Episode
Reviewed: Living
in the Gray I & II
(535, 536)
Writer: Marshal
Younger
Director: Marshal
Younger
Production
Engineer: Allen
Hurley
Music
Composer: John
Campbell
Original
Airdate: 1/24/04,
1/31/04
Rating (out of 5 cones): 
Episode
Summary
After
the tumultuous events last season, Connie is still in Washington, DC, and
with her extra time gets to meet up with an old friend...Jimmy Barclay!
The
Review
Part
One >>
The
Fall Season 2003 of Adventures in Odyssey left me on a cliffhanger. I
hate it when that happens. Then again, I guess you could say that's a tactic
AIO, as well as radio programs and television shows alike, uses to attract
your attention when the new season comes around again. It looks like they
did a good job, considering the cliffhanger I was left to hang on (imagine
that) at the end of Something Blue.
Unless
you haven't heard the episode, you're going to (most likely) agree with my
annoyance at Jimmy Barclay's girlfriend, Felicia. Felicia is, in Donna's
words, a pimple on the face of my life. It's hard to watch a character
you've seen grow up fictionally all these years entangled with such a flake.
I'm not talking about corn flakes here; I'm talking about the kind of flakes
you don't want in your system. It was nice for AIO to introduce a new
character -- in this case Jimmy's girlfriend -- to the show, but it was
definitely overdone. They definitely succeeded in introducing a flaky
personality, however.
Anytime
I hear the voice of one or more of the Barclay's, my ears are stapled to the
radio. I was naturally depressed when the Barclay's had to take a trip of no
return to start a new life in Pokenberry Falls, and I've always been looking
forward to another update with them. This time was totally different.
Instead of jamming with the Barclay's in Pokenberry Falls, we meet up with
them [George and Jimmy] outside of Odyssey, outside of Pokenberry Falls. As
a matter of fact, they're in Washington. The location and the events leading
the listener into the drama affect how he or she perceives it. I perceived
the change in Jimmy's character in a negative way. It hurts to see that
Jimmy is working for a rot gut tabloid. It hurts to see that he has been
desensitized to dishonesty. All these factors are contributing to the plot,
but it sure isn't easy for me to listen to.
Connie's
stakeout scene was very enjoyable, especially as she sings to herself. As a
whole, Living
in the Gray has been a perfect season opener. Not necessarily the
brightest start, but I'm sure the sun will come out soon.
The
Review
Part
Two >>
There's
just nothing like an episode that makes references to the older shows of Adventures
in Odyssey. I was pleasantly surprised when George Barclay reminded his
son about the events that unfolded so many years ago in The
Prodigal, Jimmy. AIO does that every once in a while, but not enough.
AIO fans are needy. We need to be reminded of things and we need to see an
interconnecting system.
Marriage
is an important thing, and even though it wasn't the main focus of the
episode, AIO did a wonderful job of capturing the meaning of marriage
throughout the episode. In today's society, there are just too many
marriages that aren't working out. Marriage in our society is a contract,
not a covenant, when in reality, marriage is a covenant, not a legal
document that can be broken. Hooray for AIO in that they were able to get
that truth in, and also the fact that marriages can be rekindled.
The
music in this episode, as well as part one, was very well mixed. I wasn't
overwhelmed with music rather than speaking parts, and the speaking parts
themselves were very well acted. David Griffen,
the voice of Jimmy, never ceases to amaze me with his great acting. If only
he could come back on the show every now and then, as well as the rest of
his family! Now I say it's time for Donna and Mary Barclay to show up for a
visit.
The
portrayal of Connie's character wasn't ditsy, surprisingly. AIO has been
patching up its mistakes with Connie's ditsy behavior in previous episodes,
and thank goodness. Instead of ditsy, "goo goo" behavior, Connie
has been more mature in her relationships with people. It was a perfect
touch for her to be the one who is reminding Jimmy of his existing
conscience and what is important.
All
in all, parts one and two of this episode have been some of the best season
openers I have heard in a long time. Other season openers in the past have
not drawn me in as much as this one has, although that's probably due to the
Barclays' reappearance. I give Living
in the Gray I & II
4 and 1/2 cones out of 5.
Rating
(out of 5 cones):
Back to Reviews
