# Back in the Red > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Back_in_the_Red > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Back_in_the_Red.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_in_the_Red > Source revision: 1356168101 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1st, 2nd and 3rd episodes of the 8th series of Red Dwarf "Back in the Red" Red Dwarf episodes Episode nos. Series 8 Episodes 1, 2 and 3 Directed by Ed Bye Written by Doug Naylor Original air dates 18 February 1999 (1999-02-18) 25 February 1999 (1999-02-25) 4 March 1999 (1999-03-04) Guest appearances Mac McDonald as Captain Hollister 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 Episode chronology ← Previous "Nanarchy" Next → "Cassandra" List of episodes "**Back in the Red**" is the opening three-part episode of series VIII of [science fiction](/source/Science_fiction) [sit-com](/source/Sit-com) *[Red Dwarf](/source/Red_Dwarf)*. Part 1 was first broadcast on the British television channel [BBC2](/source/BBC2) on 18 February 1999[1] followed by Part 2 on 25 February[2] and Part 3 on 4 March.[3] 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](/source/Doug_Naylor) and directed by [Ed Bye](/source/Ed_Bye). ## Plot This episode's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. (April 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) ### Part 1 In a prison cell, [Lister](/source/Dave_Lister_(fictional_character)) and [Rimmer](/source/Arnold_Rimmer) are having another furious argument. We are then shown the circumstances that led to their incarceration. Three days earlier, [Kryten](/source/Kryten)'s nanobots had rebuilt *[Red Dwarf](/source/Ships)*, but done so far too large[a]. 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 recognized by two of Lister's old friends, 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 license and bringing two stowaways (The Cat and Kryten) aboard. Everyone is placed in custody and Lister is confined to quarters. [Holly](/source/Holly_(Red_Dwarf)) (on Lister's watch) explains that, if found guilty, they will get two years in "The Tank", a hidden top-secret prison facility on the ship, holding hundreds of inmates who were being transported to a containment facility. Unfortunately, they have all been resurrected too. At his quarters, Lister meets a nano-restored Rimmer. Lister tells Rimmer the whole story and asks for help in escaping, so he can recover the nanobots in time before his trial. In exchange, he offers Rimmer a way to get the promotion to officer status like he has always wanted. Rimmer agrees and Lister lends him his Holly watch, and sends him to *Starbug* to recover confidential files of the crew. 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 the positive viruses recovered from Dr. Lanstrom[b]. 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 has them consent to use psychotropic testing during their trial. Later, Kryten is taken away for a physical examination and, due to his lack of a [penis](/source/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. Despite acting on Kochanski's advice in his efforts to refuse the reset, the crew to decide to proceed anyway. Afterwards, Kryten has been returned to his old ways of servitude and politeness. Later, Rimmer visits Captain Hollister with a report detailing the [dangers of loose drive plates](/source/The_End_(Red_Dwarf)). 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 invites Rimmer to dinner at the Captain's Table that evening. Pleased with the success of his scheme, Rimmer goes back on his deal with Lister, having no more need for the files in favor of the positive viruses. However, Lister has managed to expose himself to the viruses when Rimmer shows them to him, and escapes his cell by guessing the right code with the luck virus. Lister breaks Kochanski out of her quarters and, while in a 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 realizes that the two positive viruses cancel each other out. Later, after rescuing The Cat, the three disguise themselves as computer programmers to evade detection while they rescue Kryten and re-break his programming. Meanwhile, at dinner, Rimmer has taken the sexual magnetism virus in a very large dose and charms everyone, but becomes exhausted when female officers keep following him into the supply closet to have sex with him. Hollister discusses the psychotropic testing he is conducting on the others and reveals that they have been secretly placed in an artificial reality simulation where their actions are being monitored: the aforementioned trial. Rimmer fears that Lister could jeopardize his future by mentioning the deal, and leaves for the AR suite. On his journey, he tries to cancel out the sexual magnetism virus by injecting anesthetic into his groin. 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 In the simulation, Lister, Kryten, Kochanski and The Cat arrive in a hangar and steal a *Blue Midget* to search for Kryten's nanobots to corroborate their story. Rimmer infiltrates the AR suite in time to overhear Lister mentioning his failed deal with Rimmer. Rimmer prompts the computer to remove all mention of his name and the deal. The crew, however, notice jump cuts in their actions and conversation, and realize where they really are and what's going on. They find an emergency exit in the simulation, and awake in the AR suite to confront Rimmer, using the luck virus to save Rimmer from being hit on by Kochanski. Rimmer joins the crew as they try again with their escape attempt. While making plans to pick up supplies from the *SS [Einstein](/source/Albert_Einstein)*, talk turns to the [Theory of relativity](/source/Theory_of_relativity). Naturally, Holly is unable to recall what it actually means, but takes offense at being labelled an idiot and reveals that he created the nanobots that resurrected the crew, as part of his ongoing mission to keep Lister sane. Holly also reveals that they (Rimmer included) are still in a simulation, having been outsmarted by a second, nano-restored Holly. From his office, Captain Hollister observes the simulation and discusses the events with the second Holly. The two accept Lister's nanobot story and declare the group innocent. However, the captain adds their actions also confirm their use of confidential information for their own gain, having grown suspicious of Rimmer's sudden intelligence. Of this, everyone is found guilty and are sentenced to two years in The Tank. Hollister releases the crew from the simulation and confiscates the luck virus. As they are photographed in their prison uniforms, Holly realizes that he has screwed up again. Below, the crew are welcomed by Warden Ackerman to "The Tank". In a final act of revenge, Lister exposes Rimmer to the last of the sexual magnetism virus. Rimmer then realizes that he has become 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](/source/Stoke_Me_a_Clipper)" and "[Epideme](/source/Epideme)" were well received – returned as script supervisor.[4] 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.[4] 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.[4] Having the crew revived meant having the original actors back. [Mac McDonald](/source/Mac_McDonald) reprised his [Captain Hollister](/source/Captain_Hollister) character; [Paul Bradley](/source/Paul_Bradley_(British_actor)) 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](/source/Kika_Mirylees) appeared as CMO Karen Newton.[5] *Red Dwarf*, the ship itself, also returned, having not been seen since "[Demons and Angels](/source/Demons_%26_Angels_(Red_Dwarf))", the penultimate feature of series V. A new, much larger model had been created for the [Remastered](/source/Red_Dwarf_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 [CGI](/source/Computer-generated_imagery) 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](/source/Red_Dwarf_X)*.[6] With Kryten having been defaulted to his factory settings, posh English accent and all, it was considered that [David Ross](/source/David_Ross_(actor)) could make a return. Ross had first played the character in the [Series II](/source/Red_Dwarf_II) episode "[Kryten](/source/Kryten_(Red_Dwarf_episode))" as a guest character, prior to [Robert Llewellyn](/source/Robert_Llewellyn) taking over in [series III](/source/Red_Dwarf_III), and he had also played [Talkie Toaster](/source/Talkie_Toaster) in the [series IV](/source/Red_Dwarf_IV) episode "[White Hole](/source/White_Hole_(Red_Dwarf_episode))". In the end, Llewellyn impersonated the accent.[7] Ross would later return to the series reprising his role of Talkie in the [Series XII](/source/Red_Dwarf_XII) episode "[Mechocracy](/source/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](/source/Bodyswap_(Red_Dwarf))". In terms of true-series continuity, this marks the first appearance of the new CGI re-design of the ship.[8] ## Notes 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** As depicted in *[Nanarchy](/source/Nanarchy)*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** As depicted in *[Quarantine](/source/Quarantine_(Red_Dwarf))*. ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC_–_RED_DWARF_–_BACK_IN_THE_RED,_Episode_1_1-0)** ["BBC Two - Red Dwarf, VIII, Back in the Red: Part 1"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bpm01). BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC_–_RED_DWARF_–_BACK_IN_THE_RED,_Episode_2_2-0)** ["BBC Two - Red Dwarf, VIII, Back in the Red: Part 2"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bpm0x). BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC_–_RED_DWARF_–_BACK_IN_THE_RED,_Episode_3_3-0)** ["BBC Two - Red Dwarf, VIII, Back in the Red: Part 3"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bpm1r). BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2022. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Red_Dwarf_series_VIII_Writing_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Red_Dwarf_series_VIII_Writing_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Red_Dwarf_series_VIII_Writing_6-2) ["Red Dwarf series VIII Writing"](http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/writing.html). Red Dwarf.co.uk. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104913/http://reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/writing.html) from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Red_Dwarf_series_VIII_Casting_7-0)** ["Red Dwarf series VIII Casting"](http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/casting.html). Red Dwarf.co.uk. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071116022302/http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/casting.html) from the original on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Red_Dwarf_New_Model_8-0)** ["The Red Dwarf model, there. Also, no Model Unit?"](http://www.ganymede.tv/2012/02/the-red-dwarf-model-there-also-no-model-unit). Ganymede & Titan. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Red_Dwarf_series_VIII_Production_9-0)** ["Red Dwarf series VIII Production"](http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/production.html). Red Dwarf.co.uk. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104857/http://reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/production.html) from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Red_Dwarf_series_VIII_Effects_10-0)** ["Red Dwarf series VIII Effects"](http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/effects.html). Red Dwarf.co.uk. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104835/http://reddwarf.co.uk/deck05/series_8/effects.html) from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2007. ## External links Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Back in the Red](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Red_Dwarf#.22Back_in_the_Red.22_part_1.22)***. - ["Back in the Red: Part 1"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bpm01) at [BBC Online](/source/BBC_Online) - ["Back in the Red: Part 2"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bpm0x) at [BBC Online](/source/BBC_Online) - ["Back in the Red: Part 3"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bpm1r) at [BBC Online](/source/BBC_Online) - ["Back in the Red: Part 1"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0684140/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - ["Back in the Red: Part 2"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0684141/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - ["Back in the Red: Part 3"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0684142/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [Series VIII episode guide at www.reddwarf.co.uk](http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/guide/index.cfm?seriesID=8) v t e Red Dwarf Characters Dave Lister Arnold Rimmer Holly The Cat Kryten Kristine Kochanski Books Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers Better Than Life Last Human Backwards Red Dwarf: Titan Episodes Series I (1988) "The End" "Future Echoes" "Balance of Power" "Waiting for God" "Confidence and Paranoia" "Me2" Series II (1988) "Kryten" "Better Than Life" "Thanks for the Memory" "Stasis Leak" "Queeg" "Parallel Universe" Series III (1989) "Backwards" "Marooned" "Polymorph" "Bodyswap" "Timeslides" "The Last Day" Series IV (1991) "Camille" "DNA" "Justice" "White Hole" "Dimension Jump" "Meltdown" Series V (1992) "Holoship" "The Inquisitor" "Terrorform" "Quarantine" "Demons & Angels" "Back to Reality" Series VI (1993) "Psirens" "Legion" "Gunmen of the Apocalypse" "Emohawk: Polymorph II" "Rimmerworld" "Out of Time" Series VII (1997) "Tikka to Ride" "Stoke Me a Clipper" "Ouroboros" "Duct Soup" "Blue" "Beyond a Joke" "Epideme" "Nanarchy" Series VIII (1999) "Back in the Red" "Cassandra" "Krytie TV" "Pete" "Only the Good..." Miniseries (2009) Back to Earth Series X (2012) "Trojan" "Fathers & Suns" "Lemons" "Entangled" "Dear Dave" "The Beginning" Series XI (2016) "Twentica" "Samsara" "Give & Take" "Officer Rimmer" "Krysis" "Can of Worms" Series XII (2017) "Cured" "Siliconia" "Timewave" "Mechocracy" "M-Corp" "Skipper" Television film (2020) The Promised Land Unmade episodes "Bodysnatcher" Other Red Dwarf Remastered Grant Naylor Dimension Jump "Tongue Tied" Dave Hollins: Space Cadet Category --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Back in the Red](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_in_the_Red) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_in_the_Red?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.