Episode no. Series 3
Episode 6 Original air date 19 December 1989 | Directed by Ed Bye | |
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Written by Rob Grant & Doug Naylor | ||
"The Last Day" is the sixth, and last, episode of science fiction sit-com Red Dwarf Series III, and the eighteenth in the series run. It premiered on the British television channel BBC2 on 19 December 1989. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and directed by Ed Bye, the story is about Kryten's expiry date and how Lister decides to give him a last day to remember. The episode was re-mastered, along with the rest of the first three series, in 1998.
Contents
Plot
A message pod reaches Red Dwarf from Diva-Droid International, manufacturers of Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) and the 4000 series of mechanoids. It announces that Kryten's built-in expiry date is almost up and his in-built shut-down chip will automatically activate in twenty-four hours time. Kryten resigns himself to his fate, telling Lister (Craig Charles) he's going to get his reward in "Silicon Heaven". Lister tries to tell him there's no such place, to no avail. Lister is sickened that Kryten is forced to shut himself down just to make room for a newer model and is determined Kryten's going to enjoy his last day in a profitless and non-practical way (Kryten's definition of fun). He even goes to the trouble of building the robotic Marilyn Monroe kit that's been hanging around the ship for years, whilst Holly (Hattie Hayridge) knocks up a special android home brew using Vimto and liquid nitrogen.
At the party, presents are shared, stories are told and jokes are fired, much to Listers chagrin when his heartwrenching story of being abandoned by his parents takes a nasty turn after Rimmer explains his abandonment was because his parents were likely Brother and Sister.
As they sleep the next morning, Kryten inadvertently plays the rest of the message from Divadroid, explaining that his replacement - Hudzen 10, is en route to the ship. Waking with a hangover, Kryten realises that he had experienced true pleasure for the first time and decides that he would much rather delay his departure. He can override his shutdown programme, but the catch is that his replacement mechanoid comes fitted with instructions to kill its predecessor if necessary. But Lister, Rimmer (Chris Barrie) and Cat (Danny John-Jules) will not let him on board. They're going to stand by their shipmate.
The replacement mechanoid Hudzen's ship lands on the landing gantry, and the crew prepare for his appearance. Lister tells Hudzen that Kryten is staying put and that he should leave. Hudzen refuses to go away and advances down the corridor as having spent million of years travelling alone he has been driven dangerously insane and he tries to kill everyone. Just as Hudzen is finally upon Kryten and about to deliver a killing blow, he is told by Kryten that Silicon Heaven does not exist. Hudzen's mind cannot cope with this revelation and shuts down. Lister quizzes Kryten about why Hudzen's mind (a later model) can't cope with this revelation, whilst Kryten's can. Kryten replies that he had a distinct advantage over Hudzen: Kryten knew that he was lying.
Production
Gordon Kennedy almost didn't appear in Red Dwarf as the character of Hudzen 10 was actually a last-minute addition to the script. Robert Llewellyn makes a brief, unmasked, appearance as Jim Reaper, the Diva-Droid executive and Julie Higginson plays the Marilyn Monroe kit android.
In the opening credits of Season 3, there is a picture of Kryten in a suit, moving his body to his left, and turning his head to his right, with a smile on his face. This picture is also shown in the Red Dwarf pictures screensaver. It was supposed to be from this episode but was never shown. It was also the only scene from "The Last Day" to be shown in the opening credits.
Reception
The episode was originally broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 19 December 1989 in the 9:00pm evening time slot. Although the episode gained a decent amount of viewers, the episode has been considered by fans to be the weakest from Series III.
Remastering
The remastering of Series I to III was carried out during the late 1990s with the intention of bringing the early production values up to a standard suitable for international television. General changes throughout the series included replacement of the opening credits, giving the picture a colour grade and filmising, computer generated special effects of Red Dwarf and many more visual and audio enhancements.
There have been changes made specific to "The Last Day". The opening shot of the post pod approaching Red Dwarf has been replaced with a CGI sequence. Hudzen's ship approaching Red Dwarf has been replaced with a CGI version.
Upon its release on VHS the new re-mastered episodes were generally received poorly by fans of the show, although it has been stated by critics that they are "actually an invigorating new take on a classic series". The re-mastered series was later released, along with other material, on The Bodysnatcher DVD boxset, in 2007.