Back to Abnormal
Hebrews 13:8
“Back to Abnormal” is episode #573 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written by Kathy Buchanan, and originally aired on October 1, 2005.
Summary
Finding a job becomes Eugene’s goal after learning he’s not needed at Campbell College. Wooton Bassett tries to help Grady McKay deal with changes at home when his mom starts a new job.
Plot
Eugene Meltsner returns to Campbell County Community College expecting to get his job as a research assistant back. However, the dean he previously worked for has retired and the college isn't hiring any academic positions. Discouraged, Eugene returns to Whit's End with ideas for the Imagination Station. Unfortunately, the ideas have already been implemented or become obsolete in Eugene's absence! Eugene confesses to Whit that he is finding all of the change a bit overwhelming, and Whit counsels him to allow the change to push him into new opportunities.
Meanwhile, Grady and Samantha McKay deal with changes of their own. Their mom has a new job working as a cleaning lady in their apartment building, but she works nights so Grady and Samantha don’t see her as much. Wooton tries to help Grady look through the newspaper want ads to help his mom find another job to no avail.
Bored, Eugene automates his and Katrina's household appliances, much to Katrina's annoyance. When he realizes that his efforts are less-than-appreciated, he decides to try to reconnect with his old Computer Club at the college.
Grady, bored and missing his mother, interrupts his mom's work repeatedly over trivial things, getting her in trouble. Wooton talks to Grady and Samantha about how change can be a good thing, and how important it is for them to try to help their mother as much as possible. He encourages Grady to "be the man of the house" and to try to embrace the changes in their lives. That evening, however, the McKays refrigerator breaks. To keep from bothering their mother, Grady tries to handle the situation himself, but Samantha hurts her leg and their downstairs neighbor yells at them, and Grady has to go get his mother after all.
Eugene relates his "irrelevancy" to Whit after finding that the Computer Club no longer needs him and Whit assures him that he will be indispensable in a new place soon. As they discuss the changes that have occurred in Odyssey, Wooton and Grady come into Whit's End. Grady tells Eugene that his family would love to have a fridge like Eugene made for Katrina, so Eugene comes over to his apartment to help. When they arrive, Eugene realizes that Grady doesn't need a modified fridge, he needs a functional one. There are several other problems with the apartment - exposed wires and jammed windows - all of which Eugene can fix. He begins to see how his talents may be needed in Odyssey again and, after discussing the matter with Katrina, he announces that they will start their own philanthropic corporation to help community members in need. Eugene admits to being excited by the changes occurring in his life and says he is glad that his life isn't "normal" any more.
Discussion Questions
1. What did Eugene mean when he said, "Change can help you change, and that can be a good thing"?
2. If you knew someone like Grady who was struggling to adapt, would 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 be a good verse to share with them? Why or why not?
3. What changes do you look forward to, yet still feel nervous about? How can you prepare so that adapting later on isn't so scary?
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| Dean Douglas Rogers | Eugene Meltsner |
| Kristi McKay | Grady McKay |
| Bradford | Wooton Bassett |
Notes
- Trivia
- The character of Dean Joshua Martin is likely a clever reference to the singer Dean Martin. Because "Dean" is a title referring to the character's position at the college, he is referred to as Dean Martin.
- Whit references his trip to the Middle East in this episode, comparing his own absence with that of Eugene during and after the Novacom Saga.
- This episode marks the second time that Eugene has exasperated the people around him by automating everyday items, the first time being his debut episode: #51: “Connie, Part 1”.
- The Revolutionary War adventure Whit mentions to Eugene is most likely the one Marvin Washington experienced in #508: “The American Revelation, Part 1” and #509: “The American Revelation, Part 2”. The Imagination Station's ability to build a program out of scanned material was also debuted in those episodes.
Reviews
Quotes
Wooton Bassett: Wow, you look lower than my stock in powdered meat!
Katrina Meltsner: Oh, I don't think you know what normal is. I am going to start camping out in the backyard if that toaster reprimands me one more time.
Eugene Meltsner: Now actually Katrina, the toaster has been quite polite.
Katrina Meltsner: I think I have been quite polite! Do you hear what that coffeemaker is saying to me?!
Wooton Bassett: Wow. A self-tucker. I respect that.
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