Fit the Second

    Broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 15 March 1978

Cast

        The Book: Peter Jones
        Arthur Dent: Simon Jones
        Ford Prefect: Geoffrey McGivern
        Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz: Bill Wallis
        Vogon Guard : David Tate
        Eddie [bad word]  David Tate
        Trillian: Susan Sheridan
        Zaphod Beeblebrox: Mark Wing-Davey
        Marvin the Paranoid Android and Gag [bad word]  Stephen Moore
        Announcer (uncredited): John Marsh

After the initial narration, the episode opens with a recap of the cliffhanger with the Vogon captain demanding what Ford and Arthur thought of his poem. They attempt to flatter him to avoid execution, but he decides to throw them off the ship anyway. Whilst being escorted to the airlock, Ford attempts to persuade the Vogon guard to give up his job, but fails.

The pair are spaced. Improbably, they are rescued after 29 seconds, by a starship. After some more improbable events they discover they have been picked up by the Starship Heart of Gold, which has been stolen by Ford's semi-cousin, and President of the Galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox. The Heart of Gold works on a basis of infinite improbability, allowing its drive to do anything for which the improbability factor is known.

Also on the Heart of Gold are Trillian (Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur met at a party in Islington, before she left the party (and the planet) to go with Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Marvin, a depressed android. The episode ends with a post-credit announcement from Eddie the [bad word] that the ship is moving into orbit around the legendary planet of Magrathea.

Notes: First appearance of Marvin the Paranoid Android, Trillian, Eddie [bad word]  Gag [bad word]  and Zaphod Beeblebrox.

Music: "Wind on Water" from Evening Star by Fripp and Eno; Rainbow in Curved Air by Terry Riley; Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band by Terry Riley; Cachuaca by Patrick Moraz.