The episode had the unfortunate luck to air after the chronologically later "Double Cross My Heart" and "Kindred Spirits", so Nickelodeon’s promotion of "Reality Trip" was left in shambles. The gimmick of Danny accidentally transforming in public should have been a shocking and entertaining endeavor, but instead the improper airing order ripped the emotions out of fans hearts. We knew Danny would gain his powers back before it aired. Of course, the series made it pretty clear he would have gotten it back regardless—it’s standard issuing to keep the story going—but we were cheated out of the how and why because the dramatic impact it could have had on an unpredictable audience was thoroughly wasted because Nickelodeon waited to air it during the summer to cater to the school-free students.

It is with a heavy heart that the spoiler moment killed it. Not that this episode was that great to begin with. The plot is action-filled, tension driven (or as much as we can milk it), and fast-paced. The trio gets from one dangerous mess to another with nothing but the clothes (and Fenton Gears) on their back, forced to pursue the gems and maneuver against an entire Governmental force. I never cared for the Guys in White and considered them one-shot rejects back in "the Million Dollar Ghost". Operative M and O are incompetent numbskulls whose underscoring is backed with a fear on what kind of President would support their idiocy for so long. Their stupidity doesn’t change at all in here, but for just one episode, their determination to capture Danny and their impressive arsenals that could rival any Fenton weapon on-demand created chaos and suitable obstacles. This is the only time I can ever take them seriously as Danny’s antagonist.

I can’t picture Freakshow holding his own episode for an hour let alone a movie special. I just don't think he's that important of a villain to warrant it, but the writers were smart to create an extended background for the character. Ghost Envy to which only Jazz can relate creates the human inside of him, giving him an excuse to manipulate ghosts for his own use. He is attention craving and he will be damned if his family business treats the stars better then the Ringmaster. The problem is no one wants to see the leader; they want his far better, far interesting employees. Any irony he bestows on ghosts are a strange fit; complicated and all too humanly selfish. So it makes sense Jazz’s limited time onscreen was used to full effect. Milk it in, this is the only sensible character development you get in this episode.

I was impressed that Tucker had his chance to shine. He gets to butt in, kick some ass, and even get captured as much as Sam. But the same cannot be said of the Goth One who spent 80% of the time either explaining the plot or further belittling Danny’s intelligence. To their credit, this is one of her lesser offenses and I blame more on unnecessary writing then outright denouncement of her character. Danny is clearly the biggest offender. The beginning (and small portions elsewhere) has him in one of the most detestable mode since "Fright Night". I have never seen the boy disregard his powers, his duty, and his super heroism so callously over a minor three month convenience. Heroes don’t take time-offs and Danny realized this when he declared he would always help those in need even if he was a wanted criminal (in Amity Park's eyes) and then he almost sacrificed his life doing exactly that. While the rest of the episode was kind enough to get him back on track with quick and efficient thinking, his early behavior is erroneous and inexcusable. At this point in the series, the writers (the Great Trio Marmel, Ventress, and Isenberg!) should have known better.

But to add insult to injury, Danny wipes his parent’s memories of his life as a ghost for no goddamn reason! "Bitter Reunions" make it clear Danny is confident his parents would love and accept him for who he is, something this episode confirms in full. With nothing to back his reasoning, all that is over with the flick of the glove. For a show that relies so heavily on continuity, this stands out as the most blatant and jarring Status Quo moment in the entire series. Without a proper justification, it is not only a poor move, but just poor writing.

Unfortunately, despite Danny’s widespread reveal, the only person who doesn’t get in on this act is Valerie. I can understand the creators skipping Vlad for the time—as much of a vivid imagination Vlad can utilize with the Reality Gauntlet, he can’t use it to force Maddie and Danny on his side, but ignoring Valerie is just cruel. Where on Earth was she that she could not have possibly seen the revelations between the ghost she hates and the boy she likes? The struggle, the angle, the character development. This golden opportunity worthy of good drama crashes and burns because they didn’t take advantage of this situation. My goodness, it was practically gift-wrapped for them.

At this point I’m tempted to believe the writers purposely wanted to create a standalone episode. But we already have plenty of that!

Appropriately, the thin plot and characters make for a good summer action flick. I suppose then it is wise to use the summer vacation theme. It’ll keep you on the edge of your seat with passable action. Animation is overall solid with nothing sticking out or anything sticking with you. The episode is better to watch for its entertaining value then it is for its character arcs which this thankfully has in spades. As long as you keep that mindset, the episode turns into a tolerably decent adventure mini-movie. See it when you want to shut your brain off, don’t see it for deep interactions.
5/10