Pete (Red Dwarf)
Template:Infobox Red Dwarf episode
"Pete" is a two-part episode from the science fiction sit-com Red Dwarf Series VIII. Part I was first broadcast in the US on 7 March 1999 and then on the British television channel BBC2 on 25 March 1999.[1] The second part was broadcast the same day as the first part in the US and on 1 April for the British broadcast.[2] The first part was written by Doug Naylor and the second was written between Naylor and Paul Alexander. Both parts were directed by Ed Bye.
Plot
Part 1
Lister and Rimmer get into trouble with Hollister a few times. They are punished by being forced to peel potatoes next week and attempt to get out of it by stealing a special virus that eats the skins of potatoes in minutes. The virus transfers onto them and they end up naked and bald... which they accidentally pass on to Hollister.
Meanwhile, Kryten, Kochanski, the Cat and Holly discover a "Time Wand" that can download and digitise time. They decide to keep it to themselves, knowing that if they can hit Red Dwarf with a two-year period, they will be released from prison due to apparently having served their sentences.
Lister and Rimmer meet a fellow prisoner named "Bird Man" and his sparrow, Pete. When Pete dies, Kryten uses the Time Wand to try and make him young again, but instead accidentally transforms him into a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Part 2
The gang runs away from Pete, now de-evolved into a Tyrannosaurus rex, but he manages to eat the Time Wand.
Meanwhile, Kryten's "pet" penis Archie (which he has made himself in an effort to be reclassified as a man) escapes and he is prevented from chasing it when the Canaries are detailed to stop Pete after his deadly rampage through the supply decks.
Lister and Rimmer must stop Pete as fast as they can before Hollister yells at them again.
Production
Originally titled "Captain's Office", the episode was re-written as a two parter. Cut scenes from "Cassandra" were included in the episode.[3]
The Pete dinosaur was created using computer generated software similar to the ones in Jurassic Park. The CG Pete dinosaur was combined with interactive animatronic parts; a huge foot and head were produced for close up shots.[4]
Some scenes had to be cut from the final episode, which included a fight sequence between the Pete dinosaur and Kryten. Another scene cut was Rimmer's attempt to compose an ode to the Captain.[5]
Mac McDonald appeared as Captain Hollister, Graham McTavish played Governor Ackerman, Andrew Alston played Canary Mex, Holly Earl as Young Kochanski, Perri Michael as Young Cat, Ricky Grover played Baxter, Shend played Warden Knot, Ian Masters appeared as Birdman and Jake Wood as Kill Crazy.
Cultural references
- During the basketball game, the song Stomp! by The Brothers Johnson is played.
- Bob The Skutter whistles the tune from The Great Escape.
- Kryten's penis Archie wriggles up Cat's top and then bursts out, in a scene parodying Alien (film).
References
- ^ "BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF - PETE, Episode 1". BBC. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
- ^ "BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF - PETE, Episode 2". BBC. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
- ^ "Red Dwarf series VIII Writing". Red Dwarf.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
- ^ "Red Dwarf series VIII Effects". Red Dwarf.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
- ^ "Red Dwarf series VIII Production". Red Dwarf.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
External links
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