The boys from the Dwarf are back for a 12th series, this time visiting a remote outpost dedicated to curing psychopaths. What could possibly go wrong?

Filmed at the same time as series 11, there’s a familiarity to the set-up and resolution of this tale, which relies (as ever) on our love of the characters. There’s some nice model work of Starbug and the research base, but the focus is all on the unlikely quartet, playing to their character traits.

Ryan (The Hobbit) Gage plays a camp Adolf Hitler, jamming with Lister on guitar. It may be in questionable taste, but it works in the context of the story, the sci-fi conceit being the ability to recreate someone by regressing DNA from their descendants. It’s all nonsense of course, but that’s the DNA of the show itself – silly sci-fi fun in the company of friends.

Verdict: Cat is narcissistic, Rimmer is a coward, Kryten states the odds and Lister is a slob – yes, we’re back in business. Not the strongest start to a season, and lacking the high concept or budget of last year’s opener Twentica, but each of the smegheads gets their moment and it’s reassuringly old school. 7/10

Nick Joy