That’s a motto of mine, frequently invoked when writing, beta-reading or just enjoying fanfiction. I strive for factual accuracy in my work, but sometimes you just have to disregard reality in order to make the story work. I have to invoke that maxim again and again while watching One of a Kind.

This is one instance where the writers didn’t let the facts get in the way of telling a good story. It is a good story, with a terrific blend of humor, action and character development. I’m always please to see an episode that’s tightly plotted, with all the storylines intersecting and intertwining throughout. Danny’s poor grade contrasts with Jazz’s efforts to get her mother onto the cover of Genius Magazine. Skulker’s desire to put Danny in a cage relates to Sam’s desire to set Sampson free. Danny’s study plans, programmed into Tucker’s PDA, provide the key to defeating Skulker—by forcing him to do research about purple-back gorillas.

But the zoo. Oh, the zoo! As much as I enjoy the story’s progress, I have to take the zoo scenes with a grain of salt. Make that several tablespoons of salt. The zoo doesn’t even know the gender of its nearly extinct gorilla? There’s a great big “open cage” button sitting right out there where any bystander can operate it? The cage opens right onto the sidewalk? The zoo allows kids to hang out unsupervised all night long? Aaarrrrgh! (Happy place. Happy place. Happy place.) I’m not even going to include these in the “nitpicks” section, because it would be like shooting fish in a barrel.

There’s such a huge contrast between Danny’s limited abilities in these early episodes and his nearly apocalyptic firepower in more recent episodes. It’s particularly noticeable here, as it’s actually Sampson who defeats Skulker, while Danny watches and cheers alongside Sam and Tucker. Compare this to the opening scene of Micro-Management, in which Danny is able to disable Skulker without even bothering to transform first.

Rating:

By: Bluemoonalto

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