A new approach to a first-rate show.
After the pretty weak Series 7, I was glad to see Red Dwarf return to being a quality sci-fi comedy. The format may have altered, but all long-running shows must experiment or they'll just run out of steam (as I think Series 7 proved). In these three episodes, the crew return to a Red Dwarf re-created by the nanobots, only to find those little robots have also re-created the crew. As a result, the regulars find themselves in the brig in what becomes a kind of 'Porridge in Space'. The trial of the regulars is covered in three interesting, well-written episodes. Rimmer returns, and is back to being at his most hilariously slippery and obnoxious. The re-created characters, such as the Captain, work well, and there are some wonderfully surreal sequences such as Cat teaching spaceships to dance and a plasticine world. Well worth getting, as these episodes demonstrate the series really is back in the red.

Great show in decline.
Although I think it was necessary to try something new and make some changes to keep the show fresh, i don't think it worked all that well. I wouldn't mind having the crew resurrected by the nano's, Rimmer back, Lister and company in the brig and other things like that if the jokes were still funny. Unfortunately, I think that something has been lost, and the magic is truly gone in the series by this point.
"Back in the Red, Part I" - The Red Dwarf has been fully restored by the nanobots, including the crew and sections of the ship that were only in the blueprints. The gang is in trouble because they crashed a starbug, and are put in the brig.
"Back in the red, Part II" - Lister bribes Rimmer into helping them get out of the brig by offering him confidential files that may get him promoted.
"Back in the Red, Part III" - The gang is sentenced to 2 years in the brig for their crimes, including Rimmer, who tried to help them escape.

I found all these episodes to be kind of funny, but just not the same. I liked Rimmer being back, but I found him to be annoyingly over the top at times (with the 5 minute long salutes and such), and Kryten has become a bit annoying as well. I also don't like the Captain Hollister character very much.

Sometimes superb, other times painful.
Series VIII - Not, as I was hoping, a continuation of the delightful character driven series VII, but an attempt at the wild comedy that we saw in series VI with gags coming thick and fast. Successful? The episodes that bookend this tape are classic dwarf, as good as any, one is OK, the other is pitiful.

BITR pt 1
This is a really, really funny episode with some classic moments. To my delight, it contained some wonderful Rimmer/Lister sparring, not seen since series 11. The visual effects have also vastly improved since the last series - the re-created original bunkroom being the highlight. The whole rat-arsed scenario is likewise simply fantastic. Doug Naylor's script has rarely been better, the only mis-tep being that there are so MANY jokes that some fall flat - "Are you sure your chair is tied down" etc. But that is such a minor quibble in a simply stunning first episode. Great! 4/4

BITR pt 2
After such a fantastic first installment, it was inevitable that the pace would not be kept up, and it isn't. Quite. The second episode starts well enough with funny and enjoyable scenes - the dinner scene is especially memorable - but it soon degenerates into painful viewing with the whole Kryten toilet thing and the return of a very irritating bunch of Duane Dibbley's. These two scenes hurt the show, but it has so many other good points it is saved. Lot of good Lister/Rimmer dialogue, great gags and set pieces. 2.5/4

BITR pt 3
A hugely dissapointing conclusion to the three parter. The worst episode in Red Dwarf history. There is very little coherence in this episode. The jokes are mostly poor,the acting is weak and the dance is boring. A few plusses - "Cut off both his b!"£$$s with a blunt knife!" and the opening bunk scene. But other than that it is mostly rubbish from start to finish. Painful. 1.5/4

Cassandra
A fantastic episode. Harks back to the Red Dwarf glory days. Funny, inventive and entertaining. Everything about this eisode is superb and the new characters are great. 4/4

The best ever
This was a perfect way to start off with a the last season. Bringing Rimmer back was a great idea, giving us Rimmer and Lister duels, as it should be. The luck and love virus' are hilarous.

This hurts to say...
I love Red Dwarf. Every episode was classic...until this series. To put it bluntly I hate it. The jokes arn't funny, the characters become annoying and worst of all Rimmer's alive.

This series is REALLY slap stick, but it has its saving graces, but they are so few they arent worth mentioning. So instead of buying this buy the books.