Let’s see, Sam’s general action here is objectionable, immoral, and obnoxious enough as a nice foreshadowing of just the kind of annoyance she becomes in Season Three, yet why is this episode one of my all-time favorites? Because the focus on Sam’s behavior, her character, how she behaves within and out of her own environment, and the deeper insight into her world provides nice testimony on the intriguing aspect of her character, one which could have been developed (but never got the chance).
I always felt Sam’s motives of being Goth is not just to stand out from the crowd, but a bold rebellion against her loopy parents. She lives in a world where her parents force her to be this perfect princess they always envisioned on her, constantly shoving their beliefs down her throat that her only chance for sanity is to diss their methods and do the complete opposite. She became their anti-thesis and took up things weird, questionable, and dark as oppose to her parent’s ultra conservative, ultra happy lifestyle. Look at their character designs, even if they had no personality, you could see how 1950s they look, the bright, shiny smiles, the pearl necklace, the V-necked sweater, Jeremy and Pamela are the living embodiment of the Stepford parents, living in what look they feel is their faultless embodiment. It is their prime motivation to drive the “imperfection” out of their only child. Sam could cry for a cease and desist, but as a still young individual, she has yet to find a path between embracing her own self and respecting her parents, the latter which she puts up for show. As an act of irony, Sam's personality is just as forceful and determined whenever she comes to a problem she deems a negative, a trait she and the Mansons share.
Ultimately, this episode drives Sam’s character and creates a world on who she is and why she acts the way she does (or at least provide good hints and clues). It does a tremendous job detailing a complexity within her character that “Control Freaks” could have been a launching point for Sam’s character development. A forceful girl who is under her parent’s criticism that hinders herself as an individual, a potential character angle aching to be explored. It’s because Season Two and Three never even bother (especially the latter) that this episode both serves as a complete waste, yet also it’s strongest point by standing out amongst the wasted story arc.
Despite what people assume this episode might be, this isn't a Danny/Sam romance. There is no hints of the two blushing at one another, there is no struggle for young Sam to deal with her heart when Danny turns evil, no Tucker prodding their potential romance, nothing. No sign, nada. This is Sam in a role Season Three barely enforced: This is friend Sam, not romance Sam. While latter episodes shallowly focus on the budding romance at the expense of proper character building, “Control Freaks” takes it up a notch and instead explores her background and the risks she’d takes to save Danny, not because he's her future boyfriend, but because they’re FRIENDS. Best friends. Sam isn't just there for the sake of a one-noted romance, but because she is a valued companion whom Danny trusts. Her voice contorted against Freakshow and drove him to gain his moral-induced self back. If it had been Tucker doing that, he'd have done the same. And Danny saved Sam regardless of whether she is a friend, best friend, or civilian in need, because it's what he does. Both of them are special in Danny's eyes. With such a massive progress in Sam's expansion, I'm sorry it had to suffer as the series continued.
To add more character development, the episode continues Danny’s Dark Arc when Freakshow holds him under his command. Compare to his many other Dark-based episodes, this one falls a bit flat; the evil of Freakshow’s staff hypnotizes Danny to do whatever he commands and that’s about as straightforward as one gets, however, Sam sees him struggling with his darkness and tries to bring him back, arguable succeeding when he sees her in danger, but they could have done so much more. Is Danny’s trance just Freakshow’s command of his staff or does it trigger the darkness in his heart? His struggling bodes well with the latter, but their could have been more oomph. A scene of Danny confronting Sam and confessing how much he enjoys the darkness would have sufficed (“I like the darkness. I like the ability to use my powers and do whatever it is I want to do! I like to hurt people. Why shouldn’t I? They always hurt me, misinterpreting my good as actions of evil. I give them a chance, but they rave on like I’m some hideous beast! Why can’t I get my revenge? I like me this way!”) Sam adding in a “You’re acting like Vlad!” line would add further emotional insult/growth to Danny’s character. One also questions if Danny started to appreciate his ghost self as part of his human half if he could be hypnotized by Freakshow’s staff even as a human. After all, he made a completely separate split in “Identity Crisis”.
Newcomers The Mansons, only stated prior, but never seen makes their full appearances here, though I already explained their role in Sam’s life in an above paragraph, the intriguing notions is just how much they exemplify the opposite of Sam, yet can be just as forceful and stubborn as her. Being conservative parents living in Pleasantville, their presences ignite a flame of negativity in Sam and to us, the viewers. Are the writers stating Jeremy and Pamela's actions are terrible? Are they wrong? They undermine Sam's chosen lifestyle, they protest and create a mobbed frenzy, and isn't above snappy judgments. So is conservative a negative behavior? Are their methods any less self-righteous then Sam's? No, of course not. This episode is mostly seen from Sam’s eyes where she does view it as such, so we the audiences are left to sympathize with her and declare them and their beliefs nuisances-in-action, but that's a bold black and white viewing. By episodes end, the Mansons are not made out to be the enemies, but instead provides a helping hand (they freed the entire parental group out of the circus and accept the Fenton's objectionable, immoral, and obnoxious upbringing--for a time, they seem to return as enemies by "Reality Trip"--a step down, I admit, but that's something I can talk in my review for that episode). Notice this is during when Sam is off rescuing Danny, so her perspective isn't here, leading us to witness the Mansons' side of the story. I can't agree with the Manson's philosophy, but I can admire their devotion over their daughter. In the end, isn't that the primary behavior most fitting for parents?
Freakshow struck a note with many people on his initial appearance and then some by “Reality Trip”. Why not? He’s charismatic, unique, dramatic, and as an entertainer, he dazzled his way into the audience’s hearts. Now to mention his design is absolutely killer (who knew trench coats and bowler hats would look so good together?). He explains his darker abuse of the family staff, though his drive isn’t emphasized till “Reality Trip”, but it's a starting point that makes him a vulnerable human, one who desires for more. He’s a great villain, but he never struck a chord with me. But it's interesting that there is a human villain amongst the ghosts. The Ghost Freaks are only awesome in design as their personality is ridiculously little, though I guess I can’t really blame them, they were brainwashed as mindless slaves for the majority of the episode, but ya know...whatever.
Fortunately the animation this time is near perfect outside of some blatant (but very little) flaws. With so much of the Gothic influence, there is a lot of black and red going on, but the animators were wise enough to input in Danny Phantom’s standard green, and the Manson’s ultra bright colors. It’s highly effective as they stand out amongst the Goths whenever they appear on screen and further emphasize their enormous difference to their unwavering daughter. And frankly, the skies never looked beautiful, especially sunset at Circus Gothica. That is some killer color combos. On a little side note, I also personally enjoyed King Danny’s design as much as I did villains looks and the way they added little baggy eyes underneath his evil exterior. These little things truly bring out the "human" in these characters.
8.5/10
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Article Written revised in: Oct. 21, 2008
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