If I were to chose the most overrated Danny Phantom episode, it wouldn’t be “The Ultimate Enemy”. It gets a lot of talk, but I’d much rather pick “Fanning the Flames” because it’s pure Danny/Sam content is fodder for the shipping wars that continuously debate even now in the DP fandom. I don't blame 'em, this is the only Danny/Sam-related episode that was well written, intriguing, and worth watching. I don’t theoretically have a problem with the Danny/Sam angle; for Season One and Two, the writers did an admirable job hinting it without going overboard, adding in little twists here and there to keep it spicy; if anything, I have more favorite moments to pick from this particular pairing then I do a favorite episode. Season Three made way for new writers who unfortunately took this concept to the extreme. Logically speaking, it makes sense that their romance would blossom frequently and fittingly by this point and it wouldn’t have matter jack to me if this wasn’t shoved hastily and forcibly for half the third arc. For many, “Fanning the Flames” is among the greatest. For me, it’s merely “good”.
The episode is all the more easier to watch on the basis that the romance doesn’t so much take centerfold as much as they craft the magnificent plot. Danny’s love for Sam is conjured by Ember who’s just as attention seeking in this episode as she is in concert. She’s a living example of youth rebellion and revolution, a temptress who woos the young ’uns with her musical prowess. Sassy with just the right amount of attitude, Ember almost hypnotizes the entire planet to get them to remember her name. Her song equally reflects that. The episode never shows off the entire thing (but can be heard in full at Butch Hartman's official website) which is unfortunate because it does a good job on why Ember is hell-bent on achieving fame. It’s sad to think that it hints of a broken heart and a tragic death that fits her given name. She has a lot of story in her and while it remains grossly underplayed, her spunk brings out the best in her. Tara Strong is impressive as Ember’s voice as is the rest of the cast in one of their strongest performances. Danny‘s “how could you” is heartbreaking and executed brilliantly. Too bad this didn’t become a winning hat trick in the other two times he’s shown sad emotions during--surprise, surprise--Season Three.
Even if this is strictly Danny/Sam (lovingly foreshadowed by “Shades of Gray”), Tucker doesn’t take a backseat. He’s bad singing is vital to Ember’s decrease in popularity, not to mention powerful enough to undo the trance she has placed her fans on, even if by realistic standards, one fan creating controversy would possibly grant popularity then decline. It’s a fairly stupid way of ending her awesome scheme, but in Danny Phantom, it’s another example of a device (today, the Fenton Phones) or thing that triggers the villain’s defeat. With the Fenton Phones, Sam plays the role of reluctant romancer. Throughout the series, she is the one who gives off hints on her crush for Danny. Here, she denies any wanton actions from Danny, even if she secretly enjoys it. It’s the first vital clue on how Sam treats her secret crush; there is no dramatic lovey-dovey scenes and she certainly doesn’t take advantage of it, she handles it without any hint of irony or forcefulness. The only question I ask is if Ember’s love spell triggered Danny’s crush on Sam or just pushed him into oggling the first person he saw? Danny is clueless and anything he feels for Sam is mostly friendship, but small hints from both this episode and “Shades of Gray” lay the grounds that the former could just be as true as the latter theory.
Music plays a key role in this episode. Ember’s song is especially special. The fact that Danny Phantom doesn’t have any musical episodes (for shame--I wanted singing Vlad) makes “Remember” stand out. The lyrics are rich and sincere, and despite the bouncy rock, it doesn’t sound generic or pop-like as Sam points it out to be (the “Girls Rule” song in a latter episode on the other hand unfortunately fit’s the bill). It’s worth a listen and really brings Ember’s character. It remained overplayed in the episode however--the composer couldn’t kill to make at least two more songs? The only other score I really paid attention to was the brief, silent scene between Danny and Sam on their way to the music store where we’re treated to a relaxed, yet tantalizing, heroic lyric-less score of DP’s main theme (which in itself is good listening as long as you avoid the annoying rap). If DP ever had a soundtrack, this needs to be mandatory inclusion. This, in my opinion, remains one of my favorite scenes in Danny Phantom where neither words nor hasty action is needed; the music and the soothing animation lays the ground as the sun beams down on Danny. It's a rare moment in the series, which is why it stands out so well.
It also remains one of the most striking animation I have seen in Danny Phantom, a great feat for an episode already filled with terrific character model and solid colorings (Ember’s light blue/black design is beautiful, yet punkish and the title card is equally beautiful), added with minor additions: Tucker waving his hand while he dramatically sings, Ember eying her surroundings for any suspicious activities, Sam frustratingly placing a fist on her head; these little insignificant acts really brings out the human in the cast.
So no, this episode isn’t perfect. It’s not great, and the overrated--while deserving--is just that, overrated, but it’s worth watching. It’s a rare treat of good storytelling, gorgeous art, and catchy music.
8.5/10
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Article Written revised in: May. 2, 2008
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