One of the proudest aspect of Danny Phantom is how the writers were able to mold secondary characters into something far grander. Valerie’s small roles in both “Parental Bonding” and “My Brother’s Keeper” seem merely to serve Casper High’s generic amount of shallow social climbers. It’s naturally funny and perhaps intentional that the writers stated she clung to material desires too literally in the last episode, something that is thrown back on her when a giant ghost dog (and in her eyes, Danny) single handily ruined her life. In just the tenth episode, Valerie appeared as an unimportant figure into one of the most developed cast in the show.
And the brilliance is that she isn’t a new character made up from scratch to fit her current role as ghost hunting rival/soon-to-be-love-interest to Danny; the writers were keen enough to give her a small, but established background in past episodes, one where we assume she’s just one of Paulina’s posse of one-note bitches. Kudos to the writing staff that they can take the usual popular misfit and mold her into a three-dimensional character with her own stories. True, the only way she ever achieved that status was a harsh reality check: her wealth lost, her materials gone, her status non-existence. It’s as if she’s never step foot in her own life. Things are going too fast for her, if she did not have such a fiery personality, she’d be depressed. But it’s this exact inner fire that fuels her determination and brings out the Amazon in her. The minute she gains her ghostly weapon (which in itself is another example of awesome continuity and development), she immediately goes up and center towards Danny and Cujo.
She’s just as manipulative as she is angry. Using Tucker’s obvious crush on her, Valerie pretends to adore his affections, using him as her personal butt monkey and sweetheart to plow her way into Danny Fenton whom has connections to ghostly weapons and information. With the look on her face and her willingness, Valerie is neither regrettable in her decision nor hesitant. Years of reigning over like a spoiled princess, Valerie has learned that whatever she wants, she will get. She’s very much like Spectra or Vlad in that aspect, the only major difference is that she is not evil or has evil tendencies. Her path is revenge and her thirst for ghost blood is clear as a goddamn crystal; she has no problem using her newfound toys to kill Danny and Cujo, but she is by no means a true antagonist in the most tradition sense. When she is not a ghost hunter, Valerie is a normal teenager; she students, she hangs around with friends, she shops and chats--she doesn’t go around aimlessly murdering people. She feels her life was ruined and murdering the ghosts that did that to her will justify it. It’s her own form of justice and what she does, she thinks it’s for the greater good, even if the greater good in question is her life.
In fact, for “Shades of Gray”, Valerie’s reasons are incredibly selfish. Does she love her father? Absolutely and it shows in latter episodes, he's just not a primary factor on this one. She may have entered the bottom of the “social grape vine”, but she does not feel that way. She’s still shallow, rude, selfish, and greedy. She’s lived the majority of her life in near noble upbringing and her new surroundings do not satisfy her. Her large home is replaced by a dirty apartment, her beautiful life in Amity Park is dashed by the torn and bitter remains of Elmerton, and her status is ripped to shreds by her equally vapid friends. Revenge can’t bring it back, but it’ll give her the satisfaction needed. Her latter goals will stem to a far greater good when she vows to hunt ghosts for a living, viewing them as a menace to society, but for now, Valerie is taking her first step growing up: by being selfish. Welcome to the band wagon, Danny’s already nine episodes ahead.
Tucker’s role is small at best, but given he was chosen to play as Valerie’s temporary boyfriend, he received a greater role then what he doesn’t get later down the series. Season One seem fit to bring Tucker into as much equal limelight as the rest of the cast. Here he serves as the other major obstacle in Danny’s path; despite Valerie’s obvious display of violence, Tucker still sees fit to loyally stay by Valerie’s side. On one hand, it’s a desperate plea from his behalf, he’s a Techno-Geek who barely can get girls who are just as dorky as he is. One showing genuine feelings for him (in his eyes) is like Samuel L. Jackson ringing your doorbell and asking if he can use your bathroom. Valerie being former leet chick is just bonus points. He’s hit the jackpot and he can’t ever let go of this rare opportunity, Tucker is lured completely by his vice, so much so that he willingly captured himself to cover for Valerie by end, even if their relationship remains kaput after. That’s the only downfall of the entire episode. There is no closure between the two, no break-ups from either side, and no hints or emphasis between the two in latter episodes. It ended automatically with no question.
Cujo is an interesting character. It’s not evil, it’s not good, it’s not anything but a playful pup. It has no grand motivation to destroy Danny’s life nor does it intends to play sidekick to him, much like Valerie. Yet Cujo managed to cater to the ghost boy in a traditional boy meets dog way. It’s role with Danny is poignant and cute. They share an instant bond that came from their initial awkwardness. This is the closest Danny ever gets to a pet and under different circumstances, he’d probably had kept him (though he’d need to do some heavy lying to his parents). Cujo in itself is one of the most interesting of the ghosts and it does it all without a single dialogue. It’s small, energetic, and friendly. When threatened, Cujo turns large, monstrous, and bloodthirsty. Despite being a ghost, Cujo still exhibits dog-like behavior, it finds time to poop in random lawns, it tackles Danny playfully, it licks his face, and Cujo loyally rescues Danny in his dire time of need. It’s rewarded by end; Cujo is one of the few ghosts to have his goal achieved when Danny finds his missing squeaky toy in Axiom Lab, all the more evident and made sadder when it’s vaguely hinted Cujo’s time as a guard dog was cut short when Axiom Lab got “rid off” the dogs. Considering Cujo is a ghost PUPPY, yeah, way to kick the puppy.
Episodes prior to this have teetle-tottered over the scale of quality. “Shades of Gray” unfortunately introduces the rubbery DP animation style that populates the majority of the second half of Danny Phantom Season One. The first and last seven minutes are brilliant with topnotch models and interactions. Purple and pink are great together and Valerie’s ghost hunting outfit is simple, but effectively design (though at several times, her hands are modeled more manly and I’m visible annoyed whenever her eyeballs show through her visor). The red is a very striking tone and brings major specks of attention. The middle half is incredibly obvious that a different team of artists were hired. What was once blocky and simple are now distorted, crooked, oblong, off-model, and almost moldy and clay-like in movement (Valerie is the most unfortunate victim). The only fortunate trait it gives is that the characters are more fluid which is something Hartman’s artwork has a problem capturing. The cons outweigh the pros and this form of animation has become my least favorite in Danny Phantom.
9/10
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Article written revised in: May. 2, 2008
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