- The Good: Scifi, humor, all-around madness… in stereo!
- The Bad: Poor audio quality in parts
- The Literary: BBC Radiophonic Workshop created the distinctive sound design
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Tertiary Phase, based on Life, the Universe and Everything, ran on BBC Radio 4 in 2004, twenty four years after the release of the Primary and Secondary Phases. Whereas the first two novels in the series were adapted from the radio dramas, this third series of the radio plays was adapted from the third book in the series.
Since so many years had passed, several members of the original cast are replaced, though Douglas Adams himself makes a cameo as Agrajag, using audio edited in from othe BBC audiobook of the novel. The quality of the recording is certainly better, but the sound effects stay true to the original recordings.
If you haven’t read any of Hitchhiker’s books, don’t start here. Either listen to the Primary Phase or pick up the books themselves, which are based on the radio broadcasts. These stories are known for their devout attachment to absurd humor. Some people have religion; some have The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Though this drama is more closely based on the book, it’s quite non-linear and timey-wimey. The main plot follows the story of the planet Krikkit, a xenophobic race who were sure, until recently, that they were alone in the universe. But there are many other excellent scenes and settings, including Marvin talking to mattresses, the Starship Bistromath, and Arthur’s encounters with Agrajag, a soul Arthur keeps unwittingly killing in his every incarnation. Oh, and the immortal guy whose mission is to insult everyone in the universe — in alphabetical order.
Highly recommended for fans of absurdist humor!