Robot Gladiators (TV story)

Synopsis
Darius and K9 go undercover to expose a criminal who is using illegal robot technology in what he calls "destruct-entertainment". K9 becomes a gladiator and has to face the evil Pain-Maker in a battle to the death. But what is the sinister secret plan instigated by Thorne? K9 also befriends the other Robot Gladiators who he sees as cybernetic ancestors, basic androids who however have something of a heart and spirit that even touches K9's superior consciousness.

Plot
Darius is talking with a man called Freddie "The Entertainer" Maxwell about what he calls "Destructertainment", Robot Gladiators for the discerning lovers of mayhem. Freddie has the customers paying hand over fist for video uplinks of his robots fighting in the ring. Even if half of his technology he's using is prohibited by the Department, he dismisses rules as "for the little people". Darius agrees saying he feels the same way, when Freddie says Darius works for Professor Gryffen he corrects him saying that he quit because he treated him like dirt. Freddie tells him he heard that Gryffen was full of himself but says he has to admire his genius as there isn't one robot in the stables that doesn't carry a bit of his legacy. Freddie asks what Darius has got for him, Darius shows him something he managed to take with him when he parted company with Gryffen, K9. Freddie laughs at K9, Darius (annoyed) asks if he is interested, Freddie confirms he has a deal.

24 Hours Earlier

In the Gryffen House, Darius informs the team about Freddie Maxwell aka "Freddie the Entertainer", a two bit hustler. According to Darius' contacts the mastermind behind Crashclub, old Robots modified and being forced ro fight in an arena for the entertainment of rich "toffs". Gryffen congratulates Darius and hopes that at last he can put an end to the man who made a mockery of his Thought Matrix. Developed by Gryffen years ago, a revolutionary robotic brain that allows a robot to think for itself rather than to be programmed. When K9 doubts its that revolutionary, Gryffen explains that while such sophistication may be regular in the future but before Gryffen came along robots were nothing more than round up toys but they moved on thanks to him and they would have moved on even further if the Department didn't confiscate Gryffen's technology for their own use. Jorjie asks why don't the alert the Department as he's using banned technology, he tells her he's already tried but according to June the Department has got "bigger fish to fry". K9 doesn't understand that Sea-food preparation is a Department priority, Darius explains it's a saying. Gryffen explains that he worked long on hard on that technology and he did it for the benefit of Humanity and not to facilitate this "revolting" entertainment. As he leaves, Starkey decides to do something about it, undercover work.

Over 24 Hours Later

Starkey tells K9 on the monitor to think of it as a holliday, as Darius notes a really cheap one to a slave camp. K9 refuses to speak to Darius, branding him a "traitor" who gave him to a crook like he came from a fleamarket. Starkey tells K9 that Darius has to do this if they're going to find out where he keeps the illegal technology and Darius adds that selling him for a bargain made Freddie his pal. Starkey explains that K9 is need to find actually evidence on Freddie if June is going to take any action. K9 tells everyone to keep quiet as it's "showtime", his crate is opened by two Robots modelled on Clowns.

Cast

 * K9 Mark 2 - John Leeson
 * Starkey - Keegan Joyce
 * Jorjie - Philippa Coulthard
 * Darius Pike - Daniel Webber
 * Professor Alistair Gryffen - Robert Moloney
 * Freddie Maxwell - Gareth Harris
 * Chuckles - Remi Broadway
 * Boris - Micheal Donnet
 * Lomax - Peter Kent
 * CCPC - Eugen Bekafigo
 * CCPC - Jason McNamara
 * CCPC - Josh Norbido
 * CCPC - Tyler Rostedt

Production crew

 * Writer - Jim Noble
 * Director - James Bogle
 * Producers - Penny Wall, Richard Stewart, Simon Barnes
 * Executive producers - Jim Howell, Grant Bradley, Steve Robbins
 * Associate producers - Bob Baker, Paul Tams
 * Supervising producer - Dale Bradley
 * Co-Executive producers - Mark Blythe, Sam Tromans
 * Line producer - Pam Collis
 * VFX Director - David Napier
 * Series Production Designer - Jon Dowding
 * Episodic Designer - Adam Head
 * New K9 Design by - Paul Tams, Alex Kubalsky
 * Series Director of Photography - Ben Nott
 * Episodic Director of Photography - Tony O'Loughlan
 * Music by - Christopher Elves
 * K9 theme music by - Micheal Lira
 * Editor - Patrick Stewart
 * Casting - Faith Martin and associates
 * Episodic casting - Lisa Moloney
 * Drama/Dialogue coach - Peter Kent
 * Story Producer - Greg Walters
 * Script Adaption - Michaelet O'Brien
 * Production Accountant - Pru Donovan
 * 1st Assistant Director - Peter McLennan
 * Script Supervisor - Sue Ketchington
 * Costume Designer - Joanne Thompson
 * Makeup Designer - Sharon Robbins
 * Puppeteer - David Pawsey
 * Location Manager - Charles Boyle
 * Sound Recordist - Ian Grant
 * B Camera Operator - Dan Maxwell
 * Gaffer - Steve Monk
 * Key Grip - Billy Harmer
 * Special thanks to - Space Furniture, Shredox, J. Barbour & Sons Ltd, Heath Williams at Firefly Lighting, Videopro
 * Safety Supervisor/Stunt Coordinator - Danny Baldwin
 * Transport Manager - Alister Ward
 * Unit Manager - Graeme Suhr
 * Post Production Facility - Cutting Edge Australia
 * Head of Post Production - John Lee
 * Sound Design - Warren Pearson

Story notes
This is so far the only episode of K9 in which June Turner does not appear, although she is mentioned.

Ratings
to be added

Myths
to be added

Filming locations
to be added

Production errors
to be added

Continuity

 * Thorne says he knows about K9's Regeneration circuit. (K9TV: Regeneration)
 * Robot Clowns previously appeared in DW: The Greatest Show in the Galaxy.

Home video releases
to be added