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Hitchhiker's Guide BBC Radio Series #4
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Quandary Phase
Many are familiar with Douglas Adams's classic Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, but few know that these books started out as a multi-part series performed on BBC radio. This installment, part four, is a robust radio dramatization of So Long and Thanks for All the Fish. The Earth has miraculously reappeared and Arthur Dent is in love with the otherworldly Fenchurch, but Ford Prefect has an idea that might burst Arthur’s happy little bubble. What is really going on with Arthur’s dream girl, where have all the dolphins gone, and what was their departing message to mankind?
3 pages, Audio CD
First published May 23, 2005
3 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Adams
119 books23.5k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Douglas Noel Adams was an English author, humourist, and screenwriter, best known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (HHGTTG). Originally a 1978 BBC radio comedy, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy developed into a "trilogy" of five books that sold more than 15 million copies in his lifetime. It was further developed into a television series, several stage plays, comics, a video game, and a 2005 feature film. Adams's contribution to UK radio is commemorated in The Radio Academy's Hall of Fame.
Adams also wrote Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (1987) and The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (1988), and co-wrote The Meaning of Liff (1983), The Deeper Meaning of Liff (1990) and Last Chance to See (1990). He wrote two stories for the television series Doctor Who, co-wrote City of Death (1979), and served as script editor for its seventeenth season. He co-wrote the sketch "Patient Abuse" for the final episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus. A posthumous collection of his selected works, including the first publication of his final (unfinished) novel, was published as The Salmon of Doubt in 2002.
Adams was a self-proclaimed "radical atheist", an advocate for environmentalism and conservation, and a lover of fast cars, technological innovation, and the Apple Macintosh.
Douglas Noel Adams was an English author, humourist, and screenwriter, best known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (HHGTTG). Originally a 1978 BBC radio comedy, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy developed into a "trilogy" of five books that sold more than 15 million copies in his lifetime. It was further developed into a television series, several stage plays, comics, a video game, and a 2005 feature film. Adams's contribution to UK radio is commemorated in The Radio Academy's Hall of Fame.
Adams also wrote Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (1987) and The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (1988), and co-wrote The Meaning of Liff (1983), The Deeper Meaning of Liff (1990) and Last Chance to See (1990). He wrote two stories for the television series Doctor Who, co-wrote City of Death (1979), and served as script editor for its seventeenth season. He co-wrote the sketch "Patient Abuse" for the final episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus. A posthumous collection of his selected works, including the first publication of his final (unfinished) novel, was published as The Salmon of Doubt in 2002.
Adams was a self-proclaimed "radical atheist", an advocate for environmentalism and conservation, and a lover of fast cars, technological innovation, and the Apple Macintosh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 26, 2016
The Quandary Phase has the lowest rating of the whole series, but most scientists have come to the conclusion that this opinion is based on three things:
ignorance
stupidity
nothing else.
The only problem with it is that it's shorter than the other phases, but it makes up by containing some of the most memorable passages of the whole series, like God's final message to his creation, written in fire in letters thirty feet high on the far side of the Quentulus Quazgar Mountains in the land of Sevorbeupstry on the planet of Preliumtarn, which orbits the star Zarss, which is located in the Grey Binding Fiefdoms of Saxaquine.
And a personal favourite of mine: The lizard leaders
“You mean, it comes from a world of lizards?”
“No,” said Ford, who by this time was a little more rational and coherent than he had been, having finally had the coffee forced down him, “nothing so simple. Nothing anything like to straightforward. On its world, the people are people. The leaders are lizards. The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people.”
“Odd,” said Arthur, “I thought you said it was a democracy.”
“I did,” said ford. “It is.”
“So,” said Arthur, hoping he wasn’t sounding ridiculously obtuse, “why don’t the people get rid of the lizards?”
“It honestly doesn’t occur to them,” said Ford. “They’ve all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they’ve voted in more or less approximates to the government they want.”
“You mean they actually vote for the lizards?”
“Oh yes,” said Ford with a shrug, “of course.”
“But,” said Arthur, going for the big one again, “why?”
“Because if they didn’t vote for a lizard,” said Ford, “the wrong lizard might get in.
ignorance
stupidity
nothing else.
The only problem with it is that it's shorter than the other phases, but it makes up by containing some of the most memorable passages of the whole series, like God's final message to his creation, written in fire in letters thirty feet high on the far side of the Quentulus Quazgar Mountains in the land of Sevorbeupstry on the planet of Preliumtarn, which orbits the star Zarss, which is located in the Grey Binding Fiefdoms of Saxaquine.
And a personal favourite of mine: The lizard leaders
“You mean, it comes from a world of lizards?”
“No,” said Ford, who by this time was a little more rational and coherent than he had been, having finally had the coffee forced down him, “nothing so simple. Nothing anything like to straightforward. On its world, the people are people. The leaders are lizards. The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people.”
“Odd,” said Arthur, “I thought you said it was a democracy.”
“I did,” said ford. “It is.”
“So,” said Arthur, hoping he wasn’t sounding ridiculously obtuse, “why don’t the people get rid of the lizards?”
“It honestly doesn’t occur to them,” said Ford. “They’ve all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they’ve voted in more or less approximates to the government they want.”
“You mean they actually vote for the lizards?”
“Oh yes,” said Ford with a shrug, “of course.”
“But,” said Arthur, going for the big one again, “why?”
“Because if they didn’t vote for a lizard,” said Ford, “the wrong lizard might get in.
December 29, 2015
Possibly my favorite phase, slightly more down to Earth than other installments, but I absolutely adore Fenchurch.
January 13, 2012
I always remembered So Long and Thanks For All the Fish as being the weakest of the trilogy, but I didn't remember it being this weak. I think that a lot of the problem with this adaptation by Dirk Maggs was in reducing the episode count from 6 to 4 which doesn't allow time for the story to breathe. But then, is there really a story anyway? Is there even a central concept or idea to this or is it just an attempt to find something for the Hitchhiker's characters to do, throwing in a Hitchhiker's concept like "the search for God's final message" which just doesn't work in nearly as interesting ways as the original search for meaning in the universe did.
I'd hesitate to call this a waste of time but it shows a creative lull in Adams writing and it's also a bad, uncommitted adaptation of the material which seeks neither to understand or expand upon it. it's still sporadically funny, of course. The Rain God is very amusing.
I'd hesitate to call this a waste of time but it shows a creative lull in Adams writing and it's also a bad, uncommitted adaptation of the material which seeks neither to understand or expand upon it. it's still sporadically funny, of course. The Rain God is very amusing.
February 14, 2025
"romantic comedy" bits were boring, original zany charas having just lil cameos was sad, but this was still more interesting than the book itself
Also kudos on the updated jokes, such as the one about mobile phones & custom ringtones (i feel exceptionally seen)
Also kudos on the updated jokes, such as the one about mobile phones & custom ringtones (i feel exceptionally seen)
February 27, 2020
This fourth phase was always going to feel a little rushed after they reduced it to 4 episodes rather than 6; however they manage to do the story (So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish) justice.
We continue to follow the adventures of Arthur Dent as he finds the Earth has miraculously not been destroyed by the Vogon constructor fleet. Back on Earth he falls in love, wonders where all the dolphins went, and begins a quest to find God's final message. Oh, and more importantly, we have a final encounter with Marvin the Paranoid Android.
There are fun cameos from Stephen Fry, Patrick Moore, and Christian Slater.
We continue to follow the adventures of Arthur Dent as he finds the Earth has miraculously not been destroyed by the Vogon constructor fleet. Back on Earth he falls in love, wonders where all the dolphins went, and begins a quest to find God's final message. Oh, and more importantly, we have a final encounter with Marvin the Paranoid Android.
There are fun cameos from Stephen Fry, Patrick Moore, and Christian Slater.
April 30, 2022
Although I laughed out loud many times while listening to this, including once quite hysterically, the ending left me feeling rather sad! I won't say more, so as not to spoil it, but although (just with the last entry in this series) I have definitely read the book this radio drama was based on, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish, I didn't remember anything about it besides the titular phrase and who said it. That allowed me to enjoy this audiobook without any expectations, which is nice when you KNOW you're going to enjoy it, you just don't know why yet!
It goes without saying that I recommend this to everyone following the radio series, as well as Hitchhiker's fans in general. I'll be moving onto the next entry with enthusiasm, and especially with the hope that it will help mend the heart that this one broke 💔
It goes without saying that I recommend this to everyone following the radio series, as well as Hitchhiker's fans in general. I'll be moving onto the next entry with enthusiasm, and especially with the hope that it will help mend the heart that this one broke 💔
May 2, 2021
This is more like it. Modeled from So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish, this installment was much tighter than the previous radio play entry. I enjoyed meeting Rob McKenna, the Rain God, and Fenchurch, the bright young woman who captured Arthur's heart. This felt shorter, felt punchier, and was thoroughly enjoyable. The bit with Marvin was especially bittersweet (I'd thought this in the book as well). Ford was... Ford, and this is acceptable.
What's this? Stephen Fry? Christian Slater? That was unexpected!
Recommended listen. Share and enjoy!
What's this? Stephen Fry? Christian Slater? That was unexpected!
Recommended listen. Share and enjoy!
May 21, 2018
I listened to this via Audible.
The fourth part of the Hitchhiker's Guide radio play covers a lot of ground since our protagonists saved the universe previously. It turns out that the Earth isn't blown up, and Arthur Dent makes his way back to it. Comedy, hijinks, and love-making ensue.
It's a nice departure and sees a bit of a shift in tone, which isn't a bad thing by any means. I enjoyed it a great deal and look forward to the next part!
If you're still reading these reviews and not listening to the production, I'm not sure what it will take to make that happen. But you should!
The fourth part of the Hitchhiker's Guide radio play covers a lot of ground since our protagonists saved the universe previously. It turns out that the Earth isn't blown up, and Arthur Dent makes his way back to it. Comedy, hijinks, and love-making ensue.
It's a nice departure and sees a bit of a shift in tone, which isn't a bad thing by any means. I enjoyed it a great deal and look forward to the next part!
If you're still reading these reviews and not listening to the production, I'm not sure what it will take to make that happen. But you should!
April 6, 2019
Rating between 3.5 and 4
a good adaptation of the 4th hitchhikers book i think.
different to the other stories as this is a smaller more intimate story centred on arthur dent and his new love fenchurch.
the interludes with ford were okay and served to stop the story getting too far away from the world of the guide.
the final episode with the final appearance of marvin (still played by stephen moore) was a touching reunion for arthur as well as a teary good bye to the miserable bugger.
overall definitely recommend, especially if listening to all of the phases in sequence.
a good adaptation of the 4th hitchhikers book i think.
different to the other stories as this is a smaller more intimate story centred on arthur dent and his new love fenchurch.
the interludes with ford were okay and served to stop the story getting too far away from the world of the guide.
the final episode with the final appearance of marvin (still played by stephen moore) was a touching reunion for arthur as well as a teary good bye to the miserable bugger.
overall definitely recommend, especially if listening to all of the phases in sequence.
April 2, 2022
Poorly written. Douglas Adams spent so long making the original radio series 1-2 truly work on radio. These post-series 2 continuations contain the worst writing eg. Characters saying contrived dialogue to explain what is happening visually. It’s like the most amateurish way of writing for radio and is such a shame. Since these are adaptations of novels there were serious narrative problems with scenes that don’t work on radio. They needed to change more of the events to adapt them properly. The actor that replaces Peter Jones as the book sounds way too perky too. Such a shame.
February 25, 2024
4.5?
This one definitely has more of whatever made the first two so fun and crackly, but feels lacking in the Shenanigans department.
See, I've thought about it, and one of the things I really found appealing about this series is when the Gang gets up to some Tomfoolery. Some Hijinks. Some real Buffoonery. And you get a bit of that with Ford's storyline, but he's separated from everyone else and...idk, I miss the Lads playing hot potato with their one shared braincell.
This one definitely has more of whatever made the first two so fun and crackly, but feels lacking in the Shenanigans department.
See, I've thought about it, and one of the things I really found appealing about this series is when the Gang gets up to some Tomfoolery. Some Hijinks. Some real Buffoonery. And you get a bit of that with Ford's storyline, but he's separated from everyone else and...idk, I miss the Lads playing hot potato with their one shared braincell.
September 10, 2024
Unlike the Tertiary Phase, the Quandary Phase is a far more honed, focused work that leaps forward narratively to a more Galaxy weary Arthur, with a stronger return to Adams’ wry existentialism and quest to understand exactly why our existence is the way it is and what we should do with it. Funny as ever, but also romantic and sweet. A wonderful return to form.
January 24, 2019
This is probably my favorite series or the radio play. When I was younger and first reading Hitchhiker's I have to admit I had a huge crush on Fenchurch and was devastated by her disappearance at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2023
The arrival of Fenchurch and the Earth is back. Shorter than the others (4 episodes instead of 6). Still great! Ford's attempts to make it to Earth were the best part, Wonko the Sane (Christian Slater was a fun surprise!)
October 16, 2017
Same as previous 3.
February 12, 2019
Still as crazy as ever.
September 5, 2019
Life is like a grapefruit. We apologize for the inconvenience.
September 8, 2019
Somehow, they really fucked with the romance's pacing and it feels very wrong to me
January 23, 2022
Another great entry. The quality of the performances, production and writing are really top-notch. What a brilliant legacy!
July 19, 2022
I love the Hitchhiker's audio radio plays still but they feel like they lose a bit of what makes them great around the quandary phase.
December 9, 2022
This has always been my favorite book of the series - sacrilege, I know - and I really enjoyed the adaptation.
January 29, 2023
My favourite of the Radio adaption sequels.
January 22, 2025
don’t panic
October 28, 2025
Love the song.
July 11, 2021
Jul 2021. Some great bits (the rain god, the love of Arthur and Fenchurch, God's last message) but as a whole, less satisfying than earlier stories. (P.S. The audio quality is much poorer than first three phases.) Update: The fifth series redeems the fourth; they're actually two parts of one unit.
October 19, 2009
The Hitchhiker’s radio adaptations continue with the fourth installment in the trilogy, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish.
This one is funny and amusing, but the weaknesses inherint in the book are on display here—namely too much focus on Arthur. Part of the fun of Hitchhhiker’s is all the zany characters and you get the feeling Adams was tiring of the series at this point as characters such as Ford, Marvin and Trillian only have glorified cameos at best. This radio adapation does slim things down a bit and it does have some absurdly funny moments that work better in audio than they do in print.
This one is funny and amusing, but the weaknesses inherint in the book are on display here—namely too much focus on Arthur. Part of the fun of Hitchhhiker’s is all the zany characters and you get the feeling Adams was tiring of the series at this point as characters such as Ford, Marvin and Trillian only have glorified cameos at best. This radio adapation does slim things down a bit and it does have some absurdly funny moments that work better in audio than they do in print.
July 12, 2012
This feels like a romantic comedy shoe-horned into the "Hitchhicker's" universe. Adams essentially hit the giant "reset" switch on many of the events from the first story here, losing the general lunatic tone and style of the original. Arthur moons and swoons through most of the story, but little else, almost as if Adams was feeling sorry for all the trouble he'd been put through (or, I suspect, he was tired of writing the character.) This Phase of the radio drama is considerably shorter than previous entries, and ends on something of a cliffhanger: the only real drama in this mostly harmless entry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews