The Case of the Gluttonous Guru

"He was eaten alive by something growing inside him."

Writer: Marc Platt

Format: Audio

Released: March 2013

Series: Jago & Litefoot 5.02

Featuring: Jago, Litefoot

Synopsis 

There are toads on the loose on the streets of London. People are falling ill in restaurants... and Jago and Litefoot are on the case of food that eats people.

Verdict 

The Case of the Gluttonous Guru was a great story to continue my way through the fifth series of Jago and Litefoot! Following this episode there is definitely a distinctly different feeling this series with the 1968 setting and that’s not surprising in the slightest. Moving to the sixties from the Victorian era is obviously going to make that happen but it really is a stark contrast. I think it would actually feel a little more normal if Ellie wasn’t around but I’m so glad that she is. The fact that things don’t feel normal is a good thing in my mind and it’s opened up a great deal of new opportunities for the series. I’m a big fan of the direction we are heading and I’m now further intrigued by the methods in which Jago and Litefoot will return home to their own time. That being mentioned again makes me think that this will happen at the end of the series and it’ll be fun to hear the main characters interact with Ellie given that they’ll know she’ll live seemingly in perpetuity! That’s for the future though. I think it’s really fun for Ellie to have to try and look after Jago and Litefoot in the new era as despite some weeks having passed since the events of The Age of Revolution, they’re still adjusting to the new era. And who can blame them? It would be a huge culture shock. I was surprised that Litefoot had looked up his own and Jago’s death in the record books as that kind of foreknowledge is dangerous. The Doctor certainly wouldn’t approve! I wonder if that will play any part in future adventures for the infernal investigators once they return back to their own time. I look forward to finding out! Jago essentially being a celebrity is marvellous and the encounter on the bus where he was recognised but then refused entry because of the toad in his pocket was very amusing! It’s always great to hear him revel in his fame. I thought the toad element of the episode was a little odd. I really enjoyed the threat and concept of something eating its hosts from within, but that being represented in the form of frogs lost its threat and aspect of danger slightly. The Swami were an intriguing race and the religious aspect of them worshipping the parasite was pretty good. Sanjaya was a decent character to act as the mouthpiece for the race and them using Jago as a potential host was exciting. He wasn’t having much luck in the last two episodes! His confidence when it came to Guinevere was terrific and he genuinely believed he hadn’t lost his touch when it came to the ladies. She knew of him though, or at least his supposed great grandfather from the time of the Palace Theatre, and she was after something from him in the form of a crystal to power a time cabinet. That sounded oddly familiar for Jago and Litefoot and actually having mentions of Li H’sen Chang was a lovely reference to The Talons of Weng-Chiang. I was a big fan of fleshing out that history and she’s an enticing character that I want to know more about. I thought it was good for Litefoot to arrive on the scene just when it looked like Guinevere may obtain the crystal. I thought the ending was pretty spectacular and the moment where Jago regained ownership of his Palace Theatre was outstanding! It added one mark to my final rating it was that good as he returned to normality and was in complete adoration of having his theatre back. The way he reeled off the rules was delightful and it was just such a nice moment. Fair play to Ellie for arranging that! Overall, a very good adventure.  

Rating: 8/10