
"Stoke Me a Clipper" is the second episode of the seventh series of the British Red Dwarf, originally broadcast on on 24 January 1997. In the episode, the crew of the mining ship Red Dwarf—comprising , , , and —encounters Rimmer, a heroic alternate-universe version of the hologram Rimmer, who arrives aboard their vessel Starbug after sustaining fatal injuries while rescuing a princess from Nazis in a parallel dimension. , portrayed by alongside the main Rimmer role, implores the cowardly and bureaucratic Rimmer to assume his mantle as a swashbuckling guardian of the , but Rimmer initially refuses, citing his preoccupation with mundane duties like cataloging shoes. The story escalates when the crew faces a deadly encounter with a king in a simulation, leading Rimmer to reconsider after witnessing the remains of previous Aces; he ultimately departs through a dimensional portal to become the new , marking the final appearance of the "original recipe" hologram Rimmer in the series up to that point. Written by Doug Naylor and Paul Alexander and directed by Ed Bye, the episode was filmed at Shepperton Studios between May and August 1996, with guest star Brian Cox playing the villainous King, whose outdoor scenes required reshoots due to inclement weather. Originally titled "Natural Born Rimmers," it explores themes of heroism, self-doubt, and alternate identities central to the Red Dwarf universe, featuring recurring elements like Ace's catchphrase "Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast" and Rimmer's transformation into a more adventurous persona. The installment received positive reception for its emotional depth and Barrie's dual performance, earning an 8/10 rating from viewers on IMDb.

Development and production

Writing and development

"Stoke Me a Clipper" was written by Paul Alexander and . This marked the first episode to feature a writer outside the original creative duo of and Doug Naylor, as Alexander was brought on board specifically for Series VII after prior collaborations with Naylor on projects like The 10%ers. The episode's development occurred within the broader context of Series VII, which represented a transitional phase for the series following Grant's departure, emphasizing a more cinematic style with expanded visual effects and production scale. The story built upon Arnold Rimmer's established character arc, particularly his hologram existence altered in "" from Series II and the introduction of his heroic alternate self, Ace Rimmer, in "Dimension Jump" from Series VI. Alexander aimed to provide a meaningful exit for Rimmer, portrayed by , who had indicated potential availability issues, by exploring themes of self-improvement and legacy. Key script elements originated during brainstorming sessions involving Naylor, Alexander, director , and other contributors like James Hendrie and Kim Fuller, who pitched ideas organically without a rigid structure. The multi-dimensional Ace Rimmer succession concept emerged as a central , portraying Ace not as a singular alternate but as the latest in a lineage of heroes from parallel dimensions, each dying to anoint a successor upon encountering their "smeghead" counterparts. Artificial reality game sequences were incorporated to heighten the narrative's stakes, featuring holographic simulations that blended virtual peril with Rimmer's internal conflicts. Pre-production decisions focused on balancing the episode's tone by homageing action-adventure tropes—such as James Bond-inspired sequences—while maintaining 's comedic core, with Alexander noting the fun in devising elaborate ideas for the pre-title sequence despite its budget implications. Initial storyboarding emphasized the opening Ace Rimmer action set piece, which Alexander described as consuming much of the episode's resources but setting a dynamic tone. The original working title was Natural Born Rimmers, later changed to Stoke Me a Clipper inspired by holiday greeting cards, and elements like the villain Captain Vorhees drew from horror influences such as .

Filming and post-production

The episode was directed by , who oversaw from May to August 1996 at , with location shoots emphasizing a cinematic, single-camera style to emulate . Aerial sequences for the opening German base scene were filmed at in , where sets were constructed using existing old huts modified with tape-crossed windows, German flags, and armored cars to create an authentic wartime environment on a constrained . The medieval and segments incorporated real hobbyists from the Medieval Combat Society for fight choreography, ensuring historical accuracy in the virtual reality sequences without relying on extensive stunt coordination. The segments required reshoots due to inclement weather, ensuring suitable conditions for the location shots. A key prop in the action-packed opening was a life-size foam rubber crocodile named Allison, sourced from and credited in the episode's production acknowledgments for its use in the Nazi rescue scene. Post-production focused on integrating ambitious visual effects for the James Bond-inspired opening, where visual effects supervisor Mel Bibby noted challenges in economically depicting shootouts and an aircraft explosion through practical sets and minimal CGI, transforming the sequence into a high-energy before transitioning to studio-recorded . Canned tracks were added in to enhance comedic timing. highlighted Howard Goodall's orchestral score for Rimmer's heroic exit, adding emotional depth to the finale with swelling strings and brass to underscore Rimmer's transformation. This marked Chris Barrie's final regular appearance as in Series VII, following his partial return despite hesitations about the production schedule.

Cast and crew

Main and recurring cast

The main cast of "Stoke Me a Clipper," the second episode of series VII, features the established series regulars who continue their roles from previous seasons, maintaining the core ensemble dynamic aboard the Starbug vessel. Craig Charles portrays Dave Lister, the last known human alive, depicted as a slobbish yet resourceful whose laid-back attitude often clashes with the group's more structured members; in this episode, he remains central to the crew's interpersonal tensions, particularly his longstanding friction with . Chris Barrie plays both , the holographic second-in-command characterized by his neurotic bureaucracy, cowardice, and self-loathing tendencies, which begin to evolve through interactions that challenge his insecurities without resolving them outright, and the alternate-universe Ace Rimmer. Danny John-Jules embodies , a vain and feline-evolved who provides comic relief through his self-absorbed flair and survival instincts, contributing to the lighter moments amid the crew's Starbug-bound escapades. appears as , the dutiful mechanoid series 4000 mechanoid who serves as the crew's sanitation officer and voice of reason, assisting in logistical setups while highlighting his programmed subservience to the . These portrayals underscore the recurring dynamics, such as the Rimmer-Lister antagonism rooted in class differences and contrasts, which propel much of the episode's character-driven humor.

Guest cast and crew

The episode features several notable guest actors portraying characters within the artificial reality simulation sequences. Brian Cox appears as the King of . Sarah Alexander plays the Queen. portrays Captain Voorhese, the German commander in the simulation's alternate historical scenario. Alison Senior appears as Princess Bonjella, a central to the medieval adventure elements. Additional guests include John Thompson as the Good Knight and Mark Carlisle as , contributing to the episode's of virtual adversaries and allies. On the production side, Ed Bye served as director, bringing his recurring experience from previous Red Dwarf series to handle the episode's blend of comedy and action sequences. Stunt coordination was managed by Nick Gillard and Lee Sheward, who oversaw the physical comedy and combat scenes, including motorcycle stunts and medieval fights. Howard Burden handled costume design, notably creating the regal attire for the King, while also doubling as a stand-in for Cox during filming. Prop acquisition, including elements for the artificial reality machine, was managed by the production team to support the episode's virtual game aesthetic. Behind-the-scenes challenges included reshooting Brian Cox's scenes due to inclement weather during outdoor filming, which affected the medieval set pieces.

Plot and analysis

Plot summary

The episode opens with the heroic Ace Rimmer, an alternate-universe version of , single-handedly rescuing Princess Beryl Bonjella from a squad of Nazis on an unnamed planet during . In a daring escape, Ace surfs across a river on the back of a , commandeers a flying , and fends off pursuers, but sustains a fatal injury when his light bee— the device projecting his holographic form—malfunctions after being struck by enemy fire. Ace pilots his damaged ship to Starbug, where the crew—Dave Lister, the Cat, Kryten, and the hologram Rimmer—are aboard following the events of previous episodes. The ship's arrival causes Starbug to lurch violently, interrupting Lister's private use of the artificial reality (AR) machine. Inside the AR simulation set in medieval times, Lister has cheated at a jousting tournament by sabotaging his opponents' lances to win a rendezvous with Queen Guinevere, leading to an awkward romantic encounter that is cut short by the real-world disruption. Ace, barely able to maintain his form, explains to the stunned crew that he is the latest in a lineage of heroic Rimmers from across the , each passing the mantle to a successor before dying to continue the cycle of aiding those in need. With no other suitable Rimmer available, he implores the neurotic, hologram Rimmer to take his place as the dimension-hopping guardian of justice, providing him with a hard-light drive upgrade to enable physical interaction. Rimmer initially refuses, citing his self-imposed duties like cataloging his collection of crested-blazer badges, and storms off in indignation. Lister confronts Rimmer in private, delivering a blunt motivational speech highlighting Rimmer's lifelong pattern of self-sabotage and untapped potential, urging him to seize this chance for heroism rather than perpetual mediocrity. Inspired, Rimmer agrees and undergoes intensive training under 's guidance, depicted in a montage of scenes where he learns skills, piloting, and suave mannerisms—though he struggles comically, such as failing at swordplay and mispronouncing catchphrases. To boost his confidence, Ace remotely alters Rimmer's holographic appearance to match his own dashing look during a confrontation with a (actually Lister in ), where Rimmer "defeats" the foe using blanks in a crossbow. As Ace's condition deteriorates, the crew holds a mock for Rimmer to explain his absence to any potential . At the service, a holographic reveals the gallery of previous Ace Rimmers saluting their successors, deeply moving the new Ace. With Ace's death imminent, he transfers final instructions and bids farewell. The newly transformed Rimmer, now fully embodying Ace, departs in Ace's ship, boldly proclaiming his mangled version of the signature : "Stoke me a clipper, for Christmas!" However, in his inexperience, he accidentally ejects himself from the into space moments after launch. Back on Starbug, the crew watches the departure on monitors, with expressing concern over the ejection mishap and quipping about Rimmer's inevitable return, while Lister reflects on the bittersweet triumph of Rimmer's growth.

Cultural and historical references

The episode title "Stoke Me a Clipper" derives from the catchphrase of the heroic alternate-universe character Ace Rimmer, "Smoke me a , I'll be back for breakfast," which originated in the sixth-series episode "Dimension Jump." The variation in the title underscores Arnold Rimmer's bungled attempt to adopt Ace's persona, twisting the line into a during his training. Ace Rimmer's characterization heavily draws from the franchise, portraying him as a debonair secret agent with gadgets, narrow escapes, and charismatic bravado. Actor modeled Ace's voice after Sean Connery's portrayal of Bond in films like Dr. No (1962) and Goldfinger (1964). A key dialogue exchange parodies the iconic scene from Goldfinger, where Ace Rimmer asks Captain Voorhese, "Do you expect me to concede?" and the villain replies, "No, Mr. Rimmer, ." The episode also incorporates elements of Arthurian legend through Lister's virtual reality simulation set in a medieval Camelot, featuring Queen Guinevere and a chivalric jousting quest. Separately, Ace's rescue of Princess Beryl Bonjella evokes the damsel-in-distress trope against Nazi foes, blending historical fantasy with science fiction in a pseudo-WWII setting. The princess's name parodies the character of Princess Jelhi from the 1968 comedy film Carry On Up the Khyber, which itself satirizes British colonial adventures in a pseudo-historical context. The antagonists in Ace's storyline, depicted as Nazis, reference World War II-era villains common in pulp sci-fi and adventure serials, amplifying the episode's homage to wartime propaganda and alternate-history narratives. "Stoke Me a Clipper" extends Red Dwarf's ongoing exploration of concepts, building on alternate realities introduced in earlier episodes such as "Parallel Universe" (series II) and "Dimension Jump" (series VI), where parallel versions of the characters highlight themes of personal potential and divergence. The revelation of a chain of successive Ace Rimmers across dimensions reinforces this tradition, portraying heroism as a transferable legacy in an infinite array of timelines.

Broadcast and release

Original broadcast

"Stoke Me a Clipper" first aired on on 24 January 1997, as the second episode of the seventh series of . The episode was the second in the series' return to television after a three-year production hiatus following the sixth series, which broadcast from October to November 1993. It followed the series opener "" from 17 January 1997 and was scheduled in the show's established Friday night time slot at 9:00 p.m. The seventh series comprised eight episodes in total, airing weekly through March 1997. The episode received international broadcasts in various markets during the late and early , including on in the United States starting in 2002.

Home media and distribution

"Stoke Me a Clipper," the second episode of series VII, was first made available on home media as part of the series' release in the . The episode appeared in Red Dwarf VII: Part 1 - Byte One, a tape distributed by on 1 March 1999, which contained episodes one through three of the series. The episode received its DVD debut in the Red Dwarf: Series VII three-disc set, released in the UK on November 7, 2005, by Video. This edition featured the original broadcast version, an "Xtended" cut without the laugh track for select episodes (including aspects relevant to series VII), and a remastered version of the season's episode, Tikka to Ride, with updated visual effects that influenced the overall presentation. A remastered edition of the series, incorporating enhanced audio and video for broader compatibility, was included in The Bodysnatcher Collection DVD box set released on October 22, 2007, though primarily focused on earlier seasons; series VII content benefited from the set's production standards. Subsequent complete series box sets have bundled the episode for collectors. The : Complete Collection 18-disc DVD set, covering series I through VIII, was released in 2007 and reissued in various markets, providing comprehensive access to Stoke Me a Clipper alongside bonus materials. In 2012, an expanded Ultimate Collection edition emerged as part of ongoing DVD compilations, emphasizing high-definition transfers where available. No full 4K UHD for series VII was announced in 2020, but select episodes, including those from later seasons, saw limited UHD upgrades; by 2025, a DVD and Blu-ray of series I through XIII, including series VII, was released on October 6, featuring improved visuals for Stoke Me a Clipper. Streaming availability has evolved since the episode's initial home release. Stoke Me a Clipper was accessible on in the UK until 2023, after which rights shifted to UKTV platforms; in the , it remains available on . As of November 2025, it streams on UKTV Play and the Dave channel's on-demand service in the UK. Internationally, digital access includes intermittent availability on since 2015, where the full series VII has been offered in regions like the and . In , DVD releases of series VII followed the UK pattern, with Region 4 editions available from 2001 onward through local distributors like . Special features on home media releases enhance the episode's accessibility. The 2005 Series VII DVD includes audio commentaries by writer and director on multiple episodes, offering insights into production decisions for Stoke Me a Clipper. Deleted scenes, totaling over 40 minutes across the series, feature extended sequences such as an elaborated battle introduction not included in the broadcast version, providing additional context to the episode's action elements. These extras were carried over into later box sets, maintaining their value for fans.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release, "Stoke Me a Clipper" garnered mixed reviews from critics, who praised its emotional resonance while critiquing its comedic shortcomings. A 2005 DVD review from Sci-Fi Online described the episode as abandoning the format in favor of serious , likening the training sequence to a "Jedi-style" Star Wars homage that lacked humor and felt like mimicry without laughs. The episode's aggregated user rating on IMDb stands at 8.0/10 as of November 2025, based on 948 votes, with reviewers frequently highlighting Brian Cox's cameo as the King for its comedic timing and memorable delivery, such as one noting his "funny cameos" alongside other guest stars. In retrospective analyses, the episode has been appreciated for its action-oriented Rimmer sequences but faulted for pacing issues. Ganymede & Titan's 2008 ranking of all episodes placed "Stoke Me a Clipper" at 40th out of 52, crediting it for providing a dignified send-off to Rimmer through fun Ace material while calling the overall narrative "a bit dull." similarly views it fondly in ongoing discussions, lauding the subversion of hero archetypes by giving Rimmer a satisfying arc conclusion that contrasts his usual with heroic potential. The episode received no major awards.

Fan response and legacy

Fans have shown strong appreciation for "Stoke Me a Clipper" due to its focus on Rimmer's character development, particularly his reluctant ascension to the role of Ace Rimmer, marking a pivotal moment of growth from hologram to hero. The episode's emotional depth in this transformation has been highlighted in fan discussions at conventions, such as queries about specific scenes like Ace Rimmer's motorcycle sequence. Within the canon, the episode solidifies Ace Rimmer's multiverse legacy, introducing the chain of alternate-universe successors who pass on the mantle, with the original hologram Rimmer's departure here serving as his last chronological appearance before later returns. This concept echoes in subsequent storylines, including flashbacks in later Series VII episodes and the rejoining of the original Rimmer in the 2009 miniseries Back to Earth. The episode's cultural impact includes an early guest role for Brian Cox as the King of in Lister's simulation, a part filmed twice due to weather issues, which gained renewed attention following Cox's Emmy-winning portrayal of Logan Roy in Succession. Its influence extends to fan works and conventions, where elements like the Ace Rimmer cemetery scene are frequently parodied or recreated. Enduring trivia surrounds the episode's catchphrase mangling—"Stoke me a clipper, for "—which has become a staple among fans, often riffing on Ace's original "Smoke me a , for breakfast." No major recent revivals have occurred, but the episode was included in the 2019 Blu-ray remaster of Series I-VIII, preserving its place in the show's distribution history. The episode continues to hold steady fan favor, as reflected in its 8.0/10 rating from 948 votes as of November 2025.

References

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