A Code of Honor
Ephesians 2:10
“A Code of Honor” is episode #293 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Paul McCusker, and originally aired on December 17, 1994.
Summary
Jack Allen and Jason Whittaker find a mysterious codebook in Whit's workroom that leads them to a secret gang called the Israelites.
Plot
While going through Whit’s workroom, Jack and Jason come across an old book filled with what seems to be a handwritten code. Jason is intrigued and decides to decipher it. It is a logbook for a group that called themselves “The Israelites.” But some entries don’t make sense. Many have names with words beside them like “paint” or “clean.” Now Jack, who has picked up the book, is intrigued. He asks Connie if she recognizes any of the names in the book. At first, she says no, but then she sees the name “Emma Douglas.”
Connie remembers that Emma used to work at Whit’s End before Connie came. Jack goes to Emma. After a lot of coaxing, Emma tells Jack what she knows. She says the Israelites were a “gang” formed by Whit to do anonymous good deeds around Odyssey. Emma remembers one boy in particular: Billy MacPherson.
Jack and Jason go looking for Billy the next day. They find him working in a gas station near Connellsville. Billy is happy to talk about his involvement with the Israelites and inadvertently reveals that he hasn’t been to church much lately. Jack encourages him to go, then hands over the Israelite Chronicles. Billy remembers that the code is "a starts with 5." Jack feels that with all the gangs these days who do evil deeds, maybe a gang who does good deeds is an idea that needs to come around again.
- This plot section is too short and should be expanded. »
Discussion Questions
- Why did Jack feel it was so important to unravel the mystery of the Israelites?
- Do you think Jack’s dreams meant anything?
- Have you had dreams like Jack did?
- Do you think a “good gang” is a good idea?
- Why or why not?
- Would you like to belong to a group like the Israelites?
- Why or why not?
Cast
Heard in episode
| Role | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Billy McPherson | David Buller |
| Connie Kendall | Katie Leigh |
| Emma Douglas | Flo Di Re |
| Jack Allen | Alan Young |
| Jason Whittaker | Townsend Coleman |
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| John Whittaker | Jack Allen |
| Tom Riley | Connie Kendall |
| Mark Prescott | Emma Douglas |
Notes
- Trivia
- This episode revisits and develops several elements originally featured in the Adventures in Odyssey novels. These include the following:
- The idea of a “good gang” called the Israelites, which was based on a real-life “good gang” that secretly helped people around town.
- Emma Douglas putting to rest a rather irritating fact hinted at in The Secret Cave of Robinwood: the idea that Whit would tell parents all about the Israelites while telling the kids that it was a secret (a rather patronizing thing to do). Luckily for his character, Emma assures Jack that Whit "wouldn't do that. He told me just enough to calm me down."
- Connie referencing the fact that Emma Douglas worked briefly at Whit's End — a fact mentioned in Strange Journey Back.
- This episode is the first to mention acts of vandalism occurring in Odyssey. This aspect would be further highlighted in Album 25: Darkness Before Dawn.
- When Jack and Jason are looking through Whit's old files and paper work, Jason mentions seeing a prototype for the Imagination Station that looked like an old phone booth—a reference to the early video series episodes, as well as several early audio episodes such as #184: “Isaac the Chivalrous”.
- Connie mentions Charlie Brown and Snoopy from the comic strip Peanuts in this episode.
- Goofs
- In #262: “A Prayer for George Barclay”, Whit says that George Barclay painted Emma Douglas's garage. However, in this show, Emma Douglas said that Billy McPherson was the last person to paint her garage. Billy painted it long before George could have.
Quotes
Jason Whittaker: That's Dad—never satisfied with one idea. He has to keep working at it until he's explored every nook and cranny.
Jack Allen: Something you obviously inherited. It seems to me you spent weeks trying to build a rocket ship that would take you to... where did you want to go?
Jason Whittaker: Ah, the planet Gilbatron in the Beakner galaxy.
Jack Allen: You used to play around with codes when you were young, didn't you?
Jason Whittaker: Well, a little. Actually, you could say I still do. As a hobby.
Jack Allen: Anything interesting in the newspaper this morning?
Connie Kendall: Charlie Brown told Snoopy that he's getting a new food dish, but other than that...
Jack Allen: I meant on the front page.
Connie Kendall: Why do you keep calling him Uncle Jack?
Jason Whittaker: Because he's always been like an uncle to me, but he thinks I'm too old to call him "Uncle" now...maybe he's right. Are you right right, Uncle Jack?
Jack Allen: Huh?
Jason Whittaker: Of course, I didn't expect us to get lost for an hour.
Jack Allen: It's these small back roads. You have the map; where are we going?
Jason Whittaker: I can't tell. This map only has the major roads. Watch out for that... oof! Pot hole.
Jack Allen: I was wondering if you ever heard of a group called the Israelites.
Emma Douglas: The who?
Jack Allen: The Israelites.
Emma Douglas: Course I have.
Jack Allen: Ah, good.
Emma Douglas: They're all through the Old Testament. Don't you ever read your Bible?
Resources
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