7. A Love Story Across Time, Space, Death and Reality
Also missing from the returning cast is Chloe Annett as Kristine Kochanski. Her addition to the crew in series VII was met with resistance by most fans, though by the series end she had grown on us. Initially a romantic foil for Lister, finding Kochanski was second only to his goal of getting back to Earth in the earlier series. The most recent offering---Back To Earth---saw Kochanskis absence explained as first death and then a choice to leave a love sick Lister. Clearly a plot device, but one that worked; Lister ended Back to Earth vowing to find Kochanski and rekindle her romance with her. Its a move that indicates a return to the shows roots; hopefully the first of many. While Chloe Annett is very accomplished and certainly beautiful, her absence from Series X is definitely something to be excited about---it let's us continue Listers love story across time, space, death and reality.