Justice (Red Dwarf episode)

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Red Dwarf episode
"Justice"
Episode № 3
Airdate February 28, 1991
Writer(s) Rob Grant & Doug Naylor
Director Ed Bye
Guest star(s) Nicholas Ball
James Smillie
Series IV
February 14 – March 21, 1991
  1. Camille
  2. DNA
  3. Justice
  4. White Hole
  5. Dimension Jump
  6. Meltdown
List of all Red Dwarf episodes...

"Justice" is the third episode of science fiction sit-com Red Dwarf Series IV[1] and the twenty first episode in the series run.[2] It was first broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 28 February 1991, although it was planned to be broadcast as the second episode, it was moved back in the schedule by the BBC. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and directed by Ed Bye,[3] the episode features the crew's visit to a high-tech prison where Rimmer is charged with the death of the Red Dwarf crew.

Contents

[edit] Plot

While Lister is down with a bout of space mumps, Red Dwarf picks up an escape pod from a prison ship that was transporting dangerous criminals to their final trial, sentence and incarceration on Justice World. But what's inside? It could either be beautiful prison guard Barbara Bellini or a psychotic mass-murdering simulant. The crew have to satisfy their curiosity, but can take no chances. Holly suggest they take the pod to Justice World, where there are facilities to deal with the Simulant.[4]

On arriving at Justice World the Justice Computer scans the crews' minds for signs of guilt and convicts Rimmer on 1,167 counts of second-degree murder, a consequence of his faulty drive-plate repair that killed the crew of the mining vessel Red Dwarf. Kryten proves to the Justice computer Judge that Rimmer's immense guilt stems from his own inflated sense of importance; a man as incompetent and insignificant as Rimmer, he argues, would never be given tasks that might put the whole crew in danger. Rimmer, although deeply offended, is found not guilty.[5]

They board Starbug and discover that the pod didn't contain Barbara Bellini but a psychopathic simulant who then hunts them down through the Justice Zone. Lister decides to confront the simulant one-on-one as he states he is unarmed. The simulant admits he lied as he reveals a knife, Lister also admits to lying as he brings out a lead pipe, but the simulant lied twice and brings out a laser gun. He fires three shots at Lister but there's no wounds. Suddenly three bullet wounds appear in the simulant's chest. Lister remembers the unique trait of Justice World - namely that anyone who tries to perpetrate a crime has the effect put on them.[5] Lister helps the simulant to carry out his act of rampaging attacks until he is defeated.[6]

[edit] Production

Taking influence from their own Red Dwarf novels, writers Rob Grant and Doug Naylor altered some of the historic facts of the show. This was to improve the backstory and keep it in line with their vision of the story as seen in the novels.[7] In "Justice" we discover one of these adjustments is that the ship crew compliment before the accident was 1,169 instead of the 169 stated in previous series.[8]

Initially "Justice" was to feature the Justice World as a planet, but due to time constraints and finance it was seen as a space station instead. The ending was also changed at the last minute. Bird droppings was filmed as landing on Lister after he littered in the Justice Zone gardens. This scene was dropped for Lister's speech about man's sense of justice.[9]

The writers vision of the Justice Zone was with a background that appeared to disappear into infinity. This was perceived as impossible to achieve with the budget available so a compromise was reached. A huge light was placed at the back of the set masking the background limitations and giving the illusion that there was nothing behind.[10]

For the futuristic Justice Zone set the crew used the nearby Sunbury Pumphouse, a disused water pumping plant near the Shepperton studios.[11] The set would provide the corridor settings and steps for the Justice Zone scenes.[10] Guest performers included Nicholas Ball who played the Simulant and James Smilie who voiced the Justice Computer.[3]

[edit] Cultural references

Florence Nightingale is referenced by Lister when he comments that Kryten has been like Florence Nightingdroid looking after him while he had space mumps. Lister thinks that he could disguise himself with a turban and say he's from India, where as the Cat states that he looks more like the Taj Mahal and later references The Elephant Man. In defending Rimmer's innocence Kryten references Napoleon and Long John Silver.

[edit] Reception

The episode was first broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 28 February 1991 in the 9:00pm evening time slot,[12] although it originally planned to be broadcast as the second episode - as seen in the repeat runs. [12] It was moved in the schedule because the Gulf War hostilities meant that "Dimension Jump" and "Meltdown" were postponed.[11] The episode had received a lukewarm reception from viewers,[13] although it has been described as a "classic episode" by others.[14]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ British Sitcom Guide - Red Dwarf - Series 4. www.sitcom.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  2. ^ TV.com - Justice summary. www.tv.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  3. ^ a b Justice cast and crew. www.imdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  4. ^ Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 69.
  5. ^ a b Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 70.
  6. ^ Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 71.
  7. ^ Red Dwarf Series IV Writing. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
  8. ^ Red Dwarf IV changes. www.genreonline.net. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  9. ^ Red Dwarf Series IV Production. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
  10. ^ a b Red Dwarf Series IV Sets. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
  11. ^ a b Howarth, Chris; Steve Lyons (1993). Red Dwarf Programme Guide. Section 1: The History: Virgin Books. ISBN 0-86369-682-1. 
  12. ^ a b BBC - BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF IV - JUSTICE. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
  13. ^ Red Dwarf Smegazine, issue 10, December 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, ISSN 0965-5603
  14. ^ Justice review. www.reviewsbygavrielle.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.

[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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