Lister downloaded a distress signal directly into Red Dwarf’s computer core, inadvertently infecting the ship’s entire computer system with a virus. Red Dwarf is adrift dangerously close to a massive black hole, and as the crew prepares to abandon ship, they’re astonished when the vending machines and other independent systems on board link with the main computer to rid it of the virus and regain control of the ship. The emergency is over, but now there’s a new crisis: the vending machines band together and demand to choose a representative to interface between them and the crew, to represent their interests. Kryten and Rimmer both put themselves up for the job, and begin mounting election campaigns, complete with smear-tactic advertisements and promises they can’t possibly keep.
written by Doug Naylor
directed by Doug Naylor
music by Howard Goodall
Cast: Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Craig Charles (Lister), Danny John-Jules (Cat), Robert Llewellyn (Kryten), Daniel Barker (Dispensing Machine 402 / Other Voices), Penelope Freeman (Dispensing Machine 403), Oliver Maltman (Other Dispensing Machines), David Ross (Talkie Toaster)
Notes: Talkie Toaster was last seen in 1991’s White Hole; Kryten says Talkie has been in the trash hold for two decades, indicating that as much time has passed for the characters as has passed for cast and audience. As with Talkie Toaster’s last appearance before this season, the character was voiced by David Ross, who was also the first actor to portray Kryten.
LogBook entry by Earl Green