BBC Radio 4, March 11, 2020 and on BBC Sounds (see below)

Caroline McAleese has had enough of being constantly overlooked – but when a stroke of good fortune gives her the chance to escape, is it too good to be true?

Lucy Catherine’s three-part tale seems initially as if it’s treading some of the same ground as Jane Rogers’ Body Tourists, which featured in last year’s Dangerous Visions series, but it becomes quite clear that Catherine is taking things in a very different direction. A lot of this first part is built round Caroline’s self-loathing, and the cruel way that some of her colleagues – and even the company AI – seem to treat her. But then she wins a lottery, and has the chance to indulge in the ultimate upgrade – her head on someone else’s body. Someone who’s died young. Someone whose looks are everything that Caroline doesn’t currently possess… and as she’s bitterly realised, appearances are rated much higher in 2049 (ignore the website – the story starts in 2049) than intelligence.

And here’s where you can see the influence of the Wellcome Trust Experimental Stories scheme, because there are true stories of people being influenced by the tastes and preferences of those from whom they’ve received organ transplants. How much more would the change of a whole body be? And that’s where this first episode ends, as Caroline starts to feel an influence…

Toby Swift’s direction is assured, and Jill Halfpenny does a sterling job as the downtrodden Caroline. It’s a strong opening episode – and hopefully won’t go down too predictable a line.

Verdict: An intriguing premise brought (back) to life well. 8/10

Paul Simpson

 

NB The series is available to download as a podcast – each 45 minute play is divided into two.