SPOILER WARNING! This is a completely unfiltered reaction to the episodes in the title. In other words, if you WANT to be spoiled, go ahead and read!
Yesterday, while your writer was on a plane ride back to colorful Colorado, the second part of Face the Unknown was released to the club-paying public. I wrote my reaction ot the first part of the trilogy last week, but didn’t publish it. So below, you can see the progression of my reactions, all in first person. Enjoy and feel free to share your opinions!
Part 1
The two biggest Turning Points in Odyssey’s history were the Mortal Coil and Malachi’s Message, as we’ve discussed on this website. This episode combines both. Back in the Era Five breakdown, I noted how murky this transition period has been, as this has been the longest-running Odyssey era. I was sure that Album 80 would bring a drastic and assured end to this era. I seem to be correct.
It’s interesting that Connie was visited first and has the most prominent (and actually only) message thus far, very unlike her experience with Malachi in the first episodes. I’ve heard speculation that this might lead to her being written out of the show. Who’s to say, though? She hasn’t even been married yet. Perhaps this is an indication that she never will be.
Many people are questioning how Leonid has entered here, forgetting that the Imagination Station is a machine that harvests from one’s imagination. The most likely answer, however, is plot fuel.
Part 2
What an interesting display of the weight of glory. This may be one of the most interesting scenes of Adventures in Odyssey.
Part of me hopes Eugene will show up and explain his experience in the Imagination Station. [This did not happen, but I can certainly hope for part 3]
This philosophical concept that Malachi is bringing up is interesting. Of course we should strive to lighten the worlds of others. But we can’t always help if we wound an existing negative situation. That was my opinion until I came back home yesterday. An elderly man at our church passed away recently. A few weeks before he died, my father, brothers, and I went down to his house to give him a gift and wish him a happy birthday. It was a small gesture; it only took 30 minutes out of the day at most. But for him, a widower as of last Christmas, it probably meant the world to him. When my parents informed me that he’d died, I thought back to what I was originally going to say as part of this reaction. Being the light of the world is paramount. It’s an important lesson, especially around this time of year. I say we lean into the moral of this episode. If this were a review, I’d certainly rate it 4/5 stars.
I don’t think Connie will be written out of the show after this episode. I also think that ending has dampened it to a Renee conversion story rather than a huge AIO-altering moment.
My last note is that AIO sure loves the “one-way” trip ending.
I’m excited for the ending of this multi-parter, whatever it may be. For a full review, check out the Value of a Buck review that will come out shortly after this reaction deploys. Have a good night!
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