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Cassandra (Red Dwarf)

2022-08-07T19:57:16Z

2A00:23C4:A41E:D301:855:8317:9DB3:BCEF: /* Synopsis */

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox television episode
| series = [[Red Dwarf]]
| image = Cassandra (Red Dwarf).jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = The crew meet Cassandra, an advanced AI able to predict the future
| series_no = 8
| episode = 4
| director = [[Ed Bye]]
| writer = [[Doug Naylor]]
| airdate = 7 March 1999 (US), 11 March 1999 (UK)
| guests =
* [[Mac McDonald]] as Captain Hollister
* [[Graham McTavish]] as Warden Ackerman
* [[Geraldine McEwan]] as Cassandra
* [[Jake Wood]] as Kill Crazy
* Shend as Warden Knot
* Ian Soundy as Guard
* Joseph Crilly as Blood Drinker
| prev = [[Back in the Red]]
| next = [[Krytie TV]]
| episode_list = List of Red Dwarf episodes
}}
"'''Cassandra'''" is the fourth episode of ''[[Red Dwarf|Red Dwarf VIII]]'' and the 48th in the series run. It was first shown in the UK on 11 March 1999 in the 9:00pm [[BBC Two|BBC2]] time slot,<ref name="BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF - CASSANDRA">{{cite web|url=http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/ICEA448T |title=BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF - CASSANDRA |publisher=BBC |accessdate=18 December 2007 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Written by [[Doug Naylor]] and directed by [[Ed Bye]].

==Synopsis==

Following Holly's advice, Lister signs up for "the Canaries". However, he soon discovers there are two problems: first; they are a group of expendables who go first into dangerous situations and not, as he believed, the prison choir, and secondly; he's signed the whole gang up by forging their signatures. At the last minute, Rimmer, Lister, Kryten, Kochanski and the Cat try to get themselves released from the Canaries on the grounds of Lister's misunderstanding by singing ''[[You Are the Sunshine of My Life]]'' at Canary initiation, though this fails. Their first mission is aboard the sunken wreck of the SSS ''Silverberg'', a prison ship for its sole occupant, Cassandra, a computer who can predict the future with 100% accuracy, and she predicts Rimmer is soon to die.

Cassandra claims that only Lister, Kryten, Kochanski and the Cat will make it out alive and that all the other prisoners will die (although Rimmer will die first). Though told it is impossible to prevent Cassandra's prediction from coming true Rimmer comes up with a plan. He realises that no one ever referred to him as Rimmer in front of Cassandra and since she doesn't know everything she may believe someone else is Rimmer and have predicted that that other person will die first. He manages to ruin Knot's jacket and gives him his own with his name tag on it as a replacement, insisting that Knot call him any number of insulting names but not "Rimmer". When Cassandra sees Knot die of a heart attack (caused by learning that he would die of a heart attack) she of course believes him to be named Rimmer so her prediction comes true. The real Rimmer is prepared to celebrate until she points out he's still going to die. He questions how it happens and she claims that Lister kills him after finding him in bed with Kochanski. Rimmer is quite happy about the concept, Kochanski is not. She believes that even if she were blind drunk, that would not excuse her other senses. Rimmer still tries to persuade her, but she disagrees. He then accidentally soaks Kochanski with water, forcing her to take her clothes off and lie on the bed he has prepared.

Very much to his annoyance, before Rimmer can have sex with Kochanski, he is interrupted by Lister. Kryten has figured out that Cassandra must have known her whole life how and when she was going to die and furthermore that Lister was the one who kills her. She lied about Rimmer and Kochanski as a means to punish Lister for what he would do. Lister then goes back to Cassandra's chamber, telling her that he doesn't like the idea that his entire future is already picked out, and plans to prove he can make his own decisions by refusing to kill her. As he exits, he takes chewing gum out of his mouth and idly sticks it to the wall. It lands on the fan, turning it on, and ricochets to a glass of scotch; the scotch spills and lands on Cassandra's power wire, inadvertently killing her. Seeing Cassandra's annoyed (and knowing) look, Lister realises what he has done, and leaves, cursing "Smeg!"

==Production==
"Cassandra" was the first episode to be seen by US audiences before being broadcast in the UK. Some PBS stations were broadcasting the entire series in the United States, even showing the last five episodes before the BBC broadcast, "Cassandra" being the first of the five.<ref name="Red Dwarf series VIII Aftermath">{{cite web|url=http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/aftermath.html |title=Red Dwarf series VIII Aftermath |publisher=Red Dwarf.co.uk |accessdate=17 December 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928090657/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/aftermath.html |archivedate=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

Doug Naylor claimed this episode was to play into the fans' beliefs that Rimmer was going to die and come back as a hologram.

[[Mac McDonald]] appeared as Captain Hollister, [[Graham McTavish]] as Governor Ackerman, [[Geraldine McEwan]] as Cassandra, [[Jake Wood]] as Kill Crazy, Ian Soundy as Guard.

==Cultural references==
In the DVD commentary to this episode, Danny John-Jules claims the name and appearance of Cassandra were homaged in the "''[[Doctor Who]]''" episode "[[The End of the World (Doctor Who)|The End of the World]]", as a joke.

Cassandra herself is named after [[Cassandra|the figure from Greek mythology]] who could see the future and predicted her own death.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Red_Dwarf#.22Cassandra.22_part_3.22|Cassandra}}
*{{BBC episode|p00bpm2n|Cassandra}}
*{{IMDb episode|0684150|Cassandra}}
* [http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/guide/index.cfm?seriesID=8 Series VIII episode guide at www.reddwarf.co.uk]

{{Red Dwarf episodes}}

[[Category:Red Dwarf VIII episodes]]
[[Category:1999 British television episodes]]

Back in the Red

2022-08-07T19:49:38Z

2A00:23C4:A41E:D301:855:8317:9DB3:BCEF: /* Part 2 */

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}

{{Infobox television episode
| series = [[Red Dwarf]]
| image = Back in the Red Part I.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Kryten demonstrates one of the emotions he has learned, 'happiness'
| series_no = 8
| episode = 1, 2 and 3
| director = [[Ed Bye]]
| writer = [[Doug Naylor]]
| airdate = 18 February – 4 March 1999
| guests =
* [[Mac McDonald]] as Captain Hollister
* [[Paul Bradley (British actor)|Paul Bradley]] as Chen
* David Gillespie as Selby
* Karl Glenn Stimpson as MP Thornton
* [[Kika Mirylees]] as Doc Newton
* Andy Taylor as Dr McClaren
* Jemma Churchill as Panel Woman Officer
* Sue Kelvin as Second Woman Officer
* Genevieve Swallow as Last Woman Officer
* [[Geoffrey Beevers]] as Doctor
* [[Graham McTavish]] as Warden Ackerman
* [[Yasmin Bannerman]] as First Ground Controller
* [[Jeillo Edwards]] as Second Ground Controller
| prev = [[Nanarchy]]
| next = [[Cassandra (Red Dwarf)|Cassandra]]
| episode_list = List of Red Dwarf episodes
}}

'''''Back in the Red''''' is the opening three-part episode of series VIII of [[science fiction]] [[sit-com]] ''[[Red Dwarf]]''. Part 1 was first broadcast on the British television channel [[BBC2]] on 18 February 1999<ref name="BBC – Programme Catalogue – RED DWARF – BACK IN THE RED, Episode 1">{{cite web | url =http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/ICEA445L | title =BBC – Programme Catalogue – RED DWARF – BACK IN THE RED, Episode 1 | publisher =BBC | accessdate =2007-12-18 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> followed by Part 2 on 25 February<ref name="BBC – Programme Catalogue – RED DWARF – BACK IN THE RED, Episode 2">{{cite web | url =http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/ICEA446F | title =BBC – Programme Catalogue – RED DWARF – BACK IN THE RED, Episode 2 | publisher =BBC | accessdate =2007-12-18 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and Part 3 on 4 March.<ref name="BBC – Programme Catalogue – RED DWARF – BACK IN THE RED, Episode 3">{{cite web | url =http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/ICEA447A | title =BBC – Programme Catalogue – RED DWARF – BACK IN THE RED, Episode 3 | publisher =BBC | accessdate =2007-12-18 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The plot involves the re-introduction of ''Red Dwarf'', as nanobots have rebuilt the ship and the original crew are resurrected. The three episodes were written by [[Doug Naylor]] and directed by [[Ed Bye]].

==Plot==
{{Long plot|episode|date=April 2018}}

===Part 1===
In a cell, [[Dave Lister (fictional character)|Lister]] and [[Arnold Rimmer|Rimmer]] are having another furious argument. We are then shown the circumstances that led to their incarceration...

Three days earlier, [[Kryten]]'s nanobots had [[Nanarchy|rebuilt]] ''[[ships|Red Dwarf]]'', but done so far too large. Lister enters the cockpit, showing off his now non-muscular body, and it emerges that the enlargement is a temporary symptom of the nanobots' restoration process, as it soon turns out that ''Red Dwarf'' is shrinking around ''Starbug''. Suddenly, the ship is sucked into an air vent. With ''Red Dwarf'' almost completely shrunk, the corridors rip off the rear and middle section of ''Starbug'' before the cockpit is sent flying into a cargo bay where it crash-lands, and the crew manage to escape mere seconds before it explodes.

The crew are approached by two figures recognised by Lister... Selby and Chen. The nanobots have not only restored ''Red Dwarf'' but also its crew. Captain Hollister then arrives with a Security Officer who places Lister under arrest for stealing and crashing a ''Starbug'', flying without a pilot's licence and bringing two stowaways (The Cat and Kryten) aboard. Everyone is placed in custody and Lister is confined to quarters. He then asks [[Holly (Red Dwarf)|Holly]] (who is still loaded into Lister's watch and therefore hidden from the crew of ''Red Dwarf'') what will happen if they are found guilty. Holly explains that they will get two years in the brig. Lister is confused, as ''Red Dwarf'' does not have a brig, but Holly explains that there is a top-secret prison facility contained aboard the ship, holding hundreds of inmates who were being transported to a containment facility. Unfortunately, they have all been resurrected too.

Just as he thinks things cannot get any worse, Rimmer enters the bunkroom. However, this is not the Rimmer that left ''Starbug'' to take on his alter-egopersona of Ace, but rather the Rimmer that was aboard ''Red Dwarf'' before the accident that wiped out the crew. Lister tells Rimmer the whole story and asks for help in escaping. In exchange, he offers Rimmer a copy of the crew's personal and confidential files that exist on ''Starbug''. Rimmer initially refuses, until Lister tells him that with the information, he can get the promotion to officer status like he has always wanted. Rimmer agrees and Lister gives him his watch which Holly has been loaded into.

The Cat and Kryten are taken for medical and psychiatric evaluation. Unfortunately, Kryten's erratic personality does not go over well, and he is recommended to be restored to his factory settings.

Aboard the burnt out wreckage of the cockpit of ''Starbug'', Rimmer finds the disc with the crew's files. He also finds two strange tubes that are the positive viruses that Lister picked up from a Dr. Hildegarde Lanstrom, [[Quarantine (Red Dwarf)|years earlier]]. Rimmer quickly tries out sexual magnetism, and walks down the corridor where all the women admire him. Rimmer notes to himself that 'the world loves a bastard'.

===Part 2===
Lister, Kochanski, Kryten and The Cat are brought before a board of enquiry, and Captain Hollister requests their permission to use psychotropic testing during their trial. The four agree and Captain Hollister asks them to sign a letter of consent each and place them in envelopes provided. Later, Kryten is taken away for a physical examination and, due to his lack of a [[penis]], is classified as a woman. They also offer Kryten a deal: if he agrees to undergo a system restoration, then the charges against him will be dropped. Kryten does not want to say yes, but cannot say no to superior officers. Kochanski tells Kryten to imagine the officers sitting on the toilet to help him; Kryten finds it works, then imagines Kochanski sitting on a toilet for his own amusement.

Later, Rimmer visits Captain Hollister with a report detailing the [[The End (Red Dwarf)|dangers of loose drive plates]]. Hollister is impressed by the in-depth report, and Rimmer (using information from the confidential reports) continues by giving Hollister a blueberry muffin as an anniversary present and some pile cream. Hollister gives Rimmer an envelope and asks him to post it; Rimmer seals the envelope before noticing that it is addressed to him. Hollister tells Rimmer that he is inviting him to the Captain's Table that evening. Rimmer cannot believe how well the scheme is working and visits Lister in his cell. However, Rimmer has decided to end the deal to help Lister escape, and has copied the confidential reports, meaning Lister does not have to supply him with the information. Rimmer then tells Lister that he has the positive viruses and intends to use them. He leaves, but does not realise that Lister has managed to expose himself to the luck virus, which he uses to guess the codes needed to escape the cell.

Kryten is asked for his decision regarding getting his corrupted systems repaired, and the mechanoid still cannot say no. In order to give him the courage, he steals a security guard's gun and (taking Kochanski's advice too seriously) and forces the superior officers present to sit on toilets with their pants down. Amused by this, Kryten finally refuses to have his systems restored; however, his actions have caused the crew to decide to proceed anyway. Afterwards, Kryten has been returned to his old ways of servitude and politeness. Lister breaks Kochanski out of her quarters and, while in the lift, decides to make the most of the opportunity to try out the sexual magnetism virus on himself. Although it works at first and Kochanski practically throws herself at her former boyfriend, she returns to normal after a few seconds and Lister realises that the positive viruses cancel each other out. Later, after getting The Cat released, the three look for Kryten so they can all escape, only to discover that he does not recognise them and has returned to his factory settings. Lister, Kochanski and The Cat start looking for a new disguise (since The Cat refuses to wear anything over his over his normal clothes). Suddenly, The Cat hits on a great idea...with black mop- heads and fake teeth with overbites, they can pretend to be [[Duane Dibbley|the Dibbley family]].

At dinner, Rimmer has taken the sexual magnetism virus in a very large dose and charms everyone. While the women look at him adoringly, Rimmer impresses Hollister with his theories on [[Future Echoes|future echoes]] and universes where [[Backwards (Red Dwarf episode)|time runs backwards]]. Rimmer soon finds the sexual magnetism virus is not so great, as every time he gets up to fetch refreshments, a female guest follows him and forces him to have sex with her.

Lister, Kochanski and The Cat are bluffing their way past the crew with their geeky disguises and claim to be computer programmers when they run into Kryten again, who begins to recognise them. Knowing that recognising them will cause him to feel happy while also exposing them to the danger of being discovered, Kryten feels [[ambivalence]], an emotion he was trying to master before. This undoes the system restoration and his settings return to normal. The four continue their escape from the ship.

After yet another sexual encounter, Hollister discusses the psychotropic testing he is conducting on the others and reveals that Lister and the others merely believe they are escaping when they are really in an artificial reality where their actions are being monitored. Rimmer realises that Lister could end up mentioning the deal they had regarding the confidential files, and land him in a heap of trouble; thus he excuses himself and scrambles to the AR suite. On his journey, he decides to try to regain some of his self-control and injects his groin with anaesthetic. However, it spreads to his left leg, and he is forced to hobble to the Artificial Reality suite while the female crew still admire him.

===Part 3===
Lister, Kryten, Kochanski and The Cat make it (or rather, they think they have made it) to a holding bay and sneak aboard ''Blue Midget''; however, the attractive controller tells The Cat he needs clearance. In order to prove that he is capable of handling the ship, as well as impressing the woman, he begins an impromptu dance routine with ''Blue Midget'' as his partner. Amazingly, this ploy works and the flight controller agrees to a date with The Cat who is more than ready to stay behind and get ready, before Lister forces them to leave.

Rimmer reaches the Artificial Reality suite, and blackmails the officer on duty into leaving, using the confidential information. In the simulation, the crew begin their search for the nanobots. Lister then begins to discuss the deal he made with Rimmer; however, Rimmer begins to edit out all mention of his name and the agreement. The crew, in the simulation, notice the jumps in their actions and conversation and realise that the whole escape attempt is a simulation designed to test their responses (having been knocked out when they licked the envelopes at the earlier hearing). Lister realises that they have actually proved their innocence, as they have indeed been trying to track down the nanobots who resurrected the crew. Rimmer, desperate to protect himself, then begins more edits to make Lister and the others seem guilty. Deciding they need to get out of the simulation, the crew search for the emergency exit which is hidden by a cryptic clue. Amazingly, the Cat is the one to work out that the button marked 'E-Eleven-T' is the trap door (as eleven is XI in [[Roman numerals]]). Pressing the button, the four then find themselves as plasticine characters trapped in the simulation's screen saver. The Cat once again finds the emergency exit (in the form of a ketchup bottle, or "power source"), and the four leave again.

The crew wake in the Artificial Reality suite to find Rimmer trying furiously to place them back inside; however, he is quickly on the run as the sexual magnetism virus causes Kochanski to lust after him. Hobbling to the lift, Rimmer is protected from her advances by the others while Lister tells him that taking the luck virus will cure the sexual magnetism virus. Thanks to this, Rimmer, his leg and an embarrassed Kochanski are returned to normal. The crew are now forced to take Rimmer with them as they make a real escape attempt.

The five make it to ''Blue Midget'' and once again, a flight controller demands clearance, and this one is far from attractive. The Cat decides to forgo the dance and ''Blue Midget'' leaves the ship in a hurry. While making plans to pick up supplies from the ''SS [[Albert Einstein|Einstein]]'', talk turns to the [[Theory of relativity]]. Naturally Holly is unable to recall what it actually means, but takes offence at being labelled an idiot and reveals that he created the nanobots that resurrected the crew! He explains that ever since he brought Lister out of stasis, he has had one directive: to keep Lister sane, which he does by finding distractions and ways to keep him occupied. Everyone is shocked that Holly nearly got them thrown in the brig, but Holly tells them they still might end up there...everyone is still in Artificial Reality and so is Rimmer.

From his office, Captain Hollister discusses the events with the original version of Holly who has an IQ of 6,000. It turns out that the Captain suspected Rimmer of being in league with Lister and the others, when he came to his office with so much knowledge and had him lick one of the psychotropic envelopes when he invited him to the Captain's table. Lister and the others are found not guilty of the charges against them based on their actions in the Artificial Reality suite...but now have a new charge brought against them; using confidential information for their own gain. Of this, everyone is found guilty and are sentenced to two years in the brig. The five are released from Artificial Reality and realise they still have the positive viruses (since they have not really been used), only for Captain Hollister to confiscate the luck virus to send for testing. As they are photographed in their prison uniforms, Holly realises that he has buggered up again.

Below, the crew are welcomed by Warden Ackerman to 'The Tank'. While this is going on, Lister – still in possession of the sexual magnetism virus – empties the tube over Rimmer as revenge for his actions earlier. Rimmer then realises that he is becoming very popular with the male inmates.

==Production==
For series VIII, Doug Naylor returned to the roots of ''Red Dwarf'' and would write the majority of the series himself. Paul Alexander – whose episodes "[[Stoke Me a Clipper]]" and "[[Epideme]]" were well received – returned as script supervisor.<ref name="Red Dwarf series VIII Writing">{{cite web|url=http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/writing.html |title=Red Dwarf series VIII Writing |publisher=Red Dwarf.co.uk |accessdate=2007-12-17 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104913/http://reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/writing.html |archivedate=15 October 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The inspiration for the new series came about during Naylor's work on the remastering of series I to III. The classic bunk set-up and the character of Captain Hollister in those early episodes proved to be a deciding factor in reviving the crew.<ref name="Red Dwarf series VIII Writing"/>

The opening episode was originally planned as an hour-long special. This would give the series the opportunity to introduce the new set-up. However, the episode over-ran and the opener turned into a three-part story.<ref name="Red Dwarf series VIII Writing"/>

Having the crew revived meant having the original actors back. [[Mac McDonald]] reprised his [[Captain Hollister]] character; [[Paul Bradley (British actor)|Paul Bradley]] and David Gillespie returned as Lister's respective drinking buddies, Chen and Selby. Andy Taylor played Counsellor McClaren, the ship's psychiatrist; Karl Glenn Stimpson played MP Thornton; and [[Kika Mirylees]] appeared as CMO Karen Newton.<ref name="Red Dwarf series VIII Casting">{{cite web|url=http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/casting.html |title=Red Dwarf series VIII Casting |publisher=Red Dwarf.co.uk |accessdate=2007-12-17 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116022302/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/casting.html |archivedate=16 November 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Red Dwarf'', the ship itself, also returned, having not been seen since "[[Demons and Angels]]", the penultimate feature of series V. A new, much larger model had been created for the [[Red Dwarf Remastered|Remastered]] project, though it ended up being too difficult to film because of its size. As a result, the model was used as a template for a [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] version of the ship, which was used not only for the Remastered project, but also series VIII. The large model was later modified, and finally seen on-screen in ''[[Red Dwarf X]]''.<ref name="Red Dwarf New Model">{{cite web | url=http://www.ganymede.tv/2012/02/the-red-dwarf-model-there-also-no-model-unit
| title =The Red Dwarf model, there. Also, no Model Unit? | publisher =Ganymede & Titan |accessdate =2012-11-12}}</ref>

With Kryten having been defaulted to his factory settings, posh English accent and all, it was considered that [[David Ross (actor)|David Ross]] could make a return. Ross had first played the character in the [[Red Dwarf II|Series II]] episode "[[Kryten (Red Dwarf episode)|Kryten]]" as a guest character, prior to [[Robert Llewellyn]] taking over in [[Red Dwarf III|series III]], and he had also played [[Talkie Toaster]] in the [[Red Dwarf IV|series IV]] episode "[[White Hole (Red Dwarf episode)|White Hole]]". In the end, Llewellyn impersonated the accent.<ref name="Red Dwarf series VIII Production">{{cite web|url=http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/production.html |title=Red Dwarf series VIII Production |publisher=Red Dwarf.co.uk |accessdate=2007-12-17 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104857/http://reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/production.html |archivedate=15 October 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ross would later return to the series reprising his role of Talkie in the [[Red Dwarf XII|Series XII]] episode "[[Mechocracy]]" aired in 2017.

One of the most difficult scenes to film was the dance between The Cat and ''Blue Midget''. The entire sequence was filmed first with green screen backdrop; it was then edited with no effects, so that ''Blue Midget'' would be added to match the movements. The scene marked the return of ''Blue Midget'' after last being seen in series III episode "[[Bodyswap (Red Dwarf)|Bodyswap]]". In terms of true-series continuity, this marks the first appearance of the new CGI re-design of the ship.<ref name="Red Dwarf series VIII Effects">{{cite web
|url=http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/effects.html
|title=Red Dwarf series VIII Effects
|publisher=Red Dwarf.co.uk
|accessdate=2007-12-17
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104835/http://reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/effects.html
|archivedate=15 October 2007
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Red_Dwarf#.22Back_in_the_Red.22_part_1.22|Back in the Red}}
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bpm01 "Back in the Red: Part 1"], [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bpm0x "Part 2"], {{BBC episode|p00bpm1r|Part 3}}
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0684140/ "Back in the Red: Part 1"], [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0684141/ "Part 2"], {{IMDb episode|0684140|Part 3}}
* [http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/guide/index.cfm?seriesID=8 Series VIII episode guide at www.reddwarf.co.uk]

{{Red Dwarf episodes}}

[[Category:Red Dwarf VIII episodes]]
[[Category:1999 British television episodes]]
[[Category:Fiction about resurrection]]

Nanarchy

2022-08-07T19:44:22Z

2A00:23C4:A41E:D301:855:8317:9DB3:BCEF: /* Plot */

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}

{{Infobox television episode
| series = [[Red Dwarf]]
| image =
| caption =
| series_no = 7
| episode = 8
| director = Ed Bye
| writer = Paul Alexander, James Hendrie and Doug Naylor
| airdate = {{Start date|1997|03|07|df=yes}}
| guests =
| prev = [[Epideme]]
| next = [[Back in the Red]]
| episode_list = List of Red Dwarf episodes
}}

"'''Nanarchy'''" is the eighth, and final, episode of [[science fiction]] [[sitcom]] ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' Series VII and the 44th in the series run. It was first broadcast on the British television channel [[BBC Two|BBC2]] on 7 March 1997.<ref name="BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF VI - NANARCHY">{{cite web | url =http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/NMYJ418F | title =BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF VI - NANARCHY | publisher =BBC |access-date =12 December 2007}}</ref> The episode was written by Paul Alexander, James Hendrie and [[Doug Naylor]], and directed by [[Ed Bye]]. After two series of tracking their ship, the crew of Starbug finally discover the location of their missing mining ship ''Red Dwarf'' and its computer [[Holly (Red Dwarf)|Holly]].

== Plot ==
[[Dave Lister|Lister]] ([[Craig Charles]]) is finding it very difficult to get used to life with [[Epideme|only one arm]], but seems to enjoy [[Kryten]] ([[Robert Llewellyn]]) nursing him, and Kryten is absolutely loving it. [[Kristine Kochanski|Kochanski]] ([[Chloë Annett]]) is fed up with seeing Kryten doing things for him that he could easily do with one arm. Tests with a prototype prosthetic arm are unsuccessful, with its two settings resulting either in Lister having to exert great effort to move it or in Lister repeatedly punching Kryten in the head due to subconscious anger. Kryten comes up with a solution - [[nanobots]] from Kryten's self-repair system could conceivably rebuild an arm for Lister. The problem is, Kryten hasn't seen his nanobots since [[Back to Reality (Red Dwarf)|the attack on the crew]] by the [[Red Dwarf characters#Despair Squid|Despair Squid]] hundreds of years earlier, right before they lost ''Red Dwarf''. They therefore decide to retrace their steps all the way back to the ocean planet where they met the Despair Squid and have to go into [[List of Red Dwarf concepts#Stasis and Deep Sleep|Deep Sleep]] for the very long journey.

When they emerge from Deep Sleep near their destination they are surprised to discover a planet which the Navicomp identifies as ''Red Dwarf''. Down on the desert surface they find items from ''Red Dwarf'' including the original [[Holly (Red Dwarf)|Holly]] ([[Norman Lovett]]) who explains that the nanobots restored his core program and then mutinied: they deconstructed ''Red Dwarf'', creating their own miniature version of the ship and turned the rest into a planet for safekeeping, converting the ship's many computerised systems into sand. The crew now realise that it was the nano version of ''Red Dwarf'' that they were chasing all along – the nanobots ended up evading them by coming aboard ''Starbug'' and travelling around their own galaxy inside Lister's clothes hamper and that all along Red Dwarf had been with them.

Kryten captures the nanobots in a glass jar and tortures them by tapping the side with a pencil. He tells them to construct a new arm for Lister and to reconstruct ''Red Dwarf'' out of the sands of the planet below. The nanobots follow Kryten's orders but, perhaps feeling guilty for all the trouble they have caused or fearful of Kryten's wrath, they seemingly overcompensate by giving Lister an upgrade - giving him the body of a muscular bodybuilder. Also, as ''Starbug'' flies into the reconstructed ''Red Dwarf'' landing bay, something feels odd: it seems awfully, awfully big. In the last shot ''Starbug'' flies in like a buzzing fly against a [[Back in the Red|massively enlarged ship]].

== Production ==
The series finale proved to be one of the most problematic scripts. James Hendrie was not available to do any rewrites to the script, so Alexander was asked to do one of his own, before Naylor did a final polish. It is the only episode to date with three credited writers.<ref name="Red Dwarf Series VII Writing">{{cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_7/writing.html | title =Red Dwarf Series VII Writing | publisher =Red Dwarf.co.uk |access-date =17 December 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071022124350/http://reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_7/writing.html  |archive-date = 22 October 2007}}</ref>

This is the first time since 1988's "[[Parallel Universe (Red Dwarf)|Parallel Universe]]" that Norman Lovett has appeared as Holly, the ship's computer. In between, the character – played by [[Hattie Hayridge]] – was last seen in Series V's "[[Back to Reality (Red Dwarf)|Back to Reality]]".

==Reception==
Viewing figures had reached over 8 million viewers, and the series also gained a Sunday night repeat. These were the highest ratings garnered so far.<ref name="Red Dwarf Series VII Aftermath">{{cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_7/aftermath.html | title =Red Dwarf Series VII Aftermath | publisher =Red Dwarf.co.uk |access-date =17 December 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071022123639/http://reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_7/aftermath.html  |archive-date = 22 October 2007}}</ref>

Most reviewers noted the return of Norman Lovett as Holly,<ref name="dvda"/><ref name="scifi"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art40890.asp |title=DVD Review--"Red Dwarf Series VII" |publisher=www.bellaonline.com |access-date=2014-03-05}}</ref> although DVDActive disliked the episode's "mercilessly slow first scene".<ref name="dvda">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdactive.com/reviews/dvd/red-dwarf-vii.html |title=Red Dwarf VII (UK - DVD R2) |publisher=www.dvdactive.com |access-date=2014-03-05}}</ref> Sci-Fi Online thought that Chloë Annett "had evidently settled into role ... and delivers some funny lines."<ref name="scifi">{{cite web |url=http://www.sci-fi-online.com/reviews/dvd/05-11-07_RedDwarf7.htm |title=DVD Red Dwarf Series 7 |publisher=www.sci-fi-online.com |access-date=2014-03-05}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Red Dwarf#Nanarchy|Nanarchy}}
* {{BBC episode|p00bplz6}}
* {{IMDb episode|0684166}}
* [http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/guide/index.cfm?seriesID=7 Series VII episode guide at www.reddwarf.co.uk]

{{Red Dwarf episodes}}

[[Category:Red Dwarf VII episodes]]
[[Category:1997 British television episodes]]