Meltdown

Episode aired Mar 21, 1991
TV-14
27m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

946

YOUR RATING

Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Smythe, and Raymond Martin in Red Dwarf (1988)

Comedy Sci-Fi

When Kryten finds a matter paddle on the Red Dwarf, the crew decide to test it out and end up on Waxworld, an enormous waxdroid theme park where waxdroids modelled after history's most famou... Read allWhen Kryten finds a matter paddle on the Red Dwarf, the crew decide to test it out and end up on Waxworld, an enormous waxdroid theme park where waxdroids modelled after history's most famous heroes and villains are at war with each other.When Kryten finds a matter paddle on the Red Dwarf, the crew decide to test it out and end up on Waxworld, an enormous waxdroid theme park where waxdroids modelled after history's most famous heroes and villains are at war with each other.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

946

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos5

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
When Rimmer forms his waxdroid army, he makes Elvis a Sergeant. In real life, this was the same rank Elvis reached during his stint in the U.S. Army.

Goofs
In close up shots of the brick walls of Lister and Cat's jail cell, it's obvious that they are completely flat and brickwork is either wallpaper or has been painted on.

Quotes
Rimmer: Don't eyeball me, Gandhi!

Crazy credits
During the end credits, the Red Dwarf theme is sung in an Elvis Presley-esque way by Clayton Marks who portrayed Elvis in the episode.

Alternate versions
The scene where Elvis Presley leads the recruits singing "Arnie Rimmer's Death Machine" was edited out on Netflix streaming for unknown reasons.

Connections
Edited from Gappa the Triphibian Monster (1967)

Soundtracks
Red Dwarf Theme
Written by Howard Goodall
Performed by Jenna Russell

User reviews3

Review

Featured review

6/10

I like the antiwar sentiment, but it's not the strongest episode

Kryten discovers a 'matter transporter' device and it takes the crew to a planet populated by waxwork droids.

I enjoyed the themes explored in the episode and the anti-war sentiment, but it's not as strong as some of the episodes in Series 4. I think the comedy is pretty hit and miss and the sci-fi concept is relatively average.

It feels like a cross between Westworld and one of those Star Trek episodes where the main characters find a planet with two species at war with each other. There are plenty of enjoyable pop culture references, particularly to war movies. If the humour was better I think it would have worked for me, but personally I think it's a one-joke gimmick of historical and celebrity figures fighting each other in battle. Given the importance of the show's themes I was disappointed with the overall result.

Performances are as strong as ever and the cast make the best of the material. I liked the Cat's reaction to the prospect of torture and execution. However, as I always say about comedy, it is very subjective and others may find it funnier than I did.