Redshirt (stock character): Difference between revisions
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In many episodes of the original 1966 ''Star Trek'' series, security officers, who wear red uniforms, accompany the main characters on [[away team|landing parties]]. The officers usually die violently soon after.{{fact}} |
In many episodes of the original 1966 ''Star Trek'' series, security officers, who wear red uniforms, accompany the main characters on [[away team|landing parties]]. The officers usually die violently soon after.{{fact}} |
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In the [[Pocket Books]] ''Star Trek'' novel ''[[Killing Time (Star Trek novel)|Killing Time]]'', a crew member says, "you don't want to wear a red shirt on landing-party duty."<ref>{{cite book| publisher=Pocket Books| year=1985| isbn= 0671524887| title=[[Killing Time (Star Trek novel)|Killing Time]]| first=Della Van| last= Hise}}</ref> In the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' book ''Legends of the Ferengi'', an entry comparing the life-span of various beings with the shelf life of gold-pressed latinum includes the entry "Lifespan of a Federation hew-mon working for Starfleet security: Rarely survive beyond the second act break".<ref>{{cite book|last=Behr|first=Ira Steven|authorlink=Ira Steven Behr|coauthors=Robert Hewitt Wolfe|title=Legends of the Ferengi|isbn=0671007289}}</ref> |
In the [[Pocket Books]] ''Star Trek'' novel ''[[Killing Time (Star Trek novel)|Killing Time]]'', a crew member says, "you don't want to wear a red shirt on landing-party duty."<ref>{{cite book| publisher=Pocket Books| year=1985| isbn= 0671524887| title=[[Killing Time (Star Trek novel)|Killing Time]]| first=Della Van| last= Hise}}</ref> In the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' book ''Legends of the Ferengi'', an entry comparing the life-span of various beings with the shelf life of gold-pressed latinum includes the entry "Lifespan of a Federation hew-mon working for Starfleet security: Rarely survive beyond the second act break".<ref>{{cite book|last=Behr|first=Ira Steven|authorlink=Ira Steven Behr|coauthors=Robert Hewitt Wolfe|title=Legends of the Ferengi|isbn=0671007289}}</ref> |
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==Cultural influence== |
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The [[Star Trek fan production|fan film]] ''[[Redshirt Blues]]'' satirizes redshirts. |
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The television show [[Family Guy]] parodies the situation (in the second episode, titled "''[[I Never Met the Dead Man]]''") as it occurred in Star Trek, with Captain Kirk exclaiming to the crew "Alright men, this is a dangerous mission. And it's likely one of us will be killed. The landing party will consist of myself, Mr Spock, Doctor McCoy, and Ensign Ricky." Ensign Ricky, who is the only of the four wearing a red shirt, disappointedly exclaims "Ahh crap."{{fact}} |
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The [[fan film]] ''[[Redshirt Blues]]'', made by fans of original ''Star Trek'' satirizes the exploitation of the redshirt cliche.{{fact}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 17:07, 3 September 2009
Redshirt is a slang term for a minor stock character in an adventure drama who dies violently soon after being introduced to dramatize the dangerous situation faced by the main characters. The term originated with the science fiction television series Star Trek from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security officers.[1]
Star Trek
In many episodes of the original 1966 Star Trek series, security officers, who wear red uniforms, accompany the main characters on landing parties. The officers usually die violently soon after.[citation needed]
In the Pocket Books Star Trek novel Killing Time, a crew member says, "you don't want to wear a red shirt on landing-party duty."[2] In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine book Legends of the Ferengi, an entry comparing the life-span of various beings with the shelf life of gold-pressed latinum includes the entry "Lifespan of a Federation hew-mon working for Starfleet security: Rarely survive beyond the second act break".[3]
Cultural influence
The television show Family Guy parodies the situation (in the second episode, titled "I Never Met the Dead Man") as it occurred in Star Trek, with Captain Kirk exclaiming to the crew "Alright men, this is a dangerous mission. And it's likely one of us will be killed. The landing party will consist of myself, Mr Spock, Doctor McCoy, and Ensign Ricky." Ensign Ricky, who is the only of the four wearing a red shirt, disappointedly exclaims "Ahh crap."[citation needed]
The fan film Redshirt Blues, made by fans of original Star Trek satirizes the exploitation of the redshirt cliche.[citation needed]
See also
- Cannon fodder
- Character shield
- Forlorn hope
- Greenshirts (G.I. Joe)
- Sacrificial lamb
- Stormtrooper effect
- Scapegoat
- Spear carrier
References
- ^ Robert W. Bly (1996). Why You Should Never Beam Down in a Red Shirt: And 749 More Answers to Questions About Star Trek. ISBN 0062733842.
- ^ Hise, Della Van (1985). Killing Time. Pocket Books. ISBN 0671524887.
- ^ Behr, Ira Steven. Legends of the Ferengi. ISBN 0671007289.
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