10 TV Episodes Where People Didn’t Get What They Wished For
8. Red Dwarf – ‘Better Than Life’ (S2 E2)
This early episode shows the characters attempting to cheer a depressed Rimmer up by using a total immersive virtual reality video game after he receives a letter from his mother in a post pod. The game has the power to make the deepest desires of the players come true, which initially seems to be incredible for everyone.
However, Rimmer’s paranoia and feelings of inadequacy soon start to affect the game, ruining his fantasy of being an admiral with a beautiful wife. His subconscious rejects his happiness and creates an arguing family with seven kids. He is threatened by a tax collector and a tarantula crawls up his trousers.
When he starts to adversely affect the game for everyone else, they end up all buried up to their necks in sand, covered in jam and ants. They all escape the game and berate him for his inability to enjoy life and be happy, showing that you can never have all your dreams come true until you truly believe that you deserve them.