The Odyssey (1992–1994) User Reviews

Odd but a deep-thinking kids' show

[cosmic_quest · 7/10 · 16 April 2006]

'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 most original and thought provoking show that I watched as a kid.

[sean-bardgett · 9/10 · 13 January 2014]

I loved this show from the first moment I watched it. I had a hard time getting the chance to see it at first because I only had basic cable back then and it wasn't until YTV picked up the show that I was able to see it in its entirety.

This show focuses on a 13 year boy named Jay Ziegler who falls out of a tree house while trying to retrieve his father's telescope from Keith and a group of his friends that pretended to befriend him. As a result of the fall, he is knocked unconscious and ends up in a coma. This is only the start of Jay's problems, as he finds himself in an elevator that transports him into the "down world" a place where only kids exist and no one exceeds the age of 15. This world is comprised of Jay's subconscious and exaggerates a lot of the struggles that Jay eventually deals when he comes out of the coma. As the series goes on he tries to find ways to get back to his own world and eventually realizes that the key to doing so is to find his father who traumatized Jay by faking his own death and abandoning him.

The story overall was very original and well written. It was a shame that they didn't continue it because I think it would been interesting to see if his fathers past would have added on to the troubles that Jay already had trying to grow and adjust to the real world again. There was still enough meat on the bone that there was always new material that could have been found. You also have to give credit to the actors of the show as well, such as Tony Sampson, Ashleigh Moore, Andrea Nemeth, and of course Illya Woloshyn who played Jay to perfection. Considering that most of the cast members were kids they were very convincing in the roles they played.

Overall the show's theme was really good as it shows kids the consequences and challenges of growing up and how finding the truth can make you feel like a child.

Great First Two Seasons

[djbernard-36321 · 8/10 · 13 June 2018]

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.

One of the greatest sci-fi shows created!

[A-KO-2 · 2 February 1999]

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.

Strange Odyssey

[hellraiser7 · 10/10 · 21 August 2014]

Imagination and dreams can be really strange because it is something we do all the time. Despite living in reality in mere seconds we tend to imagine ourselves doing something else or being someplace else, or even go so far as to imagine ourselves in a different world.

This is one of my favorite TV shows of all time and it's also another childhood relic of mine that I personally feel still holds up which is something I can't say for all. The show is pretty much like the TV show "The Prisoner" or movies like "Brazil", "Inception" and "Jacob's Ladder" which all were based on challenging our perspectives of reality. So yeah it's not the kind of kids show that you see everyday which I think makes it even more awesome, because it really shows how it's possible to make a quality kids show with rich substance.

I really love the fantasy world Downworld. Which is a fascinating world, it's mixed in cultural eras from some of the past, modern times, and the futuristic. And of course there is some magic involved, makes it feel like a place where anything is possible. It kinda makes sense because in a world of dreams there is no real sense of time, nor any particular set of rules, so it perfectly fits.

I really like how at times the show isn't all fun and games but can be really dark at times. Like for example in one episode Alpha's library gets burned down by the Monitors, which is a dark irony for the book burnings of the Nazi party. Or even seeing both Medea and Jay both in a house together in the desert of nowhere which is obvious Freudian overtone on losing innocence.

The pacing of the show is great, it really feels like an adventure and everyplace they go in Downworld is always someplace different you never know what to really expect. There are even some hidden meanings in places in the show that it would probably take more than one watch to uncover more.

Most importantly I really love how the show can really mess with you head, challenge your preceptions. At times things happens in the realm of reality which happen affect Downworld, or even the other way around; it really makes you wonder at times if Downworld isn't a dream of Jay's making but may'be an alternate reality that Jay somehow was able to psychically transport himself to? I don't know that's just one theory I have, my friends and I always debated about this which to me is part of the fun of the show some things are left to your own assumptions.

The characters are great, the villain is great Finger played well by Mark Hildreth whom is known for voice acting as Hero Yuy for the anime series "Gundam Wing" which is awesome since I'm a fan of the Gundam franchise. Finger is one of my favorite fictional villains, he's just a villain you love to hate because he is just a power mongering blowhole that is just willing to go to any lengths to get what he wants in the worst way possible.

Two of the protagonists are great(well OK one of them was a former antagonist.). Jay is a solid protagonist, he is sympathetic because he is constantly disoriented trying to make sense out of the world he is, while surviving and being forced to run and fight for his freedom to step up for both himself and the people of Downworld.

Medea she is my favorite character in the entire show. I remember as a kid having a crush on the actress Andrea Nemeth, I honestly thought she was cute and kinda hot but most importantly a capable actress whom unfortunately never had much else afterward which is sad. Anyway, the character Medea is great , she's funny, she's got some of the best lines, I really love how much fire and energy she has in her, bitchy but in a good way. What makes her more interesting is her transformation though out the show, how at first she is an antagonist but then slowly but surely she turns into protagonist. Sometimes the fundamental problem with this is the character would lose momentum or become uninteresting but this doesn't happen Medea just becomes more interesting and I feel this is a prime example of character transformation when done the right way.

I even like the chemistry between both Jay and Medea which I think is one of the best things about the show. Both of them are one of my favorite fictional couples, I personally believed the connection process between both of them. It's funny how the process goes both of them were rivals, Medea literally wanted Jay dead while Jay was trying to just get far away from her. However as the rivalry intensifies there are sparks that are just flying and ricocheting between the two, both we see don't really hate each other you can see in there eyes both do fancy each other and with that there feelings change gradually for the better. In one episode with the mirror maze, Jay could of easily got away from Medea but doesn't as if he wanted to be found or at some points how close both are to kissing each other. As a saying goes it takes friction to make a fire, and these two make a bonfire.

The shows has underlying messages on the importance and value of freedom and fighting against fascism; but most importantly it's a coming of age tale. Jay is a person that is growing up and as he goes further in the adventure he starts to grow more and realizes it's not his father he's looking for it's himself.

Jay dreams about his odyssey and we think about ours.

Rating: 4 stars

A favourite of my childhood

[winstonsmith_84 · 8/10 · 6 December 2020]

When I was just a youngster I would always try to watch this show when it came on. I can't remember how many episodes I watched or which ones I watched exactly but I do remember the feeling of mystery, another world, the dream world. I remember I quite liked the show but was always sad that I hadn't seen all episodes. Well now I can finally sit down and watch it once for all. I'm actually a bit wowed that a few famous actors are in this show too.. such as Ryan Reynolds and Devon Sawa (who I actually remember from my neighbourhood - he was my classmates brother growing up in BBY North). So yeah, kind of fun to see this again. I certainly remember it a bit different, and back then I was so young many of the kids in this were older than I was. Now watching it feels a little bit different but at the same time I'm swept away and feel like a kid again when I watch it. The music too was just right for this show... sort of ethereal and magical. So yeah, a quirky weird little show but I think it was a hidden gem of a show.

It started off great

[talllwoood13 · 6/10 · 12 December 2023]

This show started off great once you get an episode or two in. It was really well written and had a lot of thought provoking undertones about the stuff that happened in Jay's life while he was in a coma as if he was listening and trying to imagine what was happening in it. I wish more shows were written like this instead of the dumbed down slop we get today. Seriously if they did just one season it would have been fine and it would deserve the 8 / 10, maybe even higher.

As the actor who played Jay got older his acting NEVER improved. We can tell he got the role for his looks. He became like a culmination of Frankie Muniz with his level of complaining in Malcolm In The Middle with the acting abilities of Tommy Wiseau or JCVD with how he delivered his lines in a thick Ukrainian accent, which no one else has in the series. As the series continued I liked him less and less. Not like I was rooting for the bad guy but he doesn't seem like someone I'd hang out with after school or so. I hate how his hair is cut. He's like a Backstreet Boy reject too. Then again it was the 90s!

Now season 2 was a mess. It felt more like a soap opera with tons of cliff hangers. Netflix seriously needs to put this on their website how easy this show is to binge. At least it ended on kind of a good note to the point making season 3 was absolutely unnecessary. Yes he's trying to get his life back together after the coma but how they do it is just aimless where you seriously don't care. The ugly mom has a new boyfriend he's got to accept cliche, a love interest who surprised the heck out of me that she's in the original Scary Movie from 2000. I'm kind of surprised he never went after Donna / Alpha but that would have been too cliche. Besides that you keep asking yourself why you're still watching this? Think of season 3 as if they made John McClain from Die Hard saved the day and instead of rolling the credits you see he's home cutting the grass and going bowling or in therapy for a week or so after. Did the real writer of the series who wrote the more iconic episodes give up or go into a coma of his / their own.

Flash / Keith hair is glorious as the series continues. I can imagine Rob Van Damme the WWE wrestler got his style from him. He can't act and all he can do is yell, where it almost comes off as over acting. He looks too nice to be a tough guy.

Alpha / Donna and Medea / Sierra are two of the only people who can act in this series. What surprised me was Sarah Chalke (Rick and Morty) and Ryan Renolds and Will Sasso from Mad Tv were in this. Will sticks out like a sore thumb. Not where you know it's him right away, as they had to mention him in the credits but if I remember right he's much larger than the other kids to the point I'm surprised he wasn't too old to be on the show. Season 2 roughly 4 or so episodes in.

I think Jay's dad was horribly written as if he's some dead beat and Jay pathetically looks for him for answers why he left and everything. Using his fathers items to get him out of the coma was kind of stupid too thinking of this as an adult. I must have missed something as it feels like Macro just vanished and wasn't mentioned any more. I kind of felt they could have used Brad more too.

By the end of it the series they still keep asking all these questions up to the last episode where instead they should have been wrapping it up as there's a few huge questions they never answered. Such as Jay being with Sierra as she was between two guys, getting any form of closure between Jay's mom and dad after finding out the truth and there being peace or order in Jay's dreamland the series revolves so much around. It ends with a "bang" but not a good one. Were they hoping on a 4th season and they got cancelled? There seems like a few episodes in season 4 that were unnecessary that they could have easily answered these questions I'm bringing up instead with whatever shoe string budget they were given. I wasn't expecting some big Hollywood movie ending but they could have done way better.

Very original and unique TV show

[Apogee_ · 2 September 2002]

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?

Brilliant and Engrossing

[Banky-4 · 6 January 2001]

Probably one of the better examples of fantasy work, especially for television. A very deep, and well acted series, never really gets old. I really wish they'd release the series on tape and/or DVD so that I could buy it. Really well done.

I concur, mindboggling

[Herald5 · 12 December 1999]

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

From Excellent to mediocre in three seasons

[agsconsulting2874 · 28 June 2022]

The first season was, as the subject line says: excellent. It was intriguing and rather unique as alternate world themes go. It made me want to watch season 2.

Season 2 was okay, but it started to become apparent that this was going somewhere that I didn't want to go, with a shift away from the first season concepts that made it so interesting to me. It was still worth watching though.

I watched season 3 to find out what the ending would be. I won't give it away, but it was very unsatisfying and disappointing in my opinion. This part of the series devolved into a teen drama that was more annoying than entertaining.

They should have tried to end this (with a different ending) in season 1 or season 2.

A Long Time...

[fat_nickele · 23 February 2008]

Today is Saturday, february 23, 2008. When The Odyssey (T.V. Show) was playing, I watched every one, well with exception for maybe one or two. For some weird reason it has kept with me until now. It's funny, I can barely remember it, but there are parts of it that I not only remember but dream about. From what I remember it was a great show...Again from what I can remember. I wish I had copies of the three seasons. I don't know why I add this comment, other then the fact that it's been about ten or more years...And i'm still thinking about it. I'm sure i'll think about long after i'm finished writing this down. Well, I'm off to go look for a price for these three seasons, so good bye.

A mess.I was expecting Wonderland or Narnia,I got Goonies!(Spoilers ahead)

[lord_grendel_harliquin · 23 May 2000]

While the acting and lines are silly! This series doesn't really have a plot or a point at all.Its just a whole lot of pointless encounters which is going no where.I stopped watching it when I realized that Jay will never reach the tower and by the time he does I will stop caring.The acting and lines are horrendous! Was there any thought put into this at all? Was there even a script? The characters shout their meaningless dialogue at thin air or state the blatantly obvious,all while not even looking at their fellow 'actors'.My biggest problem was "Last Time On Odyssey",they would give us a review of what has happened previously before each episode,even when it had nothing to do with the episode we are going to see! That is just pointless and would confuse rather than clearify.Since it gives the impression of DOWNWORLD being real and not just a part of Jay's subconisus,I would like things not to reflect Jay's ignorance about EVERYTHING! I mean this guy dosen't know even his mythlogy,so the story just keeps the name of the mythical fiqure they are encountering and just makes it a vampaire or something,to fit into whatever pointless advantere comes next.I will not even go into the battle scenes,because if I do I will cry.Imagine about a dozen kids,about ages 12 to 15,branishing plastic clubs or wooden swords hacking uselessly at each other while swinging from vines and shouting dialoge like "TAKE NO PRISONERS",it starts to hurt when it happens three times each episode.While at first glance this looks like an entertaining show,wait a while it will grind on you.