Meltdown (Red Dwarf episode)

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Red Dwarf episode
"Meltdown"
Episode № 6
Airdate March 21, 1991
Writer(s) Rob Grant & Doug Naylor
Director Ed Bye
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...

"Meltdown" is the sixth, and final, episode of science fiction sit-com Red Dwarf Series IV[1] and the twenty fourth episode in the series run.[2] It was first broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 21 March 1991. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and directed by Ed Bye.[3] The episode, featuring Wax-Droids of famous historical figures involved in a war of good versus evil, was postponed due to the Gulf War conflict.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Kryten discovers a matter transporter device in the research lab of Red Dwarf. It can convert an individual into digital information and then transmit them in the form of light beams to another point in space. The crew decide to explore the nearest planet with breathable air, thousands of light years away.[4] Rimmer and Kryten go first, but are chased by two Godzilla-like dinosaurs and taken prisoner by a gun-toting Elvis Presley. Lister and the Cat follow and are captured by Hitler.[5]

While in jail Lister and Cat are interrogated by the Roman Emperor Caligula and witness the execution of Winnie the Pooh by a firing squad consisting of Al Capone, Mussolini, Richard III and James Last. It's clear that something very strange is going on. It soon becomes apparent that they have travelled to Wax-world - a Wax-Droid theme park that has been abandoned for millions of years, during which time the droids have broken their programming and now the inhabitants of Villain World are waging war against Hero World.[5]

Rimmer sees this as his destiny to lead the small remaining bunch of intellectuals pacifists and celebrities in their struggle against the massed forces of evil. But since his main strategy seems to be a charge through the minefield under cover of daylight, it probably isn't one of his better ideas. Thanks to a suicide mission by Queen Victoria, and a handy thermostat the enemy is defeated. Although all his troops are killed too Rimmer sees it as a fine victory. Lister on the other hand is disgusted by the pointlessness of it all, and to punish Rimmer he requests Rimmer's hologram-projecting light bee and swallows it. He then assures Kryten that Rimmer will be okay "He'll come out in a couple a days".[5]

[edit] Production

"Meltdown" was the first episode to feature the crew on a planet for most of the running time. For the scene transitional cuts the usual Red Dwarf model shots were replaced by a technique of stretching the shot, cutting then releasing it back. This was produced in post-production and [6] were accompanied by a military style drum riff.[7] The intentionally unconvincing monsters of Wax World's prehistoric section were taken from footage of the monster movie Gappa (1967). also known as Daikyoju Gappa (1967).[6]

The episode turned out to be director Ed Bye's last. He had thought that Red Dwarf IV would have been the last series and he agreed with his wife, Ruby Wax, to direct her television show The Full Wax. He would however return to Red Dwarf to direct on Series VII and VIII.[8]

The many guest appearances included Clayton Mark as waxdroid Elvis Presley, Kenneth Hadley as waxdroid Adolf Hitler, Martin Friend as waxdroid Albert Einstein, Stephen Tiller as waxdroid Pythagoras, Jack Klaff as waxdroid Abraham Lincoln, Tony Hawks as waxdroid Caligula, Michael Burrell as waxdroid Pope Gregory, Forbes Masson as waxdroid Stan Laurel, Roger Blake as waxdroid Noel Coward and Pauline Bailey as waxdroid Marilyn Monroe.[3]

[edit] Cultural references

The plot theme of wax droids running amok is based on the 1973 film Westworld.[9] When the Elvis wax droid explains the war to Kryten and Rimmer he states that all the best good warriors are gone, John Wayne, Sir Lancelot, Joan of Arc, Nelson, Wellington, even Doris Day. The Pythagoras wax droid also refers to several members from the "Villain World": Hitler, Napoleon, Messalina, The Boston Strangler, and Caligula, among others. Lister references the 1967 film The Dirty Dozen when he sees what Rimmer's doing with the good Wax-Droids.[9]

[edit] Reception

The episode was first broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 21 March 1991 in the 9:00pm evening time slot.[10] It wasn't originally intended to be shown as the series' finale, but because of the Gulf War conflict at the time the BBC had decided to postpone the episode due to its war theme. When the hostilities had ceased the episode was able to be broadcast at the end of the series' run.[11]

Although Series IV performed well overall in the Red Dwarf magazine poll, "Meltdown" was considered the least favourite from the series, gaining 1.3% of the overall votes,[12] although its opening scenes has been described as "terrific" and a "real gem".[13]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ British Sitcom Guide - Red Dwarf - Series 4. www.sitcom.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  2. ^ TV.com - Meltdownsummary. www.tv.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  3. ^ a b Meltdown cast and crew. www.imdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  4. ^ Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 73.
  5. ^ a b c Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 74.
  6. ^ a b Red Dwarf Series IV Production. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
  7. ^ Red Dwarf Series IV Music. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
  8. ^ Interview: Ed Bye, Red Dwarf Smegazine, issue 12, February 1993, Fleetway Editions Ltd, ISSN 0965-5603
  9. ^ a b Red Dwarf movie connections. www.imdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-08.
  10. ^ BBC - BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF IV - MELTDOWN. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
  11. ^ Howarth, Chris; Steve Lyons (1993). Red Dwarf Programme Guide. Section 1: The History: Virgin Books. ISBN 0-86369-682-1. 
  12. ^ Red Dwarf Smegazine: Survey Results, issue 10, December 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, ISSN 0965-5603
  13. ^ Meltdown 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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