It’s been a bizarre couple of years, right? I bet that all of us, dear Reader, have at least a couple of things that we didn’t have on our bingo card that actually happened. Global shortage of toilet paper for one, or the global pandemic that caused it. Or maybe US government admitting UFO is real. Or any of the wars that broke out. While all of these for me are more in the disappointed but not surprised category, crying and sobbing while listening to a recording of a text from a microwave burrito wrapper was the true surprise of the last year for me.
The pod that did it to me, Desert Skies, is… Just something different. It’s quirky, it’s charming, it’s wholesome. And it’s really weird, which I mean in the best possible sense.
Premise
I honestly don’t know where to start describing it. You know these weird films, ones that don’t really seem like much you first look at them? Ones are virtually impossible to explain to your friends, yet somehow, they get a cult following? And you watch them over, and over, and OVER AGAIN? That’s Desert Skies in a nutshell.
The premise is, well, unusual. Imagine that after you die, you find yourself at a stereotypical US gas station in the middle of nowhere, driving a 1986 Buick Skylark (one hell of a car), and encounter two most absurd (probably) human beings in existence. And, as Alfred Hitchcock would say it’s “followed by rising tension”.
Writing
The story basically has everything: life, humour, meaning, warmth, action, war, love, loyalty, friendship, family, death, birth, and an incredible journey. Desert Skies, despite a funky, seemingly goofy even, premise, doesn’t shy away from taking up serious topics, and does it in its unique, bewitching way. Writing quality is amazing. It’s fresh and original, yet very solid. The author manages to guide you through this amazing adventure with confidence and Pratchett-esque wit. If you were looking for a story that combines humour and adventure with surrealism, dash of magic and in-depth analysis of the human condition, you definitely have to check it out. If you haven’t, you probably also should, just saying.
Production
The production value is brilliant. When I learned halfway in that it’s all done by one man only – from the writing to the postproduction – and even voicing every character, I honestly couldn’t believe it. Yet despite being the indiest of indie, it is still done superb. As for voice acting, I’m not sure which is more impressive – the same guy being able to voice a robot, a burly middle-aged man, and a fierce old lady; OR the fact that even the characters that are in theory similar, have completely distinct speech patterns and quirks. If you know Jared Carter, the one man wonder behind this masterpiece, you can ask him how he did it. As far as I’m concerned, it’s plain witchcraft.
Summary
If you decide to visit Desert Skies, the friendly Attendant and his less refined friend Mechanic, with their wonderful companion, C.A.S.H. Register, are guaranteed to take really good care of you, but you should be prepared for some things. First and foremost, it will make you feel. The very first episode is a real rollercoaster of emotion and sets the tone for the whole thing. Personally, Jared has made me cry, laugh aloud in public transport, think profound thoughts, and even feel hope for a minute, which could’ve been the hardest feat, considering the current state of the world.
If you are looking for something truly unique and unprecedented, search no more, because you have found it.
I listened to it on Spotify, but you can find it anywhere great podcasts are.
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