Whit's wiping down the counter, Connie's mopping the floor, and the kids are sipping on their milkshakes. If you want to talk about Adventures in Odyssey the radio drama, this is the spot to do just that!
This comes as a shock, just as Hal Smith's death came. This is very sad and he will be missed.
I do hope, though, that Bart and Tom's deaths be made part of a show upcoming. Perhaps a bus crash, or something. An episode about dealing with death would be appropriate. Also, for Bart's part in the show, it would be great if Doris would become a Christian, and Rodney would continue in his rebellion. Sort of like "Where Is Thy Sting?".
I'm not sure about what episode he last recorded; the last episode aired with him in it, so far, is Prequels of Love.
I am glad, though, that the next Official podcast will commemorate his life and all he brought to Odyssey through stories and memories shared by the cast.
This really is a downer for AIO fans. Tom, in many senses, was more of an anchor to the program that even Whit, especially with the change in voices from Smith to Herlinger.
The folksy drawl of Tom was a real drawing point to the show. I hope they don't bring in a different actor to play Tom - they should deal with death - it may have been awkward but it would have been nice to have some of this recorded years ago for the deaths of Tom, Jack, Bernard.
Most of all, it brings to light one of the most glaring weaknesses of AIO. They have not developed an adult role model for the kids. Think of how many adults there were in the so-called 'golden era': George Barclay, Whit, Bernard, Jack, and Tom. There are no adults tying the show together. I would encourage the writers to develop some older characters to replace Tom, Whit and the others - unless their intention is to discontinue the show.
I do hope that "Tom Riley" dies in the show. What an excellent way to show kids that in Jesus, there really is no death. It could actually be a very uplifting and exciting show as characters in Odyssey talk about Tom's walk with Jesus.
Kids have to deal with death and AIO is the perfect platform to show kids that those who have Christ in their hearts have nothing to fear from it.
It seems like a good idea to have Tom Riley die on the show. But what's going to happen to Agnes? Also, I believe Bart should die as well, along with perhaps, Rodney and Doris changing for the better. Maybe even get saved, and perhaps Rodney becoming a respectable citizen, thus opening a spot for a new gang and a new town bully. Max, maybe?
I think it was established on "The Present Long Ago" that Max wasn't a bully, per se.
I'm not sure that I really want Tom to die on the show because then Whit loses his best friend. I realize that Jack Allen could sort of step into that role but he hasn't been heard in a long time and his actor is 87.
If Tom does not die on the show, the show has further been cheapened. Why deal with every subject but this one? Death has not been dealt with since the Mortal Coil, and in reality since Karen.
Dealing with death with characters that the audience has not connected with (Connie's grandma / Mike - come on!) is not quite the same. The audience is merely dealing with the grief second hand - with Tom it would be much different
I would disagree. We heard from Karen as much, if not less, then Connie's Grandma. We also walked through the grief with Connie.
And Mike, well, you can check out my comments in that thread. It is more then capable of speaking to those who may be going through similar problems in real life.
Still, there's not been a major character die before, (other than Blackgaard, but that hardly counts since he's a villain... and not really dead ) so I think having Tom die would be best.