Out of the Woods
Hebrews 10:25
“Out of the Woods” is episode #781 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Paul McCusker, and originally aired on October 24, 2015.
Summary
Detective Polehaus confronts Eugene about Buck's surprising activity with Vance's gang while Penny takes Wooton to visit a special place near Odyssey.
Plot
Early in the morning, at Connie's house, Penny asks Connie if two people love each other but still are wrong for each other. Connie says yes, and then Penny is worried that she and Wooton are spiritually incompatible, mentioning the incident yesterday about declining to pray aloud. Connie is confused about why Penny and Wooton are spiritually incompatible, and Penny tells Connie that she actually doesn't like the church they currently go to, she doesn't like to lead Bible study or pray out loud, or tell people about Jesus the way her friends do. Connie suddenly realizes she is late for work, and leaves in a rush.
Later, Buck is at school, when Dion comes up to him, and tells Buck that Vance is keeping a low profile due to his father being arrested. Buck and Vance's gang have a meeting scheduled at the bowling alley, and Dion warns Buck to 'make it good'. Eugene is working on the communication display for the Let's Get Together festival, and Detective Polehaus comes by to see it. Eugene has borrowed all kinds of high-tech gear from Jason Whittaker for the display. Detective Polehaus says he may need these items, he announces to Eugene that Buck is taking over Vance's gang.
Penny is at the art gallery, when a man comes in with a question about where the nearest gas station is. Penny interrupts him by thinking aloud about her problem with Wooton. She doesn't think about faith the way other people do, she thinks in terms of colors and shading, art. The confused man agrees with her for the sake of getting directions, and leaves after Penny directs him to the gas station.
At the bowling alley, Buck tells the gang about his plan, after asking for assurance that Vance has nothing to do with this. He suggests that they rig the festival games so that the players are duped, they can't ever win. This will pull in a lot of money for the gang. Dion calls Vance in, who was listening over at the counter. Vance says he's impressed, then reprimands his gang for having a discussion in such an open place, anyone could have been listening, just like he was. He says to continue this discussion at the duck pond in Mcallister Park, at eight o' clock that night.
Later, Eugene comes into Wooton's studio at Whit's End, because Wooton asked for his help. Eugene mentions that he will have a conflict with Katrina over Buck's latest actions, and Wooton asks how they work things like that out. Eugene replies that they talk it out, and when he wasn't a Christian but Katrina was, they ended the relationship. Wooton is discouraged; he is wondering if he and Penny are truly spiritually incompatible. Eugene suggests they be clear about where they are incompatible.
In his studio at Whit's End, Wooton is trying to make progress on the Sleuth Family Robinson, when he gets a call from Penny, who asks him to take her to a meadow. At the meadow, Penny says there is a church here, she has been coming after the Sunday service in Odyssey, for the Sunday afternoon service here. They go inside the church, Penny says she feels closest to God here. She likes the stained-glass windows, candles, a carved alter, and pews with kneelers. The Odyssey church has chairs, screens, bright lights. Penny says she likes the Odyssey church, because she likes Wooton. But she is worried that people think she isn't a Christian because she doesn't go to the church that everyone else does. Wooton assures her this is not the case, and Penny says she is indeed a Christian, and loves Jesus with all of her heart, and this old church helps her worship Him. Wooton asks if this is where she wants to get married, and she says yes. She says she should have told Wooton, but this was her special, private place. She wouldn't share it with anyone but the one she truly loves, and she shared it with Wooton.
At the duck pond, Vance and Buck meet up. Vance wants to know why Buck is weaseling his way into the gang. Buck asks why meet him here, Vance threatens that his boys are hiding in the trees. Vance says that his gang wants to be led, because Vance is where the power is. All Vance has to do is whistle, and his gang will come out and beat Buck up. Buck takes the challenge, and says "Then do it. Whistle." Vance whistles, and Detective Polehaus and Eugene come out of the bushes. They have recorded the conversation and taken videos, for evidence against Vance. Detective Polehaus leads Vance away, Buck and Eugene stay behind. Eugene says to not sneak around his back again, Buck promises that he won't, but it was a setup the whole time, and Buck knew what Vance was going to do. Eugene suggests they go home to explain everything to Katrina, and Buck says "It's not her anger I'm afraid of... it's her disappointment." Eugene assures Buck that he is no disappointment, and they go home.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think Buck was right to go behind Eugene and Katrina's backs? If so, why?
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
Notes
- In-Universe
- This is a main episode in The Ties That Bind (Saga).
- When Eugene turns on a tape player he found in Whit's archives, it plays "Communicate". Don Polehaus's reaction, "You'll wanna change that," is similar to the writer's embarrassment with the rap.
- Main article: List of self-references
- Allusions
- Wooton mentions 'Rodents of Unusual Size' from the book and movie The Princess Bride.
- Main article: List of Princess Bride references
- The title of this episode could be a reference to the song "Optimistic Voices" from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz; it could also be a reference to the Sondheim musical Into the Woods.
- Main article: List of The Wizard of Oz references
- Audio
- Wooton's ringtone when Penny calls is the tune to The Bridal Chorus.
Quotes
Don Polehaus: And the old cassette player?
Eugene Meltsner: I unearthed it from Mr. Whittaker's archives. When I push the button... <pushes it>
Whit/Kids: ...Share the gospel before it's too late, and the best way to do it is communicate!
Don Polehaus: <overlapping> You'll wanna change that.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, perhaps so.
Dion Farkus: Okay, Buck. It's "bait or cut fish" time! So what do you have for us?
Wooton Bassett: Now I'm wondering if we can both be Christians and still be spiritually incompatible.
Eugene Meltsner: oh um. Well, It's possible I suppose.
Wooton Bassett: Then what should I do?
Eugene Meltsner: Well, come to a clear understanding of where exactly you are incompatible. Anything vague at this point in your decision making could cause you endless problems later.
Wooton Bassett: If there is a later.
Wooton Bassett: Being a Christian is about your own relationship with Jesus.
Penny Wise: I know. I've known it ever since I was a little girl. I remember looking at paintings of him and thinking wow he loves me. So much that he died for me. And I said I was sorry and I would do my very best to love him back. I don't know when that happened. I don't have a date written down somewhere and I haven't always made the best decisions since then.
Wooton Bassett: Well, nobody has Penny.
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