I hate this episode. I hate it because it’s an insult to Danny’s character. Coming after the grounds of maturity in both “13” and “Public Enemies”, the writers decided for some reason or another, they wanted to rewind Danny’s behavior and modify him to act immature in the manners most befitting his earlier, pre-“My Brother’s Keeper” stage. What we get is Danny obsessed with his little Halloween bet towards Dash that he impulsively steals Fright Knight’s sword that incurs his wrath. He witnesses, then ignores the growing trend of darkness when Fright Knight himself comes to wreck the party. He locks up risen zombies during Lancer’s evaluation, he sits back while he is almost consumed by a giant spider, and only when he gets the confidence that he’ll win does he regale his heroic form and save the day at the last minute (Fenton Foamer or not). It’s a tiresome push of an Aesop that doesn’t work. Danny is at his most selfish, derivative, arrogant, idiotic role I’ve ever seen in Danny Phantom. The writers constantly push the ideal that he’s a deluded self-centered tart so brutally commanded by a little bet that he ignores any and all impending dangers until the last minute, firmly placing an apology during that time period. A small competition that causes him to outdo Dash is within his character during this point in time, but it is a mad contradiction and poor writing choice for the young fourteen-year-old to behave this irresponsibly that he’d risk others in order to win a tepid contest. I was cheering for Sam when she constantly tries to get his head together. What Danny gets at the end he deserves to the maximum degree.
The Halloween factor is only used as an element by occasionally showing trick or treating costumed tykes and the Fright Knight’s ties with it. Indeed, the ghastly knight would probably be the closest to conjuring up a set of nightmares to the little kiddies and his demonic personality, looks, and horse are a sight to behold. It was a brilliant move on the writer's part to make him a part of Halloween tradition; being a hellish figure of a ghost, I can only imagine the torture he gave to the pagans who originated it (though in a far different tone). Nothing is remotely scary in this episode due to it’s younger audience escapade, but at the very least the animators tried for an dark scenery in Fright Knight’s home away from home, though it’s booby trapped rooms have nothing against the far more atmospheric first hands-on look at the Ghost Zone in “Prisoners of Love” which in itself is a prestigious set of art. If anything, Halloween specials are presumably mandatory, it’s the only holiday guaranteed to appear in a kid’s show behind Christmas (which Danny also has), though DP is a bit excusable as it’s central theme deals with Ectoplasmic beings. It’s ironic the Christmas special has them contribute cultural significances of their kind.
Unfortunately like most lackluster holiday specials, the story is uninspiring. The ending itself is abrupt; Fright Knight’s villain exit was fittingly dramatic for a ghost his stature, but his shortcomings were too coincidental. Tucker’s plastic pumpkin bucket was placed on a drawer for Danny to use against him when logically Tucker had little time to place it, nor could he; he didn’t possess it by end. The Fenton Foamer served as an effective tool during the second half despite no evidence of the Fentons leaving one behind prior. In the end, it’s not a matter of severe luck, but severe plotholes and bad writing. The incantation is a nice touch and gives it an added mystical tone for an ancient like Fright Knight, but it’s a moot point by “Reign Storm” when Danny doesn’t bother reciting the very lines to do away with him. Is this only a Halloween thing or what? This episode also seem to foreshadow Tucker’s role as a third wheel when the Fright Knight sends him to Nightmarville, leaving only Danny and Sam to cur Fright Knight’s wrath. What? No technological doo-dads for him to chip in? It seems only Lancer is of any worth here when he doesn’t resort to favoritism until Danny’s parents Fenton Foams him.
The rubbery looks give everyone contorts of fugly and the color combination of green, purple, black, and orange are just awful to look at. Fortunately they again succeed in the great battle sequences where everything is fast paced, especially the end when Fright Knight delivers slice and dice action. Danny holding his sword before shouting the chant and the aftermaths of it with Danny and Sam’s hair marvelously blowing in the wind are two of the rare spotlights of art in this episode.
It's only slightly better then “Boxed Up Fury” with I declare the worst Danny Phantom episode ever, but I will admit to being grossly amused by Danny speaking with Sam mere moments before smashing a grandfather’s clock on Fright Knight. His baffled look is priceless.
2/10
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Article Written revised in: May. 16, 2008
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