Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast · David Barr Kirtley

586. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 2 Review (with Tom Gerencer)

·1 hr 58 min·5 clips

David and Tom agree Harlan Ellison's lyrical writing can't save a confusing plot with random glass demons.

This episode of Geek's Guide to the Galaxy continues the hosts' review of the short story collection *Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits*. Host David Barr Kirtley is joined by returning guest Tom Gorencer, an author of fiction and popular science books. They analyze the final ten stories in the volume, picking up from their previous discussion in episode 583. The story "On the Downhill Side" is set in New Orleans and follows a ghost punished by the God of Love for loving too much, who pursues a female ghost representing his other half. Kirtley and Gorencer found the plot confusing and the magical elements, like glass demons and a unicorn sidekick, felt random and lacked a resonant payoff. Gorencer recalls an ambiguous ending where the two ghosts might merge and become a unicorn, though Kirtley doesn't remember that detail. The audio version includes a lengthy, bizarre song commissioned by Ellison that overstays its welcome. "Paladin of the Lost Hour" features an elderly man who guards a pocket watch containing an hour that, if used up, would end the universe. He befriends a Vietnam vet haunted by survivor's guilt and chooses him as the watch's next guardian. Ellison adapted this story for *The Twilight Zone* revival, famously clashing with producers over the ending, which he ultimately changed for both the screen and later print versions. The hosts praise the poignant concept of the "lost hour" and the well-drawn dynamic between the two central characters. Gorencer highlights the emotional payoff when the vet uses a minute from the watch to speak with the soldier who died for him, resolving his guilt. Kirtley notes Ellison's later dissatisfaction with actor Danny Kaye's performance in the TV adaptation. "The Beast that Shouted Love at the Heart of the World" employs a complex, non-linear structure involving future human explorers finding a statue and an advanced alien civilization debating the ethics of transmitting evil across time. The hosts found the story frustratingly obscure on a first read, though Kirtley appreciated its ambitious ideas more upon a revisit. Gorencer felt it demanded too much work from the reader, comparing it to "smoke coming out of your ears." The story notably inspired an episode of the anime *Neon Genesis Evangelion*. "I'm Looking for Kadak" is a humorous tale set on an alien planet where the native population has adopted a stereotypical Brooklyn Jewish culture and Yiddish slang. Both hosts found the core premise hilarious but agreed the story is about three times longer than its joke can sustain. The tone is conversational and analytical, with the hosts offering candid literary criticism and personal reactions. They blend plot summary with behind-the-scenes trivia about Ellison's career and adaptations. Science fiction fans interested in deep dives into classic short stories and Ellison's creative process will enjoy this episode. Listeners who prefer straightforward narratives or are unfamiliar with Ellison's work might find the discussion too niche or the stories too dated.

As heard by us

A sharp Ellison discussion that likes the wit but still argues for a firmer trim.

Geek's Guide to the Galaxy keeps the talk moving as David Bart Kirtley and Tom Gorencer work through the last 10 stories in Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits after an earlier pass through the first nine. The best part is the mix of admiration and resistance.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a spoiler-rich discussion of the last 10 stories in Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits that still argues with the book.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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