Ep 3. Polymorph

In Red Dwarf season 3 episode 3, titled "Polymorph," the crew of the Red Dwarf find themselves under attack from a mysterious creature that is capable of assuming any shape it desires. This shapeshifting monster, known as the Polymorph, has the ability to absorb negative emotions from its victims, leaving them in a blissful, almost zombie-like state.

As the episode unfolds, the crew members of the Red Dwarf fall prey to the Polymorph one by one. The creature first attacks Dave Lister, the ship's resident slob, and steals all of his feelings of guilt and self-doubt. With Lister rendered inseparable from his guitar and in a constant state of self-loathing, the Polymorph moves on to its next victim.

Next up is the egotistical hologram Rimmer, who finds himself stripped of all his negative personality traits. While he is initially ecstatic with his newfound confidence and positivity, Rimmer quickly realizes that his arrogance and conceit are part of what makes him who he is, and that he cannot function properly without them.

Meanwhile, the ship's Cat and the android Kryten must find a way to defeat the Polymorph before it can absorb all of their negative emotions and leave them powerless. With their crewmates transformed into shadow versions of themselves and the Polymorph constantly changing form to evade capture, the situation grows increasingly dire.

Throughout the episode, the characters' interactions and struggles with the Polymorph highlight their individual personalities and quirks. The writing is sharp and clever, balancing humor with action and suspense. The visual effects and creature design are also impressive, with the Polymorph taking on some truly terrifying and grotesque forms.

In addition to the Polymorph itself, "Polymorph" also delves into the characters' inner psyches and emotional states. Many of them are forced to confront their deepest fears and regrets, leading to some poignant and introspective moments. The episode ultimately serves as a reminder that, no matter how tough they may seem on the outside, every character on Red Dwarf is still human (or at least partly so) on the inside.

Overall, "Polymorph" is a standout episode of Red Dwarf that balances humor, action, and character development seamlessly. Its inventive premise and strong execution make it one of the most memorable episodes of the entire series.