History Series / TheOdyssey

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.
* HallOfMirrors: A highly symbolic one in one episode, which leads to:
** TheManInTheMirrorTalksBack. Both Jay and Flash experience this.

* PuttingOnTheReich: Brad's outfit.

* TheQuest

* VisionQuest: Jay's journey in Downworld is very much this.

* PowerTrio: Jay, Flash and Alpha.
** Specifically, they are a FreudianTrio:
*** [[TheMcCoy Flash]], the [[TheBigGuy bruiser]] who likes to follow his impulses;
*** [[TheSpock Alpha]], the [[TheSmartGirl librarian]] who advises caution and planning;
*** [[TheKirk Jay]], who is guided by both.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Finger. When he appears at Jay's trial in episode 2, it seems like he was given that name purely so he could be introduced:
--> "And for the prosecution, I give you ... the Finger."

This ''Odyssey'', originally named ''The Jellybean Odyssey'', was a Canadian kids' TV show that ran in the early 90s. While it shared many production traits (and even occasional cast members) with such other Canadian-produced shows as ''AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'', what set this show apart was its unusually sophisticated premise.

Essentially ''Series/{{Life On Mars|2006}}'' [[XMeetsY meets]] ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies'', the show combined the typical action and comedy of a kids' adventure serial with some thoughtful philosophy and symbolism, a big dose of meaningful drama and some surprisingly strong acting. Though never a runaway smash, the sheer originality of the series made it a favourite with its fans.

No, not [[Literature/TheOdyssey the Greek epic about the Trojan War.]]

Essentially ''Series/{{Life On Mars|2006}}'' [[XMeetsY meets]] ''LordOfTheFlies'', the show combined the typical action and comedy of a kids' adventure serial with some thoughtful philosophy and symbolism, a big dose of meaningful drama and some surprisingly strong acting. Though never a runaway smash, the sheer originality of the series made it a favourite with its fans.

* WorkingTitle: ''The Jellybean Odyssey''.

* TraumaInducedAmnesia: When Jay first arrives in Downworld after his injury, he can't remember how he got there; nor can he remember much about home, except that he has to get there.

* HallOfMirrors: a highly symbolic one in one episode, which leads to:

* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: Even before the DVD release, the entire series would occasionally be put up on Website/YouTube or be found in a Torrent.
* MacGuffin: the telescope. A constant thread throughout season 1 is Jay's pressing objective to [[MacGuffinEscortMission return the telescope to Brad.]] Several episodes involve him wagering it, breaking it or in some way putting it at risk. After he does return it, the telescope is never mentioned again.
* MeaningfulName: several.

** This gets totally disregarded in season 3, however.
*** Not exactly: Jay is awake in season 3, but it's strongly implied that part of his mind (or at the very least his subconscious) is still in Downworld: when Jay experiences an event or develops a relationship in the real world, it tends to trickle down to his "other self" as well.
* MindScrew: As the series wears on, the line between 'Jay's subconscious' and 'parallel dimension' starts to blur, particularly as Jay is evidently not the only real world kid to experience Downworld.

* {{Mooks}}: the Monitors, the Tower's police force.

* OnlySoManyCanadianActors: Not quite as noticeable as some cases, if only because it was cast at about the same time the ''Franchise/{{Degrassi}}'' franchise was going into mothballs. But the cast overlap with AYAOTD is noted above.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: The above-mentioned WorkingTitle. ''The Jellybean Odyssey'' would've been much more internet-search friendly, something that wasn't a concern in 1992 but was already becoming one by 1995.

* AlternateSelf: see ButYouWereThere below.

* OnlySoManyCanadianActors: Not quite as noticeable as some cases, if only because it was cast at about the same time the ''{{Degrassi}}'' franchise was going into mothballs. But the cast overlap with AYAOTD is noted above.

Essentially ''LifeOnMars'' [[XMeetsY meets]] ''LordOfTheFlies'', the show combined the typical action and comedy of a kids' adventure serial with some thoughtful philosophy and symbolism, a big dose of meaningful drama and some surprisingly strong acting. Though never a runaway smash, the sheer originality of the series made it a favourite with its fans.

* OnlySoManyCanadianActors: Not quite as noticeable as some cases, if only because it was the early/mid '90s and the ''{{Degrassi}}'' franchise was in mothballs. But the cast overlap with AYAOTD is noted above.

** TheManInTheMirrorTalksBack. Both Jay and Flash experience this.

* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: Even before the DVD release, the entire series would occasionally be put up on YouTube or be found in a Torrent.

Season 3 had Jay out of his coma and physically recovered, though still dealing with issues in the world of his subconscious; this shift in tone and content for the series met with [[YourMileageMayVary mixed success]] and the show was cancelled on a cliffhanger.

This ''Odyssey'', originally named ''The Jellybean Odyssey'', was a Canadian kids' TV show that ran in the early 90's. While it shared many production traits (and even occasional cast members) with such other Canadian-produced shows as ''AreYouAfraidOfTheDark'', what set this show apart was its unusually sophisticated premise.

While comatose, Jay finds himself in a fantasy world where no one ever reaches the age 16. Without adults, the kids have formed their own society, comprised of exclusive clubs that shun outsiders. Their leader is Brad, a 15-year-old who "knows everything" and is apparently the centre of a personality cult / police state enforced by the oldest kids, who live in opulent luxury in the Tower. Jay sets out on a journey to return home, accompanied by Flash and Alpha (fantasy-world parallels of Keith and Donna). In doing so he becomes a fugitive, pursued by the Tower kids who fear he is 'the Wrecker' who will bring back the adults and end their reign of power.