Timeslides

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Red Dwarf episode
"Timeslides"
Lister decides to use a timeslide and the Tension Sheet invention to change his past
Episode № 5
Airdate December 12, 1989
Writer(s) Rob Grant & Doug Naylor
Director Ed Bye
Guest star(s) Ruby Wax
Koo Stark
Emile Charles
Simon Gaffney
Robert Addie
Rupert Bates
Richard Hainsworth
Stephen McKintosh
Mark Steel
Louisa Ruthven
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...

"Timeslides" is the fifth episode of science fiction sit-com Red Dwarf Series III,[1] and the seventeenth in the series run.[2] It premiered on the British television channel BBC2 on 12 December 1989. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and directed by Ed Bye, the plot deals with Lister's desire to change his life by going back in time and changing his past. The episode was re-mastered, along with the rest of the first three series, in 1998.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Lister (Craig Charles) is bored - bored with Scrabble, bored with table golf, bored with Durex volleyball - even bored with Junior Angler. He tells Cat (Danny John-Jules) and Rimmer (Chris Barrie) that he hates his life on Red Dwarf. During the conversation, Rimmer reminisces about a former schoolmate, Thickie Holden, who despite being one of the stupidest boys in class went on to earn an immense fortune with an invention called the "tension sheet", which, as Rimmer states, is merely bubble wrap that has been painted red with the words "tension sheet" written on it. Meanwhile, while working in the ship's darkroom, Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) accidentally discovers that the developing fluid can make photographs come to life. The same thing is possible with slides, and soon the crew are stepping into photographs and back in time. The only problem is that they can't move outside the borders of the original photo.[3]

Lister decides to go back in time and change history by giving the "Tension Sheet" invention to his 17-year-old self. This creates unforeseen changes in the present, as the Cat and Kryten disappear, leaving Rimmer alone with Holly (Hattie Hayridge).[3] Deciding that this is not on, Rimmer visits Lister, hoping to persuade him to come back to Red Dwarf. Lister, however – now living in a mansion with a supermodel – fails to recognise him, and tells the butler to throw him out.[4]

Rimmer decides to take it upon himself to restore the time-lines to normal, and travels even further back in time to give the secret of the "Tension Sheet" to his younger self. However, Rimmer's plan is overheard by his younger self's bunk room schoolmate, Thickie Holden. Upon returning to the present, everything is put back exactly the way it was. Lister, Cat and Kryten re-appear and Rimmer waits to disappear to fame and riches. However, nothing happens as Holly explains the "Tension Sheet" was invented by one Thickie Holden. But one thing is different; Rimmer is now alive, not a hologram. Delighted, he rushes out into a corridor, slams his fists down on top of some innocuous-looking crates and accidentally blows himself up.[4]

[edit] Production

Due to a continuity error certain lines had to be cut from the skiing holiday picture scene. The scene established that Lister had got somebody's skiing holiday pictures back by mistake. The skiers were scripted to discuss about how they received Lister's rather scary birthday snaps in place of theirs. Craig Charles realised that this was a continuity flaw as at that time, the skiers would not have received them yet.[5] The lines were cut, but as they were originally speaking parts, Lusisa Ruthven and Mark Steel were still credited for their parts.[6]

The episode featured music from Craig Charles. Not only did he write "Bad News" and "Cash" but he penned the "Om" song which was sung by the young Lister, who was played by Emile Charles, Craig's brother.[7] Young Lister was lead singer in the band 'Smeg and the Heads', portrayed by Jeffrey Walker and Bill Steer of real-life band Carcass.

Simon Gaffney played the Young Rimmer. Robert Addie played Gilbert, Lister's servant. Rupert Bates and Richard Hainsworth each played as one of Lister's Bodyguards.[8] Stephen McKintosh played Thickie Holden, Rimmer's roommate and inventor of the Tension Sheet.[8] Louisa Ruthven appeared as Ski Woman and Mark Steel appeared as Ski Man in one of the Timeslide photos, Koo Stark played Lady Sabrina Mulholland-Jjones, Lister's "most desirable woman in the western hemisphere" fiancée.[8] Ruby Wax, director Ed Bye's wife, played Blaize Falconberger, the host of the fictional TV show Lifestyles of the Disgustingly Rich and Famous.[8]

[edit] Cultural references

One of the Timeslide photos shows Adolf Hitler, leader of the "runners-up" in World War II, in Nuremberg. Lister comes back from the Timeslide with a suitcase from Staff Colonel Von Stauffenberg, who was a key member in the assassination attempt on Hitler. The possibilities of the Timeslides are endless, as Lister says, that they could go back and convince Dustin Hoffman not to make Ishtar.[9]

With the timelines changed Lister is now famous and rich as shown in a news reel. He bought Buckingham Palace just to gravel his drive. He called his home "Xanadu", not as a reference to the movie Citizen Kane, but rather as a tribute to the hit single by Dave, Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. The wealthy Lister is profiled in a fictional TV show as a spoof of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

[edit] Reception

The episode was originally broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 12 December 1989 in the 9:00pm evening time slot.[10] Although the episode is not remembered as much as its fellow Series III efforts - "Backwards" and "Polymorph" - it was still rated highly. 'Reviews by Gavrielle' remarking that the episode was "brilliant from start to finish."[11]

[edit] Remastering

See also: Red Dwarf remastered

The remastering of Series I to III was carried out during the late 1990s.[12] General changes throughout the series included replacement of the opening credits,[13] giving the picture a colour grade and filmizing,[14] computer generated special effects of Red Dwarf[15] and many more visual and audio enhancements.[15]

There have been changes made specific to "Timeslides". The special guest star Adolf Hitler mention has been removed from the opening credits. Lister kicking the bomb into the timeslide has been tightened and a fire element added to explosion. Lister's reference to the Dustin Hoffman movie Ishtar has been removed. Xanadu and Citizen Kane references have been removed. A running water video effect has been added to rich Lister's huge statue. [16]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ British Sitcom Guide - Red Dwarf - Series 3. www.sitcom.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  2. ^ TV.com - Timeslides summary. www.tv.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  3. ^ a b Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 64.
  4. ^ a b Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 65.
  5. ^ Red Dwarf series III Production. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  6. ^ Red Dwarf Series III Casting. 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. ^ a b c d Timeslides cast and crew. www.imdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  9. ^ Timeslides movie connections. www.imdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  10. ^ BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF III THE SAGA CONTINUUMS - 5, TIMESLIDES. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
  11. ^ Red Dwarf III review by Gavrielle. www.reviewsbygavrielle.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  12. ^ Remasters of the Universe. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  13. ^ Red Dwarf Series I Remastering. www.reddwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-30.
  14. ^ Remastering Crew. The End Re-Mastered DVD Commentary [DVD]. Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc: BBC.
  15. ^ a b Remastering Crew. 'Re-Dwarf' Documentary [DVD]. Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc: BBC.
  16. ^ Remastering Crew. Timeslides text commentary [DVD]. Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset, Green disc: BBC.

[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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