DuckTales (2017) Season 3 Review

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The final season goes above and beyond to raise the stakes of Scrooge’s globe-trotting adventures. More so than the past two seasons, there’s plenty of references and appearances from different Disney Afternoon series such as the Rescue Rangers and TaleSpin. Despite the underlying threat from F.O.W.L., the members of Clan McDuck and their friends continue to learn and grow among old and new challenges. Even with the rise in danger, the show still emphasizes the theme of family as the ensemble cast has become more expansive and intimate.

Huey finally gets the spotlight in this season, and it’s fitting that his smarts are being tested just as F.O.W.L. is trying to outwit the McDuck family. However, unlike the arcs of his brothers, Huey’s arc is less clear and doesn’t have an obvious goal. Most of the episodes where he has a leading role are just there to challenge and/or highlight his intellect. While his arc is the weakest of the three triplets, his personal conflicts are still engaging, and he’s being pushed to his limits more often than his brothers during the past two seasons.

Unlike the past two seasons, this season’s new original characters are relegated to one-off appearances. However, there were plenty of pre-existing characters added from the Disney Afternoon and the Mickey Mouse universe. These notable guest and recurring characters, with varying degrees of changes, include Goofy, Daisy Duck, the Rescue Rangers, Kit Cloudkicker, the Phantom Blot, Steelbeak, and Gosalyn Mallard. Also, original DuckTales characters such as Gene the Genie and Poe de Spell are finally integrated with updated designs and personalities. All these characters bolster the world-building of the series, and it’s an example of fan service done right.

F.O.W.L.’s presence is just about as discreet as their philosophy, which initially seems on-par with previous overarching threats. However, like Huey’s arc, F.O.W.L.’s attempts at taking down Scrooge lack any linear progression until “Let’s Get Dangerous!”. The only linear overarching narrative of the season is the lost treasures of Isabella Finch. Even then, that plotline has an episodic structure until the second half of the season. Despite the bizarre arc structures, F.O.W.L. manages to be a formidable threat all throughout the season. Unlike Magica and Lunaris, F.O.W.L. was able to cause more harm during the timeframe of the series finale, as both arcs come together and are resolved perfectly. On top of resolving this season’s arcs, the series finale challenges all the major characters. Like the rest of the series, the finale highlights the importance and complexity of family.

The third and final season of the series managed to improve the quality of the episodes further and increasing the presence of fantastical elements. While this season sees more of the same character interactions, there are still some shake-ups in character dynamics as the main characters continue to develop. All of these characters have managed to leave a lasting impact with complex storytelling to elevate the emotional weight. This show could have lasted for more seasons, but this series managed to deliver high-quality storytelling within three seasons and 75 half-hour episodes. As this show proved, there will always be a love for these characters, and it’ll be a matter of time before there are more Duck adventures on the small screen again. Hopefully, it won’t be too long, as long as the Darkwing Duck reboot for Disney+ is officially produced and released shortly after this show ends.

SEASON 3 EPISODES – WORST TO BEST

22. “The Rumble for Ragnarok!” = 8/10

Unlike most of the episodes of the show, this episode is mainly just a fun side adventure. Despite how this adventure highlights the triplets’ challenge in maintaining Scrooge’s legacy and the fate of the Earth hanging in the balance, the tone of the episode emphasizes the competitive edge of the wrestling matches. In contrast to most episodes set outside of Duckburg, the world-building is relatively basic (along with establishing the basics of wrestling) and doesn’t dive deep into the abundant lore of Norse mythology.

21. “The Trickening!” = 8/10

A haunting Halloween adventure that has unexpected twists and expected lessons. Out of the two plotlines in the episode, Launchpad’s plot is much more interesting due to his belief in causing a Halloween “curse” as it provides humor and intense action sequences. Meanwhile, the plotline involving the kids is just a run-of-the-mill haunted house adventure that doesn’t stand out until the climax. Despite the quality of the plots, the amount of horror references is abundant, and the costumes perfectly reflect the personalities of each character.

20. “The Fight for Castle McDuck!” = 8/10

Even though the McDuck family has strong ties, they’re not immune to the typical family squabbles. It’s disappointing to see that the McDucks’ arguments lack originality outside of the literal damage it causes. Fortunately, the personalities of the characters lead to still compelling arguments. Out of all the bickering, the ones between Scrooge and his sister Matilda are the best. The Phantom Blot and Pepper make for a great duo, and it’s all the better that their voice actors are both in The Mandalorian. However, their dynamic could have benefitted from more screentime.

19. “The Lost Harp of Mervana!” = 8/10

The contrast between Louie and Webby in their beliefs in skepticism is what makes the episode compelling, along with the revelation of Mrs. Beakley hiding the truth from Webby. Mervana is visually tranquil and perfectly represents the lighthearted and dark corners of the kingdom’s culture. The harp manages to be likable despite only being able to tell the truth and establishes the dangers of ignorance. Meanwhile, the plot involving Scrooge and the others is pretty standard outside of Donald temporarily achieving inner peace and Della conquering her fear of sea creatures.

18. “New Gods on the Block!” = 8/10

Even with all their adventuring, it’s interesting to have the kids feel conflicted about being good enough for Scrooge. In their attempts to feel worthy, all the kids’ tests for godly powers are filled with funny moments once they go wrong. In another instance of good parenting, Della continues to showcase support for the kids despite their missteps. Donald and Daisy’s second date has the usual antics, thanks to Storkules, but they’re willing to not let that stop their relationship. Despite the lesson feeling cliché, there’s importance in the feeling of being appreciated.

17. “Astro B.O.Y.D.!” = 9/10

B.O.Y.D. has been through a lot, and that’s what makes him stand out in his quest to become a “real boy.” Outside of expanding B.O.Y.D.’s backstory, this episode also goes into Gyro’s backstory and sets up why he became a cynical scientist. Huey and B.O.Y.D. work well off each other due to their intellect and sense of curiosity, while Fenton finally wins Gyro’s approval. The resolution serves as a turning point for Gyro and B.O.Y.D., as both characters resolve their past history. Japanese culture is brimming all throughout Tokyolk, particularly with the various references to anime.

16. “Challenge of the Senior Junior Woodchucks!” = 9/10

The season premiere is a nice set-up for Huey’s arc and the McDuck family embarking on new adventures to find the lost treasures of Isabella Finch. With Huey relying on his Junior Woodchuck guidebook for so long, it’s interesting to see how he handles situations without it (and he apparently doesn’t handle things so well). This episode is unique since it highlights the acceptance of failure and Huey not being immune to the selfish nature of competition. The subplot involving the rest of the McDuck family is fun despite the lesson being run-of-the-mill by this show’s standards.

15. “The Forbidden Fountain of the Foreverglades!” = 9/10

The best episode that highlights Scrooge and Goldie’s relationship, as they learn the value of old age and wisdom. This Fountain of Youth adaptation is very clever, as it adds to the fantastical elements of longevity for characters such as Scrooge and Goldie. With Scrooge and Goldie reverting to a younger point of their lives, it’s refreshing to see these two bond without any hint of betrayal until Rockerduck confronts them. Huey and Dewey get a taste of their own respective medicine while dealing with the typical older sibling conflict.

14. “Double-O-Duck in You Only Crash Twice!” = 9/10

Dewey and Launchpad’s virtual adventure turns very realistic, as this adventure shows the strength of their friendship. It’s touching to see Launchpad be appreciated by Dewey despite his dimwitted personality. When Launchpad temporarily becomes a genius, the audience finally gets to see his adventurous side that was teased in a couple of past episodes. Steelbeak swaps his intimidation for humor due to being an idiot, but he works as a great foil for the smarter Black Heron. Scrooge and Webby’s skee-ball subplot is hilarious, and it’s nice to see the origin story of the Rescue Rangers in this universe.

13. “The Lost Cargo of Kit Cloudkicker!” = 9/10

Another classic adventure that manages to successfully update TaleSpin for the modern age and incorporates a “realistic” interpretation of the Wuzzles. Cape Suzette had been teased in a couple of instances during the first season, and it was well worth the wait in this episode. There’s plenty of action in the air as Kit gets to fight off Don Karnage and his pirate crew. Kit is a fun character, as he grew up to be just like Baloo and easily bonds with Dewey due to their love of risk-taking. Some additional touches are Della’s role as the responsible adult and plot elements that parallel those from the TaleSpin pilot.

12. “The First Adventure!” = 9/10

In a blast from the past, this episode serves as an origin story for F.O.W.L. and Bradford Buzzard while also being Della and Donald’s first adventure. There are various parallels to the pilot of the show, with Scrooge learning the joys of family. Despite these parallels, this episode manages to stand out on its own merits. The entire journey is engaging and filled with various dangers that the trio learns to tackle. Bradford is a compelling lawful villain, as this episode highlights his desire for security over freedom. Bradford’s status as a secret enforcer of peace makes him stand out from other F.O.W.L. members.

11. “How Santa Stole Christmas!” = 9/10

Scrooge and Santa’s history together perfectly encapsulates the Christmas spirit and explains why Scrooge hates Santa. The lore established in this episode incorporates multiple aspects of Christmas and the gift-giving experience and makes Santa’s gift delivery ritual feel organic. In the past and present, Scrooge and Santa work well together, and it’s a shame their disagreements caused them to distance themselves from each other for many years. Unlike other holiday episodes and specials, this episode highlights the heartwarming feeling of gift-giving, even if the gifts given may not have any practical use.

10. “The Phantom and the Sorceress!” = 9/10

Webby, Lena, and Violet’s friendship continues to increase in strength as Lena learns that “friendship is magic.” In Lena’s journey of mastering her magic, she reluctantly joins forces with Magica. Some of the comedic highlights of the episode include Lena’s training montage and Gladstone turning into Donald. Just like his instances of good luck, Gladstone’s bad luck comes with plenty of humor. The Phantom Blot has an interesting backstory that adds some emotional weight, alongside his interesting design and gauntlet. However, his character does lack some emotional weight to truly be perceived as a threat.

9. “They Put a Moonlander on the Earth!” = 9/10

After the invasion, the Moonlaners are easily able to adjust to Earth life on Duckburg, while Penumbra fights off her homesickness with the help of Dewey and Webby. Penumbra and Webby are an interesting pair, with both characters having a love for action and having initial feelings of seclusion. Even as a more laidback episode, there’s still plenty of excitement and fun from Penumbra exploring the joys of Earth while Launchpad tries to avoid her due to believing that she hates him. Dewey’s subplot involving attempted fame for an attraction accident also has its laughs.

8. “The Life and Crimes of Scrooge McDuck!” = 9/10

An amazingly abstract court case where Scrooge and Louie learn about accountability. The entire plot structure is clever because Doofus is seeking revenge on Louie, just as Scrooge’s worst enemies seek revenge on him. The questionable actions of Scrooge’s past highlight his complexity as a character. Despite Glomgold and Ma Beagle’s efforts, Magica has the most justified reason due to what happened to her brother Poe. The emotional core of the episode comes from the climax, as it shows how Scrooge has been shaped by his enemies and vice versa.

7. “Escape from the ImpossiBin!” = 9/10

The serious tone of this episode is a nice subversion of the lighthearted tone in most episodes. With F.O.W.L. officially coming out of the shadows at this point, the stakes have become direr for the McDuck family. Both plotlines carry plenty of emotional weight through creative action scenes while managing to include some humor. Della and Louie are finally able to bond through an adventure that tests their skills and smarts. In contrast, Webby and Mrs. Beakely’s harsh training causes Huey and Dewey to become more paranoid of unexpected danger.

6. “The Split Sword of Swanstantine!” = 9/10

In this trilogy of narratives, the kids are faced with challenges to keep F.O.W.L. away from the titular sword. Dewey and Webby’s part is very enjoyable, despite their dynamic being more of the same. The pairings of Louie and Violet and Huey and Lena help to shake things up in this episode. The contrasting personalities of both pairs create a sense of unpredictability while raising the stakes of the episode. Violet helps Louie discover the power of truth, while Lena helps Huey embrace his emotional side through a comedic montage.

5. “Beaks in the Shell!” = 9/10

Fenton and Gandra’s relationship really gets to bloom in a literal and figurative sense, while Mark Beaks makes his final attempt at maintaining relevancy. This episode contains some of the funniest moments in the series, especially from Huey and Fenton’s attempts at keeping the Gizmocloud project a secret. Gandra’s backstory is very touching and heartbreaking as it adds an extra layer to her connection with Fenton. As Mark Beaks became successful through manipulation and stealing, he’s fittingly pitted against the smartest people of Duckburg in a creative battle of wits.

4. “Quack Pack!” = 10/10

As an homage to 90’s culture, this episode provides plenty of laughs and nostalgia along with one of the best guest appearances on the show. There’s a bizarre enjoyment from seeing the McDuck family in extremely grounded scenarios, and how it would be like if they were a “normal” family. Helping to establish the 90’s tone is Steve Urkel voicing Gene the Genie and Goofy appearing in his Goof Troop attire. When the in-universe fourth wall is broken, the adventure ramps up to the usual level of excitement and a higher level of creativity, along with sitcom meta-humor that pre-dated WandaVision.

3. “Louie’s Eleven!” = 10/10

The best iteration of Donald and Daisy’s relationship, as their relationship is grounded in reality and removes the toxic aspects. One of the best instances of emotional weight in this series is having Donald and Daisy bond over their ability to understand each other (literally and figuratively, respectively). Louie’s elaborate scheme makes the plot engaging, as there’s plenty of twists and turns once Falcon Graves shakes things up. Dewey gets his time to shine in proving his knowledge of trends, while José and Panchito return with more comedic antics and dialogue.

2. “Let’s Get Dangerous!” = 10/10

Drake Mallard gets his chance to shine as Darkwing Duck in this pseudo-backdoor pilot for a Darkwing Duck series. This episode does a fantastic job at balancing the two plotlines, with the Ramrod connecting both stories. Like the original Darkwing Duck pilot, Drake’s battle against Taurus Bulba finally allows him to become a genuine superhero. Gosalyn and Taurus Bulba are updated for the modern age despite their personalities being mostly intact. During Darkwing’s escapades, the triplets have their own adventure with Bradford Buzzard as they sense something suspicious. Outside of being a clever reference, the Solego circuit is a clever interpretation of the multiverse concept. Like “The Duck Knight Returns,” the action is slapstick fun that is grounded in reality. There’s plenty of references to the Darkwing Duck series (among other Disney Afternoon-related ones) throughout the episode, especially during the climax.

1. “The Last Adventure!” = 10/10

With Webby not getting a season-length arc, the finale puts her front and center. In a similar vein to The Rise of Skywalker, this episode goes further into Webby’s backstory and her true family lineage. Outside of the twists involving Webby, other twists throughout the episode shake things up. Despite the finale focusing on Webby, all the major characters have their moment to shine. The episode also gradually showcases the evil side of Bradford Buzzard, where he becomes more of a threat than the rest of F.O.W.L. by the end of the episode. With his lawful evil personality, Bradford is a nice parallel of Ursula, among a couple of other references to The Little Mermaid.

Just like The Rise of Skywalker, there are plot elements that come out-of-nowhere. However, most of those elements could be justified by events established earlier in the season. More than any other episode of the series, this episode truly highlights the theme of family. All of the characters work off each other to the point where the heroes and villains feel like large families. Like all the best finales, the action is epic, and the emotional stakes are higher than ever. In the end, the McDucks ended up solving a lot of mysteries and rewriting the history of cartoon reboots.

SEASON 3 SCORE: 10/10