The Final Conflict
From Adventures in Odyssey Wiki
| 334: The Final Conflict | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Season | 1995 |
| Album | 25: Darkness Before Dawn |
| Aired | October 07, 1995 |
| Written by | Paul McCusker |
| Directed by | Phil Lollar |
| Produced by | Unknown |
| Sound Design by | Bob Luttrell |
| Music by | Unknown |
| Prev: The Last Resort Next: Love is in the Air, Part 1 | |
[edit] General information
Theme:
Scriptures:
Genre: Blackgaard saga
[edit] Summary
After being released, Jason constructs a plan to capture all the villians in Odyssey. Bernard, Eugene, Sam, and Billy keep watch at Whit's End. They capture Jellyfish and Rodney and get the all-important computer. After a statement at the hospital, Blackgaard takes off for Whit's End. When Glossman double-crosses Bart, Bart reveals the real reason for Glossman's actions. Glossman and Bart are arrested. Jason learns that there is a bomb under Whit's End and then sees Jack is gone. When Blackgaard arrives at Whit's End, he tells the professor to take the van out. The professor is caught by Eugene and Benard. That leaves only Blackgaard who meets Jack in the tunnel. After refusing to leave with Jack or redeem his soul, Blackgaard sets of the bomb. Jack is safe, but Blackgaard dies in the explosion.
[edit] Plot
Jason reveals to Jack that the mysterious mineral is a component of a compound called TA-418, which was part of a deadly virus called Ruku. This Ruku was used by a terrorist group Dr. Blackgaard was connected with in Switzerland (see “A Name, Not a Number,” AIO #290 & 291). It’s clear now that everything that has happened in Odyssey, the vandalism, Tom’s recall as mayor, Blackgaard’s candidacy, the scandals, has been part of Blackgaard’s scheme to gain unlimited access to the mineral under Whit’s End.
Jason has the Israelites, Eugene, and Bernard surround Whit’s End to keep a close eye on the mineral. They wind up capturing Jellyfish and Rodney Rathbone as they break into, then try to escape from the discovery emporium.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Dr. Blackgaard tells Glossman that his illness was simply a scam to get out of running for mayor. (A doctor, however, contests this.) Regis now plans to slip out the back of the hospital. Then he’ll go to Whit’s End with Professor Bovril and Jellyfish to get the last of the mineral and escape while Whit’s End is blown to bits. Blackgaard has ordered Glossman to set up a press conference at the hospital, which will put the plan in action.
But things soon backfire. Blackgaard announces his withdrawal from the mayoral race, but he doesn’t endorse Bart Rathbone as his successor. Bart retaliates by blaming Glossman for the things that have been happening around Odyssey. At the police station, Jellyfish tries to get himself off the hook. He confesses to everything, including Blackgaard’s plan to blow up Whit’s End! Jason and the police race to the scene.
At Whit’s End, Blackgaard realizes that something has gone wrong. He sends Professor Bovril off with a van filled with the mineral. But Eugene and Bernard are lying in wait for the professor and catch him. Blackgaard goes down into the Underground Railroad tunnel to set off the explosives, and comes face-to-face with Jack.
They have a final confrontation in which Jack appeals to Blackgaard to come to Christ. Blackgaard threatens Jack with death, but Jack says he is willing to sacrifice his own life to lead Blackgaard to Jesus. Blackgaard reveals that it is already too late. He really does have the Ruku virus, Regis is dying anyway. He has nothing to lose, so he pushes the button. The bomb goes off, collapsing the tunnel. Miraculously, Jack is thrown clear of the explosion. He is all right. But Blackgaard is not.
Later, Jack reflects sadly on the whole affair. He had hoped to help Blackgaard change, but he was so corrupt, now there could only be one destination for him, an eternity without God.
[edit] Discussion Questions
- Why did Bart expose Glossman at the press conference?
- Why was Jack so willing to sacrifice his own life for Dr. Blackgaard’s?
- Dr. Blackgaard said that it was “too late” for him. But was it really? Is it ever too late to come to Jesus?
[edit] Cast
[edit] Notes
- PARENTS: This series, known as “Darkeness Before Dawn” (AIO #324-334) gets extremely intense in places, and is therefore not recommended for younger listeners.
- GOOF ALERT: Professor Bovril states that he could have made an "antidote to the virus" that could have saved Dr. Blackgaard. In fact, once a person has been infected with a virus, you cannot cure them of the virus. This can only be done by a vaccine before the person is infected.
- It's rather odd that while The Complete Guide to AIO and the album cover both warm of the intensity of this episode, the actual radio broadcast does not (nor do any of the Darkness Before Dawn episodes). Certainly the ending of this episode, in the final talk between Jack and Dr. Blackgaard, is one of the most intense scenes of AIO ever recorded. Likely at least a brief "parents please join your kids" message would have been appropriate.
[edit] Quotes
[edit] Reviews
[edit] Resources
The Final Conflict on whitsend.org
The Final Conflict on AIOHQ.com
The Final Conflict on AIO Soda Fountain
