A Review – Carrier

Carrier
By QCODE
A Review

At this point, I know I enjoy these podcast stories, especially considering the fact that they are immersive. This was, if I remember correctly, the third of these kinds of podcasts I listened to.

And, if I remember correctly, I have listened to this at least twice now. I have been meaning to write a review for this for ages, hence listening to it more than once, to get back into the feel of it, and am only just getting around to it.

So, now that we're finally here, let's get into it!

What happens when a truck driver picks up a loaded trailer, but has no idea what’s really inside? Tony, Grammy, and Emmy award winner Cynthia Erivo journeys down a dark and lonely highway in this original scripted thriller from QCODE and creator Dan Blank. With immersive audio techniques that create a dimensional listening experience, the audience is strongly advised to use caution, wear headphones if possible, and listen... carefully.

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My Review!

Some forms of storytelling do exceptionally well when the story is creepy and suspenseful. This story is certainly both of those, and combined with the whole auditory experience that puts you in the cab of a truck, not entirely sure what cargo you are hauling, this is a story worth listening to.

Turning up barely past when she was due, Raylene quickly finds herself stuck, far from home, without a trailer to haul home. Without one, the journey will simply cost her money on fuel, rather than making her money with work. Her boss cannot find her a paid gig, and so, she takes matters into her own hands. She might have taken over work for her father, while he is unwell, but that doesn't mean she didn't have access to his contacts, people who will certainly have something she can haul.

But, when she hooks up to the trailer, and starts on her journey, she starts to suspect things aren't all that they seem. She wasn't allowed to inspect the trailer, which was bolted shut, and she wasn't exactly given a clear answer of what was actually inside. All that she knows, is that she must make sure the trailer stays at a constant temperature, and that she will have to routinely check it to make sure everything is running smoothly.

Raylene is the kind of character who is stuck where she should not be. Her children are at home, and she hasn't seen them for far too long, and with her father sick, she should be near, in case something happens. Instead, she must put her trust in her boyfriend, looking after her children, and her brother, looking after her father. She is trying to get home, but making the progress she needs to make grows difficult as her worries about what she might be hauling intensifies.

The whole trucking business is one that, in this podcast, Raylene finds difficult as a woman. At times, she feels incredibly unsafe, especially so when she is parked around other truck drivers, and not alone out on the road. Her frustration towards some of the treatment she receives, and her inability to do anything other than her job, when things happen at home, comes across incredibly clearly.

There is a whole element of mystery in this podcast. It is clear that whatever is in Raylene's trailer, it is not good, and it is certainly not food produce, but the whole question of what it might actually be goes unanswered throughout most of the story. As the story progresses, the truth starts to come to light, and Raylene must stop simply driving, and start fighting to make it through this journey alive.

The ending of this podcast was a little confusing the first time I heard it. There is a lot of chaos, and we almost lose Raylene's voice as more sounds are added. While the rest of the story works well as an auditory story, the last scene almost seemed like it needed visuals for me to understand it. Other than that, though, the audio was incredibly immersing, pulling you into the story and making you feel like you are actually there. I enjoyed listening to this, proven by the fact that I listened to the whole thing twice through, and I would certainly listen to it again.

Do not, though, listen to this while driving. It begins with a very loud lorry horn being sounded, and I can easily see it scaring people while behind the wheel. After all, the audience is strongly advised to use caution, wear headphones if possible, and listen... carefully.

And done!

In case you are keeping up with my podcast/colouring notes at the end of these podcast reviews, I actually did not do any colouring while listening to this, instead I listened to it mostly while out walking, or while doing some work. This does mean, though, that I still have to finish my colouring.

Who am I kidding, I'm probably never going to finish it.

Never mind!

Bye!