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

On a packed commuter train I find it difficult to read anything which requires intelligence - it's just too squashed and noisy. About the only thing I can do to switch off is to plug in my earphones and listen to something.

I've listened to all the music I own many times over, so I prefer podcasts and anything I can download off iPlayer. My favourite series is, of course, the Hitchhikers series, which runs for 26 episodes over its five phases. I try to listen to this right through once or twice a year, and every time I do I hear some subtlety I hadn't picked up before. It's such a multi-level production with great performances, and wonderfully written, of course.

This morning I reached the end of the final radio episode. Everything comes together in that final scene at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Fenchurch appears, knowing that someday Arthur will return. Trillian runs off with Thor. The great prophet Zarquon appears, insults Wowbagger then removes his immortality. Marvin is down in the car park, donning his pinny so he can do a 'Babe Wash'. It's all very silly, but has the feel of an end-of-term party.

So, what was the best bit of the whole series? So many to choose from, but I found Marvin's closing speech to Arthur and Fenchurch at the end of series 4 the most poignant scene.

What say you?

I need to listen to it again. It took me SO LONG to be able to buy a good quality set on CD.

That ending doesn't ring any bells with me so I wonder if I've only listened to one series. I need to investigate this further...

Deb

I never heard the radio series, due to an unfortunate accident with a Russian radio and a power transformer. I've read the scripts, but they only went as far as the end of the 3rd series, I think.

Currently beginning listening to my 14 CD set.

I've got all 5 series, initially recorded off the radio until replaced with the CD set - and I bought a live recording of the Radio Series Live too.

Favourite bit? The 'Share and Enjoy' song.
I even knew exactly where on my cassettes to turn the tape over to listen to the 'Share and Enjoy' song when listening to the other side, just so I get to hear it twice...

<BB<

Can anyone advise me on what to buy to listen to the whole lot?

Deb

Yes... splurge and purchase the Compleat Radio Series on CD from the BBC. Don't get the MP3 version as the sound quality is reportedly much degraded.

I had to wait for years for this complete set as until the final Quintessential stage was finished before there was a good copy of even the primary stage available in the States.

[Amy P]

I shall save up for it.