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The Final Conflict

Album: 25: Darkness Before Dawn

Episode: 334

Lesson/Theme: Darkness Before Dawn mini-series

Bible Verse: n/a

Characters: Bart, Regis, Sam, Bernard, Eugene, Jason, Rodney, Tom

Writer:

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: October 7, 1995

Last Air Date: May 5, 2009

Description:
Jason reveals to Jack that the mysterious mineral is a component of a compound called TA-418, which was part of a deadly virus called Ruku. This Ruku was used by a terrorist group Dr. Blackgaard was connected with in Switzerland (see"A Name, Not a Number" - AIO #290 & 291). It’s clear now that everything that has happened in Odyssey, the vandalism, Tom’s recall as mayor, Blackgaard’s candidacy, the scandals, has been part of Blackgaard’s scheme to gain unlimited access to the mineral under Whit’s End. Jason has the Israelites, Eugene, and Bernard surround Whit’s End to keep a close eye on the mineral. They wind up capturing Jellyfish and Rodney Rathbone as they break into, then try to escape from the discovery emporium. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Dr. Blackgaard tells Glossman that his illness was simply a scam to get out of running for mayor. (A doctor, however, contests this.) Regis now plans to slip out the back of the hospital. Then he’ll go to Whit’s End with Professor Bovril and Jellyfish to get the last of the mineral and escape while Whit’s End is blown to bits. Blackgaard has ordered Glossman to set up a press conference at the hospital, which will put the plan in action. But things soon backfire. Blackgaard announces his withdrawal from the mayoral race, but he doesn’t endorse Bart Rathbone as his successor. Bart retaliates by blaming Glossman for the things that have been happening around Odyssey. At the police station, Jellyfish tries to get himself off the hook. He confesses to everything, including Blackgaard’s plan to blow up Whit’s End! Jason and the police race to the scene. At Whit’s End, Blackgaard realizes that something has gone wrong. He sends Professor Bovril off with a van filled with the mineral. But Eugene and Bernard are lying in wait for the professor and catch him. Blackgaard goes down into the Underground Railroad tunnel to set off the explosives, and comes face-to-face with Jack. They have a final confrontation in which Jack appeals to Blackgaard to come to Christ. Blackgaard threatens Jack with death, but Jack says he is willing to sacrifice his own life to lead Blackgaard to Jesus. Blackgaard reveals that it is already too late. He really does have the Ruku virus, Regis is dying anyway. He has nothing to lose, so he pushes the button. The bomb goes off, collapsing the tunnel. Miraculously, Jack is thrown clear of the explosion. He is all right. But Blackgaard is not. Later, Jack reflects sadly on the whole affair. He had hoped to help Blackgaard change, but he was so corrupt, now there could only be one destination for him, an eternity without God.

Questions:
Why did Bart expose Glossman at the press conference? Why was Jack so willing to sacrifice his own life for Dr. Blackgaard’s? Dr. Blackgaard said that it was “too late” for him. But was it really? Is it ever too late to come to Jesus?