Polymorph (Red Dwarf) - Revision history

Kurt: /* Remastering */

2023-02-12T17:37:44Z

Remastering

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	==Remastering==		==Remastering==
	{{See also\|Red Dwarf remastered}}		{{See also\|Red Dwarf remastered}}
	The remastering of Series I to III was carried out during the late 1990s.<ref name="Remasters of the Universe">{{cite web \| url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck01/dvd_remasters_of_the_universe_221206.html \| title =Remasters of the Universe \| publisher =reddwarf.co.uk \|access-date =2008-01-28 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080104012351/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck01/dvd_remasters_of_the_universe_221206.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> \|archive-date = 2008-01-04}}</ref> General changes throughout the series included replacement of the opening credits,<ref name="Red Dwarf Series I Remastering">{{cite web \| url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_1/remastering.html \| title =Red Dwarf Series I Remastering \| publisher =reddwarf.co.uk \|access-date =2008-01-30 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080118140243/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_1/remastering.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> \|archive-date = 2008-01-18}}</ref> giving the picture a colour grade and [[filmising]],<ref name="The End Re-Mastered Commentary">{{cite video \| people =Remastering Crew \| title =The End Re-Mastered DVD Commentary \| medium =DVD \| publisher =BBC \| location =Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc \| date =2007 }}</ref> [[Computer-generated imagery\|computer generated]] [[~~special~~ effects]] of ''Red Dwarf'' and many more visual and audio enhancements.<ref name="Re-Dwarf">{{cite video \| people =Remastering Crew \| title ='Re-Dwarf' Documentary \| medium =DVD \| publisher =BBC \| location =Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc \| date =2007 }}</ref>		The remastering of Series I to III was carried out during the late 1990s.<ref name="Remasters of the Universe">{{cite web \| url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck01/dvd_remasters_of_the_universe_221206.html \| title =Remasters of the Universe \| publisher =reddwarf.co.uk \|access-date =2008-01-28 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080104012351/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck01/dvd_remasters_of_the_universe_221206.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> \|archive-date = 2008-01-04}}</ref> General changes throughout the series included replacement of the opening credits,<ref name="Red Dwarf Series I Remastering">{{cite web \| url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_1/remastering.html \| title =Red Dwarf Series I Remastering \| publisher =reddwarf.co.uk \|access-date =2008-01-30 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080118140243/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_1/remastering.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> \|archive-date = 2008-01-18}}</ref> giving the picture a colour grade and [[filmising]],<ref name="The End Re-Mastered Commentary">{{cite video \| people =Remastering Crew \| title =The End Re-Mastered DVD Commentary \| medium =DVD \| publisher =BBC \| location =Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc \| date =2007 }}</ref> [[Computer-generated imagery\|computer generated]] [[visual effects]] of ''Red Dwarf'' and many more visual and audio enhancements.<ref name="Re-Dwarf">{{cite video \| people =Remastering Crew \| title ='Re-Dwarf' Documentary \| medium =DVD \| publisher =BBC \| location =Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc \| date =2007 }}</ref>

	Changes specific to "Polymorph" include:		Changes specific to "Polymorph" include:

Kurt: /* Remastered ending */

2023-02-12T17:32:58Z

Remastered ending

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:32, 12 February 2023
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	===Remastered ending===		===Remastered ending===
	When the episode was remastered, [[Doug Naylor]] opted to change the ending of the story – in the remastered version, the second Polymorph makes its appearance as a bouncing ball, whereupon a caption explains that it was less intelligent as the first, stowed away in Lister's clean underpants drawer, and died of old age many years later. Naylor stated the change of ending was due to his dislike of fans asking him about the second creature's fate in the original ending.~~{{Citation needed\|date=January 2017}}~~		When the episode was remastered, [[Doug Naylor]] opted to change the ending of the story – in the remastered version, the second Polymorph makes its appearance as a bouncing ball, whereupon a caption explains that it was less intelligent as the first, stowed away in Lister's clean underpants drawer, and died of old age many years later. Naylor stated the change of ending was due to his dislike of fans asking him about the second creature's fate in the original ending.

	==Production==		==Production==

Kurt at 17:31, 12 February 2023

2023-02-12T17:31:16Z

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	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=September 2021}}~~
	{{Infobox television episode		{{Infobox television episode
	\| series = [[Red Dwarf]]		\| series = [[Red Dwarf]]
	\| image = red dwarf polymorph.jpg		\| image = red dwarf polymorph.jpg
	~~\| image_size = 250px~~
	\| caption = The crew are hunted down by a shape-changing genetic mutant		\| caption = The crew are hunted down by a shape-changing genetic mutant
	\| series_no = 3		\| series_no = 3

Kurt: /* External links */

2022-12-05T16:48:33Z

External links

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	==External links==		==External links==
	~~{{Wikiquote\|Red_Dwarf#.22Polymorph.22\|Polymorph}}~~
	*{{BBC episode\|p00bp2y3\|Polymorph}}		*{{BBC episode\|p00bp2y3\|Polymorph}}
	*{{IMDb episode\|0684172\|Polymorph}}		*{{IMDb episode\|0684172\|Polymorph}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-08-25T20:31:50Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 15:31, 25 August 2022
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en>Butlerblog: /* top */airdate should use {{Start date}} (see :Template:Infobox television episode

2021-11-02T13:23:12Z

top: airdate should use {{Start date}} (see Template:Infobox television episode

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox television episode
| series = [[Red Dwarf]]
| image = red dwarf polymorph.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = The crew are hunted down by a shape-changing genetic mutant
| series_no = 3
| episode = 3
| director = Ed Bye
| writer = Rob Grant & Doug Naylor
| airdate = {{Start date|1989|11|28|df=yes}}
| guests = {{Plainlist |
* [[Frances Barber]] as Genny
* Simon Gaffney as Young Rimmer
* Kalli Greenwood as Mrs Rimmer }}
| prev = [[Marooned (Red Dwarf)|Marooned]]
| next = [[Bodyswap (Red Dwarf)|Bodyswap]]
| episode_list = List of Red Dwarf episodes
}}
"'''Polymorph'''" is the third episode of [[science fiction]] [[sitcom]] ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' Series III,<ref name="British Sitcom Guide — Red Dwarf — Series 3">{{cite web | url =http://www.sitcom.co.uk/red_dwarf/series3.shtml | title =British Sitcom Guide — Red Dwarf — Series 3 | publisher =sitcom.co.uk |access-date =2008-01-25}}</ref> and the fifteenth in the series run.<ref name="TV.com — Polymorph summary">{{cite web | url =http://www.tv.com/red-dwarf/polymorph/episode/10959/summary.html | title =TV.com — Polymorph summary | publisher =tv.com |access-date =2008-01-25}}</ref> It premiered on the British television channel [[BBC2]] on 28 November 1989. It is considered by some to be the series' best.<ref name="Red Dwarf magazine: Survey Results">Readers Survey Results, Red Dwarf Smegazine, p. 27., issue 10, December 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, {{ISSN|0965-5603}}</ref> Written by [[Rob Grant]] and [[Doug Naylor]], and directed by [[Ed Bye]], the episode has the crew fighting a [[shapeshifting]], [[emotion]]-stealing creature. It is the only ''Red Dwarf'' episode to feature a pre-credits warning about the content. The episode was re-mastered, along with the rest of the first three series, in 1998.

==Plot==
A non-human life-form with shape-changing properties escapes from a waste pod floating in space and gets aboard ''Red Dwarf''. Although [[Holly (Red Dwarf)|Holly]] ([[Hattie Hayridge]]) detects it, despite scepticism by [[Arnold Rimmer]] ([[Chris Barrie]]) that it's a false alarm, the creature attacks [[Dave Lister]] ([[Craig Charles]]) while he is having a meal. As Rimmer and [[Cat (Red Dwarf)|Cat]] ([[Danny John-Jules]]) wait for him to recover in the Medical Unit, [[Kryten]] ([[Robert Llewellyn]]) and Holly reveal the creature to be a man-made [[Genetics|genetic]] [[mutant (fiction)|mutant]] called a "Polymorph", designed to leech off of its target's negative emotions, revealing that when Lister suffered immense fear when the creature attacked, it drained him of it and has now left him all too eager to face any danger.<ref name="Prog Guide p62">Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 62.</ref>

To avoid it, the others seal Lister away and prepare to escape with a ''Starbug'' for a getaway.<ref name="Prog Guide p62"/> However, the Polymorph manages to capture each on their own, after an accident with heat-seeking bazookoids, and trick them into exposing a negative emotion – Cat loses his vanity; Kryten loses his guilt; and Rimmer loses his anger.<ref name="Prog Guide p62"/> All four find themselves at a disadvantage against the creature as a result, but opt to confront it down in the ship's cargo decks. Although things don't start well, they defeat it by pure luck thanks to their earlier accident, causing them to recover their lost emotions. As the group leave the cargo decks, they are unaware of a second Polymorph having boarded the ship from the same waste pod floating past ''Red Dwarf'', which follows them, mimicking Lister's appearance.<ref name="Prog Guide p63">Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 63.</ref>

===Remastered ending===
When the episode was remastered, [[Doug Naylor]] opted to change the ending of the story – in the remastered version, the second Polymorph makes its appearance as a bouncing ball, whereupon a caption explains that it was less intelligent as the first, stowed away in Lister's clean underpants drawer, and died of old age many years later. Naylor stated the change of ending was due to his dislike of fans asking him about the second creature's fate in the original ending.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}}

==Production==
[[Image:red dwarf polymorph manchester warehouse.jpg|thumb|right|A Manchester warehouse was used for the cargo bay scenes.]]
Director Ed Bye drew inspiration for the look and design of the episode from watching the 1979 film ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' just before shooting began.<ref name="Polymorph Ed Bye DVD commentary">{{cite video | people =Bye, Ed | title =Polymorph remastered commentary | medium =DVD | publisher =BBC | location =Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset, Green disc | date =2007 }}</ref> For the cargo bay scenes a warehouse in Manchester was hired for the shooting. Empty cardboard boxes were strategically stacked up and down the warehouse floor to give the illusion of a stocked cargo bay.<ref name="Polymorph Ed Bye DVD commentary"/>

Although the episode had a pre-credits warning, about the episode's content, this was more of a plot device as the episode was broadcast past the [[Watershed (television)|9:00 pm watershed]].<ref name="Red Dwarf Programme Guide History">Howarth & Lyons (1993)</ref><ref name="BBC Programme Catalogue — RED DWARFIII THE SAGA CONTINUUMS – 3, POLYMORPH"/> During the filming of the Polymorph morphing into Lister's boxer shorts scene the audience laughed so loud for so long that Chris Barrie had to wait several minutes until things had calmed down (the scene is now considered by many to be one of the funniest of the entire series). This also provided extra work in the editing room as the sequence required more work than usual to edit together a workable shot.<ref name="Red Dwarf Series III Production">{{cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_3/production.html | title =Red Dwarf Series III Production | publisher =reddwarf.co.uk |access-date =2008-01-07 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080421163500/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_3/production.html  |archive-date = 2008-04-21}}</ref>

The episode also had some of the show's most effects intensive scenes done yet. [[Animatronic]] versions of both the small and large Polymorph creature versions were created. The small version was voiced by production manager Mike Agnew. The larger model, which was prone to tipping over, collapsed before the final shot. [[Chroma key|Blue screen]] was used to shoot the creature and added to existing footage of the crew. To achieve the Polymorph morphing into all the different objects the traditional locked-off camera and jump-cut procedure was used.<ref name="Red Dwarf Series III Effects">{{cite web|url=http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_3/effects.html |title=Red Dwarf Series III Effects |publisher=reddwarf.co.uk |access-date=2008-01-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061006082848/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_3/effects.html |archive-date=6 October 2006 }}</ref> The newly introduced Bazookoids provided more video effects as two [[heat-seeking]] laser bolts were fired and ended up chasing the Cat. The heat-seekers were given sound effects borrowed from the [[lightsabers]] of ''[[Star Wars]]''.<ref name="Red Dwarf Series III Effects"/>

Guest appearances included actress [[Frances Barber]] who took on a scene as 'Genny Mutant', Kalli Greenwood, who played Rimmer's mother, and the show's first appearance of Rimmer as a young boy, played by Simon Gaffney.<ref name="Red Dwarf series III Casting">{{cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_3/casting.html | title =Red Dwarf Series III Casting | publisher =reddwarf.co.uk |access-date =2008-01-07 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080421163453/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_3/casting.html  |archive-date = 2008-04-21}}</ref>

==Cultural references==
The theme of the episode is a parody of [[Ridley Scott]]'s 1979 ''Alien'' film which features a [[Alien (creature in Alien franchise)|Xenomorph]]. The Polymorph's transformations also resemble the Alien's various transformations, from the early small worm to its large incarnation with a huge jaw holding an extendable emotion sucking tongue.<ref name="Red Dwarf movie connections">{{cite web | url =https://www.imdb.com/rg/title-tease/movieconnections/title/tt0684172/movieconnections | title =Red Dwarf movie connections | publisher =IMDb |access-date =2008-01-08}}</ref> The scene where the polymorph shapeshifts into Lister's boxer shorts has a literary parallel in [[Damon Knight]]'s 1964 short story "Maid to Measure" where a jealous and witchy lady literally changes into a bikini for the use of the woman who's her deadly rival.<ref>{{cite book |last=Langford |first=David |title=Starcombing |page=35 |year=2009 |publisher=Wildside Press |isbn=978-0809573486}}</ref>

Rimmer also says "What about the Rimmer directive, which states never tangle with anything that's got more teeth than the entire Osmond Family." This a reference to [[The Osmonds|the band]].

==Reception==
The episode was originally broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 21 November 1989 in the 9:00pm evening time slot,<ref name="BBC Programme Catalogue — RED DWARFIII THE SAGA CONTINUUMS – 3, POLYMORPH">{{cite web | url =http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/NMRJ902A | title =BBC — Programme Catalogue — RED DWARF III THE SAGA CONTINUUMS – 3, POLYMORPH | publisher =BBC |access-date =2007-12-11}}</ref> and was well received by fans, many considering it to be the series' best.<ref name="Red Dwarf magazine: Survey Results"/> It came second in a ''Red Dwarf Smegazine'' readers poll, gaining 9.3% of the votes.<ref name="Red Dwarf magazine: Survey Results"/> ''DVD Talk'' described it as "a great episode because the actors really have fun with their newly transformed attitudes."<ref name="Red Dwarf III review at DVD Talk">{{cite web | url =http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=10049 | title =Red Dwarf III review at DVD Talk | publisher =dvdtalk.com |access-date =2008-01-25}}</ref> On the Series III DVD the producers mention "Polymorph" as one of their favorite episodes from the series.<ref name="Red Dwarf III review at Genre Online">{{cite web | url =http://www.genreonline.net/Red_Dwarf_III_DVD.html | title =Red Dwarf III review at Genre Online | publisher =genreonline.net |access-date =2008-01-25}}</ref>

American actor Dolby Zaccarelli has stated that this is his favorite episode of the show.

==Remastering==
{{See also|Red Dwarf remastered}}
The remastering of Series I to III was carried out during the late 1990s.<ref name="Remasters of the Universe">{{cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck01/dvd_remasters_of_the_universe_221206.html | title =Remasters of the Universe | publisher =reddwarf.co.uk |access-date =2008-01-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080104012351/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck01/dvd_remasters_of_the_universe_221206.html  |archive-date = 2008-01-04}}</ref> General changes throughout the series included replacement of the opening credits,<ref name="Red Dwarf Series I Remastering">{{cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_1/remastering.html | title =Red Dwarf Series I Remastering | publisher =reddwarf.co.uk |access-date =2008-01-30 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080118140243/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_1/remastering.html  |archive-date = 2008-01-18}}</ref> giving the picture a colour grade and [[filmising]],<ref name="The End Re-Mastered Commentary">{{cite video | people =Remastering Crew | title =The End Re-Mastered DVD Commentary | medium =DVD | publisher =BBC | location =Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc | date =2007 }}</ref> [[Computer-generated imagery|computer generated]] [[special effects]] of ''Red Dwarf'' and many more visual and audio enhancements.<ref name="Re-Dwarf">{{cite video | people =Remastering Crew | title ='Re-Dwarf' Documentary | medium =DVD | publisher =BBC | location =Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset Red disc | date =2007 }}</ref>

Changes specific to "Polymorph" include:
* The original pre-opening credits warning for viewer discretion on the following episode has been removed.
* A scene near the beginning with The Cat being disgusted by Lister's choice of cutlery was removed
* The polymorph entering ''Red Dwarf'' CGI duct systems has been added.
* Lister wrestling with the dummy snake has been re-worked and tightened.
* Kryten's lines have been re-dubbed to remove the English accent from a cargo bay scene.
* Mrs Rimmer's voice has been re-dubbed with a new actress to fit in more with the character.
* The end sequence of the second Lister following the crew has been replaced with an epilogue shot, which explains that the second polymorph hid in Lister's sock drawer and died of old age.<ref name="Polymorph text commentary">{{cite video | people =Remastering Crew | title =Polymorph text commentary | medium =DVD | publisher =BBC | location =Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset, Green disc | date =2007 }}</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[Better Than Life]]'' novel which uses, and expands on the Polymorph premise.<ref name="Red Dwarf Series III Aftermath">{{cite web|url=http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_3/Aftermath.html |title=Red Dwarf Series III Aftermath |publisher=reddwarf.co.uk |access-date=2008-01-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061006082816/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_3/aftermath.html |archive-date=6 October 2006 }}</ref>
* "[[Emohawk: Polymorph II]]", an episode from Series VI which is a pseudo-sequel.
* [[GELF#The Polymorph|The Polymorph]], the title character of this episode.

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite book |last=Howarth |first=Chris |author2=Steve Lyons |title=Red Dwarf Programme Guide |year=1993 |publisher=Virgin Books |isbn=0-86369-682-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/reddwarfprogramm0000howa }}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Red_Dwarf#.22Polymorph.22|Polymorph}}
*{{BBC episode|p00bp2y3|Polymorph}}
*{{IMDb episode|0684172|Polymorph}}
*[http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/guide/index.cfm?seriesID=3 Series III episode guide at www.reddwarf.co.uk]

{{Red Dwarf episodes}}

[[Category:Television episodes about genetic engineering]]
[[Category:Red Dwarf III episodes]]
[[Category:Fiction about shapeshifting]]
[[Category:Fictional monsters]]
[[Category:1989 British television episodes]]