The Unraveling
2 Timothy 4:7
“The Unraveling” is episode #495 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written by Kathy Buchanan and Bob Hoose, and originally aired on June 8, 2002.
Summary
Connie goes to Maine to talk to Robert "Mitch" Mitchell's sister. Working hard in Odyssey, the kids investigate unusual buying trends connected to the Novabox.
Plot
Connie arrives at Whit's End to ask Whit if she can have some time off to visit Mitch's sister in Maine so she can get some closure for his death. Whit says that's fine.
Meanwhile, Alex, Cal, and Mandy work on a homework assignment about buying trends. They find that many people around Odyssey have bought Greasly Chips, Fizzy Cola, and birdhouses. They also find that the people who bought these things don't really seem to need or want them. Then why are they buying them? Just as they are pondering this, Rodney shows up wearing a Novabox Helmet and tries to steal their birdhouse. Alex says this last clue they need. Everyone who bought the stuff had a Novabox. The Novabox is making people buy things they don't need. The three of them look at the box and find that even when it's unplugged it still runs. There's no way to turn it off!
Connie arrives in Maine and talks with Mitch's sister Rachel about the kind of person Mitch was. The two of them go to his grave site. Connie is upset that she never got to say goodbye. Rachel shows her another grave: Justine Baker. Connie remembers Mitch mentioning her (reference Secrets), but didn't know she died. Rachel tells Connie the whole story. Mitch and Justine both got jobs at Galaxy Enterprises and Justine found memos about "Operation Think Tank." They hinted at illegal activity and Justine asked some people about it. Justine calling Mitch's house, but got the answering machine. She said that someone was trying to run her off the road. Justine was found dead at the scene. Mitch decided to do his own investigation and moved to Odyssey because an Andromeda Board Member had suggested Campbell College as a test site. Mitch used AREM as a way to drop hints to anyone who might be helping to bring Andromeda down. Connie tells Rachel she wants to do something to help and Rachel smiles, remembering Mitch said Connie had spunk. That evening, Connie hears the AREM sound on Rachel's computer. She opens the door and sees the AREM name. What's going on?! Rachel tells her it's very dangerous to tell her, but she will anyway. Mitch is alive.
Discussion Questions
- If you were Connie’s friend, what could you say or do to help her with the sadness of losing Mitch?
- Rachel said Mitch was willing to fight—even die—for what he believed. What are some things that you think are worth fighting—even dying—for?
- In 2 Timothy 4:7, the Apostle Paul says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." How can a "fight" be good?
- What's one idea or person God might want you to stand up for this week?
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| Robert Mitchell | Connie Kendall |
| Bennett Charles | Justine Baker |
| AREM | Connie Kendall |
Notes
PARENTAL WARNING: Due to the intensity of several scenes in this show, it's recommended for ages 8 and up.
- Trivia
- This show tells what happened to Justine Baker, a character who was mentioned in #483: “Secrets” when Mitch got a "sad look in his eyes."
- The character of Rachel in this episode is played by Sara Buskirk, formerly the voice of recurring kid character Courtney Vincent.
- Mr. Jenkins, the grocery store owner, makes his first appearance in this episode since #133: “Cousin Albert”.
- Mandy takes the role in this episode usually taken by Sarah Prachett in earlier Novacom episodes, sleuthing alongside Alex and Cal. Sarah would not be heard again after #482: “Grand Opening, Part 2” due to the departure of actress Scarlett Pomers from the program—an absence that would lead to more appearances by Mandy and other girl characters like Liz Horton.
- This episode marks the second mention of the Powder Puff Pamela character, an apparent favorite of Mandy, after #466: “Snow Day”.
- This episode takes place away from Odyssey: Episodes That Take Place Away from Odyssey
- The plot element of accidentally feeding a health inspector a tainted hamburger patty was also used in the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Nasty Patty", which, coincidentally, aired just three months before this episode did.
- Goofs
- During this episode's scene where Connie is at the airport, an announcement can be heard saying that she is in Portsmouth, which is in New Hampshire. Mitch said previously that he grew up in Boston (which is also where he worked at Galaxy Enterprises with Justine). However, Rachel says that the reason no one was home when Justine called the night she died was that "Mitch was home for the weekend."
- However, the distance from Portsmouth to Boston is less than an hour and a half, so it's entirely possible that the airport was simply the most convenient airport for Connie to arrive at.
- Reviews
Quotes
Mandy Straussberg: His whole story seemed a little odd. Everybody buys Fizzy Cola one week, chips the next, and now birdhouses?
Alex Jefferson: Strange. I wonder what's going on.
Mandy Straussberg: And how is this going to help us with our homework?
Cal Jordan: This is no longer just homework. I think we have a mystery on our hands.
Cal Jordan: A mystery! This'll be great. I'm in the mood for a little excitement.
Alex Jefferson: Okay, but no computer hacking, breaking and entering, or even slightly bending the law on this one.
Cal Jordan: Yeah, yeah.
Mandy Straussberg: What?
Alex Jefferson: It's a long story.
Cal Jordan: Maybe they've all been hypnotized! You know, like that movie.
Alex Jefferson: What movie?
Cal Jordan: You know the one.
Alex Jefferson: No, I don’t.
Cal Jordan: Sure you do—with what’s his name, that guy, and that girl with spiky hair.
Alex Jefferson: You mean the one that carries that... thing around?
Mandy Straussberg: Are you guys talking in code?
Cal Jordan: No! It's that movie where the whole town gets hypnotized! All I'm saying is that this is just like that.
Cal Jordan: Hold on! Listen. I think it's still running!
Mandy Straussberg: Well, unplug it.
Cal Jordan: I did unplug it. It's running on its own!
Alex Jefferson: You can't turn it off!
Rachel Mitchell: You can't say a word to anyone. It's dangerous. You don't know how dangerous it is.
Connie Kendall: What's dangerous? What are you talking about?
Rachel Mitchell: Connie, Mitch is alive.
Resources
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