Justice (Red Dwarf episode)

Infobox Red Dwarf episode
name = Justice


number = 3
airdate = February 28, 1991
writers = Rob Grant & Doug Naylor
director = Ed Bye
guests = Nicholas Ball
James Smillie
series = 4

"Justice" is the third episode of science fiction sitcom "Red Dwarf" Series IVcite web | url =http://www.sitcom.co.uk/red_dwarf/series4.shtml | title =British Sitcom Guide - Red Dwarf - Series 4 | publisher =www.sitcom.co.uk |accessdate =2008-01-28] and the twenty first episode in the series run.cite web | url =http://www.tv.com/red-dwarf/justice/episode/10965/summary.html | title =TV.com - Justice summary | publisher =www.tv.com |accessdate =2008-01-25] It was first broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 28 February 1991, although it was planned to be broadcast as the second episode, it was moved back in the schedule by the BBC. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and directed by Ed Bye,cite web | url =http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0684160/fullcredits | title =Justice cast and crew | publisher =www.imdb.com |accessdate =2008-01-28] the episode features the crew's visit to a high-tech prison where Rimmer is charged with the death of the "Red Dwarf" crew.

Plot

While Lister is down with a bout of space mumps, "Red Dwarf" picks up an escape pod from a prison ship that was transporting dangerous criminals to their final trial, sentence and incarceration on Justice World. But what's inside? It could either be beautiful prison guard Barbara Bellini or a psychotic mass-murdering simulant. The crew have to satisfy their curiosity, but can take no chances. Holly suggest they take the pod to Justice World, where there are facilities to deal with the Simulant.Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 69.]

On arriving at Justice World the Justice Computer scans the crews' minds for signs of guilt and convicts Rimmer on 1,167 counts of second-degree murder, a consequence of his faulty drive-plate repair that killed the crew of the mining vessel Red Dwarf. Kryten proves to the Justice computer Judge that Rimmer's immense guilt stems from his own inflated sense of importance; a man as incompetent and insignificant as Rimmer, he argues, would never be given tasks that might put the whole crew in danger. Rimmer, although deeply offended, and despite objecting to his own defence on many occasions, is found not guilty.Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 70.]

They board "Starbug" and discover that the pod didn't contain Barbara Bellini but a psychopathic simulant who then hunts them down through the Justice Zone. Lister decides to confront the simulant one-on-one as he states he is unarmed. The simulant admits he lied as he reveals a knife, Lister also admits to lying as he brings out a lead pipe, but the simulant lied twice and brings out a laser gun. He fires three shots at Lister but there's no wounds. Suddenly three bullet wounds appear in the simulant's chest. Lister remembers the unique trait of Justice World - namely that anyone who tries to perpetrate a crime has the effect put on them. Lister helps the simulant to carry out his act of rampaging attacks until he is defeated.Howarth & Lyons (1993) p. 71.]

Production

Taking influence from their own "Red Dwarf" novels, writers Rob Grant and Doug Naylor altered some of the historic facts of the show. This was to improve the backstory and keep it in line with their vision of the story as seen in the novels.cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_4/writing.html | title =Red Dwarf Series IV Writing | publisher =www.reddwarf.co.uk |accessdate =2008-01-10] In "Justice" we discover one of these adjustments is that the ship crew compliment before the accident was 1,169 instead of the 169 stated in previous series.cite web | url =http://www.genreonline.net/Red_Dwarf_IV_DVD.html | title =Red Dwarf IV changes | publisher =www.genreonline.net |accessdate =2008-01-28]

Initially "Justice" was to feature the Justice World as a planet, but due to time constraints and finance it was seen as a space station instead. The ending was also changed at the last minute. Bird droppings were filmed as landing on Lister after he littered in the Justice Zone gardens. This scene was dropped for Lister's speech about man's sense of justice.cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_4/production.html | title =Red Dwarf Series IV Production | publisher =www.reddwarf.co.uk |accessdate =2008-01-10]

The writers vision of the Justice Zone was with a background that appeared to disappear into infinity. This was perceived as impossible to achieve with the budget available so a compromise was reached. A huge light was placed at the back of the set masking the background limitations and giving the illusion that there was nothing behind.cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_4/sets.html | title =Red Dwarf Series IV Sets | publisher =www.reddwarf.co.uk |accessdate =2008-01-10]

For the futuristic Justice Zone set the crew used the nearby Sunbury Pumphouse, a disused water pumping plant near the Shepperton studios.cite book |last=Howarth |first=Chris |authorlink= |coauthors=Steve Lyons |title=Red Dwarf Programme Guide |year=1993 |publisher=Virgin Books |location=Section 1: The History |isbn=0-86369-682-1] The set would provide the corridor settings and steps for the Justice Zone scenes.cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_4/sets.html | title =Red Dwarf Series IV Sets | publisher =www.reddwarf.co.uk |accessdate =2008-01-10] Guest performers included Nicholas Ball who played the Simulant and James Smilie who voiced the Justice Computer.

Cultural references

Florence Nightingale is referenced by Lister when he comments that Kryten has been like Florence Nightingdroid looking after him while he had space mumps. Lister thinks that he could disguise himself with a turban and say he's from India, where as the Cat states that he looks more like the Taj Mahal and later references The Elephant Man. In defending Rimmer's innocence Kryten references Napoleon and Long John Silver.

Reception

The episode was first broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 28 February 1991 in the 9:00pm evening time slot,cite web | url =http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/NMRI074W | title =BBC - BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF IV - JUSTICE | publisher =BBC |accessdate =2007-12-12] although it originally planned to be broadcast as the second episode - as seen in the repeat runs. It was moved in the schedule because the Gulf War hostilities meant that "Dimension Jump" and "Meltdown" were postponed. The episode had received a lukewarm reception from viewers,Red Dwarf Smegazine, issue 10, December 1992, Fleetway Editions Ltd, ISSN 0965-5603] although it has been described as a "classic episode" by others.cite web | url =http://www.reviewsbygavrielle.com/dwarf4.shtml | title =Justice review | publisher =www.reviewsbygavrielle.com |accessdate =2008-01-28]

Notes

References

*cite book |last=Howarth |first=Chris |authorlink= |coauthors=Steve Lyons |title=Red Dwarf Programme Guide |year=1993 |publisher=Virgin Books |location= |isbn=0-86369-682-1

External links

*
* [http://www.tv.com/red-dwarf/justice/episode/10965/summary.html Red Dwarf: Justice - TV.com]
* [http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck03/season4.html Episode Guide - Series 4 at RedDwarf.co.uk]