5.2 - The Case of the Gluttonous Guru

"The Case of the Gluttonous Guru" is singlehandedly the weirdest J&L story we've been given which is really saying a lot considering past stories. Marc Platt's script is so out of place for this saga that by all accounts it shouldn't work at all let alone as well as it does. But outside of some off-putting sound effects and an extremely padded script that doesn't quite work in an hours' runtime, this is a disgustingly fun story that dedicates to its ideas with consistent aplomb. It's not quite as zany as the synopsis might have you believe as several base plot points are taken from sources like "Alien" or "Monty Python's Meaning of Life" of all places. But there are plenty of moments that are beyond description that you simply have to hear for yourself provided you can get past some of its slower conversations. It also does a great job in building some strong character moments as Marc Platt's script does a great job in exploiting both Jago and Litefoot's Achilles' heel. Throughout the tale, Jago is forced into conflict with his own physical extravagances and appetites while Litefoot handles both loneliness and a lack of knowledge both of the situation and of time, past and future. It's a nice little touch that coincides well with the over-the-top plot even if by the end it's suffocated a bit by the macabre and darkly hilarious premise. Is it essential listening for this set? Not really. Is it going to be everyone's tastes? Not really. Does the changed time period add anything to it compared to the Victorian era? Probably not. This is one that could've worked just as well in the past and it doesn't add too much to the developing arc to where you absolutely have to hear it. But at the same time, 'Gluttonous Guru' is such a strange story and one that's so utterly memorable that I can't help but love and recommend it. Just make sure to save your meal until after you've heard this story otherwise you might find yourself a bit queasy in listening......

This was a very good thirty minute story padded out to an hour or so. The padding was odd and entertaining, but didn't add to the story at all.

It has flavour and sets the scene and mood, but the problem is that the audience has figured out what is going on after about ten minutes, but the Professor is still putting clues together for the next half hour.

Marc Platt does have a tendency to put these off beat stories in. As part two of the box set, it is neither the strongest entry, nor is it essential listening.

I literally couldn't stand all the burping and smacking of food...couldn't even finish the damn thing..disgusting.

Henry Gordon Jago gives up drinking and cigars? What's eating him? Well, something literally is. The Case of the Glutonous Guru finds Henry running to a constantly hungry guru and finds himself under mind control. The story is darkly comic and because of its concept, it's probably not something to listen to around mealtime.

Personally, I found it hilarious thanks to Christopher Benjamin's performance as Henry and Chook Sibtain as the Guru. The scenes they share together are magic. I loved them having an alliteration competition just before the weirdness started.

In all the nuttiness of this story, the true strength of Jago and Litefoot and it's greatest underlying value (the value of true friends) shines through as the story portrays Litefoot and Ellie.