A Most Extraordinary Conclusion
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“A Most Extraordinary Conclusion” is episode #566 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Marshal Younger and Paul McCusker, and originally aired on April 16, 2005.
Summary
Eugene’s closest friends take drastic steps to bring him to a full recovery.
Plot
Continued from #565: “A Most Surprising Answer”... Dr. William Foster and Whit try the controversial experiment to make Eugene's memory return. For the method to work, they try to transfer the memories of Connie, Bernard, and Katrina and Whit into Eugene’s memory. When the experiment doesn’t work, Eugene gets incredibly frustrated and insists he just needs a bigger dose. Dr. Foster and Whit refuse this notion, which makes Eugene even more frustrated.
That night, Eugene comes back to the Imagination Station and attempts to load all of the memories into his brain at once. Whit stops him before the procedure is completed, and Eugene comes out in a haze. He still remembers nothing and asks Whit to pray with him. Whit obliges and has a heartfelt prayer time with Eugene.
Shortly after, Eugene mentions that Jack Allen should be there. (Whit realizes that Eugene is remembering his conversion experience (see #330: “The Time Has Come”). Suddenly, Eugene’s memories begin to sweep over him, but the process is far too much for his system to handle. He falls into unconsciousness and they rush him to the hospital. Not long after, Eugene wakes up and is just like his old self. He remembers everything, and even wants to play his ukulele!
- This plot section is too short and should be expanded. »
Discussion Questions
- There are no discussion questions listed for this episode. »
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| Armitage Shanks | Katrina Meltsner |
| Jack Allen | Eugene Meltsner |
Notes
VERSION DIFFERENCE: [view] The broadcast version of this episode included a "Fun Fact" about the creation of Eugene.
- Trivia
- This episode is reminiscent of #330: “The Time Has Come” and closely ties with it—Eugene even mutters "the time has come" before he attempts to overload his mind with his memories. Eugene's memory comes back as he recalls his salvation experience in Whit's End in the aforementioned episode.
- In addition to clips of the episode being heard, the events of #396: “Poor Loser” are mentioned in this episode.
- The actors who previously played Whit (Hal Smith) and Katrina (Pamela Hayden) are both heard during the Imagination Station flashbacks. Also notable is that two AIO actors who have since passed away (Hal Smith and Parley Baer) are heard during the clips.
- Audio
- The sounds effects for transitions between audio clips in the Imagination Station are the same as those heard during Eugene's search program in #330: “The Time Has Come”.
- Connie's trip in the Imagination Station contains clips of:
- Bernard's trip in the Imagination Station contains clips of:
- Katrina's trip in the Imagination Station contains clips of:
- Eugene's final adventure in the Imagination Station contains clips of:
- #51: “Connie, Part 1”
- #136: “Back to Bethlehem, Part 2”
- #157: “Last in a Long Line”
- #212: “The Mortal Coil, Part 2”
- #254: “Truth, Trivia and 'Trina”
- #266: “It Began with a Rabbit's Foot”
- #274: “First-Hand Experience”
- #280: “Gone...”
- #294: “Unto Us a Child Is Born”
- #356: “The Search for Whit, Part 2”
- #363: “The Right Choice, Part 2”
- #405: “The Graduate”
- #484: “Plan B, Part 1: Missing in Action”
Reviews
Quotes
Katrina Meltsner: I was wondering—is it possible to select which memories he gets back? Can we leave some out?
John Whittaker: Leave some out? Why would you want to do that?
Katrina Meltsner: Because some are rather bad... the kind I wish he wouldn't ever have to remember. The death of my father... the worry about the wrong people getting their hands on his research... what happened to him that night at the NIH!
John Whittaker: Katrina... you know, even if I could, would you really want me to? God uses our memories, both good and bad, to shape who we are and who we'll become. To get rid of those parts of our life that cause us pain would rob God of one of the ways He works in our lives and hearts. Do you really want Eugene to be less than who he should be?
Katrina Meltsner: Of course not. But I love him and if I could spare him the pain of reliving certain memories, I would.
Tom Riley: I'll do anything for Eugene, you know that. But I think you're goin' about this the wrong way.
John Whittaker: Oh? How so?
Tom Riley: Oh, come on, Whit. You're talking about relationship, about heart, and I'm wonderin'... what happened to praying? What happened to Eugene's relationship with God? How does He fit into all this technical mumbo jumbo?
John Whittaker: I'm not leaving Him out, Tom. I'm praying about everything we're doing. But we have to do something. Why is it wrong to try?
Tom Riley: Well, it's not wrong, I just don't agree with it. Now, if you want to manufacture a relationship through that machine of yours, that's up to you. But I think Eugene needs real relationships—with God, with us. And a lot of time, patience and prayer.
Bernard Walton: Hold on, Whit, don't stop it yet. This is the best fight I've seen since my Aunt Bertha threw away my Uncle Ted's golfing pants.
Nurse: Excuse me, Mr. Whittaker?
John Whittaker: Yes, that's me.
Nurse: Mrs. Meltsner wanted you to know that her husband seems to be waking up.
John Whittaker: Wonderful, wonderful. Is he alright?
Nurse: <laughing> It's hard to say. I had difficult time understanding him.
Tom Riley: Sounds like he's alright to me!
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