The Town Hall Archives

Broadcast · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 2:01 pm Post subject: Two Friends and a Truck *REVIEWS*

Post your reviews; Smile

Broadcast · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:52 pm Post subject:

The moment that Eugene Meltsner walked through the Whit's End door, things began to sink in.
I suppose it felt like the last three 'Something Big' episodes were like a dream. It wasn't part of my routine. I hadn't yet adapted to the thought the Eugene was once again part of life. Afterall...it's been five years.
The last episodes were sci-fi (more or less), this one, however, is slice of life. The latter actually develops the characters, and acts as the base to the sci-fi; which simply uses that built character and apply it to a stressful situation, thus creating emotions and a sence of what the character is feeling.

Actually, I was almost impressed. He came back and took on his character as if nothing happened. Connie and Bernard really had nice easy flowing chemistry with him, and everything about the diologue was nearly flawless.

Nearly. Most of you may have noticed that Eugene repeated several well known sentences from the past. (and Bernard, especially) Of course, I see no problem with it. It simply helps us resist from utter the sentence, "Eugene Sounds Different!" Correct me if I'm wrong, however, but the only actual sentence (simbolizing his intelligence) that he repeatly used time after time was, 'To borrow the colloquo...' Dang. I can't spell it. But you know what I mean; Eugene was so complex in his vocabulary, that what made it even more ineresting was the fact that it was always changing. He ALWAYS had a new intellectual phrase/word/frament/sentence/yelp that would differ every episode. Rarely would he repeat it over and over again. Afterall, intellectual people have variety.
Again, it was only noticed 3 or four times.

Actually, I was anticipating this episode for one main reason; Who would be the writer? As you know, most of the writers on the team have never written with Eugene as their character. I mean, I hardly see a Torry Martin episode with Eugene. (However, I do see Harlow) Bob Hoose had never written for Eugene either, and neither had Nathan Hoobler. I couldn't remember if Kathy Buchanan had or not.

But by the tenth minute in the show, I narrowed the mystery down to Nathan Hoobler. Their were WAY to many references to past episodes, which is what Nathan Hoobler is practically known for.

Anyone remarked the mention of Erwin? Yes, it was Honest Erwin (Here Today, Gone Tomorrow). I find it actually interesting because, A) He and Wankler (from No Way Out) sound exactly alike (I'm too lazy to figure out if they're the same actor). And B) They're both in the Car business. However, Wankler did serve as a good enough secondary character (He didn't match up to Mr. Douglas,[from True Calling] but was good enough.)

Something DID bug me about this episode, however. I don't like "In between Episodes Occurences". I don't like people doing things when we're not listening (well, on some occasions I don't care). For example, after 'No Way Out' and 'Sounds like a Mystery', Whit's Leg had healed completely. It would make much more sence if his leg was still slightly hurting in 'Sounds like a Mystery'. He's old. He doesn't heal that quickly. This episode, I fear, was an example of that. Besides Whit, Connie, Tom and Bernard, we haven't heard anyone else (except us fans) who was surprised to see Eugene. I was expecting maybe people like Bart Rathbone and Jack Allen to be wondering a few things about his return. And especially, the kids! Perhaps, we'll hear some examples next time...but it seems already too late. The only person who performed an example of this was Leon Wankler, who exclaimed; "Hey Eugene! Glad you're back in Town!" Oh well, perhaps it simply saves confusion if we only heard the nessecary people.

I'm a bit confused. I was under the impression that Bernard became the owner of the 'Golden Glass Company'; a window washing company. I was almost certain of it. But, according to this episode, he only washes the company's windows. (Afterall, why would the owner of the company be washing his own building's windows). Maybe I'm wrong, but the way Bernard was talking to Wooton's twin brother in 'Bassett Hounds', it sounded an awful lot like he was taking over the business.

The story itself was nice and interesting. Mind you, it isn't an episode that is an instant classic or anything. But it was still good; because it succesfully brought Eugene back to everyday living. I give everyone at AIO a nice thumbs up for that. I was wondering if the new Odyssey Team was capable to bring a character that they barely worked with back to his old stomping grounds.

I also enjoyed the references to the California Trip.

One other complaint; the line that Whit said at the end, 'When you got out of the truck, it started rolling...I tried to stop it, but I forgot that the emergency brake didn't work and it hit a lampost'. I first like to mention that that line 'coulv'e' been funny...but ended up to be slightly amusing; following which you're wondering why Whit sounded like he couldn't care less about Bernard's car and why he didn't emmediatly run into the room to tell Bernard what happened, instead of a:

Whit Enters Whit: Oh, um, Bernard...

And bang, he forgets about the car completely.

Overall, it was an alright show. I now realise how much Eugene brought to the show. Hopefully the rest of the season finishes off in a simmilar positive manner.
Smile

Broadcast

EDIT: Kathy Wierenga has in fact written for Eugene:

The Eternal Birthday & Bethany's Imaginary Friend #428
The Treasure Room & Chain Reaction #433
Changing Rodney #443
Potlucks & Poetry #447
Mandy's Debut #448

ObiWan Kenobi Girl

yeah, i really liked this one because it had alot of Eugene & Bernard, because they create alot of humor whenever they're on together. also because it was hilarious!!

~On the commercials it said "friends don't let friends drive trucks"~

Jonathan · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 5:54 pm Post subject:

Katr888 · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 6:32 pm Post subject:

i am not going to write much, but, i thought that it was kind of annoying the way they did it...

Jonathan · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 11:11 pm Post subject:

rachelavonlea · New Citizen Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 38

I might listen to a Odyssey, or listen to a song, or a movie once and think " I like it". But when I listen to it more I think, "I really like it!"

I think that is how 2F&T will be for me. I loved hearing it the 1st time, and I have a feeling there are still a lot of things I think I still can find in it. It will be great to discover them. In all the worry over making episodes totally understandable to AIO newbies, I am afraid episodes can be rather shallow, and not re-listen-able. Like you've heard it once, and you don't need to hear it again. I am so glad that is not the case today!

It was so enjoyable. Like taking a swim in warm water. I too enjoyed all the many AIO innuendos.

It was funny too. I liked the part when Bernard is talking about buying a truck with "all the bells and whistles", and if you listen close Eugene walks in whistling and tripping the bell above the door.

I was thinking, "Bernard is being noticeably unkind this episode", and was glad when that was the point. And that he learned his lesson. Although I really, really like Bernard, he is very crabby and sometimes even down un-Christian in manner. It’s nice to hear him genuinely sorry about being mean to Eugene. I also loved how maturely Eugene acted when he didn’t even tell Bernard it was his fault the truck rolled down the hill. Offering to pay for the damages to his own car was a little over the top though. That didn’t make as much sense to me.

In all the talk about Eugene's car starting off being sub-par, and Bernard having to pay big bucks to get it back to that sub-par state, I was thinking he should have just bought Eugene a new used (get it?) car to be nice, (and not to waste $$ fixing up the old one). In fact when Bernard gave the keys to Eugene at the end, I was so happy. I thought "Yes! What an awesome thing for Bernard to do! Giving him his truck as a awesome gesture!"

So, that wasn’t how it worked out. Nevertheless, I loved the episode, and gave it a 5. I think it is the best ep this year, at the least.

Good Job Odyssey!,

Rachel

Jonathan · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 2:05 pm Post subject:

I never imagined in my wildest dreams that the return of Eugene would automatically up the quality of the show. Of course it helps that Nathan Hoobler wrote the first episode after Something Big, and he is now easily my favorite current writer. He keeps things real, relies on good or tense dialogue (which is neccessary to a radio series), and even applied the story to a verse and/or the Bible. I was impressed.

Even Whit, a character I haven’t been too impressed with recently, sounded like, well, himself. Actually, the acting was superb, which is mainly due to the writing. Connie is another example of a character I haven’t been too overly impressed with recently, but she was terrific here. As was Eugene, and Bernard.

Ah, Bernard. He not only had great lines and acted very Bernard like (a good thing), but his bad attitude was not only addressed, but we saw the character not only be corrected (by Whit!) but learn from his mistake and apologize for his problem attitude!

Is this 2005? I can scarcely believe it. Sounds more like 1995 to me. I can now forget again that Odyssey isn’t real.

Another plus was the sound effects. I’ve been in car garages before, and the sound effects over the phone was very real.

So why did this episode succeed? Because of the writing. Over the last several years the AIO team has forgotten that a series like this, where we know and love the characters as much as we do, dialogue is what makes the episode. Not goofy sounds, or silly stories, or stupid jokes (if I never hear another underwear joke on AIO it’ll be too soon), it’s realistic stories and good dialogue. And as a Christian show throwing in Biblical application completes the episode. And Nathan Hoobler followed that formula to the letter. It's what made those early years (1989-1998) that made the show so great. It's what makes it hard for us to remember that Odyssey isn't a real town. I’m hoping the rest of the team follows the example this episode set because if they do the series can only continue to improve.

B/C I don’t really like to give a new ep a perfect rating (as it hasn’t stood the test of time, though I’m sure this one will) and b/c it was only a slice of life ep and not a well done earth shattering episode, I’m giving it 4/5.

But it was perfect anyhow.

-Jonathan

Arwen · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:34 pm Post subject:

I liked it a lot.

Boa · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 7:18 pm Post subject:

Great episode! Jonathan's right it does feel like 1995 again. The story was good, the dialogue was great, I laughed out loud when Bernard tried to imitate Eugene by saying something to the effect,"Please don't mutilate my truck". Laughing

Paul Herlinger as Whit was also very good. Eugene's back and life is good! 5/5.