Is
Eugene ever coming back to Odyssey? -Submitted by Carolyn, Sarah
Bullock, and kk
Several weary
Adventures in Odyssey fans approached me about a very hot topic. Is Eugene
Meltsner ever going to return to Odyssey? I too have been wondering about
this rather mysterious and unknown topic. It's surprising how different the
questions were when I received them. Carolyn asked, What happened to Will Ryan/Eugene? Is his character ever coming back?
Sarah Bullock said,
I am a fellow AIO fan. I just heard the final Novacom Episode today
and I'm concerned about Will Ryan. Where is he? It sounded
like they patched in Eugene's lines from previous episodes! Do you
know anything about his condition or whereabouts? 'KK'
wondered, Is Eugene not coming back?
When I thought about it, this is actually
the first true-to-the-section "AIO FAQ" question. It's surprising
how many people on the internet have wondered, questioned, and ripped their
hair out over Eugene's absence. I must admit that in a stressful time such
as the Novacom/Andromeda Saga, I also shouted, screamed, and punched my face
ever so lightly as I attempted to come up with a reason for it all. Before I
reveal the answer to everyone's question, let us review the situation before
us.
Eugene Meltsner left Odyssey because of a
family emergency with Katrina. Katrina's father, Armitage developed an
unusual brain tumor which grew more rapidly than what would be
expected. Eugene also took with him the research that the Campbell
College "Radio Wave Study" had been working on. Eugene and Katrina
proceeded to say their wedding vows at Armitage's bedside. Armitage died
minutes later. Ever since then Eugene and Katrina have not been seen around
Odyssey.
Knowing this, we must also consider that
Will Ryan has not been on the show since "Mandy's Debut."
Something doesn't line up here. If Will hasn't been on AIO since
"Mandy's Debut," then how did Eugene say his wedding vows to
Katrina in "Plan B?" The answer is easy. "Plan B" is the first time that we
meet "Cut-n-Paste Eugene" during the Novacom Saga.
"Cut-n-Paste Eugene" says his wedding vow to "Cut-n-Paste
Katrina," hence, Brandon Tellar tells the "Cut-n-Paste
Lovebirds" to kiss each others' "Cut-n-Paste" lips. The
answer is simple. Will Ryan couldn't make it to the recording session of
"Plan B," therefore, previous clips of Eugene and Katrina were
mixed in to form a very unmemorable marriage moment. The long-awaited
marriage was filled with disappointment. "Cut-n-Paste." The same
is the case with the episode so appropriately called "Exit."
Whit's answering machine kicks on at the end of the Novacom saga. Here we
are greeted once again by "Cut-n-Paste Eugene," fumbling to repeat
words he said back in "Wish You Were Here" and other albums, all
forming a message of hope, disappointment, and cut-n-paste. It was Odyssey's
only option. To make the Novacom Saga come to a close, Eugene had to say
something. Will Ryan couldn't.
Now that we have established this scenario,
why is Eugene not on the show and is he coming back? Well here is the part
where I had to do a bit of dirt-digging. I had exactly two options. Either I
fumble through my words to answer this question alone, or I contact someone
who knows. Which would be my choice: Option A or Option B? After a round of
"She loves me, she loves me not," I came to the conclusion that I
really wouldn't know what to say and that only what I said would be pure
speculation. So I went to Source A: Paul McCusker. I had intended to go to
Source B: Nathan Hoobler if Source A couldn't help me. About a day later the
reply to the nagging question came, but not from Source A. Source B answered
my question. I had contacted the staff to fill me in on the real reason why
Eugene left. A disturbing thread at the Town
Hall had popped up during the past few days and I wanted to stop the
rumors. My 56K dial-up modem proceeded to make its very odd and terrifying
noises as I checked my email. The sound effect that Juno makes when I have
new mail made its chime. My heart pounded... my eyes directed themselves to
the second email in my inbox... an email from Nathan Hoobler:
Thank you for your e-mail inquiring about
the...future of the actors on the show...
Unfortunately, for the sake of the privacy of the people involved, we really
can't comment on the situation at this time. Rest assured, however, that
we're doing everything we can to continue making a high-quality show in all aspects. I'm sorry we can't share more at this time. Thanks again for your question.
Oh the disappointments, the agony, the
waiting! Will Eugene ever come back to the show? If you are wondering about
this as much as I am, just remember that Focus on the Family is doing
everything in its power to bring our beloved Will Ryan back. Eugene will
argue with Connie again... we hope.
It's also interesting to note that
according to Odyssey's time, Eugene has been gone longer than John Avery
Whittaker was when he went to the Middle East. It seems like Whit was gone
longer, but in reality Eugene is getting up there in years! Something
doesn't seem right about Odyssey's timing!
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