Episode Reviewed: The Taming of the Two (528)

Writer: Nathan Hoobler

Director: Nathan Hoobler

Production Engineer: Jonathan Crowe

Music Composer: John Campbell

Original Airdate: 10/11/03

Rating (Out of 5 cones):

 

The Taming of the Two

[Episode Info]

Episode Summary: Bart Rathbone has a proposal for Edwin Blackgaard...become the voice of the Electric Palace! But Edwin would rather pull his toenails out than agree to such a thing. Where will Bart turn for help?

 

Theme: Teamwork

“I don't know nothin' about Shakespeare, 'cept that stuff I found on a cereal box.” [Bart Rathbone]

 

The Review

As the third episode of the new season, The Taming of the Two took a new twist. There was a bit of fun-to-listen-to arguing, a little humor, and a more rounded side of Nick Mulligan. I found this episode to be quite entertaining, and Nathan Hoobler sure did a good job of pulling this one off.

 

It's interesting to point out that this episode was written around an audition, and the guy who wrote it also made his directorial debut on Adventures in Odyssey. It's interesting to see how episodes are put together in regards to the work of directors. In some episodes the acting just isn't right and that sets off the storyline. However, that isn't the case with The Taming of the Two. Nathan Hoobler seems to be very alert of what good acting is, and when someone messes up, it's probably important to him that it's done perfectly. I was surprised at how well this episode was done, considering Nathan hadn't directed before.

 

When I heard Malcolm Lear talk for the first time as he entered the Electric Palace, I reacted negatively. I thought something like, "Oh no... two Edwin Blackgaard's in Odyssey," but as the episode built up, Malcolm was quite an astonishing character. He has a bit of an arguing streak, but that makes the episode all the more exciting. His never-ending arguments with Edwin Blackgaard were a real hoot, and it was fun to get to know Edwin's more selfish side.

"I've been experiencing a decline in thoughts of negativity this season, and the episode I just heard invites me to recline and listen again."

Seeing a more human side of Bart Rathbone was a different approach as well. Bart isn't portrayed as the bad guy in this show and it's good to see that Bart can be normal at times. I mentioned earlier that we got to see a more rounded side of Nick Mulligan. He and Xavier made for a nice pairing as friends in this episode because I was getting the impression that Xavier would be one of the outcasts of Odyssey; in other words, the one who is just there, no friends to hang out with. Their renditions of Shakespeare's work and Whit's guidance made for a nice combination. At the end when he is at a last resort as he chooses Nick and Xavier to be his commercial voices, I chuckled at the thought of it. After all, they are sophisticated-like, aren't they?

 

The moral of this episode was rather basic, though an important one. I like the "Edwin-ized" music that John Campbell tends to use whenever Edwin shows up in an episode. It gives me the feeling that something humorous will happen and it's perfect for Harlequin Theatre listening.

 

I've been experiencing a decline in thoughts of negativity this season, and the episode I just heard invites me to recline and listen again.

 

 

The Rating

All in all, a very good episode. Nathan Hoobler wins again! I give The Taming of the Two 4 and 1/2 out of 5 cones.


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