Waiting for God

Series I, Episode 4
Recorded: 11.10.1987, BBC Manchester
First Broadcast: 07.03.1988 (BBC 2)
VHS Release: 02.08.1993 (BBCV 4915)
DVD Release: 04.11.2002 (BBCDVD 1117)
Blu-ray Release: 14.01.2019 (BBCBD 0441)

Written by Rob Grant & Doug Naylor
Directed by Ed Bye

Synopsis

Holly, the ship's computer, recovers a strange unidentified pod floating in the frozen wastes of Deep Space. Rimmer is convinced it contains the remains of a long-dead alien warrior, and immediately begins a scientific investigation to decipher the pod's hieroglyphics. Meanwhile, Lister's rather mundane day perks up a little when he discovers he is a God.

Cast

Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Craig Charles (Lister), Danny John-Jules (Cat), Norman Lovett (Holly), Noel Coleman (Cat Priest), John Lenahan (Toaster)

Did You Know?

Not counting Series XI's Ankita (later revealed to be a Polymorph), Noel Coleman has the honour of playing the only member of the cat race other than The Cat to be seen onscreen so far. A distinctive feature of his costume and makeup was having one differently-coloured hand, to reflect the black-and-white fur of some cat breeds.

After Future Echoes' "developing photograph" gimmick, the closing credits of the show are messed with for a second time, with Rimmer interrupting the flow with his angry realisation that the pod is "a smegging garbage pod!" A gag that would be considerably more difficult to achieve in the modern, credit-squeezing age.

Buy (Blu-ray)
Buy (DVD)
Buy (iTunes)