h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Best. Episode. Ever. (well, so far anyway)

Highlights for me were Sam finding out that the 1970s version of him has a bit of a past (possibly the reason why he's there is to clear the 1973 Sam Tyler's name) and the whole confrontation between Gene and the Super, it really brought a lump to my throat to see Gene so torn between friendship and duty.

I'm not sure that the Hyde conenction is that strong - Sam's future boss didn't now him, but having heard he was from Hyde just went into panic as Sam *might* have heard about the reason he left there.

So it's still open enough for Hyde to just be his cover story.

Would you rather he is actually from the future and his 70s life is an illusion, or rather that he really is a 70s cop and his future life is an illusion? I'd prefer the latter. Someone

Personally I would say no because that would mean what he knew might not happen and what he knows is going to happen is one of the important aspects of his character.

A more interesting question would be what would happen if he was given the choice of 1973 or 2006?

Is his wanting to return because he hates the 70's or is it because he is afraid of death?

I've given up trying to figure out what's going on with this - but am enjoying it immensely.
The writing is great and Gene gets some wonderful lines, which he delivers to great effect.
Mr T and I are still laughing at the scene last night when Sam and Gene burst in on the baddies playing cards.
"You're surrounded by armed bast*rds"

"Don't move. You're surrounded by armed bast*rds"

Been going round and round in my head all day.

PP

I missed it and I'm regretting it

Does anyone know if it's repeated during the week at all?

I don't think that it is repeated. I believe that the Tuesday showing is itself a repeat of the BBC3 or 4 screening of the previous Tuesday night.

This is the one TV series that I would consider buying the DVD of.

PP

Josh asked:

>> Would you rather he is actually from the future and his 70s life is an illusion, or rather that he really is a 70s cop and his future life is an illusion? <<

I think that's limiting the show somewhat. I believe he's co-existing in two times. We know that some of his actions in 1973 are having effects in 2003, so as someone else said, there may well have been a Sam Tyler in 1973, and he also suffered a head injury at the same point in his life as 'our' Sam did. Maybe he's trapped in Sam's body in 2003.

I have a feeling this is going to be a bit like a knot in time, with the 2003 Sam having to work his way along the 1973 knot before he can come out on the other side. And I believe that everything Sam is experiencing is actually happening - otherwise none of his police cases wold have any effect on the 'real' world.

There isn't any external evidence that anything has changed though is there - could all be in his head (whichever timezone it is residing in)

"I'm not sure that the Hyde conenction is that strong - Sam's future boss didn't now him, but having heard he was from Hyde just went into panic as Sam *might* have heard about the reason he left there. "

But he says that he recognises Sam from Hyde...

I'm with Kerr on this one... and I don't think there was a bad reason for the future boss to have left Hyde, he said himself he just gets put here there and everywhere.

"There isn't any external evidence that anything has changed though is there - could all be in his head (whichever timezone it is residing in)"

Well, within the series we've not got any external evidence of *anything* happening or changing. The whole show has been from Sam's POV.

Exactly Kerr - we don't know anything he is doing impacts anything at all.

I thought the future boss said he knew Sam's name from Hyde - also thought he said there had been a bit of bother, perhaps realted to the person ringing Sam?

I didn't get the impression the future boss (darn memory means I can't remember his name) was panicing when he heard Sam was also from Hyde, that is why I posted that it seemed Sam had an independent existance in 1973 as well as the existance in the future.

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Which, of course, is why there was the transfer request. If he'd just turned up in 1973 with no existing background for that time period he'd've had a hard time getting a job in the CID.

There's clearly something more to Sam being in 1973 than he realises - in fact right back in episode 1 of series 1 Hunt tells Sam that 'Sam Tyler' *requested* his transfer. So Sam (or someone who's body he's inhabiting?) clearly exisited in 1973 before Sam woke up on a patch of scrub that will become the Manchester ring road.

The 'bit of bother' in Hyde could well be the reason for the transfer request, and frankly if I wear Sam I'd be requesting a copy of my service record, in fact that's probably one of the first things I would've done on finding myself in 1973.

Is there a downloadable version of the "Camberwick Green" trailer anywhere?

PP

football! Can't they just leave it on the pay per view channels so it doesn't get in the way of proper telly?

Oh I know! We switched over to the BBC4 showing - which was a repeat of episode 1 (they can't get too far ahead, obviously)

But I'm sure I saw a reminder for it on the BBC front page earlier today

There was. I wouldn't mind, but it's not like it's an important match or anything. Now, if it were Sunderland...