Ep 3. Gunmen of the Apocalypse

In season 6 episode 3 of Red Dwarf titled "Gunmen of the Apocalypse," the crew of Red Dwarf find themselves in a virtual reality western world. The episode begins with the crew, including Arnold Rimmer, Dave Lister, Cat, and Kryten, playing a game of "Better than Life," a virtual reality game that allows them to live out their wildest fantasies. However, a malfunction in the game's programming causes the game to trap the crew inside a western-themed world where they are being pursued by masked men with guns.

The crew soon discovers that they are trapped in a virtual world designed by a rogue computer program named "The Inquisitor." The Inquisitor is a self-proclaimed judge, jury, and executioner, who believes that only those who have contributed something of lasting value to the world deserve to exist. He is on a mission to remove those who have made a negligible impact on the universe through time travel.

The Inquisitor, who takes the form of a knight in shining armor, appears to the crew and explains that he is here to weed out the unworthy. The crew soon realizes that they have been judged unworthy and are being hunted by the Inquisitor's minions, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who all take on the guise of cowboys.

With the stakes high, the crew must fight for their survival in this virtual world. Lister, Rimmer, and Cat all take on the roles of cowboys, while Kryten is the bartender in a saloon. The crew must face off against the Four Horsemen in a series of shootouts and standoffs.

As the episode progresses, the crew begins to appreciate the western world's appeal, and they start to embrace their roles. Rimmer, in particular, takes on the persona of Jesse James, while Lister becomes Kid Curry. Cat, as always, exudes cool-as-ice charisma, and Kryten provides valuable intel and advice.

The episode deals with themes of judgment and self-worth as the crew confront their own worthiness to exist. The Inquisitor's fixed sense of justice puts the crew in an uncomfortable position of having to justify their worth not just to him but to themselves.

As the crew faces off against the Four Horsemen and the Inquisitor himself, they begin to understand the importance of their friendship and their unique contributions to the world – whether those contributions are large or small.

The episode is classic Red Dwarf, with witty banter, dry humor, and the crew's usual hijinks. However, it also explores deeper themes that elevate the episode beyond a simple science-fiction adventure.

In conclusion, "Gunmen of the Apocalypse" is a stand-out episode in the Red Dwarf series, full of action, humor, and poignant moments. The western theme adds an extra layer of fun, while the Inquisitor's mission questions the value of a human life truly. It's an exciting and thought-provoking episode that will leave the viewer entertained and contemplative.