Balance of Power story
Lister wants to go on a date with the hologram of his former love interest, navigation officer Kristine Kochanski (C. P. Grogan), but it would mean replacing Rimmer as the ship's hologram, which of course Rimmer will not let happen. Lister decides to take a cooking exam so he can become a chef; if he passes he will hold sufficient rank to order this. Rimmer attempts to discourage Lister from taking the exam, but fails in this task. Directed by: Ed Bye. Story by: Rob Grant & Doug Naylor.
17 total · 5 major · 12 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| felinoid being | major | The cat-man Cat. |
| roommate and roommate | major | Lister and the Rimmer hologram were still sharing a cramped crew quarters in spite of being virtually alone on a huge spaceship. |
| sentient computer | major | The Red Dwarf computer Holly. |
| virtual person | major | The hologram simulation of the dead crewman Rimmer. |
| workplace rivalry | major | Lister was taking measures, that if successful, would result in him outranking the Rimmer hologram to the hologram's annoyance. |
| boredom | minor | Lister rid himself of his boredom by fantasizing about drinking and singing songs in the mess hall together with three old friends. |
| evil hand | minor | The Rimmer hologram accidentally got a malevolent Danish arm that slapped him around a bit. |
| friendship | minor | The Rimmer hologram appealed to his long friendship with Lister but Lister concluded that they'd never been much of that. |
| hologram | minor | The Rimmer hologram was annoyed when Lister deliberate walked straight through him. |
| illegal drug trade | minor | The Rimmer hologram was dismayed to find Lister in possession of illegal learning drugs - drugs Lister had swiped from Rimmer's own locker. |