Episode
Reviewed: Called
On in Class (539)
Writer: Bob
Hoose
Director: Bob
Hoose
Production
Engineer: Todd
Busteed
Music
Composer: John
Campbell
Original
Airdate: 2/21/04
Rating (out of 5 cones): 
Episode
Summary
Trent
DeWhite has to give his oral report in class...and the mayhem he imagines is
earth-shattering.
The
Review
I
don't think I have ever heard an Adventures in Odyssey episode quite
like Called
On in Class. I say this from a negative viewpoint, for the episode
itself is a shameful parallel to Disney's Recess cartoon seen on
national television. This isn't Adventures in Odyssey Recess; it is Adventures
in Odyssey. While I like the Recess cartoon (minus the disrespect
of adults, like many of Disney's current cartoons in the lineup), I do not
want Odyssey to imitate secular entertainment, whether intentional or
not. I sat down to listen to this episode after a long week, and expected to
enjoy a new episode. However, that was not the case. I sat down for a very
long half hour of mindless rambling, poorly-planned drama, and incessant
imaginings that could drive one crazy. In my opinion, Called
On in Class is positively shameful.
The
storyline itself was a bit warmed over, a slice of old chocolate pie on top
of a shiny, clean plate. I was not amused by any of the events in the
episode as the main character, Trent, talked about his fear of being
"called on in class." His overwhelming banter and Lawrence Hodges
imaginings were absolutely obnoxious, leaving an unhappy listener at the end
of the show. Lawrence Hodges had a more compact and gifted imagination, one
that amused the listener rather than driving the listener crazy. Trent
DeWhite's imagination was more conniving, pointless, and just a time-filler
for the episode. I don't think I have had to tackle a review in such a
negative aspect in, let's see, probably years. Not since Snow
Day, and even then, there were some good things presented in that
episode. This far surpasses the pointlessness of Snow
Day, removing it from the "bad episodes vault" and placing Called
On in Class in its place. As you can see, I am not pleased with this
episode.
When
I listen to a new episode of Adventures in Odyssey, I am generally
quiet, willing to soak the drama into my mind. This time, however, my mind
was racing with thoughts of anger and boredom. Usually I think only about
the episode as it airs, wondering what will happen next. This time, however,
I actually drifted away from the episode and told my brother that "This
is shameful!" My brother agreed.
The
repetitive flashbacks to the story of Trent's relation to the McAllister's
was the most obnoxious aspect of the episode. In The
Ill-Gotten Deed, AIO tackled the idea of how the town of Odyssey came to
be, but this time I could not pay attention. The characters' voices were
meant to be entertaining, but instead they angered me. I am not a happy
camper. I have never had to write a review in which I have become so worked
up about. The whole idea of Trent's imagination taking over him during class
is overused. The idea of zoning out and then returning back to
"class" every few minutes was both irritating for the listener and
clichéd at most. I heard the teaser for the episode before it aired and I
immediately had an "Oh no, I can see where this is leading"
thought.
The
only thing I can be positive about in this episode is the sound design and
music. While the episode was written and put together in such bad form, the
music and sound effects were very professional. It's just sad to me that the
episode had to be so dumb.
I
have never had to apologize in an episode review, and this is a first. I
apologize for my negativity, but it really could not be helped this time. I
do support Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey program, but I
do not want to hear a Saturday morning cartoon. I am tuning in to hear Adventures
in Odyssey, a family radio drama that helps the listener to forget all
the troubles going on in life and focus on God. I support FOTF and AIO
completely, but when a bad episode arrives, I have to speak the truth.
Knowing this, Called On in Class must
receive a solid half-star rating.
Rating
(out of 5 cones):
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