Psirens
The crew faces shape-changing Psirens that lure victims with psychic illusions.
"Psirens" is the first episode of the sixth series of the science fiction sit-com Red Dwarf and the 31st in the series run. It was first broadcast on BBC2 on 7 October 1993. The episode's script was published before the episode was broadcast.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Red Dwarf
- Episode
- 1
- Director
- Andy de Emmony
- Writer
- Rob Grant & Doug Naylor
- Air date
- 7 October 1993
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Dave Lister awakes aboard Starbug with amnesia and encounters Kryten in the ship's dining area. After recovering and bringing Arnold Rimmer and Cat out of hibernation, Kryten explains that for the past 200 years the crew have been chasing Red Dwarf through its vapour trail after an unknown party stole it following their adventure on the SSS Esperanto, with Holly having gone offline. They attempt a shortcut through an asteroid belt but discover it is a ship graveyard inhabited by Psirens—shape-changing GELFs that lure travellers with psychic visions. The Psirens cause them to crash on an asteroid, forcing Lister to try to pry the ship loose. Outside, a Psiren overpowers him with an illusion but is killed by a second Psiren disguised as Kryten; Lister kills that one when it calls him "Dave," which the real Kryten would never do. Back aboard, a third Psiren has disguised itself as Lister, and the crew holds both at gunpoint. They ask each to play guitar; the fake plays well and is shot, as the real Lister is terrible despite believing he is excellent. Wounded, the Psiren uses illusions to separate Kryten into a waste compactor, then attacks Lister and Cat after Rimmer's light bee dies. Kryten survives the compactor and crushes the Psiren with his cubed body, allowing the crew to continue pursuing Red Dwarf.
Production
This episode brings back Kochanski for the first time since series two’s “Stasis Leak,” though she appears only as a Psiren illusion. Clare Grogan returned to the role for her final appearance. Samantha Robson plays a Psiren who tempts Lister with an illusion of Pete Tranter’s sister, while Jenny Agutter portrays a Psiren as an illusion of Kryten’s creator, Professor Mamet. Anita Dobson appears as Captain Tau, part of another Psiren illusion meant to fool Lister. Phil Manzanera’s hands are seen when the fake Lister plays guitar brilliantly. Zoe Hilson and Elizabeth Anson appear as Temptresses in a Psiren illusion targeting the Cat. Race Davies and Janan Kubba were originally cast as temptresses but were ultimately not used. Dobson’s role came about when Grant and Naylor approached her partner Brian May to provide his hands for the guitar scene; May was unavailable, but Dobson agreed to play Captain Tau. The writers later regretted not writing a larger part for her, as they hadn’t known she was willing. Their script for the episode was collected in the 1993 book Primordial Soup, released a few months before the episode aired.
Reception
Sophie Davies, writing in 2017 for CultBox, noted that the episode essentially re-introduces the characters, perhaps for new viewers, and that the Psirens are visually scarier than most monsters seen on the show before, delivering memorable moments. Tom Salinsky said in his 2024 book that this is a good strong season opener rather than an all-time classic, an effective plot device that shines light on most of the regular cast but gives no new insights, and that he misses Holly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Psirens?
Psirens was directed by Andy de Emmony.
Who wrote Psirens?
Psirens was written by Rob Grant & Doug Naylor.
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