"Divided We Fall" (#855) is part of album 65: Expect the Unexpected Episode Description:
"When a social worker witnesses Buck Oliver fall from a treehouse, the future of Eugene and Katrina as foster parents is put in question." -AIO
Episode Review
On the December 5th, 2018 episode of the Official Adventures in Odyssey podcast, we're told that Will Ryan, the voice of Eugene Meltsner, sent an email to the producers of Adventures in Odyssey containing the subject line "Whatever Happened to Eugene Meltsner?", asking why Eugene wasn't as funny as he once was. It's easy to understand why he had this criticism. Ever since he became a married man in a parental role, Eugene has certainly been absent from many of the knee-slapping scenarios he once found himself in.
But after listening to "Divided We Fall", it's difficult to share Will Ryan's viewpoint since, in it, Eugene Meltsner is quite funny. After Buck Oliver falls from the tree house, the social worker, Edna Platt asks "He was up there unsupervised?" and Eugene quips, "Yes, but he's down here now". And when she asks, "He had access to a chainsaw?", he says, "Yes, I assumed since he's adept with a nail gun...". Later, true to character, Eugene changes a diaper in a way that resembles origami, eventually breaking the doll. "Divided We Fall" is a perfect example of how, regardless of his life changes, Eugene can still be funny.
The truth is: Eugene can't be the same sort of funny he once was. He shouldn't - at least not regularly - be in humorous situations like teasing Connie, absentmindedly losing his keys, irritating his elders like Bernard and Tom, feeling awkward around Katrina. While these were some of his funniest moments on the show, how terrible would it be if he still had these personality quirks! Eugene Meltsner, thank goodness, has matured. While Connie Kendall has progressed inconsistently in the past 30 years, Eugene has maintained a rather consistent progression towards adulthood. Should Eugene still be funny? Absolutely. But he needs to be funny within the constraints of his character's development. "Divided We Fall" does just that.
In addition to being funny, "Divided We Fall" is a also a well-researched look into some of the hardships, as well as bureaucratic hurdles, of foster care. I particularly appreciated its attempt not to make the social worker, Edna Platt, the outright villain of the episode -- which a lesser writer might have done. While she may have appeared strict at the beginning of the episode, her initial concerns about Buck's living situations made sense, and, interestingly she ends up rooting for Eugene and Katrina's success. The episode wisely never makes us feel as though Buck was unjustly taken away from Eugene and Katrina. Nor do we feel that Eugene and Katrina are too irresponsible themselves. The episode is a careful balancing act, wisely making no one the villain.
In the end, I liked the fact that Buck was the one who reminded Eugene that it was OK that he wasn't perfect. That parents sometimes make mistakes. In a time where parents are often judged and overly scrutinized by other parents, this is an important reminder. By the time I finished "Divided We Fall", I realized I couldn't think of a single suggestion of how I would have improved this episode -- it's, quite simply, a well-written and fitting entry in the Meltsner family storyline.
"When a social worker witnesses Buck Oliver fall from a treehouse, the future of Eugene and Katrina as foster parents is put in question." -AIO
Episode Review
On the December 5th, 2018 episode of the Official Adventures in Odyssey podcast, we're told that Will Ryan, the voice of Eugene Meltsner, sent an email to the producers of Adventures in Odyssey containing the subject line "Whatever Happened to Eugene Meltsner?", asking why Eugene wasn't as funny as he once was. It's easy to understand why he had this criticism. Ever since he became a married man in a parental role, Eugene has certainly been absent from many of the knee-slapping scenarios he once found himself in.
But after listening to "Divided We Fall", it's difficult to share Will Ryan's viewpoint since, in it, Eugene Meltsner is quite funny. After Buck Oliver falls from the tree house, the social worker, Edna Platt asks "He was up there unsupervised?" and Eugene quips, "Yes, but he's down here now". And when she asks, "He had access to a chainsaw?", he says, "Yes, I assumed since he's adept with a nail gun...". Later, true to character, Eugene changes a diaper in a way that resembles origami, eventually breaking the doll. "Divided We Fall" is a perfect example of how, regardless of his life changes, Eugene can still be funny.
The truth is: Eugene can't be the same sort of funny he once was. He shouldn't - at least not regularly - be in humorous situations like teasing Connie, absentmindedly losing his keys, irritating his elders like Bernard and Tom, feeling awkward around Katrina. While these were some of his funniest moments on the show, how terrible would it be if he still had these personality quirks! Eugene Meltsner, thank goodness, has matured. While Connie Kendall has progressed inconsistently in the past 30 years, Eugene has maintained a rather consistent progression towards adulthood. Should Eugene still be funny? Absolutely. But he needs to be funny within the constraints of his character's development. "Divided We Fall" does just that.
In addition to being funny, "Divided We Fall" is a also a well-researched look into some of the hardships, as well as bureaucratic hurdles, of foster care. I particularly appreciated its attempt not to make the social worker, Edna Platt, the outright villain of the episode -- which a lesser writer might have done. While she may have appeared strict at the beginning of the episode, her initial concerns about Buck's living situations made sense, and, interestingly she ends up rooting for Eugene and Katrina's success. The episode wisely never makes us feel as though Buck was unjustly taken away from Eugene and Katrina. Nor do we feel that Eugene and Katrina are too irresponsible themselves. The episode is a careful balancing act, wisely making no one the villain.
In the end, I liked the fact that Buck was the one who reminded Eugene that it was OK that he wasn't perfect. That parents sometimes make mistakes. In a time where parents are often judged and overly scrutinized by other parents, this is an important reminder. By the time I finished "Divided We Fall", I realized I couldn't think of a single suggestion of how I would have improved this episode -- it's, quite simply, a well-written and fitting entry in the Meltsner family storyline.
Writer: Kathy Buchanan
Director: Kathy Buchanan
Executive Producer: Dave Arnold
Post-Production: Christopher Diehl
Music: John Campbell
Theme: God Uses Imperfect People
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9
Original Air-date: 11/17/18
Episode Reviewed: 01/05/19