The Nemesis, Part 1
Psalm 46:1
“The Nemesis, Part 1” is episode #77 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Phil Lollar, and originally aired on July 8, 1989.
Summary
The mysterious Dr. Regis Blackgaard wants to open an "amusement house" for children. When it seems he won't win the city council's approval to build, he resorts to questionable methods. (Part 1 of 2)
Plot
Odyssey City Council is in a heated session, and the item of the moment is whether the town should grant a business license to Dr. Regis Blackgaard. Blackgaard's biggest advocate is Philip Glossman — the man who opposed selling Whit's End to Whit — and the main holdout is Tom Riley. Tom's concern is that no one, including Dr. Blackgaard, really knows what kind of business Blackgaard's Castle will be. All that's certain is that it'll be a place for kids.
An argument ensues between Tom and Glossman. Whit finally intervenes, suggesting that they wait a week to vote on whether they should grant Blackgaard a business license. Everyone agrees. The meeting breaks up, and Blackgaard tells Glossman that they'll have to make sure Whit and Tom are out of the way when they take the vote.
Meanwhile, back at Whit's End, Eugene is concerned to see Lucy talking to Richard Maxwell. Then Connie wanders in and is shocked to find that Eugene is working at Whit's End again. Connie and Lucy talk. Connie learns that Lucy is still resentful that Connie sent her home from Camp What-A-Nut (see #75: “Connie Goes to Camp, Part 2”). Lucy leaves. Connie feels disappointed by her visit and decides to leave... with Richard. On the way out, she runs into Whit and Tom. Connie has another brief, strained, and quiet conversation, and then she excuses herself.
Tom asks Whit why he didn't rehire Connie like he did Eugene. Whit sadly replies that Connie has to ask for her job back. Whit says he could rehire Eugene because he knew firsthand that Eugene has learned his lesson. But Whit can't say that about Connie. He doesn't know if she understands yet why he fired her. When she's ready, he'll be there for her. Until then, he'll pray.
Outside, Richard Maxwell tells a confused Connie that there are other places in town to work. Richard invites her to come and meet his boss. Connie agrees, and Richard takes her across town, where she makes the acquaintance of Dr. Regis Blackgaard.
Dr. Blackgaard's original design by Bruce Day.
Blackgaard and Glossman during the events of this episode, as depicted in Elsewhere in Odyssey.
Discussion Questions
- Why were Whit and Tom opposed to “Blackgaard’s Castle”?
- Why was Lucy so influenced by Richard Maxwell?
- Connie got her job back because Lucy lied. Is it okay to lie if something good can result from it?
- Why or why not?
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| Jenny Whittaker | John Whittaker |
| Nicholas Adamsworth | Richard Maxwell |
| Jill (a) | Lucy Cunningham-Schultz |
Notes
VERSION DIFFERENCE: [view] The broadcast version of this episode begins with Chris biking up and down a hill. She explains how life is a series of up and down hills.
- Trivia
- This episode introduces the evil Dr. Regis Blackgaard.
- This episode was originally titled "The Arcade," and Dr. Blackgaard was originally named Jonathan Dark and later Janus Blackgaard.
- June Kendall's request to Connie to "Say hi to Whit for me" is a reference to the end of Connie's letter in #75: “Connie Goes to Camp, Part 2”.
- The events of #74 – #75: “Connie Goes to Camp” are frequently mentioned in this episode.
Reviews
- The Odyssey Scoop: Read
- AIO Update: Read
Quotes
Richard Maxwell: Nice kid.
Eugene Meltsner: Yes, she is, and we'd like her to stay that way!
Lucy Cunningham-Schultz: Eugene, do you know him?
Richard Maxwell: Know me? We used to work together, ain't that right, Multsey baby?
Eugene Meltsner: We were briefly employed with the same organization.
Richard Maxwell: Connie, this is my boss.
Connie Kendall: Hello.
Regis Blackgaard: How do you do, Miss Kendall. My name is Blackgaard. Dr. Regis Blackgaard.
Richard Maxwell: ...we worked with the five C's.
Lucy Cunningham-Schultz: The five C's? What's that?
Richard Maxwell: Campbell County Community College Computers.
Lucy Cunningham-Schultz: Oh, that's clever.
Richard Maxwell: Yeah, and cute too.
Connie Kendall: Well, I don't know if I should see him or not.
June Kendall: Oh, what do you think you should do?
Connie Kendall: I think it'll still hurt to see him again, I mean, we didn't exactly part under the best of circumstances.
June Kendall: Well, then you probably shouldn't see him.
Connie Kendall: But I really want to, I mean, something's happened up at camp and I think he would like to hear about it.
June Kendall: Then maybe you should go see him.
Connie Kendall: Uh..I don't want to seem pushy, I mean even though it's been a while, he might not have cooled down yet. And I don't want to do anything that would bug him.
June Kendall: Well, then I guess you shouldn't see him.
Connie Kendall: But I have to, I need to tell him how wrong I was and I don't blame him for anything.
June Kendall: Then go see him.
Connie Kendall: I can't do that, he fired me!
June Kendall: Will you cut that out! Yes I'll see him, no I won't see him, yes I'll see him, no I won't see him. I feel like I'm at a tennis match and I'm the ball!!
John Whittaker: You looked like you needed help, Dr. Blackgaard.
Resources
- Episodes in Album 05: Daring Deeds, Sinister Schemes
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