That said, there were some elements of this origin story that were oddly disturbing. I think it’s because we’ve been given a very brief origin story every episode during the opening credits, and I had developed my own mental “fill in the blanks” version based on that narrative and a few other hints that came in other episodes. This story seems to contradict some of those details.

First and foremost, everything in the opening credits suggests that Danny was alone when he entered the nascent portal. I found it quite jarring to learn that Sam and Tucker were there with him. In fact, the credits show Danny beginning to pull on his jumpsuit even before his parents had left the lab.

Second, the credits not only show, but they also state that he was unconscious for a period of time after his molecules were rearranged. (“When he first woke up, he realized. . . .”) And yet, in this episode Danny made a nearly instant recovery—so quick, in fact, that Jack didn’t seem to notice anything wrong when he entered the lab just a few moments later. This all seems to be at odds with something Jazz said in My Brother’s Keeper, that she was very concerned about the changes in Danny’s behavior “since the accident.” That line suggests that Danny’s family may not have know exactly what happened to him the day the portal was turned on, but that he was hurt badly enough that they came to refer to that event simply as “the accident.”

Danny’s learning curve with his powers was reasonably accelerated because he had Sam’s coaching this time around, but I’m glad they included such humorous moments as his face-plant into the floor and his momentary horror at seeing his spectral tail. I could have done without the ectoplasmic fart, however.

A word about the logo. I have read that there was some consternation among fans that Sam would presume to “stick” Danny with a logo that she designed without asking his permission first. I actually don’t have a problem with that. After all, Danny didn’t “consent” to wear a black and white jumpsuit every day or so for the rest of his life, did he? The appearance of his superhero costume was never his own choice. And I do have to admit a certain appreciation for two little moments: first, when Sam absentmindedly doodled possible logos in her notebook during science class, and second, when she hurriedly included the logo in her last wish for Desiree. Her doodles, by the way, were not in the artistic style of the show; they almost look like they were done in pencil—as if they were copied from an actual page of logo sketches done by Mr. Hartman and his team.

I love the little teaser, with Sam encouraging Danny to “totally haunt this place.” I wonder how often she makes little suggestions like that?

The fight between Danny and Sam was set up well with the conflict over Sam’s movie tickets and Paulina’s party (not to mention the relative value of monster trucks and plastic cows). The later stages of the fight seemed a little forced to me, as I found it hard to believe that the Femalien’s utterance of the name “Saaaaam” would be enough to make Danny so. . . cranky. After all, Femalien had said “Paul-eeee-na!” in the exact same tone of voice when she first attacked. It would have been just as reasonable to think that Sam was the next victim, not the cause of the problem. But, the plot must be advanced!

I don’t know why, but it really impressed me that Mr. Lancer made even a token attempt to defend his students from Femalien. I’m always glad to see the “normal” characters have a chance to show genuine courage. (I call this sort of thing the “Xander Syndrome” after the most humanly vulnerable yet persistently brave character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)

The whole sequence after the commercial break, with Danny and Tucker resigned to their dull lives and Sam desperately trying to convince Danny that he’s a hero, was very well done. These were great character moments.

All in all: a clever plot, great character moments and abundant humor make this an episode I’m always happy to see again.

Rating:

By: Bluemoonalto

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