With the more mainstream feeling third season the show really sharpened up immeasurably thanks I guess in part to the arrival of Robert Llewellyn as the new series regular Kryten rounding out the classic four member regular team whom would continue together for all subsequent seasons of this sci-fi sitcom. If you look on the first disc and enter the select episode option when you get to the relevant screen just wait until the music plays itself out twice. On the third time a polymorph will crawl across the screen from the left side box. Go to the 'drive room' option and when the polymorph reaches the centre of the screen press down and hit enter. This will take you to a rare 25 sec scene from "Polymorph". As befits a much stronger collection of stories the second bonus features disc is a positive delight of riches headed by the lavishly detailed 80 ½ min "All Change" original documentary where cast and crew talk at length about each of the six episodes. We've got a weighty 26 ¾ mins Deleted Scenes option, 5 ½ mins of 'Smeg Ups', the usual themed featurette (this 3 ½ min one explores the subject of "Food"), collectively an 86 image self selection Photo Gallery and more model work on show in the form of approx 7 min 'Raw FX footage'. Additional unique features include a pleasing 9 min 'Hatties DJ diary', a worthy 8 min tribute to series production designer Mel Bibby, a couple of short trailers and most intriguing of all the entire first "Backwards" episode shown 'Forwards'(!). This set offers two more 'hidden extras' on this disc the first of which can be found by waiting for the morphing object in the centre of the crew room to turn into a white rabbit. Then if you click on it you will find the animated approx 11 min 'talking heads' short this time looking into the making of "Polymorph". For the other hidden extra if you enter the Photo Gallery, select the 'models and covers' section and then press next until you come to a schematic drawing of Starbug. Press up and you will be able to click on the picture. Doing this takes you to a short commercial for a model Starbug playset. After the rather relatively thin content of the first two releases this is an enormous step forward in content which greatly helps to enhance a great third season run and truly justifies inclusion in any science fiction/comedy fans collection!

After two very decent series, the Boys from the Dwarf really began to hit their stride from this point onwards. Not only was it funnier, it was better to look at, better acted, more ambitious and just plain fun, all without losing the core values that made the preceding series what they were. This change from being very good to being brilliant can be attributed to three main factors.

First of all, the sets and costume were far more interesting. They grey submarine like looks were dumped in favour of a more colourful and more futuristic look. Ok, the special effects were still very basic (all part of the charm though) but at least it looked more like a space ship. Second, the cast had spent enough time together to really gel, a confidence that reflects on screen. The Cat especially has far more to do, with Lister and Rimmer's bickering getting ever funnier. Thirdly, and most importantly, is Kryten. To be honest, it was lucky the previous actor wasn't used as Robert Llewellyn really makes the role his own. It's not just the comedy side, he does the job of explaining the serious parts very well.

To be perfectly honest, opening episode Backwards isn't that great; it has odd moments but overall just doesn't work. The other five are top notch however, with the best of the bunch being Polymorph. The DVDs are loaded with extras as well; there really isn't any reason why you shouldn't have this in your collection.

It was with Series Three that 'Red Dwarf' really began to find it's feet. After a Star Wars style recap we were launched into the all-new credit sequence and an all new crew member in the shape of the quite unforgettable Kryten. Portayed this time around by Robert Llewelyn Kryten was an absolute stroke of genius, a character who was quite, quite hilarious but also allowed for moments of plot exposition. Over the course of the 6 episodes the 'Boys from the Dwarf' found themselves on a backwards Earth, hunted by a chameleonic lifeform, tampering with timelines and learning about Silicon Heaven (where DO all the calculators go?) The production values were ramped up this time around too with the sets looking a lot more polished than previous series. And it's not just the series that' better, the DVD is packed full of even more goodies. Top of the pile this time round would have to be a brand-new documentary featuring interviews with all the cast and crew that discusses the production of series 3 and deals with each individual episode (a feature that would return on all the subsequent DVD releases) Another interesting inclusion allows the viewers to watch the 'Backwards' episode forward...and finally learn what some of the cast were really saying (The gag with Arthur Smith's character is priceless!) With deleted scenes, outtakes (smeg ups), commentaries on every episode and hidden easter eggs this release continues the quite fantastic display of affection given over to this landmark, much-loved show. Bring on Series 4...