The Cross of Cortes, Part 1
From Adventures in Odyssey Wiki
| 171: The Cross of Cortes, Part 1 Listen Online! | |
|---|---|
| [[Image:{{{album_image}}}|center|150px]] | |
| Season | 1991 |
| Album | [[Album {{{album_num}}}: {{{album_name}}}|{{{album_num}}}: {{{album_name}}}]] |
| Aired | November 09, 1991 |
| Written by | Phil Lollar |
| Directed by | Phil Lollar |
| Produced by | Unknown |
| Sound Design by | Bob Luttrell |
| Music by | Unknown |
| Prev: A Test for Robyn Next: The Cross of Cortes, Part 2 | |
[edit] General information
Albums: Album 12: At Home and Abroad
Theme: Greed; God's sovereignty
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:13-15 and Luke 4:8
[edit] Summary
Whit and Eugene head to Mexico to help Dan Isidro. But when they get there, they set off on an adventure they hadn't planned on to find the Cross of Cortes!
[edit] Plot
Whit receives a mysterious package from Mexico. He opens it and discovers it’s from Dan Isidro, his missionary friend from Nicaragua. Eugene wonders why Dan is in Mexico. The accompanying letter reveals that he is on furlough there. Since Whit and Eugene have planned a trip to the region, Dan has invited them to spend some time with him and requests that they bring along the enclosed parcel.
Whit and Eugene examine the parcel more closely and discover that it’s an ancient map. Dan’s letter cautions them to not let it out of their possession or sight. Whit and Eugene study the map and recognize certain landmarks and symbols. Among them are the ancient city of Tenochtitl‡n, which is modern-day Mexico City, and two volcanoes called Corozon del Diablo, “Heart of the Devil,” which has under them the symbol of a cross!
Whit and Eugene head off to Mexico to find Dan. When they arrive there, almost immediately they are met by a policeman named Roberto Cordova. He claims Isidro stole the map! Once Cordova leaves, Dan sneaks in through Whit and Eugene’s hotel window. Dan tells Whit that Cordova is not a member of the Mexico City police, but of the Nicaraguan police. He has no authority in Mexico and, like Dan, is after the map.
The ancient map leads to an important find: the Cross of Cortes! It was worn by Hernando Cortes when he defeated the Aztec nation and conquered Mexico. Legend has it that the cross contains supernatural powers. It makes the wearer invincible.
Unfortunately, Dan can’t read the map any better than Whit or Eugene can. So he’s contacted an interpreter named Mendoza, who meets them at a bullfight the next day. Mendoza is a woman, and she is taken with Eugene, much to his discomfort.
But Eugene grows even more uncomfortable when Mendoza tells him what happens at a bullfight. Eugene doesn’t want to see the fight and excuses himself to go to the bathroom. But on the way, one of Cordova’s men directs Eugene to the bull pens and locks the door behind him! A furious bull chases Eugene out into the ring!
[edit] Discussion Questions
- Why did everyone want the Cross of Cortes?
- Do things like crosses really have supernatural power?
- Explain.
- Why is the cross so important to Christians?
[edit] Cast
| Characters | Actors |
|---|---|
| Dan Isidro | Rick Najera |
| Eugene Meltsner | Will Ryan |
| John Whittaker | Hal Smith |
| Maria Mendosa | Lusia Leschin |
| Inspector Roberto Cordova | Nathan Carlson |
[edit] Notes
- This episode was made into an AIO Activity Pack, Cross Of Cortes, Volume #6.
- These two episodes were tied for 8th place in an audience poll where listeners named their favorite episodes.
- Much of the story elements of this episode are derived from the "Indiana Jones" movies: a search for a religious relic, a villain who is also after the same relic, a woman who finds herself involved in the situation, etc.
[edit] Reviews
[edit] Quotes
[edit] Resources
The Cross of Cortes, Part 1 on whitsend.org
The Cross of Cortes, Part 1 on AIOHQ.com
The Cross of Cortes, Part 1 on AIO Soda Fountain
