Zaphod and the Total Perspective Vortex

[@Silverwind87]

H.P. Lovecraft: Humans are so insignificant, and that is depressing and maddening. Douglas Adams: Humans are so insignificant, but that doesn't matter if you're narcissistic enough.

[@DrMustacho]

To be fair he was inside a simulated universe to hide from the powers that be and he played a significant part in the reason for it's creation

[@protorhinocerator142]

@@DrMustacho Correct. I was looking for this very comment. The universe he was in was made just for him, thus making him the singularly most important person in the entire universe. The TPV relayed to him just how cosmically important he was in the universe. Having a boost to the ego this large for someone like Zaphod could in no way lead to anything good.

[@mattisadork]

I think the overall idea is more that we're insignificant and don't matter, but we each apply meaning to our lives in our own way, such as exploring the cosmos, finding comfort in simple pleasures like tea, or, say, searching for fame and fortune

[@TravisLegge]

@@mattisadork or, a piece of fairy cake.

[@davidioanhedges]

If you are in a simulated universe specifically designed to be one in which you are the most important being in creation - you don't need to worry about the total perspective vortex ..

[@ravinous]

That moment when you realize the universe was as large as it is to serve as a container for one man's ego.

[@MrAstrojensen]

For a moment, I thought you were thinking of Trump.

[@anandatul144]

underappreciated comment.

[@glenngriffon8032]

The infinite universe meets the infinite ego.

[@Ozzy_2014]

This isn't the universe. This is a simulation. When he went out the window of Zarniwoop's office. He was still in the virtual reality inside the office. The purpose of which is to bring Zaphod here to meet Zarniwhoop so he can lead the way to the man who runs the Galaxy. That's why he survived He's at the centre of creation

[@zarni000]

it was a fake universe created by zarniwoop. otherwise beeblebrox brain would have been fried too

[@DurkMcGerk]

"Looks like a bomb's hit it, you know?" "Several have, it's a very unpopular place." This exchange gets me every time.

[@mightygeneral4359]

This is prolly the exchange of a Japanese hiroshima survivor and an american teen that hasnt studied his history

[@adambesley4455]

I really like the nice touch of having Zaphod's dialogue alternating between his two heads. And the way they sometimes exchange glances. It's those details that make these videos really amazing.

[@michaelpuglisi6767]

As much as I love the TV series, it's a lot cooler when one of the heads isn't perpetually asleep.

[@bdpickett]

One of my favorite bits of the DC comic adaptation is that the expressions on each of his faces would be different. So, when his mood shifted between lines (as Zaphod's mood is want to do) the first face would represent his initial mood, while the second would be the mood he had after. Great bit of artistic representation.

[@bdpickett]

@kingkaza Yeah, you should look it up. It's based on the novels with pretty much no reference to the TV series, so none of the characters look anything like they do in the show. They took the descriptions from the books and did what they could with it. Marvin somehow ended up looking like a depressed Gort.

[@crellercorps]

I love what the ending implies. Zaphod's ego is literally bigger than the entire universe.

[@thegneech]

The brilliance of this whole sequence is that Zaphod has been put into a simulated universe designed specifically to imprison him-without realizing it. So in that particular instance, the universe really IS about him, and that's what the Vortex showed him!

[@Mt12490]

Well it wasn’t that the simulation was there to imprison him more that he was put In it prior to being taken to frog star to make sure he survived the TPV

[@BenCol]

The fact that Zaphod has two heads has been handled far better here than it was in both the TV series and the film. Well done.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

At least the TV version had the advantage of being made in a time when it wasn't possible to do much better. The one in the film is the visual equivalent of Vogon poetry.

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

@@zacmumblethunder7466 I have NO idea why they went with what they went for. I always imagined one being above the other, but slightly diagonally.

[@protorhinocerator142]

The only advantage to the movie version is that he looked much cooler with one head, which was most of the time. Both were trash though. I'd just as soon they cut that bit out of the story completely if they can't provide proper visuals. They could get around it by erecting an SEP field around one of the heads so he can stare at women constantly without being noticed. Then every now and then it doesn't work for whatever reason and they show two heads at maximum sakuga.

[@ergonautilus]

Zaphod's just this guy, you know.

[@geekoborabora]

Ok, my standards for animation is quite high, but the work on Zaphod's dialog coming from one head or the other was very VERY excellent... feels completely natural for how a hoopy frood like him would talk. A++ or whatever the equivalent is in your local grading system.

[@bimmjim]

Although, as it is revealed later, Zaphod did not enter the real Ultimate Perspective Vortex. He would not have survived that.

[@IMArtisanX]

Ummmm... You're quite sure of that, are you? I mean, really?

[@gemstonegynoid7475]

@@IMArtisanX completely correct. He was actually in a simulated universe

[@mohxevhoddrest2519]

@Agent J that's a bit harsh. Have a sense of proportion!

[@Mnnvint]

Spoiler... He did, but he did so in Zarniwoop's pocket universe. That universe was literally made for him, so gaining a total perspective of it only confirmed to Zaphod how important he was.

[@raphaelperry8159]

He also was so hungry by this point that when he went through the door he saw the piece of fairy cake plugged into the machine and ate it. It's revealed at the end of the episode that he ate a piece of fairy cake.

[@christopherg2347]

Zaphod was the most important being in the Universe. That is, the virtual universe "protection" that was wrapped around him. If a odd person tells you to leave the room via the window, you are wise to do it.

[@MaisieSqueak]

This guy is not getting enough exposure.. these are awesome!! :D

[@theoneandonlyNick2]

i agree...everyone listen to this guy!

[@MaisieSqueak]

hehe, if you made these yourself, nice work mate

[@maxharasen6548]

Nick Page PLEASE MAKE THIS INTO A MOVIE

[@theoneandonlyNick2]

i'd rather make them all into a series

[@maxharasen6548]

Nick Page or that.

[@benvolio15]

Very well done! If you've seen the Hitchhiker's TV version, then you probably know that most of the time Zaphod's second head tends to just sit around on his shoulders and do nothing. Mark Wing-Davey had so many problems trying to get it to work right back then. But you've solved the problem by having his heads talk in stereo.

[@Fifury161]

Yes, unfortunately I think those scenes suffered a lot as a consequence... Good to see this version!

[@benvolio15]

@kaza12345678 It didn't do very much there either; I suppose we have to assume that Zaphod only used one of his mouths for talking.

[@DaveDexterMusic]

In the book his second head was likewise mentioned as mainly being asleep, I don't recall many if any instances of both heads talking.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

@kaza12345678 The nearest to any sort of description in the original radio series comes when Arthur tells him to "Go bang your heads together, four eyes". I think the eye patch came about to try to simplify the (non) workings of the false head in the TV series.

[@protorhinocerator142]

@kaza12345678 In the audio book his head looked fantastic. Best CGI ever. Seriously, puts Avatar to shame.

[@Rgoid]

Zaphod's ego is bigger than the universe. That's how he survives the TPV.

[@jasonsamuels3757]

Spoiler: It's actually because he's in an artificial universe. His enormous ego probably didn't hurt though.

[@catwhowalksbyhimself]

@@jasonsamuels3757 Specifically a universe created just to trap him, meaning the universe literally exists just for him.

[@Angaraman]

As far as Zaphod is concerned, out of all the infinite universe, the endless scale and the total perspective of it all, the only thing worth mentioning was... the current location of Zaphod Beeblebrox.

[@catwhowalksbyhimself]

@@Angaraman But that is literally true in this case.

[@raphaelperry8159]

There's also a running joke throughout the episode where Zaphod constantly complains about how hungry he is and asks if he can have anything to eat. At the end of the episode (possibly after the credits) it is revealed that Zaphod... ate the piece of fairy cake. The dialogue line is "oh hey, is that a piece of fairy cake? Hey... (munch munch)". Even so the reason he wasn't affected by the vortex immediately is still probably because his ego is so large.

[@knighthawkprime6534]

Well at least now we know where the inspiration for the Untempered Schism from Doctor Who came from.

[@crimsondynamo615]

Knighthawk Prime while the Master, the Meddling Monk, and quite possible the Rani, have all gone mad from staring into the Untempered Schism, Zaphod meanwhile only had his ego inflated more.

[@LordoftheJimmy]

Honestly, I have no idea how anyone can give this a thumbs down. Of course you've got the original source material, the radio series, but the animation perfectly compliments it. I love the way you've managed to recreate the art-style of the TV show. I really enjoyed this video and you deserve mad props for all the time and effort that went into this!

[@Crimethoughtfull]

I only knew of the Radio Show via the book...the large, gilt-edged, leather-bound book, which spoke of The Ends of the World. I never knew there was a TV show other than the movie w/ Martin Freeman. lol...

[@labrynianrebel]

My only guess is some might object to Giordano Bruno being portrayed as a martyr of science when he was more akin to a raving mad man.

[@protorhinocerator142]

@@Crimethoughtfull I believe the radio show was first, then the book (at least the first one), then the TV mini-series, then the rest of the books, then the movie. I say we start over and do them book by book using this animation style.

[@ThePigeon5734]

I like how I found this by searching "the universe from the perspective of a cupcake." It was just a faint memory from when I read the book 4/5 years ago but I'm amazed it had an actual result...

[@fuzzyscarfandmittens4772]

Nice. Mark Wing-Davey was always my favorite Zaphod.

[@battlesheep2552]

I liked how the book mentioned afterwards Zaphod ate the fairy cake the Total Perspective Vortex was plugged into

[@paulelliott3220]

Total Perspective Vortex Genius animation and the matchless radio series Loved when it came out and love it still Awesome

[@A_friend_of_Aristotle]

It told him what he knew all along...that he has no sense of proportion. Brilliant, Doug...just brilliant!

[@oliverdevine2181]

You really make the two heads work so well, superb!

[@ambientaylor]

These are superb, I think I prefer these to either the series or the film. Would love to see the whole series!

[@CuteFuzzyWeasel]

This is awsome, why dont you get more attention?

[@theoneandonlyNick2]

haha good question. if only i knew the answer

[@Ryderswine]

And mine. Excellent work.

[@GregTheGamer123]

TheoneandonlyNick: i think the answer might be 42

[@jelkel25]

These animations are fantastic, HGTTG and Douglas Adams work in general deserves to be kept alive in peoples conciousness and this would be a fantastic way to go. I am also very glad Zaphod has lost the mullet he had in the tv series.

[@SimmaSinger]

These animations are absolutely fantastic!

[@chap666ish]

Brilliant animation illustrating brilliant writing and acting. Thank you.

[@terrycooper5758]

I love Mark Wing-Davey's voice and the way it only goes American-esque at random.

[@crellercorps]

I love that Zaphod could have just run away anytime, considering his captor can't touch him in any way and there's no one else there and nothing stopping him, but he's too stupid to even realize that and continues just to try and prove he can talk his way out of it.

[@richardpaxford5792]

"In order to annoy his wife."

[@JMDinOKC]

This is comic animation gold. And it was genius of the original production to cast Valentine Dyall as Gargravarr.

[@shellfish355]

1:34 Oglaroon life on one tree 2:50 Total Perspectove Vortex brief intro 5:01 Total Perspective Vortex creation history + mechanics

[@emmawalter5433]

I needed this so much it's illegal. I would pay to have this on my Netflix feed or KZbin as the entire series! I preferred the radioplay to the tv show anyway, all anyone needed to do to make it better was animate the bloody thing! Three thumbs way up!

[@timelordtardis]

I was never a great fan of the television series and even less so of the film but this, this is just BRILLIANT. To me the radio series is the one true HHGTTG.

[@atimholt]

Funnily enough, it's well understood that that “extrapolated matter analysis” principle is *not* true. The universe has a finite bandwidth-cramming any volume of space with the maximum possible information forms a black hole.

[@dportass]

The whole HHGTTG is just amazing but my favourite thing is always the background atmospheric music to the book narrations, I could listen to a full album of just that music :)

[@JG-yp4nv]

This is fantastic! I would love to see a full episode!

[@theoneandonlyNick2]

I did do a couple of full episodes...but the BBC took them down. You can still see episode 1 part 2 on my channel. The rest has been broken up into little clips

[@JG-yp4nv]

@@theoneandonlyNick2 Oh, awesome! Is there anyway I could see the full episodes?

[@IMarvinTPA]

This is awesome. I just wish it had the stinger tacked on to the end where he eats the fairy cake.

[@kyasuriin413]

I need more! I watched all the Hitchhikers in one sitting. Thank you for this, it's brilliant.

[@ginnentonix]

Your animations are amazingly amazing. This is my absolute favorite series, and you have made it even more enjoyable. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. :)

[@richardpaxford5792]

This is magical - thank you for doing it. This was always one of my favourite sequences from the radio show =)

[@lemurlover7975]

I love how he does not get killed here by having self esteem. :) While everyone else didn't survive. He makes it!

[@andrewthorne3570]

In the books it explains that he went into Zarniwoops office (which can create an artifical universe) and that universe was made specially for him, so he was the most important being in the universe

[@Orgruk]

So very glad I stumbled upon these animations, I first heard the radio series as a child, decades ago. Nearly had the whole thing memorized at one point.

[@SamuelStokesMusic]

Fantastic work! I love all of these animations!

[@theoneandonlyNick2]

Samuel Stokes Thanks Sam! I'm glad you enjoyed them

[@jamesmcgee7723]

Finally Zaphod as he was meant to be. You are brilliant Mr Page.

[@Onychoprion27]

How have I gone this long without realizing these exist?! I'd love to see more, if you can make them!

[@thecrackninja]

I really enjoy this, your depiction of zaphod is rather good in my opinion. I do hope you'll do more of these animations.

[@ALawrenceOzOnek]

Hoopy Cool Animation! Nicely done!

[@ALawrenceOzOnek]

#IAMZAPHODBEEBLEBROX!

[@ThatIckyGuy]

10 years later and the BBC still hasn't hired you to animate the whole radio series? What's wrong with them?!?

[@brianjlevine]

My favorite scene from the second series. Great job.

[@robadams8057]

I'm pretty sure I once heard that voice talking to Zaphod saying "You shall die for this, Doctor!"

[@NZBigfoot]

The Black Guardian :P ... hes also the guy that does the voice for Deep Thought in the TV version of HHGTG.

[@kellydalstok8900]

The idea of the vortex is very similar to the story of the Master in Doctor Who. The Master was driven insane after looking into the Untempered Schism on Gallifrey at the age of eight.

[@jonathankent1517]

When you think about it, if all matter is the universe and the universe is all matter, Zaphod, who is matter, is the entire universe. He looked into the TPV and saw himself staring back at him.

[@Blontified]

Good stuff. The radio drama is God level.

[@joemalik575]

Definitely my favorite part.

[@acampbell8614]

I heard this on Radio 4 the first time round in January 1980 when I was 16. Still got it on cassette somewhere. I still come out with some of this stuff but no one knows what I'm on about and just think I'm weird, to which I reply- "Yeah, weird is where its at, baby! Is this guy boring you? Come and talk to me, I'm from a different planet." It either intrigues them or freaks them out completely and they go and bother someone else. A good result either way.

[@ahumoroususername]

Man I would love to see someone adapt the later books or the radio show, and your style could work great

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

All of the last three novels were adapted by BBC radio with largely the same cast. They did a bit of psychological jiggery pokery at the start of the third series to tie it up to the original radio series.

[@SOAHCSOAHCSOAHC]

This is great! First one I've seen, and now I'm gonna go through them all!

[@CarfDarko]

Really awesome, especially during the book explanation parts I kind of forgot this was a fan video.

[@crellercorps]

6:20 The fact she's tied up and gagged and the dude is like a mad scientist driven insane through years of domestic abuse is just *CHEFKISS Made me die laughing and I can honestly say I never imagined it like that when I watched the radio show. 10/10

[@philoshaughnessy906]

These cartoons are superb! I want to add my voice to the people who want to see them all. I'd love to have these on DVD and in my collection.

[@workonesabs]

It'd be great if the whole radio series were done. I watched the original TV series when it first came out and several times, and also the radio book. It's great the bits that never made it onto the TV series are portrayed here and give flesh to the dialogue...

[@glenngriffon8032]

The infinite universe meets the infinite ego.

[@claychason9502]

I've read the book ALPT and I've litened to this or something like it Alot. I want this whole see as or whatever

[@TheValeyard92]

The inimitable Valentine Dyall (AKA the Black Guardian), I believe.

[@followthewizard359]

Oh, I love Zaphod.

[@richardmattocks]

I love your guide animation !

[@night1hal1]

Is the punchline where he eats the piece of Fairy Cake not in the radio show? That joke had me in absolute stitches in the book.

[@PeterJKnight]

If I told you how much I wanted to eat this I wouldn't have time to eat it.

[@DartLuke]

Amazing job. This could be full show. I need to reread it. First time o read it when I was small kid

[@Toleich]

This is amazing! How am I only finding this NOW?!

[@SuStel]

I had totally always imagined those electrodes sticking out of the fairy cake.

[@scottmantooth8785]

the animation for these are brilliant and voices exceptionally well. really hope you can find proper funding or backing to produce full length episodes or at least the narratives found between chapters. it would also be rather awesome if you were able to do a few of the more unique scenes from Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

[@umachan9286]

The voices were taken directly from the audio drama of the series.

[@sedonaz]

I wish that you could do the entire series in this animation style.

[@theoneandonlyNick2]

I tried. Got two episodes in before they got taken down

[@DaveTucker-ip3pg]

@@theoneandonlyNick2 i must ask , out of curiosity ofcourse if its possible to upload it in patron or some other streaming service cause they're all really really great animations

[@JaneXemylixa]

This makes me think the twoheadedness can only be done justice in animation OR on radio, lol. Nothing else nails it

[@ompholoslunarhalo]

Nice! Loved the Giordano Bruno shoutout.

[@dportass]

I would love there to be an album of all the background music to the book narrations

[@puertoriconnect4611]

Instead of taking down your videos the BBC should be paying you to continue to create this amazing content.

[@unpronouncable2442]

his ego is bigger than the universe

[@inkvixen3141]

there was nothing making him do this. He just went along with it. He chose this.

[@dissonanceparadiddle]

Oh these book series. When you get down to it even the smallest life forms if looked at compared to the very smallest pieces of the universe are themselves so large that they might as well be in the center of infinities both small and large

[@akumjh]

I like the part where it's talking about beings preferring to be in small understandable places, and it shows Arthur in England.

[@mpabromley]

I know it would be a lot of work but would love to watch all 5 Series like this. Really Hoopy Frood!!

[@AndrewHalliwell]

personally, I'd prefer to forget the recent series existed. Sub par and getting worse with each one cos they're based on the books. G the original series can not be beaten.

[@barnaby7390]

It's The Black Guardian!

[@bigkiwimike]

Any one of these animations is way better than the movie. We don't speak about the movie.

[@CoolDudeClem]

The Total Perspective Vortex wouldn't mess me up, I already worked out how small and insignificant everyone is years ago.

[@wratched]

No, you havn't. You really, really haven't.

[@carlkillough4196]

How many times can I like this? I guess since one and infinity are the same, one will have to do.

[@mgabbard]

Wow! This is great!

[@Bushmansmeg]

... I wanted to do this scene..... u did it well.... better than I could have........... well done :(

[@Palifiox]

Valentine Dyall as the voice, also played Neddy Seagoon's adoptive father in the Goon Shop episode "The Canal". And of course "Deep Thought" www.thegoonshow.net/scripts_show.asp?title=s05e06_the_canal

[@Redfern42]

...And the "Black Guardian" from Doctor Who (once during Tom Baker's reign and several appearances during Peter Davison's run). Sincerely, Bill

[@brookesrook]

MOAR!

[@theoneandonlyNick2]

don't worry. there will be ;)

[@edwarddennis851]

these are hilarious! I loved that show...

[@RJ3220]

I love the oglaroonians

[@fucheduck]

if they could morph the other head to speak in the voice of Mark Wing-Davies. Like that clone you keep in the barn for spare parts.

[@ComicGami]

Theses are Brilliant

[@luisalbertoruizsalinas6887]

Something not quiet far from total awesomeness... Delightful taste and perspective.

[@satsumafez]

Man you're so hoopishly froody!

[@TheSkaBouncer]

I think the only way I can understand this Total Perspective Vortex is by relating it to The Elder Scrolls lore about achieving CHIM/Zero Sum. Taken from the Elder Scrolls Fandom page on CHIM: "CHIM is the final stage of the Psijic Endeavor, which can only be achieved by viewing the Tower, which encompasses the universe, while keeping one's own individuality in its presence.[UL 5] Failing to keep one's individuality in the presence of the Tower will result in the erasure of its viewer from the universe, an occurrence known as a "Zero Sum."[UL 6] Once CHIM is achieved, people experience a state in which time is bent both inward and outward into "a shape that is always new" as well as an incomprehensible sense of the Godhead. One who achieves CHIM is able to observe the Tower without fear and reside within it." By entering into the TPV, Zaphod views both Infinity and himself within Infinity. If he were to see this comparison and conclude "I am nothing compared to this," he would fall into Zero Sum and be removed/remove himself from reality. He would have said it himself: "I am nothing." Fwoosh. If he were to see the comparison and understand that while being a minuscule part of Everything, he is still a wholly REAL thing that is completely unique and individual, he would survive. "I am *Me* ! I am *Zaphod Beeblebrox* !" So i guess the key to the universe is retaining Individuality, and Zaphod would absolutely have achieved CHIM if he were in the Elder Scrolls. Or I could be a dumbass and don't get it at all. Bonus: this dialogue is fun to read elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Vehk%27s_Teaching#...the_Tower

[@rabidbigdog]

Valentine Dyall !

[@OceanbornAngel]

You know the eye patch thing I don't believe was a thing for Zaphod on the Radio Play or the books.Fun Fact, they could rarely get the second head Animatronic to work in the T.V. show so they hid the wonky eye with an eye patch.

[@tobexdmasterofjej6363]

This is awesome

[@bingoccolon]

man, this frood knows how to draw!

[@ChrisPollitt]

Love it!