| Red Dwarf episode | |
| "Legion" | |
 |
|
| Episode № | 2 |
|---|---|
| Airdate | October 14, 1993 |
| Writer(s) | Rob Grant & Doug Naylor |
| Director | Andy de Emmony |
| Guest star(s) | Nigel Williams |
| Series VI October 7 – November 11, 1993 |
|
| List of all Red Dwarf episodes... | |
"Legion" is the second episode of Red Dwarf VI and the 32nd in the series run. It premiered on 14 Oct 1993 in the 9:00pm BBC2 time slot,[1] Written by Rob Grant & Doug Naylor and directed by Andy de Emmony.
Contents |
Synopsis
Starbug is 24 hours behind Red Dwarf and is losing ground on the larger ship. They are distracted when a heat-seeking 'missile' locks onto them and tractors them to a space station inhabited only by a being called Legion, who proves his good faith by converting Rimmer from a "soft light" to a "hard light" hologram, thus making him able to touch and feel. Legion also performs an emergency appendectomy on Lister. Unknown to them, Legion is in fact a gestalt entity, made up of the personalities of those on the space station with him and must keep the crew on the station with him forever if he is to maintain his existence. Kryten saves the crew by rendering the other members unconscious, thus forcing Legion to take on only his personality, which is programmed to assist humans whenever possible. Legion helps put the crew back on Starbug, then comments on the relief it will be to not share in the neuroses of the crew.
Production
The working title for the episode was "Call Me Legion", and later shortened to "Legion".[2] This episode introduces the hologram Hardlight - an indestructable physical form which Rimmer could form into. It was becoming tiresome for the writer's that Rimmer couldn't touch anything, so it was retained for the remainder of the series.[3] Nigel Williams played the character of Legion and had to be sewn into his costume, it was that tight. Once he was in it he had to stay in it until the shoot was finished.[4]
Cultural references
The episode title and certain dialogue reference Mark 5:9, wherein Jesus confronts a possessed man: "For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." The "Ionian Nerve Grip" which Kryten attempts to use on Rimmer is patterned after the famous Vulcan nerve pinch from Star Trek. The list of names of the scientists involved in the Legion Project begins with Heidegger, echoing a noted 20th century philosopher, but then continues with the names Holder, Davro and Quayle who echo Noddy Holder, Bobby Davro and Dan Quayle and are far from noteworthy in academic fields.
External links
- Legion at the Internet Movie Database
- Red Dwarf: Psirens - TV.com
- Episode Guide - Series 6 at RedDwarf.co.uk
References
- ^ BBC - Programme Catalogue - RED DWARF VI - LEGION. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
- ^ News From The Dwarf, Red Dwarf Smegazine, volume 2 issue 1, May 1993, Fleetway Editions Ltd, issn=0965-5603
- ^ Red Dwarf series VI Aftermath. Red Dwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
- ^ Red Dwarf series VI Costumes. Red Dwarf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
