Despite its flaws, Dear Dave is probably one of my favorite episodes. This scene is one of the reasons why: The story would have worked perfectly well with Lister’s flirting being a simple misunderstanding. However, what actually happens, as seen here, is that Lister genuinely is flirting with the vending machine. Oh, he’s not aware of it; it’s just something he does. It comes naturally to him.
This fits what we are told about Lister in the early series, and certainly the novels; he’s a big flirt, and has no trouble finding a date… unless it’s someone he really cares about, in which case he throws a Guybrush Threepwood (look, I’m old, so my references are old, OK?). The idea that Lister is so naturally suave that he accidentally seduces one vending machine and has another one fall in love with him is inspired.
It’s also a subtle reminder of how lonely he is, that he automatically transfers those people skills (the charm, the casual flirting) to the nearest possible thing to human contact he has – even if it’s machinery. He needs that validation, that back and forth, even if it’s just an illusion.
Bittersweet but true. Of course it’s played for comedy and it is funny, but with the underlying sadness that’s often there in RD.
You can’t blame her. Machinery or not, no one can resist the long johns.