61. The Future Days of Eugene Meltsner
Will Eugene fade away?
By David Hilder | December 26, 2023
Will Eugene fade away?
By David Hilder | December 26, 2023
I’ve written three editorials about Eugene since actor Will Ryan’s passing. Now, after reflecting on Will’s legacy, speculating on how the writers would handle his character, and reacting to Album 75, the time has come to finally move on.
Ok, maybe not yet. Eugene Meltsner will always be important to Adventures in Odyssey. He will always be important to us. Time for article number four—the one where we talk about Eugene after Album 75.
It was wonderful to get a send-off for a beloved character in The Best Is Yet to Come. Eugene was given something special in this four-part episode, something that many other characters don’t receive. Eugene got an official departure, a way for both the characters and for us in the audience to say goodbye. Eugene may be gone from the town of Odyssey, but he will never be forgotten. And it’s encouraging to think that, even though Eugene is no longer a regular on the show, his character is still around. Like Leonard and Everett Meltsner before him, Eugene is off having adventures outside of Odyssey.
But is that enough? Does that mean Eugene is gone for good?
I don’t think so—at least, not in the way Leonard and Everett are gone. We haven’t heard a peep out of either of them for over fifteen years. They never even get mentioned. That can’t be what happens to Eugene.
At a minimum, the occasional email or phone call from Eugene would be very welcome. Mr. Whittaker found the time to call all the way from his archaeological dig in the Middle East. I’m sure he was very busy with his work, but we still heard from him. Whether Eugene makes a cameo using repurposed lines or voiced by Townsend Coleman shouldn’t matter too much. The fact that the sound will be coming through over the phone will help to disguise the voice.
But I think we can expect more than that. We should be hearing updates about Eugene’s research, even if the updates aren’t from Eugene himself in an Odyssey episode. The Elsewhere in Odyssey comic strip could be a great way to check in on Eugene’s work. If it’s truly world-changing scientific research, it wouldn’t make sense for it to fade away and never get mentioned again. Something that was lacking during Whit’s absence was news of his archaeological work. It would have been interesting to learn more about where he was travelling to and what he was discovering. For Eugene’s groundbreaking research, it makes even more sense to include it.
And speaking of Eugene’s brain research, it’s hard to believe that this has nothing to do with the new Novacom sequel saga. Ever since Album 73, each album has mentioned brain research. After the implosion of the Chairman’s plans in Album 73, suddenly we hear that Renee Carter is working on a brain upgrade in Album 74. And then in Album 75, Eugene is conducting research on the hippocampus, a part of the brain that was very prominent in 28 Hours. Do we really know who is behind the funding for Eugene’s research? It feels like various strands are being woven together to prepare for the inevitable takedown of the Chairman.
Of course, Eugene was absent during the first Novacom saga as well. But he was very active behind the scenes. And so, it’s fitting that Eugene could play a similar role now in Novacom 2.0. If the Chairman is active once again, I’m sure he’s aware of Eugene’s research and is very interested in its implications. When the Chairman does get taken down, I’d love if Eugene was involved in some way, even if it needs to be behind the scenes.
Once the Chairman is brought to justice and everything settles down, there will still be plenty for Eugene to do. I’m sure Eugene will continue to work with Mr. Whittaker on inventions and computer programs from time to time, even if it’s done remotely. Whit will always be Eugene’s mentor, no matter where in the world they’re located. And when Mr. Whittaker gets stuck on an invention, I think he’d welcome the opportunity for Eugene to lend a hand, proverbially speaking.
And of course, there’s Adventures in Baltimore, the spin-off series that Focus on the Family will inevitably create to keep Buck around. All right, maybe they won’t go that far. But it’s encouraging to learn that we will hear from Buck and Katrina again in Album 76. The Buck and Jules’ relationship will help to keep Buck on the show. Jules will definitely want to visit him in Baltimore, and maybe she’ll even bring Connie with her. And while Buck and Jules might be the focus, I hope Katrina doesn’t get relegated to a minor character. The Green Ring Conspiracy was one of her few recent opportunities to be at the center of a story, and I’d love to hear more of that kind of thing, either in Baltimore or Odyssey.
In some ways, Eugene’s move to Baltimore parallels Mr. Whittaker’s trip to the Middle East. After the death of actor Hal Smith, Whit left town. It was an unparalleled solution and it worked well. Rather than having Whit die, his character was allowed to live on out of the purview of the show. And though the characters expected that Whit might return one day, the writing team was less sure. In fact, they planned to end the show altogether with the climactic showdown in Album 25: Darkness Before Dawn. Whit’s departure felt final. Finding another actor to replace him—it was unthinkable.
And yet, two years after Hal’s passing, the show was still going strong and Paul Herlinger had stepped into the role of Mr. Whittaker. And just like that, John Avery Whittaker returned to Odyssey.
It would be impossible to replace Will Ryan. It was also impossible to replace Hal Smith. These talented people are one of a kind. But actors Paul Herlinger and Andre Stojka have done an incredible job to continue on Hal’s legacy. Could another actor step into the role Will Ryan created, and bring Eugene back to Odyssey?
Will himself said he wanted the character of Eugene to continue. When I heard that on the Official Podcast, I smiled. But I still felt nervous about another actor becoming the second voice of Eugene. I don’t think I’m ready for that to happen yet. One day, years from now, maybe we will be.
In the meantime, there are still many ways to reference and include Eugene in future storylines. Characters like Katrina, Buck, and Jules are too good to lose, and Eugene will inevitably be involved in their lives. And I believe there are still stories to tell about Eugene himself as well. As he enters this new chapter, being a new father and beginning a new career, it seems like Eugene’s life has never been so interesting. I wouldn’t say no to a comic strip about that.
There is no replacing Will Ryan. He created Eugene. He brought the character to life. I’m so thankful for everything Will did for Odyssey and Odyssey fans. In his performances he gave us his very best. He gave us Eugene Meltsner.
So for now, I’m content to relisten to the more than 300 Eugene episodes produced over the last 35 years. Will and his performance will always hold a special place in our hearts. For as long as people still listen to Adventures in Odyssey, Eugene will always be here.
Ok, maybe not yet. Eugene Meltsner will always be important to Adventures in Odyssey. He will always be important to us. Time for article number four—the one where we talk about Eugene after Album 75.
It was wonderful to get a send-off for a beloved character in The Best Is Yet to Come. Eugene was given something special in this four-part episode, something that many other characters don’t receive. Eugene got an official departure, a way for both the characters and for us in the audience to say goodbye. Eugene may be gone from the town of Odyssey, but he will never be forgotten. And it’s encouraging to think that, even though Eugene is no longer a regular on the show, his character is still around. Like Leonard and Everett Meltsner before him, Eugene is off having adventures outside of Odyssey.
But is that enough? Does that mean Eugene is gone for good?
I don’t think so—at least, not in the way Leonard and Everett are gone. We haven’t heard a peep out of either of them for over fifteen years. They never even get mentioned. That can’t be what happens to Eugene.
At a minimum, the occasional email or phone call from Eugene would be very welcome. Mr. Whittaker found the time to call all the way from his archaeological dig in the Middle East. I’m sure he was very busy with his work, but we still heard from him. Whether Eugene makes a cameo using repurposed lines or voiced by Townsend Coleman shouldn’t matter too much. The fact that the sound will be coming through over the phone will help to disguise the voice.
But I think we can expect more than that. We should be hearing updates about Eugene’s research, even if the updates aren’t from Eugene himself in an Odyssey episode. The Elsewhere in Odyssey comic strip could be a great way to check in on Eugene’s work. If it’s truly world-changing scientific research, it wouldn’t make sense for it to fade away and never get mentioned again. Something that was lacking during Whit’s absence was news of his archaeological work. It would have been interesting to learn more about where he was travelling to and what he was discovering. For Eugene’s groundbreaking research, it makes even more sense to include it.
And speaking of Eugene’s brain research, it’s hard to believe that this has nothing to do with the new Novacom sequel saga. Ever since Album 73, each album has mentioned brain research. After the implosion of the Chairman’s plans in Album 73, suddenly we hear that Renee Carter is working on a brain upgrade in Album 74. And then in Album 75, Eugene is conducting research on the hippocampus, a part of the brain that was very prominent in 28 Hours. Do we really know who is behind the funding for Eugene’s research? It feels like various strands are being woven together to prepare for the inevitable takedown of the Chairman.
Of course, Eugene was absent during the first Novacom saga as well. But he was very active behind the scenes. And so, it’s fitting that Eugene could play a similar role now in Novacom 2.0. If the Chairman is active once again, I’m sure he’s aware of Eugene’s research and is very interested in its implications. When the Chairman does get taken down, I’d love if Eugene was involved in some way, even if it needs to be behind the scenes.
Once the Chairman is brought to justice and everything settles down, there will still be plenty for Eugene to do. I’m sure Eugene will continue to work with Mr. Whittaker on inventions and computer programs from time to time, even if it’s done remotely. Whit will always be Eugene’s mentor, no matter where in the world they’re located. And when Mr. Whittaker gets stuck on an invention, I think he’d welcome the opportunity for Eugene to lend a hand, proverbially speaking.
And of course, there’s Adventures in Baltimore, the spin-off series that Focus on the Family will inevitably create to keep Buck around. All right, maybe they won’t go that far. But it’s encouraging to learn that we will hear from Buck and Katrina again in Album 76. The Buck and Jules’ relationship will help to keep Buck on the show. Jules will definitely want to visit him in Baltimore, and maybe she’ll even bring Connie with her. And while Buck and Jules might be the focus, I hope Katrina doesn’t get relegated to a minor character. The Green Ring Conspiracy was one of her few recent opportunities to be at the center of a story, and I’d love to hear more of that kind of thing, either in Baltimore or Odyssey.
In some ways, Eugene’s move to Baltimore parallels Mr. Whittaker’s trip to the Middle East. After the death of actor Hal Smith, Whit left town. It was an unparalleled solution and it worked well. Rather than having Whit die, his character was allowed to live on out of the purview of the show. And though the characters expected that Whit might return one day, the writing team was less sure. In fact, they planned to end the show altogether with the climactic showdown in Album 25: Darkness Before Dawn. Whit’s departure felt final. Finding another actor to replace him—it was unthinkable.
And yet, two years after Hal’s passing, the show was still going strong and Paul Herlinger had stepped into the role of Mr. Whittaker. And just like that, John Avery Whittaker returned to Odyssey.
It would be impossible to replace Will Ryan. It was also impossible to replace Hal Smith. These talented people are one of a kind. But actors Paul Herlinger and Andre Stojka have done an incredible job to continue on Hal’s legacy. Could another actor step into the role Will Ryan created, and bring Eugene back to Odyssey?
Will himself said he wanted the character of Eugene to continue. When I heard that on the Official Podcast, I smiled. But I still felt nervous about another actor becoming the second voice of Eugene. I don’t think I’m ready for that to happen yet. One day, years from now, maybe we will be.
In the meantime, there are still many ways to reference and include Eugene in future storylines. Characters like Katrina, Buck, and Jules are too good to lose, and Eugene will inevitably be involved in their lives. And I believe there are still stories to tell about Eugene himself as well. As he enters this new chapter, being a new father and beginning a new career, it seems like Eugene’s life has never been so interesting. I wouldn’t say no to a comic strip about that.
There is no replacing Will Ryan. He created Eugene. He brought the character to life. I’m so thankful for everything Will did for Odyssey and Odyssey fans. In his performances he gave us his very best. He gave us Eugene Meltsner.
So for now, I’m content to relisten to the more than 300 Eugene episodes produced over the last 35 years. Will and his performance will always hold a special place in our hearts. For as long as people still listen to Adventures in Odyssey, Eugene will always be here.
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