Redshirt (character)
Encyclopedia
A "redshirt" is a stock character
in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of Star Trek
(1966–1969), from the red shirts worn by Starfleet
security officers who frequently die during episodes.
Star Trek novel Killing Time
, a crew member says, "you don't want to wear a red shirt on landing-party duty". The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
book Legends of the Ferengi says Starfleet security personnel "rarely survive beyond the second act break". The eleventh Star Trek film (2009) features a red-uniformed character who dies early on a mission in homage to the original series.
(ABC
2004–2010) describe the character of Hurley as a "red shirt". Galaxy Quest
(1999), a comedy about actors from a defunct science-fiction television series serving on a real starship, including an actor who is terrified that he's going to die because his only appearance was as a "red shirt" character. The only character injured in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer
episode "Older and Far Away" wears a red shirt; writer Drew Greenberg
confirmed that this "redshirt" reference was intentional. The term is also used in the Warehouse 13
episode "Implosion".
Stock character
A Stock character is a fictional character based on a common literary or social stereotype. Stock characters rely heavily on cultural types or names for their personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics. In their most general form, stock characters are related to literary archetypes,...
in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
(1966–1969), from the red shirts worn by Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
security officers who frequently die during episodes.
Star Trek
In many episodes of Star Trek, red-uniformed security officers and engineers accompanying the main characters on landing parties quickly die. In the Pocket BooksPocket Books
Pocket Books is a division of Simon & Schuster that primarily publishes paperback books.- History :Pocket produced the first mass-market, pocket-sized paperback books in America in early 1939 and revolutionized the publishing industry...
Star Trek novel Killing Time
Killing Time (Star Trek novel)
Killing Time is a Star Trek: The Original Series novel written by Della Van Hise.-Plot:A Romulan time-tampering experiment changes the past. Kirk is now a cynical ensign and Spock is the troubled captain of the ShiKahr, the alternate-universe version of the Enterprise. The two must work together to...
, a crew member says, "you don't want to wear a red shirt on landing-party duty". The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
book Legends of the Ferengi says Starfleet security personnel "rarely survive beyond the second act break". The eleventh Star Trek film (2009) features a red-uniformed character who dies early on a mission in homage to the original series.
Influence
Early scripts for the television series LostLost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
(ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
2004–2010) describe the character of Hurley as a "red shirt". Galaxy Quest
Galaxy Quest
Galaxy Quest is a 1999 science-fiction comedy parody about a troupe of human actors who defend a group of aliens against an alien warlord. It was directed by Dean Parisot and written by David Howard and Robert Gordon. Mark Johnson and Charles Newirth produced the film for DreamWorks, and David...
(1999), a comedy about actors from a defunct science-fiction television series serving on a real starship, including an actor who is terrified that he's going to die because his only appearance was as a "red shirt" character. The only character injured in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an American television series that aired from March 10, 1997, until May 20, 2003. The series was created in 1997 by writer-director Joss Whedon under his production tag, Mutant Enemy Productions with later co-executive producers being Jane Espenson, David Fury, David...
episode "Older and Far Away" wears a red shirt; writer Drew Greenberg
Drew Greenberg
Drew Z. Greenberg is an American television producer and writer best known for working on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, The O.C., Dexter and Warehouse 13.-Career:...
confirmed that this "redshirt" reference was intentional. The term is also used in the Warehouse 13
Warehouse 13
Warehouse 13 is an American fantasy television series that premiered on July 7, 2009 on the Syfy network.Executive-produced by Jack Kenny and David Simkins, the dramatic comedy from Universal Media Studios has been described as borrowing much from 1980s television series Friday the 13th: The...
episode "Implosion".
See also
- Cannon fodderCannon fodderCannon fodder is an informal, derogatory term for military personnel who are regarded or treated as expendable in the face of enemy fire. The term is generally used in situations where soldiers are forced to deliberately fight against hopeless odds in an effort to achieve a strategic goal...
- Forlorn hopeForlorn hopeA forlorn hope is a band of soldiers or other combatants chosen to take the leading part in a military operation, such as an assault on a defended position, where the risk of casualties is high....
- Greenshirts (G.I. Joe)Greenshirts (G.I. Joe)Greenshirts is a term applied to the generic-looking soldiers from the cartoon G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. The Greenshirts are the equivalent of "extras" in that they are in the story to serve merely as background characters and have little to no speaking parts. Due to the unique look of each...
- Sacrificial lambSacrificial lambA sacrificial lamb is a metaphorical reference to a person or animal sacrificed for the common good. The term is derived from the traditions of Abrahamic religion where a lamb is a highly valued possession, but is offered to God as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of Sin.-In politics:In politics, a...
- Spear carrierSpear carrierA spear carrier is a nickname for a minor acting part. It generally pertains to a character that appears in several scenes, but mostly in the background....
- Redshirt BluesRedshirt Blues"Redshirt Blues" is a 2001 fan film that was made by fans of original Star Trek. It was written, directed and produced by David O. Rogers. It satirizes the use of redshirts on the television series as well as the show itself, Trekkies, and popular culture....