731: More Than a Feeling

Hey y'all. Hope you're enjoying the last days of the actual summer. Be sure to let me know what you thought about the episode!

If you haven't already, listen along with me and read The Odyssey Times below as you listen to More Than a Feeling for my quick takes and thoughts (aired originally September 7).

LISTEN HERE

THE ODYSSEY TIMES (Facts, notes, and quotes about Odyssey from this ep):
- Four days of rain.
- I don't know why, but the way Katrina says "I need a jolt" is hilarious.
- If Camilla decides to start a new ministry, she can call it Crochet by Camilla.
- "That's how you're going to commemorate the beginning of your love - with chicken?" - Connie
- The Smell of Love seems like a particularly atrocious rom-com by the title. Their marketing team needs some work.
- Eugene and Katrina are adorable together. 
- I love Eugene and Katrina's definition of unhealthy food.
- Connie at work once again!
- Panzini's went from upscale Italian fare to the world-famous 23 different varieties of nachos. Quite the downgrade. Perhaps an abrupt change of management?
- "The everyday stuff may not be romantic, but there's a lot more to marriage than romance." - Katrina
- "My love for you is much more faithful than any feeling. My love for you is constant, and always will be." - Eugene

REVIEW:
The premise of More Than a Feeling feels so basic. Camilla stumbles with her faith; Eugene and Katrina stumble with romance. But as we learned, feelings are fleeting, and this episode definitely hit that lesson out of the park.

One word that describes this episode to me is charming. Marshal Younger's script feels very light while getting across some very heavy themes. In fact, I would argue that this exploration of the true definitions of love, marriage, emotion, and being a Christian is the closest that Odyssey will get to tackling, ahem, more controversial topics. But his deft balance of large topics, new Christian hijinks, and romantic comedy is an utter treat to listen to. 

One thing that really supports Marshal's script is the chemistry that has really began to blossom in the Odyssey cast once again. My previous impression of Whit and Camilla's relationship was in Forgiving...More or Less ("Big scoop! I've got one for the ice cream...har har."). Mr. Whittaker was definitely more warm and human here, and that's due to Andre Stojka's increasingly wise portrayal. There's still a lot of Owl that I hear and vocal inflections that I loved from Paul Herlinger, but I feel like the spirit of Whit, if that makes any sense (and not to break any theological bubbles, just for metaphorical purposes, por favor), is definitely something that's starting to come back. It was great to see Connie getting back into meddling and continuing the great Eugene/Connie scenes as of late. I also enjoyed seeing Connie and Katrina at it again, and the Parker family's chemistry continues to impress (understanding that Michaela Dean is only on her second episode as Camilla). 

In previous David-watching football episodes, Mark Evan Jackson has to record his shouts before the sound goes on. This issue was also apparent in Happy Hunting with Connie, Penny, and the bird noises. Something must have happened, because the sound was a lot smoother this time around, and that's thanks to great work by Christopher Diehl. The music was once again fabulous by John Campbell, after last week's not-up-to-Odyssey standard work by a guest composer.

However, it's the Eugene/Katrina storyline that really stands out. Marshal turns the conventional idea of a happy, successful marriage often exemplified in the media and our imaginations (illustrated through Connie) and turns it on its head, dissecting the issue with that assessment in a very real, raw, hilarious way. I've often complained recently as how Odyssey seemed to downgrade itself to a lower brand of humor, seemingly to appeal to the age group after the relaunch. However, the writing has vastly improved since then and the humor is back to being funny for me, and hopefully for more people than the candy-coated days of Game for a Mystery. But the bits, from the late night conversation to the nacho dinners, were spot on. The characters felt completely in character and everything just felt incredibly natural. 

Camilla's enthusiasm for her faith was another element of this very charming episode. Her scene with David celebrating Jesus while watching the televangelist is simply adorable. Michaela Dean (voice of Camilla as of Album 57) is definitely growing on me. Her struggles with her faith is something very real that all Christians face. It's often a reason why many people turn from the faith, and something that Odyssey addresses spectacularly.

More Than a Feeling goes above and beyond in more than one way. The script is fantastic, but the episode really works thanks to incredible chemistry throughout the entire cast. So much happens in the twenty three minutes or so that the listener is left breathless by the end. The mix of heavy themes, light comedy, and Odyssey staples is a fantastic blend. Look for this episode at the Averys. I give this episode a 95/100, or an

A

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Catch up on Josh's summer by reading his blog from the past several months here

Read a really good article about love, emotions, and marriage here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elad-nehorai/i-didnt-love-my-wife_b_3908956.html

Buy this episode and 11 others on Album 57: A Call to Something More via CBD
Talk about this episode and a bunch of other Odyssey stuff over at Campbell County

AVERY WATCH:
Best Episode
Best Script - Marshal Younger
Best Sound Design - Chris Diehl
Best Actor - Will Ryan (Eugene)
Best Actress - Audrey Wasilewski (Katrina)
Best Scene - Eugene and Katrina attempting to rekindle late-night conversation

730: The Friend Formula

Happy SonDay! Hope everyone's enjoying their weekend. Be sure to let me know what you thought about the episode!

If you haven't already, listen along with me and read The Odyssey Times below as you listen to The Friend Formula for my quick takes and thoughts.

LISTEN HERE

Dulcimer image courtesy of MetaTalk

THE ODYSSEY TIMES (Facts, notes, and quotes about Odyssey from this ep):
- Mr. Whittaker returns to the opening theme.
- Cherry italian sodas? Are those new to the Whit's End menu?
- Barrett and Olivia are starting a band! Olivia plays guitar, Barrett plays trombone, and Priscilla sings? Is La Perros Frescos 2.0 available for a band name?
- I must admit I'm also wondering why Riley is carrying around a dulcimer around with him. Does he expect to play it somewhere? Is he looking for a band to join? Perhaps stumble across a music rehearsal somewhere or someplace?
- "So, Riley, old boy, what's your story? You look like a cheerleader for a funeral." - Jay
- Kemosabe! Perhaps this was written back when there were people excited for The Lone Ranger remake.
- Jay's super excited for Clambake (the soundtrack album from Elvis's last film for United Artists Pictures in 1967).
- The four "i-ngs": Spying, crying, plying, and lying. Jay's definitely one for wordplay.
- "So, how'd it go, kid? I left right around the time when you two were taking my name in vain." - Jay
- "Talk to her? But she's a girl!" Aw, Riley. You can do it! If Jimmy can confront Jessie, Miss Romantic, about her love for him, you can utter four phrases over and over when talking to Olivia. (The Trouble with Girls, The Lost Episodes).
- "Never trust your feelings, kid." - Jay, and a possible reference to next week's More Than a Feeling?
- Riley's turning the tables and recognizing Jay's "I-ngs!" Good for him.
- The Biblical response to the "I-ngs" - listening, sharing, caring, and trusting.

REVIEW:
I'm not sure how to feel about this episode. There's a lot of good things happening here, but the not-so-great ones are frustrating, after the positive direction from the past two episodes. It's definitely overall a good episode, but some uneven things kept it from being something better. 

I loved the concept of the show. The "I-ngs" idea is something that many of us have unknowingly implanted in ourselves in a belief that we'll come across as a "cooler person" when we portray ourselves to be that way (I actually wrote a post about that this summer, which you can read here), and the moral of true friendship is something relatable for all ages. 

Gage Davenport, who plays Riley, did, for the most part, a very by-the-numbers performance. I didn't think it was incredible, but he did an admirable job. I'm not quite sure if Riley caught my attention enough to warrant him coming back, in my mind, but I will be curious if they do. I felt that Cindy, introduced in Unbecoming Jay, was a more interesting foil for Jay, who, while had a similar personality to Riley, also had a bit of a conniving side similar to her cousin, which made for an incredible and fun to listen to dynamic. However, Whit Hertford continues to bring an incredible false gravitas and great levity to playing Jay. I would love to hear Jay in some kind of dramedy-type episode, because I feel that Hertford could definitely pull off multiple dimensions and really explore some new characterizations for Jay. Not that the scheming Jay isn't tiresome, it's just that it'd be great to explore new territory with the character since he's played by a great actor. 

I also had a concern about the placement of this show in the season, but that's to be discussed later. The score was done by someone other than John Campbell, named Detrich Terry, and it sounds like that old-fashioned sound that unfortunately usually happens whenever Campbell doesn't do the score (a la Tim Hosman). The sound design wasn't a major factor in this episode. I liked how Whit and Riley could turn around the "I-ngs" into something more positive, but the band subplot never got out of its sour note funk for me. Olivia bounced back from her over-the-top-ish good personality last week, but I don't quite understand what the point of it was, unless it factors into a later episode. It seemed a little drawn-out, although the Riley-Olivia prying conversation was hilarious. Some of the dialogue was so-so, but overall, the script zipped along, thanks to Bob Hoose. 

I've noticed that Odyssey is beginning to move back to a more all-ages format, which is good news for older fans like me. As the show went into a new era three years ago, it seemed to have lost its footing when attempting to cater more to a selected age bracket of 8-12. It worked so hard at that that the writing took a hit. Since Album 55, the stories have been on a general upswing, which is definitely a good thing. 

The Friend Formula has a formula that translates to success, although some elements needed a bit more mixing. The story was interesting and the moral was important, but some scripting, acting, and score issues hampered the final product. However, Jay continues to shine and the Barrett/Olivia duo go two for two after last week's Chemistry. Riley has potential, but it's still too soon to tell. I give this episode a 86/100, or a 

B

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Catch up on Josh's summer by reading his blog from the past several months here

Buy this episode and 11 others on Album 57: A Call to Something More via CBD
Talk about this episode and a bunch of other Odyssey stuff over at Campbell County

AVERY WATCH:
Best Line of Dialogue - "So, Riley, old boy, what's your story? You look like a cheerleader for a funeral." - Jay

729: No Chemistry Whatsoever

Hey everybody! Hope you're having a great week. Things are starting to ramp up again, but so much as in my junior year. Prayer for balance and continued quiet time would be much appreciated.

If you haven't already, listen along with me and read The Odyssey Times below as you listen to No Chemistry Whatsoever for my quick takes and thoughts.

Courtesy Coffee House Apologetics

LISTEN HERE

THE ODYSSEY TIMES (Facts, notes, and quotes about Odyssey from this ep):
- I feel like I've heard this opening theme before. Bonus points to whoever knows!
- 7:30 AM Chemistry? At least when I had 7:15 AM classes, it was jazz band.
- Professor Sharp. Heart surgery? THAT'S your excuse? Pshh.
- I love Connie's exaggerations and Penny's realities. Normally, it's the opposite.
- I keep thinking that there should be some kind of conflict of interest, but then I remember that they're actually not related. It just seems like it since they've been on the radio for so long.
- If Jay ever listens to this episode, he knows what to bribe Barrett with (HINT: it rhymes with daughterpearled.)
- Connie Kendall, former valedictorian, receives a D for the first time since 10th grade.
- "You gotta put something in to get something out, I always say. You don't get anything good by doing nothing!" - Penny
- "Do you have a photographic memory? Yeah, but it hasn't been developed yet. Ba-doom-da!" - Olivia and Barrett's corny response
- I think the Bible is telling me to REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE.
- "John 11:35 - Jesus wept. Yeah, probably 'cause he knows what you're up to." - Barrett and Olivia
- Is Eugene's proton joke from the same jokebook he wrote in Around the Block (Album 46: A Date with Dad)?
- Is it just me, or does Eugene sound older?
- Loving how the Gospel has been talked about more and more this season, such as how Jesus talked about Lot's wife.
- "The bleach oxidizes the hair's melanin molecules, leaving it colorless." - Penny's wide knowledge of chemistry
- Ah, metalloids. I remember those.
- Congratulations on your B+!
- Hard work pays off! Colossians 3:17 - Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Christ Jesus.

REVIEW:
It seems like so long since we've had an episode that focused on Eugene and Connie's relationship, especially since I've tried to forget about Connie's bedazzler in You're Two Kind. Unlike the aforementioned episode, Chemistry manages to bring in some great character development for Eugene, Connie, and Barrett; plus a great supporting role by Penny. 

My only complaint lied in the dialogue. A lot of it felt canned and a little cliche across the board, especially Olivia's lines. Sorry, Kelly Stables! I also felt that Olivia was portrayed as almost obnoxiously good, pointing out Barrett's flaws in a way that I felt came across as too harsh. It's been interesting to see how her character has changed from someone really annoying (See: Albums 51/52) to a slightly less grating character but one who is trying to become a better Christian. This episode harkened more to the old Olivia, which I wasn't the biggest fan of. 

Other than dialogue issues, Kathy Buchanan's script was top-notch. Every seemingly random detail was tied up throughout the episode, from Eugene recording his schedule (to set up the hilarious ending punchline) to Barrett's reference to John 11:35 after memorizing it earlier, shown then as simply a punchline. The chemistry metaphor played really well, especially since Will Ryan and Katie Leigh continue to have an incredible...chemistry! Penny served as a straight man, which was even funnier than when she just plays normal Penny because it's not a common occurrence. I'd love to hear more of that. I loved how Ms. Buchanan tied in A License to Drive to show how deeply the characters care about each other and how that affects their relationship and rivalry. The role reversal realization was another great character moment with Connie, who has been on the upswing since Something Old, Something New and looks to continue with future episodes such as Life Unexpectancies. The sound design and music weren't anything extraordinary, but drove the plot along. 

I'm glad to see Whit offer wisdom in a less conventional way after being seemingly chained to the ice cream counter for the past while. The Barrett and Olivia relationship is something good that continues to build, except for the Olivia dialogue snags. The comedic moments hit really well, and the whole episode just felt really charming, in a good 'ol WodFamChocSod kind of way. 

No Chemistry Whatsoever offers an extraordinary amount of chemistry between its cast, as well as a lot of comedic moments and characterizations. With a great script (that obviously had a lot of hard work put in) and serviceable sound design and score, I give this episode a 93/100, or a

A

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Catch up on Josh's summer by reading his blog from the past several months here

Buy this episode and 11 others on Album 57: A Call to Something More via CBD
Talk about this episode and a bunch of other Odyssey stuff over at Campbell County

AVERY WATCH:
Best Script - Kathy Buchanan

727-728: Your Servant is Listening, Parts 1 And 2

Hello Album 57!

THE ODYSSEY TIMES (Facts, notes, and quotes about Odyssey from this ep):
- Matthew is headed for the skater look.
- The age-old "how lenient is too lenient" question between older generation and younger generation.
- Jesse Fliscergold got a pencil eraser stuck up his nose? Oh, Jesse. Jesse, Jesse, Jesse.
- Oh snapple, the second Parker has changed voices. Stay on, Zach Callison, stay on!
- Camilla got a lot younger-sounding with a more pure and less raspy voice. She was originally Joy in Child's Play.
- Camilla, let's not resort to logic leaps to get what you want. You're smarter than that!
- The Imagination Station is just "big and empty," as Lucia describes. 
- "Don't we have to buckle in first?" - Lucia and a clever nod to earlier IS incarnations
- Three generations of Ortega women - out on the town, as in Shiloh!
- "He could stand to cut down on the tamales though; he's a large one." - Lucia on Eli
- The return of the Sunshine Girl references!
- "I think he has my nose!" "I still think he's cute." - Elkanah and Camilla
- "Prayer changes us. It shows our dependence on God and our desire to invite Him into our lives. It also allows us to express our heart to Him, and then He does the same with us!" - Hannah
- What's a time when you've seen God in your life?
- Eli needs help with child control.
- Cinderella, Cinderella, night and day, it's Cinderella. Phinehas, also known as the Evil Goddefiler.
- "That's where the Ark is." "Oh, so that's where Noah parked it!" - Samuel and Camilla
- "The Ark contains the power and glory of God!" "What would happen if you went there?" "I'd be struck dead." "Yeeee, you're right, we'd better take another way out." - Samuel and Camilla
- Indiana Jones knows the lesson from the above quote very well.
- Way to bring French toast to Israel, Camilla!
- "We're all His children. He has something to say to each of us - if we only listen. And of course, we have to talk to Him too." - Samuel
- Welcome to God's family, Camilla!

REVIEW:
After having the last Bible story season premiere become one of my favorite episodes of all time, I tried to have low expectations for this season premiere. I was curious to see how an adventure with "three generations of Ortega women" written by Nathan Hoobler and Kathy Buchanan would turn out, and how Samuel would work as a story. Suffice it to say, it worked. 

However, it didn't work right away. The first half and second half were pretty much disconnected from each other (for the sake of argument) in terms of...well, for me, almost everything. On the surface, part 1 was about Hannah and how God listened to her, while part 2 was about Samuel and how he and the nation of Israel (and us) had to learn to listen to God. I thought the acting in the first half, in terms of the Biblical characters, was weak. I didn't really connect to any of the characters because of what I heard as a stale delivery. As didactic storytelling, Odyssey has mostly managed to get a lesson across without being "preachy." While the act of preaching is not a bad thing (hello, Sunday!), it's more difficult to make a lesson really sink in when you stick it into entertainment. I felt that a lot of things had to be explained, and more things were told to us than shown (comment if you're interested in some of these cases) in the first half. One of the things that needed to be told, Hannah's conversation with Camilla, wasn't as strong as it could be because of Terrianne Steinhower's performance, although I felt her performance improved as the episode went on.


Speaking of performance, let's talk about Michaela Dean! I thought something was amiss when I heard a less raspy, younger voice for Camilla. After listening to the latest podcast and finding out she had previously voiced Joy, I recognized that the writers either needed Camilla to be younger or Sydney Shiotani had lost interest. I was SUPER disappointed and bummed by the loss of Sydney, since I LOVED her voice and thought it was incredibly possibly iconic and unique to Odyssey, Michaela did a fine job. I still miss Sydney, though!

My favorite part of part 1 was towards the beginning, when Lucia and Eva explained to Camilla about animal sacrifice - and connected it back to the Gospel! Applications and how the Bible still relates to us today is something Odyssey can do really well, as best shown in The Perfect Church and The Imagination Station, to name a few. The second half picked up on this with Samuel and Camilla. Samuel's message of learning to listen to God was timely and important. I always like to say how God is such an amazing storyteller, and it's interesting to see the story of Phinehas and Hophni, who didn't listen to their father, juxtaposed against Samuel, who listened to his Father. Camilla's conversion after learning to listen to God was a very natural step for her, and it was exciting and interesting to see an example of how someone came to faith growing up in a Christian family (I'm not sure when was the last time we heard that on Odyssey). 

I've always loved the chemistry between Lucia and Eva, but I felt it was even stronger in this two-parter as they spent most of their time with each other. Their relationship feels so real, thanks to their superb performances. Lucia brought a lot of great levity to the episode, and I appreciated her warmth, humor, and wisdom. It reminded me of better Mr. Whittaker days! Eva's job as a nurse was perfect for this episode, and I'm so glad Mr. Hoobler and Ms. Buchanan incorporated that for continuity. 

For me personally, this episode was very eye-opening, as I learned that I need to take the time to try and listen to God. I think we often treat prayer like a one-way conversation (at least I can), and we need to remember that there's always Someone listening (and speaking) on the other side of the phone!

While starting slow (in terms of telling over showing and acting), Your Servant is Listening is a well, thought-out, thought-provoking two-parter that asks us to check ourselves on how we listen to God and not just talk. Sound design and score is on point, as is the writing, performances, and attention to detail. I give this episode a 93/100, or an 

A

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Catch up on Josh's summer by reading his blog from the past several months here

Buy this episode and 11 others on Album 57: A Call to Something More via CBD
Read our review of The Perfect Church
Talk about this episode and a bunch of other Odyssey stuff over at Campbell County

AVERY WATCH:
Best Episode - Nathan Hoobler, Kathy Buchanan, Bob Hoose
Best Sound Design - Chris Diehl
Best Actress - Lucki Wheating 
Best Score - John Campbell

726: Push the Red Button

Happy Sonday!

The goal failed. Couldn't do a review during the week. I'm hoping to make my way through Your Servant is Listening and No Chemistry Whatsoever this week. Happy Labor Day! No new Candid KOnversations updates, so we'll be on our way.

Hi, Will Ryan!

THE ODYSSEY TIMES (Facts, notes, and quotes about Odyssey from this ep):
- A master program that controls anything at Whit's End - that could possibly destroy civilization as we know it? Oh yeah, nothing could go wrong.
- Matthew Parker assisting a master program that controls everything at Whit's End? It's officially official - nothing, nothing, could go wrong.
- Penny is on a no-carb diet in this world.
- We have a different voice for Michaelangelo here than in the live show.
- Is it just me, or does Townsend Coleman's voice for Lord Gargantuan Foulspleen remind the listener a little bit of Dr. Doofenschmirtz from Phineas and Ferb?
- Silly Lord Gangantuan Foulspleen. If you listened to Odyssey, you'd know that the Imagination Station is not a time machine.
- Eugene and Whit, do you really NOT REMEMBER that the Imagination Station is not a time machine? Matthew, sorry, buddy, you still gotta head to French.
- Nice reference to the Slavs in ancient Russia!
- I wonder what people's rationale for thinking this episode was in total reality was.
- When I saw the extended version of the live show, I thought Odyssey was about to head into a post-apocalyptic Album 57. 
- Penny paints a beautiful masterpiece in minutes. Look out, Picasso.
- "Maximum defilation" - new LGF term
- A big kick to the machine. Ladies and gentlemen, Matthew Parker, technical genius.
- Nuclear bomb go boom.
- "What's weird is to use such an obvious cliche to end a story." - Penny
- Philippians 4:8-9

REVIEW:
I think opinions can soften over time. That was certainly the case for this episode. When I first heard it, I had a severe dislike to this episode (not the live show version) for its cheesiness, unrealisticness, and sheer what-the-heck-is-happening-ness. But after a relisten, a couple elements have grown on me. 

After getting upset over the use of the "just kidding, guys, it was all a dream," on earlier listens, I caught Penny's self-aware tongue-in-cheek comment to the audience (see the Odyssey Times for this ep). I just wish the rest of this episode had that making-fun-of-itself tone as it did during the live show. The live show wasn't a masterclass in writing, but the extended run time allowed us to see just how impressive the acting, impressions, and sound design could be. Running jokes, like Wooton/Penny interaction and "fourth wall" Jason cracks, made the experience a memorable, hilarious one. The fact that Push the Red Button radio edition takes itself a little more seriously is not necessarily a good thing.

Another difference between the live show and radio edit is that Michaelangelo is not as intriguing as Chuck Bolte. Sure, he's a better-trained Italian accent, but...yawn. He was a completely forgettable character here, while he was completely unforgettable in Texas because everyone's always wanted to hear an Italian George Barclay. Stunt casting worked there - and the regular casting here felt dry. 

I now can understand why Red Button got that Sound Design Avery - all very impressive work by Rob Jorgensen. The music is ridiculously overdramatic fun by John Campbell. I think the main reason why I disliked this episode is because of the writing. As Ben Warren discussed in his review, other examples of exaggeration in Odyssey had proper framing to explain the out-there-ness of it all. My hyperactive imagination, upon seeing the live show for the first time, worried that a nuclear bomb had actually detonated the entire town of Odyssey and the surrounding Campbell County and we'd spend Album 57 living Winter's Bone - Our Daily Bread style, with the Barclays scrounging for squirrel meat in parks to escape from the mass hysteria from the first nuclear explosion in the United States.

I guess I'm simply tired of ridiculousness. It's fun every once in a while, but to trot it out a lot more recently in this new era takes away the positive elements it can bring. Mindless chaos can be fun, but can't entertainment with truth, goodness, and beauty be fun and good for you? The extremity of the ep led to a story that didn't get too invested in its themes. What really is truth, goodness, and beauty? For that, I'd have to turn to other AIO eps.

Push the Red Button is a hyperactive bombastic ear fest with great sound design and score. The actors all seem like they're having a lot of fun. However, it's the writing that drags everything down. The tone's off, the characters are all over the place, the moral is difficult to discern at face value, and the plot is sadly too out there to come back to orbit. I give this episode a 70/100, or a

C-

That brings us to the end of Album 56! Nine months after it aired. And on to A Call to Something More...

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Catch up on Josh's summer by reading his blog from the past several months here
Read about our Live Show experience here

Buy this episode and 11 others on Album 56: The Grand Design via CBD
Talk about this episode and a bunch of other Odyssey stuff over at Campbell County

724-725: Home Again, Part 1 And 2

Well, it's been quiteeeee a while, you guys. It's been a long, busy summer - and I'm just realizing that our last review was on April 6. That's about four and a half months since the last review! Ohmeohmyoh. 

Anyways, it's back to work at home and school and in Odyssey. Album 57 has begun! I already have thoughts on Your Servant is Listening, and I would have thoughts on No Chemistry Whatsoever if there was any episode up online whatsoever. (UPDATE: It's on AIO Wiki!) But that's cool. The goal (and we have a lot of failed goals) is to do Push the Red Button this week and Listening this weekend. Hopefully, we'll catch up from there. But then...there's also Candid KOnversations. The season premiere for Candid KOnversations is...Saturday, November 2! I know it's a while, but we want all y'all to focus with us on Album 57 while the season progresses! And it looks like we'll have a lot of interesting Call to Something More stuff to talk about. Check out the Candid KOnversations page for more information.

With our busy schedules (practicing and learning instruments, homework, new clubs, old clubs, new projects, old projects), I think I've managed to figure out some kind of schedule that puts up posts here at least semi-regularly. The goal (anotherrrrr one) is to post at least once a week. Since I have super easy classes this semester, hopefully, we can make that happen! And now, to our review.

THE ODYSSEY TIMES (Facts, notes, and quotes about Odyssey from these eps):

- Don't go, Jack and Joanne! Eugene, quick, sabotage your inventory system so THEY'LL NEVER LEAVE!

- Thank you, Joanne, for your book endowments to the Whit's End Library!

- I'm still not fully comfortable with Whit's new chuckle.

- Why is Whit so surprised that Jason drove all the way back from Washington? Joanne and Connie have done it before (Album 41: In Hot Pursuit).

- Oh, Connie. Connie, Connie, Connie.

- "Prayer means you're dealing with something hard!" Connie, I bet you prayed for that new red Prelude - and I wouldn't call that something hard.

- Nice reference to Something Old, Something New for continuity.

- Why did Connie miss Jason so much? Wink, wink.

- Nice reference to The Green Ring Conspiracy for continuity.

- Wooton outsmarted Whit? Never thought I'd ever write that last sentence.

- They're building another cabin on Trickle Lake.

- "The spiritual disciplines are called disciplines for a reason - they require work. Times of solitude aren't always restful." - Whit

- Jason...really likes coffee.

- Jansen's Jewelers - is that a reference to former EP Al Janssen?

- "It'll make you thirstier so you can appreciate the water more." - the walk from picnic to #3

- "Yes, it's that hint of naïveté in the voice. He's not bad." - Rudolph on Eugene

- Connie sounds abnormally happy to see Jason.

- When was the last time we heard Jason talk to Wooton? 

- "You know where I live?" "Wooton delivers the mail!" "Ohhh...kay..." - Jason and Penny

- Kron's Jewelers is down the street.

- Do the criminals really have to reveal their plans right in front of Eugene?

- Katrina sends really long texts.

- The Judo flip, the Vulcan neck pinch...we've got some intense martial arts action happening in Odyssey.

- "What I want is time to be with God along with time to be with family and friends." - Jason

REVIEW:

The fact that it won three Avery Awards shows the love for Home Again from the fans. It definitely brings back a sense of nostalgia, with previous mainstays like Jason, Jack, and Joanne back on the radio once again. But is that all the episode was? Did it only win for the nostalgia? 

Two elements stood out to me that prevented it from getting my vote for Best Episode. The score for this episode felt very disjointed in certain places, as if they'd just picked up a couple of old John Campbell selections to fit. They didn't all fit well. The end cue was a typical Campbell chord-tingling, heart-racing, emotion-gathering closer, but the rest of the score didn't add much to the story. Eugene's jewel thief storyline also felt disjointed in a similar vein. As Campbell's score felt out of place, the cartoonishness of the whole Rudolph thing felt very disjointed from the dramedy-ish main plot. The "let's capture the criminals" scene near the end with Jason and Whit confronting the thieves was laughable and very unreal. That kind of cheesy capture has worked in previous episodes, but they worked because the entire tone of the episode was in that light-hearted realm. This episode did not need that tone at all, and it added a little bit of a bitter aftertaste (afterhear?) for me after listening.

Courtesy AIO Wiki

But let's look at the positives. I loved hearing new dynamics that have never been heard on the show before. I AIO wikied it and found that this was the first time that Wooton and Jason have ever been heard together! I also liked the comedic interactions between Joanne and Eugene. Normally, Eugene went to go talk to the Allens for perspective from both Allens. I thought the chemistry between Will Ryan and Janet Waldo was fantastic - it felt raw and real and hilarious. Townsend's monologue as Jason toward the end of the first part was also incredible. It gave us an inner look at Jason's thought process, especially the settling down after a lifetime of spy work part. Coleman managed to inflict the emotions of trying to find peace while managing to add comedy with the whole coffee thing. The sound design was also spot-on. It was pretty subtle, but that's often what makes the design great. 

I was also proud to continue to see Connie, Penny, and Jason grow as characters. If you've read some of my previous posts, you'd know I was upset that they seemed to grow stagnant from Albums 51 - 54. Connie's been learning about letting go of regrets and making assumptions since Something Old, and it's really interesting to learn and grow along with her. Penny has been making some steady progress, and although her journey can be a little annoying at times (repeating the same process as Childish Things with Happy Hunting), her growth is growing on me, so to speak. Jason's vulnerabilities are beginning to be more fully explored again, which is a great move for the show, from the end of The Labyrinth to now. That's why it was so saddening to see him once again resort to the action hero archetype at the end. Thankfully, his new job heading J&J Antiques should bring in plenty of new story for him. Oh, and the thing with Connie and Jason? That deserves its own article.

Home Again is not my most favorite episode of Album 56. The writing wasn't completely airtight and was too disjointed in trying to craft its theme into all of its plot threads & stuffing in old John Campbell cues to hobble together a score. But for all of its disjointedness, it makes up for it in characterizations, acting performances, sound design, and new dynamics. The very presence of Jack (so good to hear you, Alan Young!) boosts this up a couple more points. I give this episode a 92/100, or a

A-

Post your comments below or email us at jandakocompany@yahoo.com!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Catch up on Josh's summer by reading his blog from the past several months here

Buy this episode and 11 others on Album 56: The Grand Design via CBD
Talk about this episode and a bunch of other Odyssey stuff over at Campbell County

Greetings from the End of Summer

Hey there OCO readers!

Thanks so much for checking in on us throughout the summer. We've tried our best to provide as much stuff as possible for you - meaning one post. Sorry! I've been all over the place over the past seven weeks and I'm heading out again in 11 hours to take the Grand Strategies course at Yale. I'll come back two days before school starts and try and catch up! It's been crazy. Luckily, Ally has just finished an intense graphic noveling workshop and is now able to put some more time back into the blog. Puppy and Woofy have agreed to do a couple posts while I'm away, so I thank them for taking time out of their very busy schedules (Puppy is about to start shooting the third season of his hit show Puppies as executive producer while Woofy is working on his third studio album [and first in nearly seven years].) 

I honestly don't know if I'll be able to do any posting this week, which would be the only time since the class will be incredibly demanding (and starts this Sunday). We'll see. 

On Candid KOnversations:

We released the pilot out in April and were incredibly appreciative of the positive response and feedback we got back from you guys! We promised the next episode and an iTunes release really soon - and it didn't happen. I have no idea what's up with iTunes and am working to figure that out, so for the time-being, iTunes is TBD. The second ep is pretty much complete, but it still needs sound work. As exec producer, I've decided to take the standard TV season approach. The first ep you heard is the pilot/preview. Like regular shows (such as Odyssey), the second ep/season premiere will release in the fall, sometime in September. We're working on a theme song to go with the podcast and stories for future episodes. 

For the next three weeks while I'm gone, I'll be posting on another blog:

http://13ilcatyale.blogspot.com/

I'd love for you to check that out, if you're interested in what the Ivy League Connection is and how my adventures on the East Coast go. Head over there now and you'll get a short glimpse of what I've been up to so far, from Camp Royal to Canada to Boys' State to Summit Ministries to Relay for Life to lots and lots and lots of reading.

Well, that's it for now. I'm handing the reins back to Ally, Puppy, and Woofy. See you soon!

Memorable May + Jubilant June

Hey, it's Ally! It's been a busy school year, and a busy last few weeks but here I am!
Finally writing another post, I know it's been a while and I'm super sorry about that D: it's called school. And other events which I will enlighten you about! (Don't worry I'll relate them to Odyssey. After all it is an Odyssey blog isn't it?)

In May, our youth group went to an indoor mini golfing place, which is basically mini golfing. Inside. It was awesome to see the crafted courses resembling the Bay Area! I did so terrible though, I hit the golf ball out of our course and into others, I'd get a 6 on most of my holes. It was embarrassing, but loads of fun. Kind of reminded me of Wooton when he played golf with Fox Fletcher in "Nothing But Half the Truth" (Album 42), how he hit the ball of out of the course.

On Mother's Day, I and two of my very good friends got baptized! We've been Christians ever since we were little, but Jesus put on our hearts the desire to proclaim our faith and declaration in Him! To be honest, it was teary, all smiles, and a blessed time, and I was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Now when I was reading my testimony, I was scared out of my mind. I was sharing my life story to this whole crowd of people. It was crazy and I didn't know if I could do it. But after a little fast praying and realizing it's just all family and friends there in the crowd, I told them about trials I've had, family members with illnesses which led to questioning about God. Even though my loved ones didn't have serious cancer like Karen Crosby from "Karen" (Album 3), they still had faith just as strong that God would heal them. Satan gives us doubts to believe so that we would doubt in Jesus, but "When in Doubt...Pray!". That's exactly what showed how God blessed me, now my family are cancer free and recovering from strokes. It's amazing what God can do and how He made this a way for my faith to become stronger. God does answer prayers! It may not be the way we would want it to turn out, but it's the way God wants it to be.

"I remember an ol Scottish prayer my mother taught me when I was a wee girl. It goes, 'Lord, I thank thee a thousand times for the roses. Help me to thank thee for the thorns as well'."-Fiona Donneral "Thank You, God" (Album 3).

That Sunday was wonderful because we could celebrate my mother for Mother's Day, and my baptism with family and friends! Plus, many college students that have gone to our church came home to see their families so they also could see us get baptized WHUTTTTT. (allGod)

Our seniors graduated in early June, which for both of us (Josh and I) were sad to see go. These seniors were smart, talented, funny, and great leaders. When the valedictorian went up to speak, it reminded me of when Connie was one in "The Graduate" (Album 31), and how the audience sang a hymn after her declaration of not defying her school authorities with her prayer. I wish that our school could do one, but since it's public school, they didn't :(. But it was a great speech, funny and enjoyable to hear! We got to play for our graduates, which was an honor for me!

Right after school was out basically Josh was off at camp and I was driven to Anaheim to visit relatives! I got to see my friend Kara and we went to THE GETTY CENTER IN LA IT WAS SO COOL OH MA GOODNESS ART IS AMAZING GUYZ. (not like i'm great at it but it's so inspiring and just so *girly squeal* too cool) Yeahh I like art guys. I can't be like Penny Wise who is "a very good artist". But I can try my best! Anywho that was really fun (I know I'm a boring person looking at art all day and gawking at it but it's gotta be art I like otherwise yes the museum would be boring). And I ate a lot. Not as much as Wooton does. But I ate a ton and it was great!

THEN JOSH CAME HOME YAYYYY. AND WE WENT TO VANCOUVER! It was awesome!! We stayed at a bed and breakfast called Haddon House, a historical house from the 1920s that was restored! It was beautiful! It's in Burnaby a small city with a lot of history like Odyssey! They even had a museum, a reenactment of the village of Burnaby in the 1920s I believe! IT WAS SO COOL. Like they had an old school house (some of the children from the Haddon house went there and we knew that cuz their last names were Haddon.), we saw an old radio station, the chapel (someone from the 1970's got married there! WHUT.), they even had an old carousel indoors like in the movie "The Sting"! Yeah I like old stuff guys... Like jazz! ME AND BARRETT JONES ARE AWESOME THOUGH CUZ JAZZ IS AWESOME. :) anywho... We went to a gelato place called La Casa Gelato and Ice Cream and get this: IT HAD 218 FLAVORS THERE. No not 9 out and the rest in containers, like literally 218 flavors to choose from. Not a typical Whit's End there but it tasted alright. It was more fun tasting flavors. And eating. We also visited famous parks such as Stanley Park with the totem poles and at the Stanley Rose Garden we saw a TV show that was going to be or was filmed! It was for "King & Maxwell" on TNT (never heard of it) but it was cool cuz everyone was dressed up as if going to a wedding! And of course something disastrous happened cuz the FBI and police and fire department was there (We asked the SWAT guy what was being filmed. hehe). Kinda like Connie and Mitch's wedding except we don't know what happened in this episode of "King and Maxwell". We also went to Vanduzen Garden! It was so beautiful, reminding us of God's creation! It was sad when we had to leave, leaving a beautiful city, a beautiful home we stayed in, and a great vacation, but I'm glad we went when we did!

Vacation's still going on, so it's only the beginning! But what great adventures have you begun this summer? LEMME KNOW I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT :) Yes this wasn't a review of an episode or totally Odyssey related (I'm sorry) but I wanted to share some memories that were made and some things that were related to Odyssey since after all it is an Odyssey blog! Still working on the podcast slow and steady! A post from Puppy is coming up so look forward to that! Thanks for reading!

Late Night Postin'

Good early morning Odysseyians!

Sadly, it's Sunday, June 9th, and episode 2 of Candid KOnvos is still in post-production. I would post a preview for you, but my eyes are starting to give way. 

In the meantime, just wanted to say a short little goodbye while I'm off at camp, and in the meantime, Ally will take over for a while! So to all of you wondering if the blog's on a "hiatus," it's not. There should be something by Ally within the next couple of weeks, and the podcast will be out in July. 

Anyways, get your Odyssey fix on this summer, spend time in God's Word, and take the Call to Serve (either the Odyssey contest and/or God's), sharing God's love with others! I'll share with you all everything (well, not EVERYYYYTHINGGG) that happens when I get back! 

Happy summer,

Josh

A Short Little Update on Life

GASP. A NEW POST!

Thank you, Odyssey nerds, lovers, likers, visitors, and listeners, for checking in on us although there's been a lack of a post for GASP almost a month.

So why, you ask? Well...

May, weekend 1: SAT Subject
May, weekend 2: Debate Novice Champs
May, weekend 3: Disneyland band trip
May, weekend 4: SAT Prep/Memorial Day

Plus finals and Relay for Life and ceremonies and awards and illnesses and AP tests and...yes, it's been quite the busy month. For me personally, I've averaged a lower amount of sleep and burned a lot more gas (of the car variety) as of late. 

So, anyhoo, I'm in the midst of studying for the SAT and then it hits me...it's time to send some kind of update to all y'all for sticking with us. And yes, I don't have a Southern accent in actual life, but I like mixing in all kinds of great expressions from all parts of the world. So there.

Haha, so anyways, this weekend, I will be taking the SAT on Saturday morning. Please pray for God's guidance. LOTS OF IT. (: Afterwards, the weekend will be spent recording Episode 2 of Candid KOnversations and teaching Ally on all kinds of blog/podcast stuff.

If you haven't heard, I have an incredibly packed summer that will unfortunately leave me unable to do much blogging. I'll be training Ally within the next week and a half to take on more of my responsibilities, so you'll be getting a whole lot of Ally this summer! However, one of the things I'm doing is an apologetics conference in Colorado Springs (plus a fieldtrip to Focus on the Family...YEEEEEEE), so I'll take Odyssey with me and attempt to review one episode every night when I'm not, you know, conferencing. 

Alrighto, I think that covers everything for the time being. Prayers and fingers crossed that ep 2 comes out next week! And of course, if you're interested in becoming a part of the blog and helping out Ally, send us a sample of your work (in whatever, from writing to artistry to podcasting to reviewing) at jandakocompany@yahoo.com!

Take care - it's almost summertime!

UPDATE 6/2: We got through a majority of recording today for Ep 2 - it ran pretty smoothly! - Woofy