noname wrote:You know how there's that one occasional AIO episode that seems out of place and disrupts the entire flow of the season? This, unfortunately, is one of those episodes. It brings back unpleasant memories of the Spring 2000 season. In fact, it seems like many recent AIO episodes have shared the same characteristics that bring to mind the days of split episodes: "bouncy," childish music; a weak plot; and too much silly dialogue. This episode just happen to have these elements in heavier doses.
Well, it's about time that someone shared my sentiments.
Aside from the fact that I sortv'e enjoyed this episode, I have to agree...and this has been my opinion for the past couple of years. I was fortunate not to have left Odyssey during it's split/eps seasons. My brother did, but not I. It was fortunate that I didn't because, first of all, Novacom appeared. And I don't know whether the writers realize this or not, but EVERYONE was into Novacom. I tell ya, it was just like the Lost series. A show would appear and EVERYONE would be discussing it--adding it theories, and falling in love with these great, well written characters. In fact, it was SO well written. Even when the occasional episode wasn't, it usually made it up somehow along the way. I heard many testamonies working at Christian camps of so many people who didn't really listen to Odyssey, but sure stuck around when they heard about Novacom. College students, working in bookstores, always showed up to work early so that they could hear while working the continuing saga of these characters. Even 9 year old children (though, the series did not interest 8 year olds) asked me not to play the regular slice-of-life shows because they wanted desperatly to be frightened with suspense before going to sleep. They were involved in the smart suspsenful writing (Veil) , the witty diologue (Secrets), and the romance between Connie and Mitch.
My point for that ramble is that Novacom, I must say, was the most "maturest" (is that a word?) part of the Odyssey series. And, both kids AND adults enjoyed it with great interest. Now, I'm NOT saying that Odyssey should always be like that. All that I'm saying is that the series is changing again, and we're not given any reason why. I've been noticing the change ever since the album of "Out of Control". Now, it's been a progressive slow change, but it's been noticeable none the less.
Now, the main theory I have is that they're trying to get a new sort of fan base back to listening Odyssey; namely, the children. I mean, the music has gotten rediculously "bouncy" (which I HAAATE), the storylines are much more simpler, the diologue is filled with so many silly words and the character development is nowhere to be found. They're relying so much on these actors that they're not even bothering to develop them. Oh yeah, and the new art? Which was more for kids? The old art or the newer stuff? Oh, and what about this "Odyssey Podcast" stuff? Do the hosts make the older fans feel REALLY old or what?
Here's the deal. When the show first started...yeah, it was sure a lot more childish then it is now. I admit. It is. But the show started to grow as the fans grew. Just look at it. Albums 1-2-3 feel like for 8 year olds. And then from 4-12, it feels like it was for 10 year olds. And then from 13-18, it felt like it was for 12 year olds. And then from then on it felt like it was for all ages. And the number of more interesting adult shows nearly doubled. The Jack and Jason era were never more targeted for both parents and adults then ever before. Just look at the themes; Love, Dating, Death, Marriage, Divorce...They were handled very carefully because kids were listening, but I can listen to them easily now (I'm 18) and not cringe because I feel like I'm listening to a kids show. Today: I do really feel like I listen to a kids show. There is rarely an episode that I can even show to my parents without feeling somewhat embarresed. However, I could go through through several later Hal Smith episodes, the Jack and Jason era, and the Novacom saga easily without having to feel that embarresement. The problem now is that they decided to decrease the age of the show a bit. They have it targetted towards children much more then before. There's now maybe an average of one episode that I can actually listen to with my entire family (and there are no longer even any teens left in my family). And usually those are three-parters.
I actually remember a time where I used to quote episodes.
Ok, next up; character consistency and development.
noname wrote:The last item on that list brings Wooton to mind. Now, I must admit: I enjoy Wooton a lot. When he first appeared in "Welcoming Wooton," "The Popsicle Kid," and some of the Novacom Saga shows, I instantly loved his character. It seemed like every word he spoke was memorable. Eventually, his character was developed further in "Bassett Hounds," "Tuesdays with Wooton," and other episodes that were popular with AIO fans. But now, it seems like nearly every Wooton episode is just a vehicle for him to throw in an element of silliness. No character development at all. There are some funny moments, but nothing as meaningful as Wooton's inspired craziness in "For the Fun of It," where there was actually some purpose behind the silliness. Even in other cases where there wasn't a lesson involved with Wooton's character, it was used in moderation, which made the episodes enjoyable and fun to listen to.
Alright, this leads me into character development. I've actually never thought about Wooton experiencing this problem, but I believe a lot of characters are totally being inconsistent and mis-used. No, not in there diologue, but in there storylines. Recent episodes are an example. Connie and Eugene bickering? Did we not get through this? Have we not watched them grown. I'm sorry, but we actually got to the point right when Whit got back from the middle East, that Connie and Eugene had gained each other's respect. Whit even said so himself. They got past that. And now the writers want to bring them back together and have them act silly, and stupid, and argue...and...wow. We actually watched them grow and mature on the show, and ever since Eugene came back, I don't remember them acting more in-mature and more-stupid. A clear example of Inconsistent writing.
Whatever happened to Connie's future? College? She decided to take a year off from it, remember? Remember all that?
Eugene--he doesn't work at Whit's End anymore. He's married. He has a job. A job which doesn't pay him--but a job nonetheless. Meanwhile, he's flirting with Connie while hanging out at Whit's End. Oh yea, and every so often he's talking to his lost dad and fighting off the people who want him.
Nick. Yes, everyone knows how much I love Nick. Here we have a character; he has a bad past, he's got problems, he's trying to fit in with his family, he's rebellious, he's a non-christian working at Whit's End...there's a heck of a lot of storylines and shows you could get out from that! Now what? We never see him! Oh, I forgot--he tried out for a...Harlequin Theatre Play? Wait. Let me get this straight. He's a bad-boy, lady-man, tough guy, smoker, and boxer, and now we decided that he's this nice guy that's into theatre and he's now a good influence on children because he works behind a counter at a Christian shop influencing the minds of children. Do I need to remind the writers that he's not a christian yet? And he's working at Whit's End. And he better not become a christian anytime soon, because I have heard no more than one show about attempting to convert him. The character was classic! He had great lines! He's nowhere near being "all-used-up" in storyline!
Bart! He's now getting dumber and dumber every episode I listen to him. They seem to just be playing up his "dishonesty" all the time, always trying to out-due the previous episode. He's starting to sound like Harlow. Alright, what about shows like "The Other Woman", "Tornado", or the other times where we actually saw him have a sense of morals?
I think the writers mis-understood the fans. When we said, "We want Odyssey to be back like what it was when it was Old", we didn't mean Connie and Eugene being behind the counter bickering like the old days, with no other employees. We just mean we want it to feel like the old Odyssey. Jack and Jason replaced Whit, and still managed to feel like the Odyssey of old. Why? Because the change was handled in a good way, while still keeping the heart of the show. The characters were adapted to the change well, it was realistic, and it made us interested in the change.
Don't be afraid of change, Odyssey. And don't be afraid of targetting the show to a larger Audience. Even if it means that half the shows are for kids, and half the shows are more for adults. Remember, the adults are the ones who you need to keep listening. If it's just targetting towards kids, well, they'll just grow up without wanting to keep listening. So please...get rid of the 8 year old music.
I still sometimes learn from the show. And if the lesson doesn't apply for kids yet, well, it will someday.
Oh well, who knows. "The Top Floor" might turn things around. Or, it could just be that seasonal episode that adults can listen to.