The Final Conflict
2 Corinthians 10:4
“The Final Conflict” is episode #334 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written by Phil Lollar and Paul McCusker, and originally aired on October 7, 1995.
Summary
The battle between Blackgaard and the gang at Whit's End draws to an explosive close.
Plot
Jason reveals to Jack that the mysterious mineral is a component of a compound called TA-418, which was part of a deadly virus called Ruku. This Ruku was used by a terrorist group Dr. Blackgaard was connected with in Switzerland (see “A Name, Not a Number, Part 1” and "A Name, Not a Number, Part 2"). It’s clear now that everything that has happened in Odyssey — the vandalism, Tom’s recall as mayor, Blackgaard’s candidacy, the scandals — has been part of Blackgaard’s scheme to gain unlimited access to the mineral under Whit’s End.
Jason has the Israelites, Eugene, and Bernard surround Whit’s End to keep a close eye on the mineral. They wind up capturing Jellyfish and Rodney Rathbone as they break into, then try to escape from the discovery emporium.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Dr. Blackgaard tells Philip Glossman that his illness was simply a scam to get out of running for mayor. (A doctor, however, contests this.) Regis now plans to slip out the back of the hospital. Then he’ll go to Whit’s End with Professor Bovril and Jellyfish to get the last of the mineral in the Underground Railroad tunnel under Whit's End. Blackgaard has ordered Glossman to set up a press conference at the hospital, which will put the plan in action.
But things soon backfire. Blackgaard announces his withdrawal from the mayoral race, but he doesn’t endorse Bart Rathbone as his successor. Bart retaliates by blaming Glossman for the things that have been happening around Odyssey. At the police station, Jellyfish tries to get himself off the hook. He confesses to everything, including Blackgaard’s plan to blow up the tunnel and destroy Whit's End. Jason and the police race to the scene.
At Whit's End, Blackgaard realizes that something has gone wrong. He sends Professor Bovril off with a van filled with the mineral. But Eugene and Bernard are lying in wait for the professor and catch him. Blackgaard goes down into the Underground Railroad tunnel to set off the explosives, and comes face-to-face with Jack.
They have a final confrontation in which Jack appeals to Blackgaard to come to Christ. Blackgaard threatens Jack with death, but Jack says he is willing to sacrifice his own life to lead Blackgaard to Jesus. Blackgaard reveals that it is already too late. He indicates that he has sold his soul to the devil; he really does have the Ruku virus. Regis is dying anyway; he has nothing to lose, so he pushes the button. The bomb goes off, collapsing the tunnel. Miraculously, Jack is thrown clear of the explosion. He is all right, but Blackgaard is not.
Later, Jack reflects sadly on the whole affair. He had hoped to help Blackgaard change, but he was so corrupt, now there could only be one destination for him — an eternity without God.
Discussion Questions
- Why did Bart expose Glossman at the press conference?
- Why was Jack so willing to sacrifice his own life for Dr. Blackgaard’s?
- Dr. Blackgaard said that it was “too late” for him. But was it really?
- Is it ever too late to come to Jesus?
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| John Whittaker | Jason Whittaker |
| Tasha Forbes | Jason Whittaker |
| Captain Richard Quinn | Tom Riley |
| Richard Maxwell | Rodney Rathbone |
Notes
PARENTS: This series, known as “Darkeness Before Dawn,” gets extremely intense in places and is therefore not recommended for younger listeners.
- Regis Blackgaard's dialogue with Jack Allen indicates that Dr. Blackgaard might've gone so far as to create some kind of pact with a demon to sell his soul.
- Goofs
- Professor Bovril states that he could have made an "antidote to the virus" that could have saved Dr. Blackgaard. In fact, a person who has been infected with a virus cannot be cured. This can only be done by a vaccine before the person is infected. (Then again, who knows what could be done with that mineral?)
Quotes
Jason Whittaker: What TA-418 does is attach itself to the virus's DNA and cause it to adapt to anything—air, dirt, water... that's what makes it so contagious.
Jack Allen: And deadly. It's hard to believe that's even possible!
Jason Whittaker: I know. But look around you! This whole scheme has been one concentrated effort to get that mineral. Blackgaard has to be stopped, or he'll be able to sell the virus to anyone. He could hold entire nations hostage, and do who knows what with the rest of the mineral!
Jack Allen: Yes...
Jason Whittaker: You're acting awfully calm about all this.
Jack Allen: Calm? I'm terrified. But that can't stop us from doing what we have to do.
Eugene Meltsner: Mr. Walton, you're a genius!
Bernard Walton: Well, thanks, Eugene. It's about time you noticed.
Regis Blackgaard: Fools! Come after me in the tunnel... if you dare.
Jack Allen: I'm not here to save the world, Doctor. I'm not here to save Odyssey or even Whit's End. I'm here for you—for your soul. That's the only thing that matters right now—not money or power or computer programs or viruses or world terrorism... it all comes down to your soul. Why don't you put down the detonator and give yourself up so you'll have time to redeem your soul?
Regis Blackgaard: The flaw in your proposal is that you assume my soul is redeemable. It isn't. I auctioned it off years ago.
Jack Allen: Then you sold yourself cheap. Your soul is worth the life of Jesus Christ. To give it to anyone else is an incredible waste.
Regis Blackgaard: So I suggest you run for your life.
Jack Allen: You don't want to kill me.
Regis Blackgaard: Oh, you fool! Why wouldn't I?! Goodbye, Jack Allen!
Bernard Walton: I just don't get why he would do all this—why anyone would!
Jack Allen: I know. It's hard to understand how a mind like Doctor Blackgaard's worked. I'd hoped to help him change it—one last chance. But a soul so corrupted, so saturated in evil, can only come to one end without Jesus. It's destined for the final conflict... and an eternity without God.
Resources
- Episodes aired 15 times
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