Meltdown (Red Dwarf episode)
Encyclopedia
"Meltdown" is the sixth, and final, episode of science fiction
sitcom Red Dwarf
Series IV and the twenty-fourth episode in the series run. 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
. 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.
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 within 500,000 light years. The crew decide to explore the nearest planet with breathable air, 200,000 light years away. Rimmer
and Kryten go first to see if the atmosphere is breathable and send the device back, but are then chased by two Godzilla
-like dinosaurs which Kryten remarks are unconvincing, then taken prisoner by a gun-toting Elvis Presley
and the Pope
. Lister
and the Cat
follow but accidentally end up in a different headquarters and are captured by Adolf Hitler
, whose men take the device.
While in jail Lister and Cat are interrogated by the Roman Emperor
Caligula
and Lister witnesses the execution of Winnie the Pooh by a firing squad consisting of Al Capone
, Benito Mussolini
, Richard III
and James Last
. It's clear to them 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 gained sentience. Now the droid replica inhabitants of Villain World are waging war against Hero World, in "the ultimate battle of Good versus Evil". The evil Waxdroids use the heroes' wax to make more of their own kind, meaning the heroes are outnumbered. The heroes' faction is on the brink of defeat, as all of the great heroes like Sir Lancelot and John Wayne have been killed. There are only less than twenty "good" droids left: an eclectic assortment of actors, intellectuals, and pacifists (i.e. Marilyn Monroe
, Albert Einstein
, Mohandas Ghandi, Santa Claus
, and St. Francis of Assisi). Lister and Cat escape with Abraham Lincoln
, who has explained the situation, after tricking Caligula and Rasputin into teleporting into a cupboard in their cell.
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 behind-the-scenes mission by Queen Victoria
who shoots Hitler and several other villains though being killed herself, and a handy thermostat which Kryten turns to 100 (thus melting the wax-droids) 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, claiming the force that once 'menaced this world' is still here, 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 of days. Anyone fancy a vindaloo
?"), and the crew uses the transporter device to escape.
(1967).
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.
The many guest appearances included Clayton Mark as wax-droid Elvis Presley
, Kenneth Hadley as wax-droid Adolf Hitler
, Martin Friend as wax-droid Albert Einstein
, Stephen Tiller as wax-droid Pythagoras
, Jack Klaff
as wax-droid Abraham Lincoln
, Tony Hawks
as wax-droid Caligula
, Michael Burrell as wax-droid Pope Gregory
, Forbes Masson
as wax-droid Stan Laurel
, Roger Blake as wax-droid Noel Coward
and Pauline Bailey as wax-droid Marilyn Monroe
.
For the second time in as many episodes, the arrangement of the end theme tune was changed. The tune itself was retained as normal; however, the lyrics were sung by Elvis Presley impersonator Clayton Mark instead of by Jenna Russell
.
. 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.
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.
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.
In the Series IV DVD commentary, the cast talk about how most fans dislike the episode, speculating that perhaps it wasn't 'space-y' enough. In contrast, the cast all talk about their love for it and how many classic scenes it contains.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
sitcom Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which primarily comprises eight series of a television science fiction sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and Dave from 2009–present. It gained cult following. It was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who also wrote the first six series...
Series IV and the twenty-fourth episode in the series run. It was first broadcast on the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television channel BBC2
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
on 21 March 1991. Written by Rob Grant
Rob Grant
Robert Grant is a British comedy writer and television producer, who was born in Salford and studied Psychology at Liverpool University for two years....
and Doug Naylor
Doug Naylor
Douglas R. Naylor is a British comedy writer, science fiction writer, director and television producer.Naylor was born in Manchester, England and studied at the University of Liverpool. In the mid-1980s, Naylor wrote two regular comedy sketch shows for BBC Radio 4 entitled Cliché and Son of Cliché...
, and directed by Ed Bye
Ed Bye
Edward Richard Morrison Bye is a British film and TV producer and director. He is best known for his work with Grant Naylor, Harry Enfield and Jasper Carrott, and has worked with many of British TV's best known comedians and comedy actors...
. The episode, featuring Wax-Droids of famous historical figures involved in a war of good versus evil, was postponed due to the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
conflict.
Plot
KrytenKryten
Kryten is a fictional character in the British science fiction situation comedy Red Dwarf. Kryten's registration code on Red Dwarf is "Kryten additional 001". The name Kryten is a reference to the head butler in the J.M...
discovers a matter
Matter
Matter is a general term for the substance of which all physical objects consist. Typically, matter includes atoms and other particles which have mass. A common way of defining matter is as anything that has mass and occupies volume...
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 within 500,000 light years. The crew decide to explore the nearest planet with breathable air, 200,000 light years away. Rimmer
Arnold Rimmer
Arnold Judas Rimmer is a fictional character in the science fiction situation comedy Red Dwarf, played by Chris Barrie. He is unpopular with his crew mates, and is often the target of insults or pranks...
and Kryten go first to see if the atmosphere is breathable and send the device back, but are then chased by two Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
-like dinosaurs which Kryten remarks are unconvincing, then taken prisoner by a gun-toting Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
. Lister
Dave Lister
David "Dave" Lister, commonly referred to simply as Lister, is a fictional character from the British science fiction situation comedy Red Dwarf, portrayed by Craig Charles...
and the Cat
Cat (Red Dwarf)
The Cat is a character in the British science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf. He is played by Danny John-Jules.-Character development:According to Danny John-Jules, the character of Cat is based on a combination of Little Richard's look, James Brown's moves and Richard Pryor's facial...
follow but accidentally end up in a different headquarters and are captured by Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, whose men take the device.
While in jail Lister and Cat are interrogated by the Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Caligula
Caligula
Caligula , also known as Gaius, was Roman Emperor from 37 AD to 41 AD. Caligula was a member of the house of rulers conventionally known as the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Caligula's father Germanicus, the nephew and adopted son of Emperor Tiberius, was a very successful general and one of Rome's most...
and Lister witnesses the execution of Winnie the Pooh by a firing squad consisting of Al Capone
Al Capone
Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone was an American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the "Capones", was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early...
, Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
, Richard III
Richard III of England
Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty...
and James Last
James Last
James Last is a German composer and big band leader. His "happy music" made his numerous albums best-sellers in Germany and the United Kingdom. His composition, "Happy Heart", became an international success in interpretations by Andy Williams and Petula Clark...
. It's clear to them 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 gained sentience. Now the droid replica inhabitants of Villain World are waging war against Hero World, in "the ultimate battle of Good versus Evil". The evil Waxdroids use the heroes' wax to make more of their own kind, meaning the heroes are outnumbered. The heroes' faction is on the brink of defeat, as all of the great heroes like Sir Lancelot and John Wayne have been killed. There are only less than twenty "good" droids left: an eclectic assortment of actors, intellectuals, and pacifists (i.e. Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
, Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
, Mohandas Ghandi, Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
, and St. Francis of Assisi). Lister and Cat escape with Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
, who has explained the situation, after tricking Caligula and Rasputin into teleporting into a cupboard in their cell.
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 behind-the-scenes mission by Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
who shoots Hitler and several other villains though being killed herself, and a handy thermostat which Kryten turns to 100 (thus melting the wax-droids) 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, claiming the force that once 'menaced this world' is still here, 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 of days. Anyone fancy a vindaloo
Vindaloo
Vindaloo is an Indian curry dish from the region of Goa. It is popular globally in its Anglo-Indian form as a staple of curry house menus, often renowned as a particularly spicy dish, though it is not necessarily always the hottest available. The name Vindaloo is derived from the Portuguese dish...
?"), and the crew uses the transporter device to escape.
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. These scenes were produced in post-production and were accompanied by a military style drum riff. The intentionally unconvincing monsters of Wax World's prehistoric section were taken from footage of the monster movie Gappa (1967), also known as Daikyoju GappaDaikyoju Gappa
is a 1967 Kaiju film. The film was produced by Nikkatsu Corporation, and was their only foray into the giant monster genre. The foreign sales title for the film was Gappa: The Triphibian Monster, and was dubbed into English...
(1967).
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
Ruby Wax
Ruby Wax is a BAFTA nominated American comedian who made a career in the United Kingdom as part of the alternative comedy scene in the 1980s.-Early life:...
, to direct her television show The Full Wax. He would however return to Red Dwarf to direct on Series VII and VIII.
The many guest appearances included Clayton Mark as wax-droid Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, Kenneth Hadley as wax-droid Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, Martin Friend as wax-droid Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
, Stephen Tiller as wax-droid Pythagoras
Pythagoras
Pythagoras of Samos was an Ionian Greek philosopher, mathematician, and founder of the religious movement called Pythagoreanism. Most of the information about Pythagoras was written down centuries after he lived, so very little reliable information is known about him...
, Jack Klaff
Jack Klaff
Jack Klaff is a South African-born actor, writer, director and academic. Klaff has held four visiting professorships at Princeton University and was for four years Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Starlab in Brussels....
as wax-droid Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
, Tony Hawks
Tony Hawks
Antony Gordon Hawksworth, better known as Tony Hawks, is a British comedian and author.-Early life:Born in Brighton in 1960, Hawks was educated at Brighton Hove and Sussex Grammar School and Brighton College...
as wax-droid Caligula
Caligula
Caligula , also known as Gaius, was Roman Emperor from 37 AD to 41 AD. Caligula was a member of the house of rulers conventionally known as the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Caligula's father Germanicus, the nephew and adopted son of Emperor Tiberius, was a very successful general and one of Rome's most...
, Michael Burrell as wax-droid Pope Gregory
Pope Gregory
Pope Gregory has been the name of sixteen Roman Catholic Popes and two Antipopes:#Pope Gregory I, also called Gregory the Great#Pope Gregory II#Pope Gregory III#Pope Gregory IV#Pope Gregory V#Pope Gregory VI#*Antipope Gregory VI...
, Forbes Masson
Forbes Masson
Forbes Masson is a Scottish actor and writer. He is best known for his classical theatre roles and comedy partnership with Alan Cumming...
as wax-droid Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel
Arthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
, Roger Blake as wax-droid Noel Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
and Pauline Bailey as wax-droid Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
.
For the second time in as many episodes, the arrangement of the end theme tune was changed. The tune itself was retained as normal; however, the lyrics were sung by Elvis Presley impersonator Clayton Mark instead of by Jenna Russell
Jenna Russell
Jenna Russell is an English actress and singer. She has appeared on the stage in London in both musicals and dramas, as well as appearing with the Royal Shakespeare Company...
.
Cultural references
The plot theme of wax-droids running amok is based on the 1973 film WestworldWestworld
Westworld is a 1973 science fiction-thriller film written and directed by novelist Michael Crichton and produced by Paul Lazarus III. It stars Yul Brynner as a lifelike robot in a futuristic Western-themed amusement park, and Richard Benjamin and James Brolin as guests of the park.Westworld was the...
. When the Elvis wax droid explains the war to Kryten and Rimmer he states that all the best good warriors are gone: John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
, Sir Lancelot, Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
, Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
, Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
, even Doris Day
Doris Day
Doris Day is an American actress, singer and, since her retirement from show business, an animal rights activist. With an entertainment career that spanned through almost 50 years, Day started her career as a big band singer in 1939, but only began to be noticed after her first hit recording,...
. The Pythagoras
Pythagoras
Pythagoras of Samos was an Ionian Greek philosopher, mathematician, and founder of the religious movement called Pythagoreanism. Most of the information about Pythagoras was written down centuries after he lived, so very little reliable information is known about him...
wax-droid also refers to several members from the "Villain World": Hitler, Napoleon, Messalina
Messalina
Valeria Messalina, sometimes spelled Messallina, was a Roman empress as the third wife of the Emperor Claudius. She was also a paternal cousin of the Emperor Nero, second cousin of the Emperor Caligula, and great-grandniece of the Emperor Augustus...
, The Boston Strangler, and Caligula
Caligula
Caligula , also known as Gaius, was Roman Emperor from 37 AD to 41 AD. Caligula was a member of the house of rulers conventionally known as the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Caligula's father Germanicus, the nephew and adopted son of Emperor Tiberius, was a very successful general and one of Rome's most...
, among others. Lister references the 1967 film The Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen is a 1967 film directed by Robert Aldrich and released by MGM. It was filmed in England and features an ensemble cast, including Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, John Cassavetes, Telly Savalas, and Robert Webber. The film is based on E. M...
when he sees what Rimmer's doing with the good wax-droids.
Reception
The episode was first broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 21 March 1991 in the 9:00pm evening time slot. It wasn't originally intended to be shown as the series' finale, but because of the Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
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.
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.
In the Series IV DVD commentary, the cast talk about how most fans dislike the episode, speculating that perhaps it wasn't 'space-y' enough. In contrast, the cast all talk about their love for it and how many classic scenes it contains.