S2E22: “Journey to Shangri-La”

Hello and welcome to the JEMcast on Hologram Radio. This is Alex Knight and I am joined by Aleen Simms, founder of the Less than or Equal podcast, and science fiction writer, K. Tempest Bradford.

Synopsis: In Season 2, episode 22: ‘Journey to Shangri-La,’ “The Holograms try to find Shangri-La, the mythological city where all music and art is kept, to add a new twist to their music. When Pizzazz and Roxy end up sick and Shangri-La’s music is the only thing that can cure them, it’s a race against time to save them.”

Stay tuned for an action packed episode.

Episode 48 (S2E22) is written by Richard Merwin.

Jem and the Holograms are stuck in a bit of a musical rut. They decide to seek out a man named Andrew, a musicologist, with the hopes of revitalizing their sound. Andrew asks the Holograms if they’ve ever heard of Shangri-La.

Jerrica: Isn’t that a mythological city in Tibet or something?

Andrew: It’s not mythological. I know it exists.

When questioned if he’s been to Shangri-La, Andrew admits he has not. The Hunzas show the way to very few people, and none have ever returned. Jerrica asks Andrew what this has to do with music. Andrew explains the people of Shangri-La are the keepers of all things musical.

Tech Rat is ensconced in his workshop. We hear an alert go off from one of his computers: it’s a Jem alert, which tells him of their flight plans to Tibet. Tech Rat calls Eric Raymond to alert him. Eric asks the Misfits if they have any idea why the Holograms are interested in going to Tibet, not that it matters, because the Misfits will go wherever the Holograms will go; that’s reason enough.

The Holograms arrive at an remote airport in Tibet. Andrew introduces the band to Moki, his Sherpa guide. They decide to get moving to head towards basecamp before dark. From basecamp, the Hunza village is only a day away. Andrew and the Holograms plan on heading out in the morning.

Jem and the Holograms music video: “Shangri-La”

The Misfits and Eric arrive in Tibet. Eric introduces the band to Mian, their Sherpa guide. Once again, Eric is reduced to the Misfits’ baggage handler, as they force him to bring along an unnecessarily large pile of luggage.

The Holograms make their way toward the Hunza village, but the trip is not made easy due to a recent snow storm, which has obscured the pass. It appears Andrew and the Holograms are lost. They stop to take a break. We hear a roaring sound. A sound of a great beast. A brilliant, white Yeti surprises Jem. Andrew warns her to run away, but she stands her ground and appears to be unafraid. She carefully approaches the Yeti and it eventually warms up to her. Andrew clumsily tries to touch the Yeti, but it runs away.

The Misfits are not having the smoothest trip either. It turns out that Mian recommends a shortcut to get closer to the Holograms’ Sherpa guide, but it will require them to do some climbing, which the Misfits aren’t all that enthusiastic about. While climbing the snow covered cliffside, Eric slips, taking down the rest of the misfits as well. Their lives hang in the balance.

Cut to a commercial break.

The Yeti tries to lead the Holograms through the snow. They arrive to discover the Misfits, who are perilously close to death. The Yeti brought them there to rescue them.

Andrew: It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!

Moki, Andrew, and the Holograms conduct a rescue, but it backfires on them. After getting the Misfits to safety, they abandon the Holograms once they reach the top of the mountain.

The Misfits arrive at the Hunza village, ahead of the Holograms. Unfortunately for them, the equipment they brought with them is completely useless, as there’s no electricity to be found. Pizzazz rudely demands an elderly villager to show her the music they keep secret, but the …