Podcast Summary: "Zero Hour" – The Mysterious Traveler

Podcast: Relic Radio Sci-Fi (Old Time Radio)
Episode Title: Zero Hour
Show: The Mysterious Traveler
Release Date: December 8, 2025
Source: RelicRadio.com

Overview

This episode of The Mysterious Traveler presents "Zero Hour," a suspenseful tale blending Cold War anxieties, sci-fi intrigue, and classic old time radio storytelling. The narrative follows Keith Roberts, a writer, who uncovers a terrifying Martian plot to infiltrate and ultimately invade Earth—with the fate of humanity resting in his disbelief-stricken hands. The episode plays with themes of paranoia, trust, and the dangers of being dismissed as delusional in the face of world-shattering truths.

Key Discussion Points and Story Beats

1. The Desperate Plea (00:49–02:22)

• Psychiatrist Dr. William Jackson is visited late at night by a highly agitated Keith Roberts. Roberts insists he cannot wait to tell his story, as "every minute counts. Even now, time is running out."
  • Memorable quote (02:08):
    Roberts: "A disaster such as the world has never known is about to happen. It will affect every human being on earth."

2. Backstory: Meeting Professor Friedberg (02:22–07:09)

• Six months earlier, Roberts is offered the chance to write the biography of celebrated scientist Professor Dana Friedberg.
• Their first conversation explores the possibility of life on Mars:
  • Quote (05:27): Professor Friedberg: "Anything is possible."
• The professor laments the skepticism toward scientists and speculates about advancements on other planets—setting up the story's otherworldly premise.

3. The Montana Incident and Investigation (07:09–12:53)

• Friedberg reveals his suspicions around a recent explosion in Montana, which the government calls a meteorite impact.
• The duo travels to the site, discovering a unique metal cylinder with unidentifiable symbols—evidence the object was not a meteor, but a crashed alien ship.
  • Significant moment (11:50): Roberts: "This means you're right. That explosion, it wasn't a meteor. It was the wreck of a rocket ship from another planet."

4. The Martian Agent Revealed (13:25–17:44)

• On their way to warn Washington, they attempt to use a phone at a remote ranch, encountering its enigmatic owner, Jason De Koven.
• De Koven is revealed to be a Martian disguised as a human—a shock for both men and the audience.
• Over dinner, De Koven chillingly details the Martian plan: Over 40,000 Martian agents, including 7,000 in the U.S., are in key positions worldwide, preparing for a preventive invasion.
  • Quote (17:12): De Koven: "The Council of Mars believes that if we don't conquer Earth now, someday Earth will conquer us. It is what you might term a preventive war."
  • Demonstration of power (18:19): De Koven shatters a two-foot log with his bare hands, proving Martians' superhuman strength.

5. Escape and Loss of Hope (18:59–24:11)

• Trapped in the fortress-like ranch, the professor and Roberts plot an escape; Roberts flees while Friedberg stays behind.
• Roberts makes a daring escape and reaches Washington, only to have his warning dismissed by General Wadsworth and psychiatrists, particularly when presented with news that Friedberg died days prior—casting doubt on Roberts' mental state.
  • Quote (23:04): Roberts: "De Koven murdered the professor with a drug. [...] De Koven wants you to think I'm insane. To prevent you from believing my story."

6. The Chilling Revelation (24:11–27:34)

• Back in the present, Roberts pleads with Dr. Jackson, believing him to be his last hope.
• Dr. Jackson reveals himself to also be a Martian by splintering a log with his bare hands, mirroring De Koven's demonstration.
  • Quote (25:25):
    Dr. Jackson: "Yes, Mr. Roberts. [...] We’ve been watching you with great amusement these past weeks."
• As the episode reaches its climax, the invasion is set to begin:
  • Quote (26:49):
    Dr. Jackson: "Yes, there's the Martian invasion fleet coming into the stratosphere. Mr. Roberts, I do believe your story is now zero hours. The invasion has begun."

7. The Final Word—Is It All a Delusion? (27:34–28:25)

• The episode wraps with the Mysterious Traveler wryly addressing the audience, hinting at the ambiguity between reality and delusion.
  • Quote (27:34): The Mysterious Traveler: "What's that? You don't like the idea of the Martians conquering the Earth? I wouldn't worry too much about Roberts' story. After all, tonight is June 22nd and it is 8:30. But I don't see any Martians around, do you?"

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Anything is possible." — Prof. Friedberg (05:27)
• "At this moment, a little over 40,000 [Martians]. 7,000 are in the United States. The others are scattered all over the world." — De Koven (16:24)
• "The Council of Mars believes that if we don't conquer Earth now, someday Earth will conquer us." — De Koven (17:12)
• De Koven shatters a huge log with his bare hands. (18:19)
• Dr. Jackson, revealing himself as Martian, crushes the log as De Koven did. (25:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction by the Mysterious Traveler: 00:49
• Roberts visits Dr. Jackson: 01:45
• Roberts and Prof. Friedberg discuss Mars: 04:20–06:40
• Montana explosion and alien metal discovery: 07:09–12:53
• Meeting De Koven and Martian plan revealed: 13:25–17:44
• De Koven's demonstration of strength: 18:19
• Escape plan and daring escape: 19:19–21:27
• Roberts dismissed as insane in Washington: 22:10–24:11
• Dr. Jackson reveals Martian identity: 25:25
• Invasion commences ("zero hour"): 26:49
• The Mysterious Traveler's closing commentary: 27:34–28:25

Tone and Style

The episode is delivered with a classic, suspense-laden old time radio style—dramatic, narrative-heavy, and briskly paced. Dialogue is crisp, and the actors adopt a somber, urgent tone, conveying both cosmic stakes and personal desperation. There is a notable undertone of paranoia and helplessness, tapping into postwar anxieties of infiltration and distrust.

Conclusion

"Zero Hour" offers a suspenseful, atmospheric exploration of invasion paranoia, foreshadowing later science fiction classics. The episode’s power lies in its blend of the familiar (a dismissed whistleblower, hidden invaders) and the fantastic (Martians with superhuman strength), ending on a chilling, ambiguous note. Was Roberts mad—or was he the only sane man left? Listeners are left to wonder, as the Mysterious Traveler leaves the platform once again.