Red Dwarf season 5 episode 6 Recap and FAQ
Episode Summary
The Red Dwarf crew discovers the SSS Esperanto, a ship that seeded life on planets but ended in mass suicide. Kryten finds a venom causing despair and suicide, affecting the crew. They hallucinate, believing their lives are a video game and discovering false identities. Holly reveals it's a hallucination caused by a Despair Squid's venom. They escape the threat, pondering the ethics of playing God, and return to their usual lives aboard Red Dwarf.
Full Episode S05E06 Recap
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the mission of the SSS Esperanto?
To introduce oceanic life to potential S-3 planets.
How much evolution did the Esperanto crew achieve in three years?
Five million years of evolution.
What was the cause of death for the Esperanto crew and the fish?
Suicide.
What did Kryten discover about the dead fish?
It voluntarily suffocated in water.
What theory does Kryten propose for the suicides?
Exposure to a hallucinogenic venom secreted by a sea creature.
How does the team first react to the venom?
They experience despair and anguish.
What is the immediate threat to the crew after the venom exposure?
An approaching giant squid.
How do they attempt to escape the squid?
By maneuvering Starbug through caverns.
What hallucination does the crew experience?
That their lives in "Red Dwarf" were part of a video game.
What alternate identities do the crew members discover in the hallucination?
Different names and backgrounds, unrelated to their "Red Dwarf" personas.
How does the crew realize they were hallucinating?
Holly informs them about the effects of the Despair Squid's venom.
What was the purpose of the hallucination?
To induce despair by attacking their self-esteem and deepest fears.
Who destroyed the Despair Squid?
Holly, with limpet mines.
What does the crew reflect on at the end of the episode?
The dangers and consequences of playing God.
How does the episode end?
With the "Red Dwarf" theme song and the crew back to normal.
