It’s pretty obvious at this point that anything involving Seximus’ face is guaranteed a spot in total bouts of fangirlish squeals from yours truly. Vlad excels in what he does best: manipulation and grand schemes that the heroes and us, the audience have a fine time guessing. He’s exterior goal (this time, humiliating Jack) is spoken in true fashion to one annoyed Danny, causing the ghost boy to assume it’s nothing but petty revenge on Jack, unaware of he’s far grander scheme to obtain the Fenton Portal to retrieve the Skeleton Key (Incidentally, with it’s ability to travel to any realm, I question the value and use of the Infi-Map). Naturally, he reveals his interior goals to gain said portal later on and while one can hazard that such a stupid move is clearly meant to move the story, one must gather Vlad is also a prideful man, confident in his abilities as he moves his planned actions on his predictable little chess pieces, so why shouldn’t he state his grander desires, especially when he considers Danny to be off little match for him. The man isn’t stupid though and he makes no remarks about the Skeleton Key towards his antagonist, knowing full well Danny will try to stop him. There is no sense in him revealing bigger, more expansive plans, only for a half ghost kid to screw around with it...just incase.
It’s a good example of Vlad’s character and storytelling. The Skeleton Key does play a significant part later down the road and this episode merely serves as a teaser, hungry for more on just what Plasmius intends to do with such a powerful object designed to take the user to any locked doors in the Ghost Realm. Clearly with a powerful object by his side, Vlad is capable of accomplishing a lot that only his vivid imagination can take him. He’s the master of his own game and there has been no one who could best him. Even if his foes were to figure it out and take him down, Vlad is living proof he’ll have the back up and the gull to pull it off. He has failed to humiliate and kill Jack, let alone distract Danny and cause him to further push the boy into his side, but that Skeleton Key is an example of his hidden Plan B’s. It’s proof the writers have masterfully handled Vlad’s personality, making him egotistical to announce his current A plan, but keep his motivations enigmatic, a mark of an intriguing character.
Unfortunately, it's storytelling doesn’t go smoothly without clumsy maneuvers. As genre savvy as Vlad can be, his plans were a little less tied together. The fact that he felt the need to trap both Jack and Danny in order to get the Fenton Portal is unexplained (outside of boasting) as he had the perfect opportunity when the ghost hunters--including both Fenton parents--were busy trying to throttle poor Danny down during the first and earlier second half of the episode. Even Tucker and Sam was down for the count with only Jazz missing in the action and she’s someone Vlad could easily take on, hardly a worthy obstacle (at this point). Vlad's revengeful, but he’s focused and only loses emotional balance when something peeves him off, an act that he didn’t show at all (until Jack pummeled him and that was well off his plans at that point). It makes me question what the prime uses for the ghost hunters were, if anything but distractions which proves a moot point if Vlad's going to capture them anyways.
The second half falls apart not just because of that flaw, but because the new characters, the ghost hunters really don’t contribute as wholesome as they could. In the beginning, their own demeanor, personalities, and actions were entertaining in their own way, but it’s short lived and nothing but flash and no substance (a rarity for Season One). Most of the time, they just laugh at Jack’s antics before screwing up with their own level of incompetence and lack of motivation for their million-dollar hunt. Then instead of actually trying to find Danny Phantom, they’re on Tucker’s tours, which seems like an obvious ploy to give Tucker and Sam unnecessary screen time. Seven characters in one episode is a chore and they were all wasted as a result, ultimately leaving them all flat and Vlad’s plans lacking on why he even hired those bozos.
Jack’s character handling is a long time coming, but with a slight anti-climate twist that spans the overall series. Him kicking Vlad’s ass proved he is good at what he does (only barred by his simple behavior) when he’s pushed by the boundaries of those he love: his family. Though this one is strictly father and son: Jack’s ego and pride was shot to hell during this episode from his own ward. He’s used to people poking fun at him that he easily shrugs it off (half the time he may not be aware of them), but to hear his own son cry out in embarrassment is like a chain saw running over his ribcage. Through his will (and a push from his wife), he tries to gain faith in his son’s eyes. After all, if he wants Danny to be a “chip off his old block”, he must set about a good example. Even if he fails multiple times, Jack finds someway to get back up and his act of will garners his son’s respect which sprinkles it's way throughout the series' run. He's not Father of the Year material, but he's a loving figure and that's what counts. And I will preach that till the day I lose interest in this show.
Jack is also the pinnacle of loyalty. After all, he sticks to his best friend Vlad like glue. He isn’t aware of his true intentions, but Vlad could be the worse scum alive and Jack would do whatever he can to try and see the good in him for as long as a man like Jack can give (which came into fruition in the last episode). He's not Father of the Year material, but he's a loving figure; a man who means well and the will to drive it, even if his actions doesn’t always indicate it. He is a happy individual with both ghost hunting and family. And that’s why the battle between him and Jack were appropriately delivered. They’re complete opposites of one another.
And that brings up a major flaw that I’d wish this episode had been shown; a better comparisons between Jack/Danny’s fatherly relationship and Vlad/Danny. A true showcase on why Vlad thinks Danny would benefit in his atmosphere and why an incompetent man like Jack is not worth his time when Danny's got someone who's grander, better, and so much more worthy as a father figure. It would have created a more emotional moment for all three; especially Vlad who’d only further his goal to make sure Danny would be smiling in his directions only.
The other shameful part of Jack’s behavior story is his promise that he’ll change for the better, an occurrence that rarely happens. As loving as he is, he could do with some character development just as much (this would be the anti-climatic part I speak). The series is rooted for character development and while we don’t see if Danny claims to remember his chores, the boy has taken on great responsibilities over the course of the series, passing beyond simple school and housework. Jack however remains the same till the bitter end. It’s not too big of an issue considering his character is lovable and unlike teenager Danny, both Jack (and Maddie) are full grown adults who are far more comfortable with their lives and decisions then a younger person would, but it would have spoke volumes. So it’s not a case of necessity, but a recommendation.
Animation isn’t anything to speak of. The first half in general is solid, though nothing eye popping bursts out other then Behemoth’s very awesome design. The second half unfortunately suffers that blubbery artwork that seems to hang around for the beginning of the second half, then randomly popping in every few minutes while the rest resorts to generally decent on-models. It’s systemically weird the same color scheme also takes a swan dive whenever that part of the animation takes over; the scene with Danny trying to get Jack to capture him is lackluster--Danny looking too solid in color and less whimsical, much like the awkward colors of “Parental Bonding”.
6.5/10
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Article written in: Sept. 24, 2007
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