Dread Dwarf
Relive Red Dwarf's scariest moments this Halloween.
25 October, 2013
Red Dwarf may be a comedy at heart, but over the last twenty-five years the show has done a remarkably good job of straddling a variety of genres - and despite generally being light-hearted in tone, even has several episodes that could be classed as somewhere between "mildly chilling" and "properly terrifying", depending on how hardy your constitution is. And so with Halloween just around the corner, we thought we'd take a trip through some of those memorable, horror-influenced scenes...
5. Polymorph
"Warning," said the ominous voice-over at the beginning of this episode. "This week's Red Dwarf contains scenes which are unsuitable for younger viewers and people of a nervous disposition. You have been warned." Yikes. To be honest, though, the creepily-voiced warning is probably the only actually frightening bit in Polymorph, which generally mines the "armour-plated killing machine pursues the crew" concept for laughs rather than scares. But it's a good way to keep you on the edge of your seat for half an hour wondering when something horrible's going to happen, isn't it?
4. The Inquisitor
The effect's somewhat lessened if you know it's nice friendly Jack Docherty underneath that impressively ugly skull mask, but this episode's opening scene, as the titular rogue droid turns the original Thomas Allman into a skeleton-shaped pile of ash, is pretty chilling - especially as the viewer will expect him to turn his attention to the Dwarfers next. And when he goes on to make his chilling pronouncements through Lister's mouth it's fairly eerie, as well.
3. Ghostwatch
Okay, we're cheating a bit here, as this isn't actually Red Dwarf, obviously. But since what is basically the most brilliantly terrifying thing ever to be broadcast on British television has a Dwarf connection courtesy of the presence of Craig Charles, we're counting it as part of the family. Especially as one of the most chilling of the subliminal appearances of the dreaded Mr Pipes occurs while Craig is happily interviewing members of the public out on the street. You might not spot it the first time, or even the second, but once you do, it'll haunt your retinas...
2. Demons & Angels
There are a lot of icky moments in what is surely the most downright unpleasant episode of Red Dwarf - Lister eating the spider, Low Rimmer's debauched malevolence, and the gratuitous stabbing of the High crew. But the one that takes the biscuit is a seriously deranged Low Kryten bursting through a wall and grabbing Lister, in true horror movie fashion. Howard Goodall's atmospheric and creepy music adds to the scene, as does the shock factor of the fact that this is Kryten doing this. Who knew Robert Llewellyn had this level of maniacal murderousness in him?
1. Quarantine
No, we're not talking about Mr Flibble, although we're sure he gives some people the willies. Dr Hildegard Langstrom, with her murderous intent, deranged blood-curdling yowl and lethal hex-vision is a truly terrifying creation - given life by a brilliantly creepy performance from Maggie Steed, not to mention yet more of that straight-out-of-a-slasher-film Goodall music. In an episode that's generally remembered by fans as one of the show's funniest, her presence makes for several moments of genuine terror - and confirms Series V's status as by far the scariest series of the lot.
Any scary Red Dwarf moments we've missed? Share your thoughts on the Forum!
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