The Soda Shop Message Boards

On technicality, a couple of your points could be correct. However, it is an entirely differing matter in a continuing story, which is, essentially, what AiO is. A nice, smooth flow, without sudden bumps or turns, is perfect to convey a point. Valerie does not provide this. Did you see my list? I have four major points, not including the clubhouse magazine articles. Four personalities is too many, especially when thy clash, and are presented without explanation. In regard to your question about my meaning with 'evil mastermind', Sink a Sub is not what I am referring to. I am mainly pointing to Valerie's role in Kidsboro, when she plotted an essential government takeover, using her knowledge of blackmail and enlightened persuasion. As for 'gratuitous', it's very definition is 'without justification'. I am attempting to explain that we are given no justification for Valerie's ill-doing. We have no background on her life, and no reason for her motivation. A mystery is never solved until we know why the criminal did what they did. We have no clue as to Valerie's motivation. Thus, we have no justification for her actions, or for Valerie as a character. I fail to see how my statement is contradictory.

Did you mean 'protagonist'? Valerie would Be the antagonist. Finally, you seem to be mixing real life and AiO. Adventures in Odyssey has always strived to include doses of the real world, without conforming to it. I am not condemning any real-life Valerie's, I am making an observation that she is too loud and obnoxious to let someone else convey a point. Also, keep in mind that I never said Valerie should be definitely removed; I said that she needs repair work, or she will continue to bring the show downhill. I honestly wouldn't mind keeping her, just so long as we are given justification for her actions. To help you see this, I have included some of the past posts on this topic.

My opinion is that they should tweak her voice, give us some background and her motivation for wrong-doing, and make her a little more human and realistic. Then she might not be such a pointless character. Other than that AiO does a great job. They could use some re-tuning here and there, but other than that, they do some amazing work.

As for the next dilemma, I have a Bible verse to share.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
- Philippians 4:8

My simple question is: Does Valerie help us to do this?


On a slightly more positive note, I would not have full justification for these arguments if I did not suggest a solution. I feel that there are a few courses of action that can be used to mend the wake of destruction left by Valerie.

1) Dump her character and instead use a wider selection of the kids at their school. For example, one person causes a problem, we learn just a little of their story, and then they hand the spotlight to a main character. However, a wider variety of 'bullies' could result in disorientation.

2) Complete Valerie's character. Finish the baking process. Give us some background, some reason for her motivation, and some of the consequences of her choices. Let us know why she acts the way she does, and wrap up the ending so we are left with a feeling of completion and satisfaction. In all, help her to give up the spotlight for the main character.

3) Fill in her role with Vance or possibly Jay. Let Vance take over the 'school troublemaker' role again. However, he would not interact with the girls as well, so there would still be a gap. The combination of Jay and Olivia could be used more at school.

4) Replace Valerie with another girl. This would be the most complicated solution. Maybe instead of using a pointless person, they could introduce a mellower girl who causes trouble occasionally, but without such a strong personality.

5) Do nothing about her. This would eventually lead to Valerie
a) Taking over the school (just kidding, she may get expelled)
b) Fizzling out
c) continuing to randomly cause trouble
Any one of these would be a source of confusion and distraction, and will only go downhill from there.

Over all, I feel that Valerie is a dark splotch on an otherwise clean board, but I still feel that she is not beyond resurrection. There is still hope, provided that there is change, SOON![/quote]


It is nice to meet you. I look forward to future conversations.

P.S. what were your other points? Would you like to discuss them?