Album 56 Back Cover

I'm not sure if this is new or not. But album 56 has hit the Focus bookstore, and with that here's the back cover, complete with all the themes for the episodes.

That's all for now. Have any thoughts about the themes of the episodes? Go ahead and comment.

This is Freddy Jay, connecting the gap between Odyssey and YOU!

Exploration Station: More Blogs

Here are a few more blogs for your consideration. They are worth checking out.

I've hit on some of the others, but here are some podcasts to check out.

The Boredom Buster Podcast
Abbie and Mandy's AIO Podcast
World Famous Odyssey Podcast

I haven't had the chance to listen to their podcasts, however I've heard great things about them and they are worth checking out.

The Agent's Blog:
Some of you may remember a blog run by Agent 3XQ. After almost a year of silence, it seems he's made a return. Still as looney as ever. He's the one that claims I have a plot to take over the world with a herd of flying mutant ninja squirrels and a pack of walking twinkies. If you'd like to check him out, Go here, but be warned he has some pretty wild stuff.

This has been Freddy Jay in the Exploration Station, connecting the gap between Odyssey and YOU!

Odyssey Connection: Hate, More than Just a Word

A bit ago I was watching an episode of Seventh Heaven. That show is amazing. It's a slice of life show that touches on real life lessons just like AIO. Granted some of the lessons are for a more mature audience. In this particular episode, the Camdens learned about hate. Ruthy learned that parents sometimes do things kids don't understand or like, but hate is a strong word that shouldn't be thrown around. Lucy and Mary hated a girl for no reason, and due to this caused problems between the girl and Matt. They all learned how troublesome hate is, and that love is a more appropriate action.

After watching this episode it made me think of the episode; The Greatest of These. Robyn learns a lesson about loving unconditionally.

Head to Head: Bernard Walton Vs.Red & Kramer

 Atttteeeeention OOOOOOoooodyssssssey Fans! It's time for HEAD 2 HEAD! In todays segment we're going to pit two of Odyssey's beloved characters against each other. Wait what's that? We're pitting two against one? It seems we have a change of plans folks. Today is a special Head 2 Head. So fasten your seat belts and lean in. In this corner we have Bernard Walton (BW), and in this corner we have  Red Hollard and Mrs. Kramer (RK) Who will come out on top?

Occupation:
 BW: Bernard has his own business as a janitor for the fair citizens of Odyssey. Businesses especially love Bernard's skill at window washing as it saves time, and Bernard's low prices can't be beat. Bernard is also the host for a local TV show called B-TV.

RK: Red is a handyman and skilled with a hammer and a saw. Mrs. Kramer works for the Library and busies herself with all the available clubs in the community.

Winner:

Something Old, Someting New, Part 2, Review

Something Old, Something New, Part 2

 Having Mitch come back in the episode feels forced. The opening scene of this part is understadable. It shows us Connie's feelings and makes us wonder if she regrets calling it off with Mitch. Mitch's match is Maureen. 

Now we find out that "CG" is really Mitch. But at this point we don't know the connection between Mitch and the MW (Mystery Woman). The whole thing feels out of the box to me, and hard to completely follow... 

Eugene bumps into Mitch and Maureen. Penny's comment "I'm having trouble with these plot twists" is completely accurate, and ironic that she'd say that. 

Something Old, Something New, Part 1 Review

Something Old, Something New, Part 1

This episode was one of those where I heard rumors about it, so therefore I wasn't looking forward to it... For one I heard that it was going to be a J&P Detective Agency episode, and for two I heard that Mitch was coming back. 

This episode opens with Connie complaining that Dreams by Constance doesn't get much business anymore. It's great hearing that she still has this business. It played a small part in the Mystery of the Clock Tower too. Penny being Penny offers to help Connie advertise.

Child's Play Review

Child's Play 

Eugene has been around kids on AIO for as long as he has been on the show. And now that he's received news that they can't have kids, he doubts whether kids really like him or not. At first this seemed silly to me, but on the other hand, sometimes thoughts and circumstances have their way of ganging up on us. In the opening scene it kind of felt like Eugene was being really hard on himself. I think a lot of his thinking is coming from the fact that he can't have children and is trying to peg a reason for it.
In the next scene Katrina mentions to Eugene that she has agreed to watch two kids over the weekend. This episode presents us the situation many fans have longed for;

Sergeant York Review

Sergeant York
 Instead of doing each part, due to the nature of this episode will review it as a whole.

I was really excited about this one. Partly because it's Odyssey's first 4 part episode, (Not counting Plan B) it features Red Hollard, and it's a history episode. Sergeant York is one story that I hadn't heard, before and his story easily became a favorite of mine. the fact that it has Red in it makes it even better. Red assists Eugene in telling York's story on kids radio, and it's well done.

Exploration Station: More AIO Blogs

As you may know there are quite a few AIO blogs out there now. I covered some in a past post, but here are a few more.


These first two if you haven't heard album 56 yet and don't want spoilers, AVOID THEM!.

Adventures in Odyssey Thoughts:
This blog has some interesting posts. When you get there the most recent post is on Great Expectations. It's a great review but if you don't want spoilers, I wouldn't check it out just yet.

The Adventures in Odyssey Daily News:
This blog tries to do a post about everyday. And so far has been doing reviews for album 56. It's a cool blog, but if you don't want spoilers STAY AWAY! He's covered all the episodes through The Lost Riddle, and the last four will come in his next post. He's also working on updating his blog to a site which will be available next month.


Just Another Odyssey Blog:
This blog is a bit more complex. It has several pages to check out. Adventures in Connelsville features installments of a story that Alex is writing. JAAIOPP (Just Another AIO Podcast) is his page that features his podcasts. While I haven't listened to all of the only podcast that is currently available, what I did hear was pretty good. This blog also features a Response to the Soda Shop page, where he writes about current discussions on the Soda Shop message board.

Campbell County:
This is a message board, it's centered around Odyssey, but also provides spaces to discuss other varieties of topics. Here you earn a currency called seashells and can spend them on various things in the shop. I encourage you to check it out and see if you like it.

There's still more AIO blogs to cover, so expect another post about them in the near future. What do you think about these AIO blogs/sites? You could comment here, but I'm sure they want to hear what you think too.
With that, that about wraps it up for today. This has been Freddy Jay connecting the gap between Odyssey and YOU!

55 & 56 Wallpaper and Facebook Covers

Here are a couple of backgrounds if you want them. Also with them are facebook covers. To use these simply click to view the full size version and then save as to save them to a folder and from there you can apply them to your use.

Facebook Covers

Backgrounds

Mistaken For Good Review

Mistaken for Good

Once you have a reputation it's hard to reset it. Jay is no exception. He's got a reputation for being rough, and picking on others. So far Jay has pretty much shown more bad than good, but unlike Rodney Jay expresses feelings like guilt and compassion. Vance is the type that seeks out ways to hurt others and scam money. Vance scares Jay, and Vance knows that he can get Jay to do things. This episode pushes Jay to a new level. I really enjoyed this episode, it shows Jay doing the right thing even when it meant putting himself under the bus. It's funny how Mrs. Kramer is appearing all over Odyssey, but it's kind of cool. It shows that she likes getting involved with the town, and you never really know when she could turn up next. Jay getting the music box for Mrs. Wilson, was so nice and the fact that he wasn't wanting anything in return makes it even more unlike the Jay we're used to.

To Mend or Repair Review

To Mend or Repair

 This was an episode I really looked forward to, and amongst message boards such as Campbell County, it had fans speculating and frantic to find out what the news could be that Eugene and Katrina got.

This episode is handled fantastically. The tone is really sad,

The Labyrinth, Part 3 Review

The Labyrinth Part 3

 In this episode things pick up the pace really quick. Jason figures out most of the information he gets from conversations he has. The idea of a toxic powder being shaped into a vase and released into the air by way of having it sit at room temperature is genius on Mr. Grote's part. In some ways, this mission was one of Jason's easier cases. Mycroft gives Jason information as to where the vases are in the museum, and they get a hold of authorities by way of Mycroft letting them keep their cell phone.

The Labyrinth, Part 2 Review

I was doing some checking, and it's been nearly 5 months since I reviewed the first part of the Labyrinth... And I can say this is one of my favorites to have to review.

The Labyrinth, Part 2

This part opens with Sue and Dale handing the briefcase, that they got from Jason's hotel room, over to Jason. Sue's line "What's a typewriter" cracks me up every time,

Childish Things Review

Childish Things

This episode opens with Penny worrying about how she can trust people. In an effort to find a sure fire method to figuring out who she can trust she turns to body language. After a few minutes the listener is found laughing with Penny as she tries to figure this out. This episode also strengthens the relationship going between Penny and Wooton. The happenings at the restaurant make the listener wonder if Penny knows that Wooton likes her. Penny on the other hand hasn't really suggested that she has further feelings for him than just friends. This episode takes a humorous approach to the theme Putting Away Childish Things. Penny automatically makes judgments against Henri due to his body language. at first the notion of this episode was kind of hard for me to grasp. Why would Penny be so easily persuaded to try this method because of a book. But after listening a couple more times, it kind of grew on me. It really is a pretty funny episode, and overall it's not bad.

A Deeper Look: Penny Wise

Penny Wise

I present to you today Penny Wise. Penny Wise is a fairly new character to adventures in Odyssey, introduced in album 53 The Green Ring Conspiracy. While some people think of her as Wooton's long lost fraternal twin, or soul mate, there's more to Penny than meets the eye...well ear.  When we first hear from Penny in Part three of GRC,she perks our interest a little right away with her name.

Connie: Like Penny Wise and a Pound of Foolish?
Penny: Yes and I guess Connie Kendall goes with the expression Connie Kendall kicked a copper kettle carelessly.
Connie: That's an expression really?
 Penny: No, But I think every name should have an expression to go with it don't you?
Connie: Well i never really thought about it.
Penny: you would if you had a name like Penny Wise.

Other AIO Blogs to Check Out!

Some of you may have noticed that my links page is a little out dated and a bunch of the blogs in there are no longer going. However what you may not know is that there are a bunch of newer blogs to check out. Here are some of them and my thoughts on each.

The Unofficial AIO Blog:
This blog has a number of pages and features. The imagination Station page has outward links to other AIO blogs and podcasts. The USS page features reports on happenings in the message board the Soda Shop. The Jason and Mitch: Secret Agents page features a fanfiction about the famous agents of Odyssey And the character profiles page. The blog part usually includes reviews, and news. I like the ideas that this blog has going.

Twists and Turns
This blog is on the larger side. It has several features including the Court room, and Cast and Crew take 2. These two have to be unique to this blog. He calls himself the Old Judge, and so the Court Room he uses as a place to write lengthy articles related to Odyssey. His latest being about the Gallery, and going into why they should use it again. Another reason this blog is unique is it not only covers news realted to Odyssey, but covers regular updates on a lot of the Odyssey blogs. And it really works. This is one of my favorite of the new blogs that are around now. It's worth checking out.

A Town Called Odyssey
This blog is on the smaller side of things. The posts are short, but they get their point across. So far it's mainly been posts on what she thinks of different things on the show. Not really a whole lot of news. Check it out.

This next one isn't an AIO blog, but it's still worth checking out.

Flickers of Truth:
This blog presents biblical truths with it's posts. It's pretty interesting, and fairly new.

There are many other newer ones out there, and I will cover others later. This has been Freddy Jay connecting the gap between the Odyssey blogs and YOU!

Unbecoming Jay Review

 Unbecoming Jay Review

Odyssey has had it's share of bullies over the years.Rodney Rathbone, Rusty Gordon,  and the other bones of Wrath, and now in the post 50 we're presented with two bully-like characters Jay and Vance. Jay as the title implies is in this episode. Jay is more than just a bully though, he's often used to add a laugh to the episode and this episode is no exception. Jay is a prime example of how sometimes, ones mouth can work faster than ones brain and not always make sense. Barrett showing Cindy around adds class to Barrett's character. And Jay ditching Cindy was totally like Jay. This episode strengthens the little crush thing that Barrett and Priscilla have going. We get the impression that...

How to Sink a Sub, Review

While I normally don't post on Sunday, I wanted to get at least one review done today if not more in an effort to catch up. So here's How to Sink a Sub.

How to Sink a Sub

When I was in elementary school and even high school, I always looked forward to having a substitute teacher. And like every school, you get ones you love ad ones you dislike. Well, Odyssey is no exception. I was pleased to see Katrina as a sub. It opens up episodes like this one and You're Two Kind. Valery and Jay's reactions to Katrina's strict teaching are exactly as we would react to ones we didn't like. This fast is episode is fast paced and hilarious. Some of the pranks that the students play

Emily the Genius, Review

Emily the Genius Review

I thought I'd work on some of the reviews I haven't done yet... Here's Emily the Genius.

This episode begins with Emily finding out that according to her test results she's a genius. Right away, I knew something was up. Don't get me wrong, Emily is a smart kid. But first of all her vocabulary sounds very down to earth, and on first impressions one wouldn't get the idea that she's as smart as Eugene,  or Matthew even. However the angle of this episode is rather impressive. Later Emily is told that

Things I'd like to see on Odyssey

Over the years Odyssey has covered lots of ground. Some of the albums carry out a theme throughout the whole  album that covers a particular passage or chapter. In Album 17 each episode title is a different part of the lords prayer. And then in Album 54, Each episode focuses on parts of 1 Corinthians 13 and the newest album sounds like it's centered around Whit's inventions.

The themed albums are great, though Odyssey always does a great job in tying a theme or lesson into every episode. However I think there are some themes that they haven't done for an album that would be great to see sometime soon.

The Armor of God- While there are only 6 pieces of armor, I think the themes for each could easily be expanded into multi-part episodes. And if it wasn't a whole album maybe it could a focus of one episode. But really each piece has a valuable lesson of it's own. Biblical or absolute truth, righteousness, readiness to witness, faith, using the Bible as our sword against the devil, and salvation. It's all so important to our walk with Christ

In the Deep End we saw Jason again, and the hope that he'll return to Odyssey. It's been confirmed that Jason will be in album 56 in the 2 part episode called Home Again. I really would like to see Jason in a new start away from Odyssey. Perhaps a mini series where we hear from Jason from time to time, and he helps other kids in another town.

What would you like to see on Odyssey? Let me know in the comments.

Oh one more thing. CC Connection is now on Google + to make it easier to share things if you wish. Feel free to follow.

And that's all for now. This has been Freddy Jay connecting the gap between Odyssey and YOU!

Album 56 Summaries!

The sumarries have been posted! If you haven't seen them yet, here they are!


The Perfect Church, Parts I and II: After Matthew sees the problems and conflicts at his own church, Whit sends him on an Imagination Station adventure to witness the very first church in the book of Acts.

Great Expectations: As Emily pursues her hopes and dreams, she journeys in the Imagination Station to see Whit as a young boy.

For Three Dollars More: When Barrett questions the value of tithing, Matthew, Connie, and Whit send him on trips in the Room of Consequence to see the results of his actions.

The Bible Network: Kids' Radio plays out the value of reading Scripture in three acts - a game show called "Who's the Real Sheep," a crime drama "BSI: Bible Study Investigation," and an intensive training regime called "Bible Boot Camp."

Happy Hunting: Penny Wise embarks on a frantic search to find happiness, but in the process she makes everyone around her miserable.

The Holy Hoopster: Ryan Cummings makes a series of seemingly miraculous last-second shots for his basketball team which makes him a celebrity - both for the hoops and for acknowledging Jesus.

The Lost Riddle:Emily and Matthew discover a series of riddles from decades past stuck in the corner of her locker.

Groundhog Jay:After Jay pushes Priscilla into an unexpected trip in the Room of Consequence, the two of them experience the same event over and over again.

Home Again, Parts I and II: When Jason Whittaker finally returns to Odyssey for peace and quiet, the excitement surrounding his return makes it hard to find either.


I'm lookig forward to the majority of this album. But I'm gonna hold out until I can get the physical copy. I'm especially interested in The Perfect Church 1-2, Great Expectations, The Lost Riddle and Home Again 1-2, and Holy Hoopster.

I believe that's all for today. This has been Freddy Jay, connecting the gap between Odyssey and You!

I've Returned! I Hope.

Hey guys, I'm back. I'm not sure, but I hope to do at least one post a week. I also intend to get more reviews up.  For now, there are a few pieces of news that I'm really excited about.

Album 56 is now available to download from cbd. Buy it and listen NOW!


So now we know all the titles, along with the album description which is;
 It seems like everyone in Odyssey is looking for something. As Emily pursues her hopes and dreams, she journeys in the Imagination Station to see Whit as a young boy. Penny goes hunting for happiness but her search makes her miserable. And Jay must figure out a strange program in the Room of Consequence that could lead to an unwanted ending. Through his invention and wise counsel, Whit guides the folks in Odyssey along the right path.

This album also features Kids Radio, an Inspiration Station adventure, the Odyssey Owls basketball team, Jason Whittaker's return to Odyssey, and an episode on tithing.

Also from the download page, you can hear a 30 second preview of the episode.

Here are the titles and what i think the episode could be based off the title. I'll do another post later basing my predictions on the previews.

The Perfect Church, Parts 1-2
 Odyssey first church developes a new strategy and focuses on becoming the "perfect church". But are they taking the wrong approach? Encouraging perfect attendance and perfect behavior. But the thing that is missing is keeping God in the church and not focusing on perfection.


Great Expectations:
Matthew Parker is told over and over that one day he will be great and do amazing things. But he's tired of hearing what he's going to do and wants to see it now. Mr. Whittaker throws together a room of consequence program for him that turns out to be more than Matthew wanted.

For Three Dollars More:
Olivia Parker starts making money by selling her new hobby: Bracelets. The problem is with this new flow of money she must decide to become a good steward of her money. Which she soon finds out that this should also mean giving some to the church too.

 The Bible Network:
Mr. Whittaker finds a new way to teach the kids about the Bible, he calls it; the Bible Network. This new invention presents a verse with a bolded word. The bolded word is a key word of a new verse and one they click on the bolded word it takes them to the new verse. The kids really enjoy this new method of learning, but when it disappears, fingers point in every direction to figure out  what happened to the Bible Network.

Happy Hunting:
I actually listened to this one already due to the free episode give away. So no pre-thoughts on this one. But if you want to listen to this one now, you can here.

The Holy Hoopster:
The Odyssey Owls are back in season, and the new assistant coach wants to bring prayer to the locker rooms before the games. The head coach, Chan Fang has a slight problem with the clash in beliefs who will win out?

The Lost Ridde:
Eugene and Katrina are watching Kyle and Joy again. This time, Kyle explores the attic with Eugene and they find a secret  message on a piece of paper that was hidden in one of the loose floor boards. They struggle to find out it's meaning.

Groundhog Jay:
On groundhog Day, Jay is determined to find a groundhog to see if they really do determine whether winter stays or goes. Meanwhile, Olivia has gotten into the habbit of saying good luck! Both learn that God is in control not Earthly things.

Home Again, Parts 1-2:
Jason is back in the Odyssey area, but he doesn't make his presence known to all the citizens of his town. He tries to  get back into the routine, but under a different name. Someone recognizes him, and he makes the paper. What will Jason be forced to do?

Note the descriptions are just my imagination at work, however the titles are real. I'm looking forward to this season as I have been so far, What are your thoughts on the upcoming titles? Feel free to comment.