Episode
Reviewed: Split
Ends (544)
Writer: Kathy
Buchanan & Marshal Younger
Director: Bob
Hoose
Production
Engineer: Bob
Luttrell
Music
Composer: John
Campbell
Original
Airdate: 5/08/04
Rating (out of 5 cones): 
Episode
Summary
Mandy
and Liz are approached by professional agents and find that they will be
competing against each other in a modeling contest.
The
Review
Split
Ends
captures the true heart of the
oddities sprinkled throughout the radio program we know as Adventures in
Odyssey. Various storylines have been covered in the past dealing with
game shows, earthquakes, burned down versions of Whit’s End, and even mind
control. The production team behind AIO has a lot of decisions to make in
regards to the types of situations presented, arising from brainstorming and
creativity. In creating Split
Ends, the team managed to do
something so blatantly obvious that the problem cannot go unnoticed:
contradicting themselves.
Ouch, it’s a harsh thing to think about. Fans of the
radio program have mentioned the contradictory concept behind Split
Ends
since the episode aired. A “split end” has been
created, dividing the episodes A
Model Child and Split
Ends
to a T. In A
Model Child, not only did John Avery Whittaker oppose the idea of
modeling contests, but Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs did as well. They went far
against the idea, explaining the problems derived from modeling, the
emotional problems, and the possible physical problems that can result. And
now we come to a distinct “split end.” In our new episode, Split
Ends, Mandy and Liz, both prominent children on the show, have
been offered a chance to star in an upcoming ‘Hoorah Hair’ commercial
through the efforts of the Empirical Modeling Agency. While the comedic
elements in the episode point to the fact that anyone can have “great
bounce and shine” rejuvenated in their hair, it doesn’t explain the
downsides to modeling as A
Model Child did. AIO has subtly contradicted itself. Unlike the
Jacobs’ parents, who strongly opposed letting their children model, the
Straussberg and Horton parents willingly agree to let their children
“da-a-are to love” their “ha-ai-air” by modeling. So I must ask,
what are the listeners to believe? Are we to believe what A
Model Child taught us, or should we believe the subtle hints favoring
the modeling career as displayed in Split
Ends?
Even with my nagging dissatisfied state resulting from the
contradictions of the episode, I thoroughly enjoyed the episode,
surprisingly enough. When I was first introduced to both Ollie and
Genevieve, I figured that I would become distastefully unpleased with the
obnoxiousosity (is that a word?) of their accents. Fortunately, for my
being, I did not, but only revitalized my first impression of them and
accepted their funny natures. I’m still trying to explain why there is no
negative reaction from Genevieve whenever Mandy or Liz breaks a vase. The
natural reaction is to get either angry or just scared to see glass falling
to the ground.
Yet again, Connie is shed in a poor light by the writers.
In this episode, Connie is a comedic filler, self-absorbed in a false sense
of identity with her realization that her nostrils are uneven. Each scene
starring this maturing teenager alludes to the first scene when Ollie tells
her that she has a lopsided nose. This is shown and wastes air time by the
fact that she is either talking about her nose or flaring her nostrils to
exercise them. Throughout the entire episode, Constance is irritatingly
making references to food courts in the mall as well; I can only wonder if
she is gaining weight. She seems to be thinking about food a lot lately.
If we take a look at the spiritual side of Connie, it
wasn’t really very well based. Connie is repeatedly trying to help Mandy
out by encouraging her to make peace with Liz. In their complete entirety,
Connie’s reasons for why Mandy should forgive her friend are shallow and
dry. Instead of giving specific and helpful scripture references to aid in
her moral-giving, she merely states the fact that “That’s what friends
do, Mandy. They forgive.” No reasons or Bible truths are explained.
Rather, Connie just says a simple “Forgive her!” of sorts.
Personally, despite the contradictions and morals of the
episode, I found Split
Ends
to be an extremely entertaining and satisfying listen.
Jared DeWhite added some good humor to the show with his usual antics and
Mandy and Liz’s different personalities completed the episode. The corny
commercial starring both Mandy and Jared is a personal favorite of mine. The
sound, music, and design all worked together nicely to create a stunning
episode of Adventures in Odyssey.
As a side note, it is interesting to point out that Mandy
and Liz participated in a milkshake slurping contest in this episode,
possibly an intentional event thrown in there to allude to the slurping
contest in A Model Child.
Coincidence? I will keep thinking.
In
conclusion, this episode is both entertaining and teaches a lesson in a new
way. Hopefully AIO will be more careful and avoid contradicting themselves,
however. I give Split
Ends
4
cones out of 5.
Rating
(out of 5 cones):
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