Tea in the Sahara
Kev: Critic & Podcaster
This is the live transcript from my own podcast show – Spotify link above – Cheers, Kev
Intro:
Welcome podcast fans to tea in the Sahara, the home of fictional scripted audio drama reviews.
Navigating this journey as your podcast-reviewing getaway driver of choice is me, Kev – the online podcast critic behind the website – Tea in the Sahara.
For the last three years, I have written online fictional podcast reviews for some awesome podcast creators. And generally hanging out the bunting for scripted audio dramas.
Within my podcast I will offer up my humble thoughts (for what they’re worth), include scores, and leave the listener with a Bill Shakespeare’s decision to make – to download, or not to download.
The origins of this week’s sci-fi review started out life as a motion screenplay called The Metal Detective written by Andrew Hilton.
Sadly this screenplay never made it into visual form – either for the tele or into local cinemas.
So it is from this script, adapted into audio format which brings this week’s review – The Metal Detective – to you in podcast form.
This then begs the obvious question – does the metal detective work in a contemporary podcast format?
Well, you lucky listeners are about to find out…
In case you were wondering – The Metal Detective is an adult-themed podcast so expect industrial language, violence, and all the other good stuff found within a gritty audio drama.
As with my reviews let’s take a moment to take a step away from the painting, to see the full picture with a short trailer.
*TRAILER*
Overview:
The setting for the Metal Detective is within a dystopian neon-lit 2045, a world where a fancy COP28 pledge obviously did not work. Climate change has finally gone and knocked humanity on its arse!
Super extreme weather conditions are now very much our reality with Baltic arctic temperatures. Think Narnia but without all the cute talking animals. As this show is sci-fi humans & technology now coexist.
Plotline:
The plotline tracks antihero Detective Jack Irons
– which IMO is up there with Columbo as a damn fine name for a detective!
– Jack voiced by Chelsea Spirito delivers a stunning central performance with bundles of rizz as our flawed detective!
Continuing with the plot, an off-the-scale blizzard hits town, leading Jack to seek refuge at The Bradbury Hotel to wait out the storm.
Other guests staying at the Bradbury appear to be inextricably linked.
– a senator, Sheriff, Christian writer, and now Jack. Which also begins to sound like the start of a bad joke right?
The explosive action jumps into gear early doors as one by one, guests our murdered in horrific, yet calculated circumstances.
And so the stage is set like an Agatha Christie novel – within a 240 mph storm, trapped in a hotel, with only Jack to save the day!
Pacing:
The Metal Detective’s plotline is evenly balanced between plot & character development
– building with a nice pace over four episodes – as the truth unravels spectacularly.
On a deeper level, aside from awesome action, this shows Intriguing premise covers some hard-hitting real-world dilemmas.
Issues of acceptance, coexistence, racism, and climate change. Matters that the team involved in this project did not shy away from – and which I personally salute.
Audio:
The audio within this show is simply top-tier being shot in glorious chrisp Dolby Atmos.
– which in layman’s terms means – insane levels of innovative audio that makes the listener feel as if the action is coming at them from all around.
But don’t just take my word for it – let’s hear a scene taken from episode 1 before we dive into scores & conclusions.
*Audio clip*
Big question time then – do you need to be a diehard sci-fi fan to enjoy this audio drama?
Summary:
The short answer is no.
What the writers & producers have done in creating this audio drama – hits differently…
– the styling of this cyberpunk world filled with the worst themes of society – conspiracies, betrayal, and murder all wrapped up in Dolby Atmos, is scripted podcasting at its finest. IKYKYN.
What I will say tho is that certain elements did not work for me – (so quick spoiler alert!)
IMHO, The strange little killer girls used within the show felt out of context for the setting for this particular podcast.
That being said – to use a very British metaphor – if you cut The Metal Detective in half – it would have – edgy – running through it like a stick of Brighton rock!
Scores:
This week my subjective scores for The Metal Detective – are an almost flawless 4.9/5
all episodes can be downloaded online, or from wherever you choose to get your podcasts from.
Closing credits
The Metal Detective is based on the original motion picture written by Andrew Hilton. Audio drama adaptation written by Forest Robin and directed by Forest Robin.
Produced & distributed by Velocity Studios.
A full list of cast & credits can be found online.
If you’re a writer or podcast creator keen to be on my show – or have your audio drama reviewed, get in touch
Exclusives are my thing, so if you have a podcast you would like reviewed on my show before it airs reach out!
you can find all my contact details via my website or within the show notes.
And until next time this has been Kevin Wann for Tea in the Sahara, cheers!
Credits
The Metal Detective is based on the original motion picture screenplay,
written by Andrew Hilton.
Audio-drama adaptation written by Forest Robin
Directed by Forest Robin
Original music composed by Witewolf
Produced by James Walker and Forest Robin
Co-produced by Charles Hewitt and Nancy Lanham
Starring:
Chelsea Spirito as Detective Jack Irons
Kiara McCarthy as Rachel Curry, Jamie Fishback as Detective Schumann
Deborah Robin as Helen Irons / Various, Craig Sherman as Mr. Arthur
Brandi Nicole as Scarlett Drummond, Michal Connor as Detective Matthew Grimes
Chris Levine as Richard Knowles, Elizabeth Eden as Amanda
Jeremy Cohenour as Duffy Barnes, Ted Wells as Senator Wallace / Various
Tonnacus McClain as Steven Crow
Nico Hewitt as Lucas Teller, Tabitha Walker as Jill Teller, Charles Hewitt as Erik Cromwell, Deanna Anthony as News Anchor Lauren Bookman
Additional voices performed by:
Bryan Carroll, Erik Walker, Logan Brown, Andrew Hilton, Edward Audi, Ripley Hilton Nancy Lanham, Edison and Beckham Walker, Sylvie and Oriana Robin, Anthony Walker James Walker and Forest Robin, Associate Producer Jamie Fishback
Sound Design by Nico Hewitt
Sound Engineering and Dolby Atmos mixing by Charles Hewitt
Recording Engineer Denis Cecan, Recording Assistant Rachel Montrenes
Recorded at OPUS Recording Studio, Sound Services provided by Mirror Studios
Final audio mastering and immersive sound certification provided by IAX
Artificial Intelligence voice auditions and performances and bookings provided by
Replica Studios and Eleven Labs
Sound Effects and Licensed Music from Artlist.io
Tea in the sahara 