Timewave (Red Dwarf)

"Timewave" is the third episode of Red Dwarf XII and the 70th in the series run. Originally broadcast on the British television channel Dave on 26 October 2017, it was made available early on 19 October 2017 on UKTV Play.

"Timewave"
Red Dwarf episode
Cat, frustrated with the ship's anti-criticism law, launches a tirade on the Crit Cop
Episode no.Series 12
Episode 3
Directed byDoug Naylor
Written byDoug Naylor
Original air date26 October 2017
Guest appearance(s)

After experiencing a strange time phenomenon, the crew must venture onboard a starship from the 24th century to stop them from crashing into an oncoming gas moon, only to be hindered by its unorthodox anti-criticism law.

Synopsis

After the crew claim a gas moon rich in Helium-7 for the JMC (an exercise orchestrated mainly by Rimmer), the crew are forced to retreat quicker than anticipated when an incoming solar storm is detected. On the way back onboard Starbug, the crew experience a timewave, which Kryten explains is the aftereffect of an imploding black hole, and that whoever falls victim to one risks the chance of being washed-up into an inhabitable corner of deep space. They discover a ship swept by the timewave, which is on a direct collision-course with the gas moon. After conducting some research, discovering the ship is from 24th century Earth and that it operates on a system of no criticism, they venture onboard to stop it.

Greeted by the ship's flamboyant captain, Ziggy, they are guided to the ship's diner. It becomes apparent the ship is in total disarray, and after a bad experience from an unqualified waitress, the crew agree that the ship is a lost cause. However, on their way out, they are stopped by the ship's head policeman, who questions whether they're following the laws of their society. Cat grows fed-up and insults the cop, resulting in their imprisonment on the ship's brig.

After a nearly-successful attempt at escape after swaying the policeman against the anti-criticism law, Ziggy returns and orders that they be "drained" of their critical behavior. Hooked-up to their anti-criticism device, Rimmer is chosen to be the first one drained of his unfavorable characteristics. However, when his critical side proves too strong, it manifests into a being of its own, who, after some reasoning by the crew, is defeated. After the fiasco, Ziggy concludes that the crew's defeating of Rimmer's critical side through criticism proves the ship's anti-criticism law incorrect; Ziggy wises up and redirects the ship away from the gas moon, and offers an apology to the crew with one of his badly-done paintings. Lister, believing Ziggy is now open to criticism, says it isn't very good. Ziggy, enraged, reinstates the law as the crew flee the ship.

Reception

"Timewave" received negative reviews from critics[1] and fans.[2] Complaints cited the episode's poor structure and jarring jokes.

References
  1. Harrison, Mark (26 October 2017). "Red Dwarf XII Episode 3 Review: Timewave". Den of Geek.
  2. Jones, Tanya (24 October 2017). "Red Dwarf XII: Timewave Review". Ganymede & Titan.
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