Sarah's Answer That! Review!

Hey everyone!

Well, you finally get a blog post by Sarah - yay! I really am a person outside the voice! :D

I was so excited to get this game, and I played it as soon as I got home from college. I'm planning on having a small party to play it with some family friends this Friday, but sadly, I needed to post my review before then. I've played it several times through already, but if anything changes after Friday, I'll be sure to post something - though I doubt it would. ;)

Alright, I played the game twice through with my parents and each time played all he way around the board making sure to get plenty of both card and dvd related questions. My parents aren't really Adventure's in Odyssey fans, so that made it a little more interesting. I really enjoyed the game alot, and had fun with the questions. A lot of them seemed rather easy for me - but then, when you know the answer it's always easy, right? ;)

However, there were several questions that stumped me - some fairly, others not. I have never played the video games, and kept getting questions about them on the dvd, but I was able to figure a few out. The fair stumps were questions asking which episode a line came from or who said it, and some of those were kinda tricky!

The second round we played, we decided to try one of the presorted questions on the dvd - the one for those who didn't know Odyssey very well. I was under the impression that those would be non-AIO related, and I was apparently mistaken in that. They were still Odyssey related, but were really simple - and most of them had the answers in the question. That was a bit of a bummer, because ot made it feel rather dumbed down. Perhaps there are other sets that are just history/Bible related, but we were unable to find them. (If we locate them this weekend, I'll update this)

I also played the lightning round and had fun with it too.

Overall, I enjoyed this game a lot. The board and pieces were fun (though I thought that Tamika was a rather random choice for the only kid character...) and the questions on the cards were enjoyable as well. The dvd portion was also interesting (the theme gets a bit old after a while, however) and I really enjoyed getting to hear clips from episodes as well.

My final rating is probably a 4/5., and I recommend this game to any Odyssey fan out there. :D

God bless, and Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope some of you are blessed to get this under your tree this year. ;)

Sarah

Countdown to the Spring Season Premiere!

Well, we have the names of the episodes for the next couple months. They've posted all the titles over at WhitsEnd.org, and it looks like we'll be hearing some of the greatest Bernard shows of all-time.

December 22: Suspicious Minds
December 29: Room Mates
January 5: The Conscientious Cross-Guard
January 12: Feud for Thought
January 19: My Fair Bernard
January 26: First-Hand Experience
February 2: Third Degree
February 9: Blind Justice
February 16: Poor Loser
February 23: Bassett Hounds

...which, of course, leads us to the spring season premiere which airs on March 1: A Capsule Comes to Town. In honor of this momentous episode, I've added a countdown to the right-hand column. Only 75 more days, folks!

Unofficial Podcast Ep. 27

Wow, it seems like forever since we've done a podcast! I guess that's what happens when exams hit... and hit hard! In this podcast, we review The Highest Stakes and Chip Off the Shoulder. As we mentioned in our blog, we'll be posting our review of Answer That! Adventures in Odyssey Edition sometime next week. Also, stay tuned for our interview with Lauren Schaffel, voice of Liz Horton!



Right-click and save here to download.

Running Time: 44:39

"Chip Off the Shoulder" Now Available!

So you might have noticed that we didn't release a podcast over the weekend. Considering final exams and studying have really eaten up a large portion of our time lately, we decided to postpone our podcast until later this week. That way, we can review The Highest Stakes in addition to this week's episode. Speaking of which, I might as well let ya'll know that Chip Off the Shoulder is now available! Click here to listen!

Updated Album 44 Cover Art

If you haven't already gotten the chance to hear The Highest Stakes II, I strongly encourage you to do so. What an incredible ending! I don't think a better resolution could have been scripted. Is it just me, or have the writers at Focus have really done a spectacular job with this past season of Adventures in Odyssey? During our interview, Nathan and Marshal promised they'd be wrapping up some storylines this season and boy have they ever! Let's hope next season, during which time the episodes from the 50th album will be airing, is as exciting as this one!

In other news, Album 44 has been repackaged, with only slight modifications from the original version. Essentially, they've condensed the previous cover into a more compact image. It's more or less the same cover, except made to fit as a regular CD insert.



As a side note, I really think Album 44 was where Odyssey really start to ramp things back up in terms of character and storyline development. While there were numerous episodes prior to this album that I immensely enjoyed, it wasn't until Eugene returned that the stakes were raised. The issues discussed and the messages they conveyed got deeper and more relevant to current culture. We were given a closer look at the family struggles Mandy faced and we were introduced to Kellie and the McKay family. We witnessed the brand new Meltsner arc (it should have been called The Search for Leonard) and were able to see more of Wooton's character. Finally, in this current season, it all came to a head as both Leonard and Grady accepted Christ. What an incredible finish to an amazing run... and there's still the spring season!

"The Highest Stakes II" Available!

Yep, and it's been out for just over 24 hours now, but you can listen to The Highest Stakes II right now! To those of you who have sent me reminders, I thank you verily. However, do realize that I check out the Town of Odyssey on an extremely consistent basis and that I am continually checking Oneplace for the latest episodes. So just because I don't post an update telling ya'll that the episode is up doesn't mean I'm not aware of it. ;)

As you may or may not know, Sarah and I were recently afforded the opportunity to speak with Lauren Schaffel. We had an awesome time talking and reminiscing about her time with Adventures in Odyssey! She's truly a multi-talented and extremely well-spoken individual... who apparently sounds a lot like our very own Sarah. But you'll have to wait for another couple weeks before getting a chance to hear our discussion with her... sorry! We still have to review The Highest Stakes and Chip Off the Shoulder, after which we will release the interview for your listening pleasure!

Random Musings

I suppose I should answer the question I proposed to ya'll over a week ago.

What person(s) are you most grateful for and why?

Obviously, my mom and dad are the people for whom I am most grateful due to their involvement in my life for the past nineteen years. It's truly been a remarkable journey thus far and I can honestly say there have been no one more loving, generous, and committed to me in my entire life. I know it's not always like that for everyone, as we have seen in the lives of characters like Kellie, Grady, or Eric. But regardless of your present situation, I pray each one of you would find someone in who will pour into you the same kind of love my parents have shown me. Whether this be your parents, your pastor, a mentor, or even a close friend, may you be blessed just as I have been these last couple decades.

Okay, onto more exciting discussion! I trust you, like myself, are all expecting The Highest Stakes II to be released on Oneplace sometime over the next couple days. But my question for you is this: What do you think about the latest controversial issue into which Odyssey has delved? We just came off another emotionally powerful two-parter with Life in the Third Person, which also centered around a broken family. This time, instead of a divorce, gambling is the source of the conflict. There hasn't been much discussion on the message boards about The Highest Stakes I, but there was one post in particular which caught my eye.

I, too, was very surprised to hear from Grady's dad. When it was announced that all these story arcs would be concluded this season, I was sure it would be the season of happy endings . . . I do like happy endings, but having so many at the same time seems very unrealistic. Much as I was glad that Mandy's storyline ended happily, I hope this one isn't quite so perfect. And, I think a bittersweet ending is quite possible (and would be my choice).

LizzieG, the author of this message, made a good point regarding the "problem" of having happy endings. We could have a lengthy debate about whether or not it was unrealistic for Stephen and Rachel Straussburg to fix their marriage like they did, but for the sake of your time, I'll save us the trouble.

Consider this. What is the purpose of Adventures in Odyssey? Showing the harsh reality of life or showing the hope we have in Christ? I would argue for the latter. Had Stephen and Rachel Straussburg not gotten back together, what message would that have conveyed? That divorces happen to Christian couples, too? That's all well and good, but we already know that! To be honest, I don't believe Odyssey shies away from reality at all. Just look at the opening scene of The Chosen One I. If anything, the fact that Stephen and Rachel were even contemplating divorce as an option illustrated reality in itself. So to say that the Straussburg arc was unrealistic is besides the point, regardless of whether or not that assertion is true. People don't need to hear yet another example of a failed marriage. What kids (and listeners of all ages) need to be taught is that marriages can be saved... through prayer and through the power of Christ.

I believe the same can be said of Grady's father, Carson McKay. Sure, it might be satisfying to see a bittersweet ending with him having to abandon his family once more. Once again I ask, what message would that convey?

There have been individuals who have complained that Odyssey has become too soap-operatic in its style of writing. I believe the contrary. Soap operas are specifically conflict-driven, in which there are relational, marital, or financial issues that plague its characters. Is healthy, Biblical resolution ever demonstrated in those shows, whereby the interests of all parties involved are satisfied? Hardly. For the most part, Odyssey has set itself apart from soap operas by showing both the conflict and the resolution, and all in the context of a Biblical worldview. When it starts to depart from its values and principles and no longer teaches its listeners a moral or Biblical lesson, then it can become soap-operatic. But as far as I'm concerned, the writers and producers at Focus have done a masterful job remaining faithful to their ultimate goal-- to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ.

"The Highest Stakes I" Available!

Don't want to wait until Saturday to hear the latest Odyssey episode? Then why don't you click on the header to hear The Highest Stakes I. As the first of a two-parter, this episode delves once again into the life of Grady, but more specifically-- his family. Rather than ruin it for you by divulging the entire content of the show, I'll let you listen for yourself.

Many thanks to all who submitted questions for our upcoming interview with Lauren Schaffel, voice of Liz Horton. We will do our best to get to as many of your questions as possible. The question box is now closed... however, stay tuned for more details on when the interview will be released!

Odyssey Returns This Week!

As Odyssey's three-week break comes to a close, I thought it'd be interesting to note that they aired The Chosen One I & II this and last weekend. Typically, whenever there's a break in a season, they'll air episodes that pertain to the upcoming new shows. This occasion was no exception. Over the next three weeks, we'll be hearing the return of both Kelly and Grady to the forefront. According to the Official Site, the next few episodes will be airing on the following dates:

December 1 & 8: The Highest Stakes, Parts 1 & 2
December 15: Chip Off the Shoulder

Which brings me to the Album 49 cover art. I'm pretty certain the kid featured on the front cover is Grady. (What other Caucasian boys between the age of 8 and 12 are there in Odyssey anymore?) However, more interestingly, note the back cover descriptions:

When a long-lost relative returns to Odyssey, a tour of Wooton's house seems like the perfect way to catch up. Who knew that a little secret could make such a big mess?

Any guesses on who that long-lost relative may be? :)

More Album Cover Art!

First things first. Happy belated Thanksgiving to all our American listeners out there. I hope you all enjoyed your meleagridinae on Thursday, or whatever you usually gobble for your holiday dinner.

As we (or you, since we Canadians got on the ball quicker than the rest of you) contemplate the meaning behind the season, I am reminded of the Thanksgiving episode Thank You, God, in which Whit and his friends shared the things for which they were thankful.

That was a particularly poignant episode for me, since it included the powerful story of how Whit became his Christian. In spite of a terrible accident which left his mother blind, she was able to show him what it meant to have faith in God. Through her suffering, she was able to lead Whit to Christ. As a result, Whit says the person for who he is most thankful was his mother, Fiona Donneral. So that leads me to my question...

What person(s) are you most grateful for and why?



I couldn't resist. You gotta love the simple humor in comics. Anyway, leave a comment and let me know what people in your life you are thankful for and why. I'll share my own thoughts at some point next week.

As far as Adventures in Odyssey goes, there are a couples things of note to report. Odyssey has released the album cover art for Album 32: Hidden Treasures, part of the repack series which will include Albums 16 through 35. I must admit I'm liking the new artistic style they're using for the album covers. It certainly has taken a few years to get acclimated to the new designs they've implemented in recent years, but you gotta admit the new version of the Album 32 cover easily trumps than the old one.



Odyssey has also released the album art cover for Album 49, which will include all the episodes from the current season. I'll be posting the front and back covers in an upcoming blog. Enjoy your weekend!