Hidden Signal

Qcode's sci-fi anthology series presents standalone stories that aim to make you question reality. Each of the 12 episodes offers a self-contained narrative -- stories like "Echoes," "Pinnacle," and "The Potter's Field" -- exploring different corners of speculative fiction. The format is more literary than dramatic, with stories read aloud rather than performed with a full voice cast. That single-narrator approach is both the show's defining characteristic and its most divisive element. Some listeners appreciated the focus on the writing and ideas, while others found it monotonous when one voice handles multiple characters. The stories themselves are thought-provoking and grounded, avoiding flashy special effects in favor of concepts that stick with you. With a 3.9-star rating from 38 reviews, this is one of the smaller shows in the Qcode catalog. The sound design and storytelling concepts drew praise even from critics who had issues with execution. Episodes run 23 to 44 minutes, giving each story adequate room to develop. If you enjoy short science fiction -- the kind you might find in a magazine like Clarkesworld or Analog -- Hidden Signal translates that reading experience into audio form. It is a quieter, more introspective addition to a catalog dominated by big-name casts and high-concept thrillers.