4.0833333333333 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.08 (288 Votes)
Episode 2.10: Dreamer of Dreams - 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 vote

When Chronicle funds are stolen, Olivia is blamed and Jasper tries to find a way to prove her innocence.

Writer: Heather Conkie 
Director: Allan King 
Special Guests: R.H. Thomson as Jasper Dale 
Original CBC Airdate: February 3, 1991 
Original Disney Airdate: September 15, 1991 
Time Frame: Fall-Winter 1904

Highlights/Analysis

Olivia is put in charge of the Avonlea Chronicle while Mr. Tyler is in Halifax for a meeting, which causes long time employee, Mr. Pinker, to resent the decision.  After staging a flying experiment that goes wrong, Jasper overhears the town gossips describing him as a failure and expressing their concern for Olivia.

For Olivia's sake, Jasper decides to end his relationship with Olivia, both professionally and romatically.  He leaves his two-seated bicycle at Rose Cottage, which was not only one of his better inventions, but a symbol of his relationship with Olivia.

Felicity and Sara write a fictional column called 'Madame X,' which reveals many of the villagers short-comings through thinly disguised aliases, including Alec King, who's "snoring" is described as "boring." When Olivia accidently publishes the column, the town erupts in protest.

Matters grow worse as renewal money from the Chronicle safe is stolen and Olivia is blamed for the loss. Jasper returns from seclusion and uses his camera to catch the culprit.

The ending is far more surprising than the ending in The Hope Chest of Arabella King. This time around, we have more than one possible suspect and Mr. Pinker was a good decoy for the possible burgler at the Chronicle.

Criticism

None

Rhetorical Questions

Would you bet on a horse called Galloping Consumption?

How many times did it take Jasper to explain his plan to catch the burglar to Abner Jefferies?

Have you noticed that many of Jasper's failures throughout the series end in disaster as a result of fire?

Memorable Quotes

"I'd have to dream up something exciting to happen in this poky old village." -Felix King

"Snoring is boring." -Madame X

Sap Meter: 3

Sara gets sappy near the end when she tells Jasper and Olivia, "remember what Madame X said. It's time for you two to have a heart to heart talk."

Notes

(1) The title for this episode is adapted from Chapter 21 of The Story Girl, but that's about all the episode and chapter share in common. The theme behind the 'Dreamer of Dreams' chapter focuses more on Sara's reaction to a dream Cecily had, and the cousins' plans to record their dreams.

Grade: A 

This episode provides a good follow-up to 'May The Best Man Win,' fortunately giving Jasper and Olivia another story in this stellar season.

Leave a comment

Post comment as a guest

0 / 5000 Character restriction
Your text should be less than 5000 characters

People in this conversation

  • Greg White

    Another example of how small minded individuals, and thier wagging tongues, can inflict heartfelt pain. Jasper Dale is a kind and caring man, with a big heart. How cruel a busybody can be.

  • Medusa

    How I miss the earlier RTA seasons!! (currently, I'm watching the last season on TV). I feel like the writing and the plots for later seasons were rushed, while those of earlier seasons were very well-thought. As for the "Dreamer of Dreams" episode, I always rewind the part where Elvira Lawson is reading her husband's alleged letter, and is in complete shock. I also miss the Lawsons. As much as I like Muriel as a grocer in later seasons, nothing compares to the Lawsons' store- it was the epicentre of the town, the place where Hetty King cracked an egg on Rachel Lynde's face!!!

  • Greg, the mocking of his flight attempt is also a nod to criticism of the day toward scientific discovery. In 1895, Royal Society president Lord Kelvin said "Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible."

  • Medusa, Seasons 1 and 2 are my favorite seasons. The writing was more consistent with Heather Conkie writing many of the episodes. I remember reading that Conkie's family though it odd that she was cackling and laughing while writing for the series. It's too bad she couldn't have written the majority of the later episodes.

Latest Board Posts

  • No posts to display.

Latest Comments

Neil
Felix is such a bonehead! Izzy has been head over heels for him for years, and he's still treating h...
Laurie
I think deep down she harbors resentment that Felicity was the real star of the show.
Agnes
I hated those storylines both with Felicity, Sara but also Anne. When the creators try to match them...