The Odyssey

'The Odyssey' is probably one of the most unique shows I've ever watched both because of it's quirky storyline and the fact it had a bit of everything from sci-fi to drama to romance to action/adventure.

The show revolved around thirteen-year-old Jay Ziegler, a troubled boy who stubbornly clings to the belief his dead father faked his death. He is left fighting for his life following a fall from a tree-house trying to escape bullies and while, in reality (the Upworld) his mother desperately tries to cajole her son into regaining consciousness, Jay's comatose mind travels to the Downworld, a strange place where only children exist. There, he is determined to find his father so both can return home and he is joined on his adventures by Flash, the alter-ego of one of the bullies, and Alpha, the alter-ego of Jay's best friend Donna.

The first and second seasons were very enjoyable and thought-provoking as they explored the idea of where the mind goes when one is in a coma and just how much of Jay's state was mental rather than because he was physically unwell. The third season dealt with Jay's life once he had emerged from his coma and was an interesting insight into how difficult it can be for a child to adjust after two years of being seriously ill. Jay still considered himself thirteen years old but all his friends were fifteen and had grown up so much in those two years he was unconscious.

This was a great show for teens who wanted a bit more than the usual drivel delivered in soaps and dumbed-down kiddie dramas. It's a shame it's not available on DVD or repeated again on telly because I imagine it has the potential to be as popular now as it was in the Nineties.

The Odyssey is not a well known sci-fi show but it still ranks up there with the twilight zone and the outer limits. This show takes place in the mind of a boy named ''JAY ZIEGLER'' who while trying to get his father's antique telescope back from some local bullies falls from a treehouse hits his head and goes into a coma. He then proceeds to descend to a world known as ''DOWNWORLD'', he can't see or hear what's going on in ''UPWORLD'' [reality] but his Odyssey in downworld seems to coincide with events going on around him in upworld. this show is far too complicated for me explain in one sitting so i will make it cut and dry. after he goes into downworld he finds out that his long lost father is there but he's only 16 and is the ruler of the world. he joins ''ALPHA'' a bookworm who turns into a smart and witty companion for his long trek to the tower which the equivalent to the white house. he also meets a bully named ''FLASH'' who decides to leave the thug life and turns out to be a very good friend and allie to JAY. along the way our trio meet assorted weirdos, have to solve mind boggling questions and mind mazes, monitors [ like the L.A. P.D. but only half as ruthless], and MEDEA who is played by the talented and beautiful young actress ANDREA NEMETH who will stop at nothing to destroy JAY whom she feels is the ''wrecker'' [the equivalent to the anti-christ] who will destroy their world and change everything. It also is good to note that ANDREA NEMETH also plays SIERRA JONES, a bright young teen show newscaster who has also fallen into a coma. they both reside in the same coma treatment facility in upworld, even though they have never met before they both exist in downworld. to wrap this up this is a terrific saga of a young man on his quest for the truth about his father his life, and his future. ILLYA WOLOSHYN brings a dynamic performance as JAY, ASHLEY ROGERS as ALPHA is awesome, TONY SAMPSON brings a great character to the show as FLASH, and the ultimate goddess [can you tell i'm partial to her?] ANDREA NEEMTH brings a ray of light to the show that is unmatched as MEDEA and SIERRA JONES.

Odyssey is a complete ride. Intricte as only a serialized TV show can be, with development of characters and growth. The plot is complex and has several overtones of quests, politics, etc. Jay's attempts to return to Upworld take him on a long road we get to join. This show is seriously weird

Although this show is intended for kids/young adults, it can certainly be watched by the older crowd too. What I find so captivating about this show was the story. In it we follow a kid called Jay who falls down from his treehouse and goes into coma. His mind then decends into another state and counciousness, the eeire realm known as "Downworld", a world without adults. Jay eventually finds 2 followers Flash and Alpha, both of them resemple his real life friends, and together they set off on a odyssey to find Jay's vanished father. The 3 adventures encounters many odd and weird individuals as they go along, always finding themselves in hostile situations. Will they ever uncover the truth of Jay's father and Downworld?

The first two seasons were quite creative and resourceful. Fun adventure, real life struggles. It really sparked my imagination. Each episode had unique characters and played well on the hierarchy of age. And friendship and growth was always a cornerstone. It was relatable content.

Season 3 got weird. Jay's character was disgustingly immature and we're to believe a teen idol 3-4 years older than Jay would be interested in him. Badly forced romance. Keith had such an attitude towards Jay I don't know why they were friends. The Downworld didn't make sense either. There was nothing really purposeful happening until the final episodes.