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Parallel Universe (Red Dwarf episode)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Red Dwarf episode | |
| "Parallel Universe" | |
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| Episode № | 6 |
|---|---|
| Airdate | October 11, 1988 |
| Writer(s) | Rob Grant & Doug Naylor |
| Director | Ed Bye |
| Guest star(s) | Hattie Hayridge as Hilly Angela Bruce as Deb Lister Suzanne Bertish as Arlene Rimmer Matthew Devitt as The Dog. |
| Series II September 6 – October 11, 1988 |
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| List of all Red Dwarf episodes... | |
Parallel Universe is the sixth and last episode of Red Dwarf series two, and the twelfth in the series run. It premiered on 11 Oct 1988 in the 9:00pm BBC2 time slot.[1] Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and directed by Ed Bye. The episode marked the final appearance of Norman Lovett as Holly, until his return as the character in series VIII some ten years later.
Contents |
Holly invents the Holly Hop Drive (a box with Start and Stop on it), which is theoretically capable of taking Red Dwarf back to Earth immediately. The device malfunctions and Red Dwarf is catapulted into a parallel universe where society developed along matriarchal lines. Rimmer, Lister and Holly all have female counterparts here; to the cat's disappointment, however, his own counterpart turns out to be a dog. Rimmer fights off aggressive sexual advances from female Rimmer, while Lister wakes up in bed with female Lister, hung over and vaguely recollecting having sex the night before. Due to a difference in reality laws of physics, Lister ends up becoming pregnant with twins Jim and Bexley.
After the end of series 2, Norman Lovett decided to leave the show. The reasons why Lovett left the series was that he had met his wife and lived in Edinburgh. Travelling to and from Edinburgh, London and Manchester would prove problematic and to all concerned within the show it was decided to let Lovett leave. Plus there was the promise of Lovett's own TV show, I Lovett, taking off at the time.[2]
One of only a few episodes to omit the opening credits sequence. Instead the viewer was led straight into the Cat's song dream scene, where the Cat performs the 'Toungue Tied' song, with Rimmer and Lister in backing vocals. The 'Toungue Tied' lyrics were written by Grant and Naylor and the music was produced by Howard Goodall. It proved very popular and later spawned a single release.[3]
Hattie Hayridge appeared as an alternative Red Dwarf ship's computer Hilly and would, following Lovett's departure, be hired to portray the ship's computer Holly. Angela Bruce played Deb Lister, Suzanne Bertish played Arlene Rimmer and Matthew Devitt played The Dog.
Considered the best from series II according to a readers' poll in Red Dwarf magazine, with 5.6% rating.[4]
Holly compared his Holly Hop Drive invention to the inventions of The Earl of Sandwich's sandwich, Samuel Morse's Morse Code and Plato's plate. He also referenced Hitler, the Second World War and Ringo when stating possible differences in a parallel universe.
Dave and Deb Lister discuss the parallel differences. Neil Armstrong's parallel is Nellie and Hamlet's William Shakespeare is Wilma.
Lister says to Rimmer "are you a man or a munchkin?" to which Rimmer replies "I'm off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz!"
- ^ BBC Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF - PARALLEL UNIVERSE. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
- ^ Interview: Norman Lovett, Red Dwarf Smegazine, November 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, issn 0965-5603
- ^ Interview: Howard Goodall, Red Dwarf Smegazine, issue 10, December 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, issn 0965-5603
- ^ Red Dwarf Smegazine Survey Results, Red Dwarf Smegazine, issue 10, December 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, issn 0965-5603