Unlike last episode, "One of a Kind" isn’t boggled with numerous subplots, but its key B story doesn’t fit in smoothly with the A plot. Jazz’s erroneously attempt to fix her mother’s scientific life into a respectable career falls short both in her face and in plot. It’s a nice approach and an integrate part of her then character—if anything, it works as important background noises to compensate future character developments. My only major disappointment is the lack of any resolution or reaction from Jazz over Connie’s assumption that Danny is a genius, the very status she herself fits in. She’s well meaning, but it must be an insult to see her brother on the front cover of her favorite magazine then her.
The Purple Back Gorilla serves as plot device for the story, but she also works in a metaphorical sense, asserting a lot about Skulker’s concept as a character; he’s the zookeeper, his hunted are his zoo animals, locked in cages to be gawked at, even if it’s only himself. Both Sam and Tucker share spotlights, the former in utter contempt over the entrapment of zoo animals and yet still mischievous enough to snap a photo of Danny and Tucker sleeping together (and Hartman claims he’s against homosexuality—he Mpregged Cosmo, for Pete’s sake!)—establishing her role as a guided, but thoroughly immature fourteen-year-old. The latter introduces the viewers to his mastery of computers and went overboard with it; fortunately working the second half of the episode. The only problem is that particular half trends a bit differently from the first half, making it look like two episodes connected itself into one.
I like Skulker. His design reeks of awesome and his voice is incredible. His early days are voiced by Matthew St. Patrick and while I have no qualms on Kevin Michael Richards’ equally appealing voice, I’ve always liked the former; it gives him a sense of humanity in Skulker that works whenever he isn’t so hell-bent on his goals, something Kevin’s gruffer voice doesn’t quite accentuate. Though I’m probably saying this because as intimidating as he is, Skulker dons probably the cutest face out of all the DP characters whenever he smiles (or that befuddled look he gave when Sam criticized him). I think it’s pretty obvious the writers were going for Dog the Bounty Hunter's look, complete with the long hair and black tank top. His background can be tempt to that of the Kraven from the Spider-Man comic, but I like to go far and look back at the [general] first source that made this type of bounty hunting popular: The Most Dangerous Game, a short story published in 1924. It’s about a bored hunter seeking new thrills in his career by taking down the greatest of all challenges: man. Same rule applies to Skulker who takes pleasure in hunting his own species. There is something incredibly disturbing upon his ill remark to turn Danny into his pelt. He also has no problems eating any of his species either—though it’s ambiguous if it’s a ghostly animal or human—which makes me question if he has cannibalistic intentions.
He later gains the interesting role of playing leader to most of the ghosts in future episodes—remaining one of the most frequent baddie in Danny’s life (and a potentially good ambassador). For now, his general ambition and personality more then make up for this good, but not great episode. The shocking (and amusing) plot twist is a gem on its own with small hints that raised suspicious and character analyzes: His suit is a giant armor to shield and compensate his short height and belittling looks. It’s his ego and his ambitions and drive. It could probably double as a sex toy if it’s anatomical correct. If anything, it must’ve given Ember something to do when she ran out of verbal abuses about him. ZING!
Animation gets better, but the coloring is still too light and not vibrant enough. The entire cast is off-model or drawn poorly: Danny and his friend especially are at their most stick figure and for the first half, Skulker’s hair is far too angular. The color technique has improved though with my favorite being Skulker momentarily in neon blue while the rest of his body is in shadows, surrounded in Danny’s equally blue room.
I was also amused with Skulker’s movement which felt more gorilla then his latter appearance. Symbolism? Coincidence?
On a completely unrelated note, I am also fascinated by that screenshot I posted above this review regarding Danny, Tucker, and Sam's "See/Hear/Speak No Evil" poses. This is simply over analyzing, but I noticed the characters exhibit the appropriate "evil" in their lives: Tucker "speaks no evil" despite his entire role is to be a blabbermouth who has a terrible habit of never shutting up, Sam is "hear no evil" as she is fully convinced her own beliefs are all that matters and anyone else's contradicts her own, while Danny "sees no evil" because he naively views the world in black and white, unable to grasp the bigger picture.
7.5/10
To "Attack of the Killer Garage Sale" Review
Back to Episodes Page
Article written revised in: Mar. 20, 2009
Layout design by OKami_hu, 2009