A plot involving pirates, enticing music, and missing adults are best fit in a modern, high-sea mystery novel; that or copious amount of drugs. As a filler, it entertains at best. As a continuity, it marvels. Baring small plot errors/irks out of the way (Danny doesn’t know how to work the Opt Center, but he can work the other Fenton tools--including the ability to pilot a blimp--just fine, unable to transform inside the ghost shield?!) the distorted connection between pirates, gym equipment, vapordrone, and the over-thirties are about as misleading as an Escher painting. Which is why it makes the all more sense for Danny to remain confused for the better part of the first half, not to mention the audience. The pieces are random in comparison, but by end they coherently fit together in an almost flawless effort. Till then, I was stumping the "whats" of Youngblood's plan. Ember’s reveal was less then subtle; if it’s not the increasingly familiarity of the easy listening version of “Remember” (Sam even counters with a techno remix!), then it’s the blatant M. Bersback Cruise Line. Eh, you can’t win ’em all. It’s filler, but it’s good filler and that’s a rare spicy piece-a meatball.
Both Youngblood and Ember make an effective duo, but their personalities shines a lot more then their general interactions; bonding through their mutual hatred of adults. Ember’s just as spunky, only now in cute pirate garbs. Her disgust of older figures and a rebellious attitude makes her a chumley buddy to newcomer Youngblood who works as a youthful, crass, energetic, immature ten-year-old pirate child. Yet it belies the greater truth that this tyke is malicious in his actions: he governs an entire band of cutthroat pirates and commands their ship with ease while masterminding an efficient plot. He’s mischievousness reaches the ears or pirates in this case, one of the few who could probably handle the energies and inconsistencies of children, no matter how annoying they are. Eh, they can always have a mutiny. The only one allowed to talk back is his parrot and that’s strictly for linguistic purposes. Though he drops the occasional cynical mark, the bird serves as a softer yin to Youngblood’s raging yang, frequently giving off a snarky tone in conjunction to prove he’s not your average media-induced pirate parrot.
Beyond it all, it is Danny himself who drives the episode. An upgrade from what he started in “Public Enemies”, Danny remains focused the entire time. Unable to comprehend missing adults, he remains hesitant and downright discourages the party both Sam and Tucker operates. Sam surprisingly who excitingly host it as their DJ then provide her usual rational tone. It’s an interesting diversion and another great look at her character. If anything, her prime motivation is because of her parents lack of existence. For once in her life, she doesn’t have the two hounding over them like a pair of bodyguards, criticizing her lifestyle. For the first time in possibly a long time, Sam can stretch her legs and be herself without a pair of eyes hovering over her. Ghost invasion be damned, she will not be deterred.
But I digress. Much like “13”, Jazz and Danny role reversed, the ghost boy providing the levelheaded, concern side. Both this and “13” manages to provide decent foreshadowing; “13” didn’t just build up the maturity though, it set a path for his interaction with Danielle where after much practice with an entranced Jazz and handling constant barrage of older sisterly behavior, Danny knows from experience how to handle someone younger then himself, to provide a helping hand and remind a somewhat older brother figure to her. “Pirate Radio” enhances what we learned of him in “Public Enemies”; with it, he becomes a leading figure to his peers--no matter how much they dislike him--by commanding his own crew in an almost parallel side to Youngblood: both young, immature children. Yet it’s also a contrast: Youngblood is placed the way he is to counter Danny’s personality. Stuck in the shadows of an older sister, Danny remained the less behaved of the two. Now that he’s finally confronted with someone younger then him, Danny shines as the “adult” figure. By end, despite frustratingly unable to explain the true exploits on the happenings of both the party and the Opt Center, Danny is left picking up leftovers, but he takes it all in stride. It’s not a matter of just getting used to it, it’s about swallowing his pride and growing up. The world is saved; his family is safe, that's all that matters...even if his battle skills in this episode leaves much to be desire (seriously, blocking without a shield? You can do better then that, Danny).
Nothing much to speak in terms of animation this time around. Both the artwork and colors are solid and Ember’s outfit is to die for. At least half the episode takes place during the night, so the green and magenta stand out more then usual. The beginning intro with the night sky is overdone, but lovely. If only the music remained diverse. “Remember” is a catchy score, but having to hear it thousands of times in “Fanning the Flames” and again in different remixes is tiresome--different style or not.
9.5/10
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Article written in: Jun. 26, 2008
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