Backwards (Red Dwarf episode)

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Red Dwarf episode
"Backwards"
The Cat discovers one of the horrors of being in a backwards world
Episode № 1
Airdate November 14, 1989
Writer(s) Rob Grant & Doug Naylor
Director Ed Bye
Guest star(s) Maria Friedman
Tony Hawks
Anna Palmer
Arthur Smith
Series III
November 14 – December 19, 1989
  1. Backwards
  2. Marooned
  3. Polymorph
  4. Bodyswap
  5. Timeslides
  6. The Last Day
List of all Red Dwarf episodes...

"Backwards" is the first episode of science fiction sit-com Red Dwarf Series III,[1] and the thirteenth in the series run.[2] It premiered on the British television channel BBC2 on 14 November 1989.[3] Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and directed by Ed Bye, the episode has the crew travel to an alternate Earth where time runs backwards.

The episode marks the first appearance of Robert Llewellyn's Kryten, Hattie Hayridge's Holly, the new spaceship Starbug, better production values, and a change in direction of story themes that would cement the shows cult status.[4] The story was later reformulated as a novel by the same name. The episode was re-mastered, along with the rest of the first three series, in 1998.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Rimmer (Chris Barrie) takes Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) out in Starbug 1 for his piloting test and while answering recognition questions they travel through a time hole. They crash land on a planet which appears similar to Earth. As they reach a road side they notice that a sign which says "Nodnol, 871 selim". Although Rimmer is confused, Kryten correctly states that the sign reads London, 178 miles, and that they're on a backwards Earth.[5]

Meanwhile Lister (Craig Charles) and Cat (Danny John-Jules) have been flying around in Starbug 2 for the past three weeks searching for them. They come across the same "time hole" that Starbug 1 did and, despite Cat's reservations, go through it. They close in on Starbug 1 using a homing device and land near the lake where it crash landed. Upon exiting Starbug 2 Lister complains of feeling some pain - he suddenly has a black eye and his ribs feel like they've been cracked.[5]

Kryten and Rimmer are initially disgusted with this "backwards" world. Here, people take money from busker's hats, and cafes are populated by customers who spit tea back into teacups and messily disgorge chocolate éclairs. Newspapers report events that have yet to happen, and advertise job vacancies that offer good prospects of demotion. Rimmer and Kryten quickly discover that they can use their forwardness to their advantage, starring in an act called "The Sensational Reverse Brothers".[5]

Lister and Cat eventually track down Kryten and Rimmer at the club where they work, whereupon Lister finally discovers that everything is backwards, after initially thinking they had landed in Bulgaria. However, Kryten and Rimmer are quite content on this planet. Lister tries to convince them to come back, but they intend to stay. The club owner then fires them for starting a fight, but Kryten argues that they have not started any fight. Lister soon realises that they did start the fight, but it has not happened yet. Lister gets punched in the face, sucking his black eye away, and this leads to a barroom brawl and a huge fight breaks out in reverse. Eventually everything is restored to its original state and they realise that they cannot stay on a backwards Earth. The final realisation occurs when Cat attempts to relieve himself in the bushes, forgetting that everything happens in reverse.[5]

[edit] Production

Locations in and around Manchester were used for the episode
Locations in and around Manchester were used for the episode

With Rob Grant and Doug Naylor directly involved with the third series, under their Grant Naylor Productions team, they radically changed the look of the show.[6] The opening credits sequence sported a new rock guitar version of the Red Dwarf theme tune playing over clips from the series.[7] The opening sequence ends with the first appearance of the official logo of the show which was designed by DeWinters.[6] Mel Bibby had also come onboard the crew and re-designed the sets. His influence of Ridley Scott's Alien film clearly shown in the new sets as murky and run down feel.[8]

Costumes were overhauled as well as Costume designer Howard Burden brought in a new stylish look to the crew. Lister's jacket outfit, having been designed with his art school background in mind, included a voluptuous woman riding a rocket on the back. This woman had indeed intended to be Wilma Flintstone but was changed to a generic looking female once the legality of using The Flintstone image arose. Rimmer's tunic uniform served as implying his devotion to duty as well as his hologrammatic status. While the Cat's wardrobe reached new heights in the fashion stakes where as Kryten's appearance was based on the Series II look but produced more successfully.[9]

Effects also featured more heavily in the new series. The bar room brawl with plenty of fake glass, featured a stunt double hurling through a window on the set. Blue screen backgrounds were used for the actors to film against which was then merged with the cloaked Starbug location footage. Close up shots were merely filmed on top of a raised platform with only the sky visible in the background.[10]

Starbug was introduced as the new spaceship in place of Blue Midget. Grant and Naylor felt that Blue Midget didn't work well set-wise because of size constraints so they requested that Peter Wragg, and his visual effects team, come up with a design for another ship. The final design, initially called White Midget, was shown to Grant and Naylor and they liked it, but they thought it looked more like a bug so settled on the name Starbug.[11]

The Series III pre-credits scroll detailing the back story was actually intended to be an episode in its own right. Titled "Dad", the episode would have tied the loose ends from series two's "Parallel Universe" where Lister would have given birth to the twins and given them back to the parallel universe Lister version. Grant and Naylor had partially written the script but they decided to scrap the idea as they felt it to be unfunny and potentially offensive to women.[12]

Many of the location scenes for "Backwards" were filmed in and around Manchester. Series creator and writer Rob Grant can be seen standing on the street with sunglasses smoking a cigarette backwards. The episode's theme gave the writers an opportunity to insert some in-joke dialogue that otherwise wouldn't have been put in. In one scene the bar manager comes into Rimmer and Kryten's dressing room to tell them that they're sacked for un-starting a bar room brawl. In fact what he is saying refers more to the one sad prat who has been bothered to get hold of this recording, turn it round, and actually work out this rubbish. At the very end (beginning?) of the reverse barroom brawl, an "Action!", said by Ed Bye can be heard.[4]

The character of Kryten was originally intended as a one-off appearance in the series-two episode "Kryten". The character returned mainly to broaden the story potential as Lister was the only person who could really do anything. Rimmer, a hologram, couldn't touch anything, the Cat couldn't be bothered to touch anything, and Holly was incompetent. The show was becoming difficult to write for. At the insistence of Naylor, Kryten returned to complete the team.[12]

Grant and Naylor had approached David Ross with the intention of bringing him back to play the regular role of Kryten. Ross was in a stage play Flea In Her Ear and wasn't available, so they went to see Robert Llewellyn at the advice of Paul Jackson. Llewellyn was in a stage show called Mammon, playing a robot. They saw his performance and were impressed.[12]

The very first scene that Llewellyn filmed involved him lighting candles with his fingers. He was wired up for the flame to ignite from his fingertip. The problem was that it was wet on the set and he was sweating so the wiring was backfiring and electrocuting him. The scene was cut out from the show.[12]

"Backwards" world guest stars includes Maria Friedman as the Waitress, Tony Hawks as a Compere, Anna Palmer as a Customer in Cafe and Arthur Smith as the Pub Manager.[13]

[edit] Cultural references

The Star Wars type scroll used to update viewers on recent events
The Star Wars type scroll used to update viewers on recent events

A Star Wars style scroll is used to explain all the occurrences that had happened between Series II and III.[6] In the opening scene between Lister and the Cat, they discuss whether The Flinstones' Wilma Flintstone is sexy or not. They come to the conclusion that they are insane for discussing such things, since she would never leave Fred.[14]

Kryten's spaceship examination, which includes registration reading, "if you'd like show me to your vehicle", "in your own time", direction instructions, recognition test and stopping distances all mirrors the same examination that UK citizens take with DVLA examinations.

Both Ghengis Khan and Doug McClure are referenced by Rimmer when trying to ascertain the time period.

The Big Bang theory, as well as expansion and contraction, is explained by Holly as the reason why this universe is running backwards. To look inconspicuous Kryten walks into the cafe wearing a Ronald Reagan rubber mask. The newspaper that Kryten is titled Yadretsey, or Yesterday forwards — a parody of the Today newspaper that was published at time of production.

Kryten and Rimmer think that the backwards world is wonderful, stating facts like the second world war where millions of people will come back to life. Hitler will retreat across Europe, liberating France and Poland. Lister though looks at the other side of the argument and states that in this universe St. Francis of Assissi is the petty-minded little sadist who goes around maiming small animals and Santa Claus is a big guy who sneaks down chimneys and steals all the kids' favourite toys.

[edit] Reception

The episode was originally broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 14 November 1989 in the 9:00pm evening time slot.[3] As with all episodes in the third series, Backwards gained healthy viewing figures, increasing on Series II efforts.[15] Although Series III was received well as a whole, "Backwards" was picked out as a highlight, Sci-Fi Dimensions describing it as "the best",[16] while Sci-Fi.com agreed that the episode was "the season's best" and "has the season's best philosophical rant".[17] The Red Dwarf Smegazine readers poll listed the episode at number four with 7.1% of the votes.[18]

[edit] Remastering

See also: Red Dwarf remastered

The remastering of Series I to III was carried out during the late 1990s.[19] Changes included replacement of the opening credits,[20] giving the picture a colour grade and filmizing,[21] computer generated special effects of Red Dwarf[22] and many more visual and audio enhancements.[22]

Changes made specific to "Backwards" include an animated shot of the ejected Rimmer has been added to the opening scene with Starbug with scream and thump sounds enhanced. Starbug's sounds have been remixed and enhanced throughout. A new time-hole tunnel sequence has been added when Starbug travels through it. POV landscape shots have been added as Starbug enters the backwards Earth. Fire elements and sound effects have been added to the Starbug crash. The cafe exterior has been added as a transitional shot. The cloaking Starbug has been added to the existing empty shot of Lister and Cat arriving on 'backwards' Earth. The end credit sequence has been flipped and reads in reverse.[23]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ British Sitcom Guide - Red Dwarf - Series 3. www.sitcom.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  2. ^ TV.com - Backwards summary. www.tv.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  3. ^ a b BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF III THE SAGA CONTINUUMS - 1, BACKWARDS. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
  4. ^ a b Howarth & Lyons (1993)
  5. ^ a b c d Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 60.
  6. ^ a b c Red Dwarf Series III Production. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  7. ^ Red Dwarf Series III Music. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  8. ^ Red Dwarf Series III Sets. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  9. ^ Red Dwarf Series III Costumes. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  10. ^ Red Dwarf Series III Effects. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  11. ^ Interview: Peter Wragg, Red Dwarf Smegazine, issue 8, October 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, issn 0965-5603
  12. ^ a b c d Interview: Grant Naylor, Red Dwarf Smegazine, issue 6, August 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, issn 0965-5603
  13. ^ Backwards cast and crew. www.imdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  14. ^ Backwards movie connections. www.imdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-08.
  15. ^ Red Dwarf Series III Aftermath. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  16. ^ Red Dwarf Series III review at Sci-fi Dimensions. www.scifidimensions.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  17. ^ SciFi.com Series III review. www.scifi.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  18. ^ Reader Survey Results, Red Dwarf Smegazine, p. 27., issue 10, December 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, ISSN 0965-5603
  19. ^ Remasters of the Universe. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  20. ^ Red Dwarf Series I Remastering. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-30.
  21. ^ Remastering Crew. The End Re-Mastered DVD Commentary [DVD]. Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc: BBC.
  22. ^ a b Remastering Crew. 'Re-Dwarf' Documentary [DVD]. Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc: BBC.
  23. ^ Remastering Crew. Backwards text commentary [DVD]. Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset, Green disc: BBC.
  24. ^ Red Dwarf Series VI Aftermath. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.

[edit] References

  • Howarth, Chris; Steve Lyons (1993). Red Dwarf Programme Guide. Virgin Books. ISBN 0-86369-682-1. 

[edit] External links

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