After three seasons of adventures, the escapades of Scrooge McDuck and his family have come to an end. The show managed to progressively get better, and my personal ranking is reflective of this trend. With the strength of the characters and storytelling, each episode had its own level of appeal regardless of its overall quality. Throughout my rewatch of the series, I’ve been keeping track of my personal enjoyment of each episode. After months of watching the series for this ranking, here’s my personal list of episodes from worst to best.

To see my thoughts on each episode (outside of the top 10 towards the end of this blog post), here are the reviews for each season: SEASON 1, SEASON 2, SEASON 3

DUCKTALES (2017) EPISODES – WORST TO BEST

NOTE: Multi-part episodes are treated as one episode and the episode number is reflective of their chronological order.

69. “The Beagle Birthday Massacre! ” = 7/10 (S1, E5)
70. “The Golden Lagoon of White Agony Plains!” = 7/10 (S1, E15)
71. “Terror of the Terra-firmians!” = 7/10 (S1, E9)
72. “The Depths of Cousin Fethry!” = 7/10 (S2, E2)
73. “Jaw$!” = 8/10 (S1, E16)
74. “The Rumble for Ragnarok!” = 8/10 (S3, E7)
75. “The Other Bin of Scrooge McDuck!” = 8/10 (S1, E21)
76. “The Ballad of Duke Baloney!” = 8/10 (S2, E3)
77. “The Spear of Selene!” = 8/10 (S1, E12)
78. “Storkules in Duckburg!” = 8/10 (S2, E5)
79. “The Trickening!” = 8/10 (S3, E10)
80. “The Fight for Castle McDuck!” = 8/10 (S3, E17)
81. “Sky Pirates… In the Sky!” = 8/10 (S1, E18)
82. “Treasure of the Found Lamp!” = 8/10 (S2, E9)
83. “Last Christmas!” = 8/10 (S2, E6)
84. “The Golden Armory of Cornelius Coot!” = 8/10 (S2, E20)
85. “Woo-oo!” = 8/10 (S1, E1)
86. “The Lost Harp of Mervana!” = 8/10 (S3, E4)
87. “The Secret(s) of Castle McDuck!” = 8/10 (S1, E19)
88. “The Outlaw Scrooge McDuck!” = 8/10 (S2, E10)
89. “The Last Crash of the Sunchaser!” = 8/10 (S1, E22)
90. “What Ever Happened to Donald Duck?!” = 8/10 (S2, E18)
91. “McMystery at McDuck McManor!” = 8/10 (S1, E10)
92. “The Richest Duck of the World!” = 8/10 (S2, E23)
93. “The Great Dime Chase!” = 8/10 (S1, E4)
94. “The Impossible Summit of Mt. Neverrest!” = 8/10 (S1, E3)
95. “New Gods on the Block!” = 8/10 (S3, E15)
96. “Moonvasion!” = 8/10 (S2, E24)
97. “The Living Mummies of Toth-Ra!” = 9/10 (S1, E8)
98. “What Ever Happened to Della Duck?!” = 9/10 (S2, E7)
99. “The Golden Spear!” = 9/10 (S2, E12)
100. “Timephoon!” = 9/10 (S2, E21)
101. “Day of the Only Child!” = 9/10 (S1, E13)
102. “Astro B.O.Y.D.!” = 9/10 (S3, E6)
103. “The Dangerous Chemistry of Gandra Dee!” = 9/10 (S2, E15)
104. “The Most Dangerous Game… Night!” = 9/10 (S2, E1)
105. “From the Confidential Casefiles of Agent 22!” = 9/10 (S1, E17)
106. “Daytrip of Doom!” = 9/10 (S1, E2)
107. “Challenge of the Senior Junior Woodchucks!” = 9/10 (S3, E1)
108. “The Forbidden Fountain of the Foreverglades!” = 9/10 (S3, E11)
109. “Double-O-Duck in You Only Crash Twice!” = 9/10 (S3, E3)
110. “Nothing Can Stop Della Duck!” = 9/10 (S2, E13)
111. “The 87 Cent Solution!” = 9/10 (S2, E11)
112. “The House of the Lucky Gander!” = 9/10 (S1, E6)
113. “Raiders of the Doomsday Vault!” = 9/10 (S2, E14)
114. “Friendship Hates Magic!” = 9/10 (S2, E8)
115. “Happy Birthday, Doofus Drake!” = 9/10 (S2, E17)
116. “The Lost Cargo of Kit Cloudkicker!” = 9/10 (S3, E20)
117. “The Infernal Internship of Mark Beaks!” = 9/10 (S1, E7)
118. “The Missing Links of Moorshire!” = 9/10 (S1, E11)
119. “The First Adventure!” = 9/10 (S3, E16)
120. “Who is Gizmoduck?!” = 9/10 (S1, E20)
121. “How Santa Stole Christmas!” = 9/10 (S3, E18)
122. “The Phantom and the Sorceress!” = 9/10 (S3, E8)
123. “They Put a Moonlander on the Earth!” = 9/10 (S3, E9)
124. “The Life and Crimes of Scrooge McDuck!” = 9/10 (S3, E21)
125. “GlomTales!” = 9/10 (S2, E22)
126. “Escape from the ImpossiBin!” = 9/10 (S3, E13)
127. “The Split Sword of Swanstantine!” = 9/10 (S3, E14)
128. “Beaks in the Shell!” = 9/10 (S3, E19)
129. “A Nightmare on Killmotor Hill!” = 9/10 (S2, E19)
130. “Beware the B.U.D.D.Y. System!” = 10/10 (S1, E14)
131. “The Shadow War!” = 10/10 (S1, E23)
132. “Quack Pack!” = 10/10 (S3, E2)
133. “The Town Where Everyone Was Nice!” = 10/10 (S2, E4)
134. “Louie’s Eleven!” = 10/10 (S3, E5)
135. “Let’s Get Dangerous!” = 10/10 (S3, E12)
136. “The Duck Knight Returns!” = 10/10 (S2, E16)
137. “The Last Adventure!” = 10/10 (S3, E22)

TOP 10 DUCKTALES (2017) EPISODES

10. “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.

9. “A Nightmare on Killmotor Hill!” = 9/10

Having both sets of trios in this episode makes for an interesting adventure that is quite literally character-driven. The individual dream sequences (along with the dream montage) showcase plenty of visual creativity and humor, and they perfectly reflect the personalities of each character. Driving the conflict of this dream adventure is Magica, as she attempts to get Lena’s magical powers in subtly creepy ways. There’s also a lot of sentimental value in this episode as Webby, Violet, and triplets are willing to help Lena in overcoming her internal conflict.

8. “Beware the B.U.D.D.Y. System!” = 10/10

This episode manages to flawlessly introduce two superheroes to the mix, with the Darkwing Duck opening scene emulating the magic and ambiance of his show in the show’s universe. Gizmoduck also has a welcome update to his origin story, with Fenton’s desire to help others is put to good use with his first use of the Gizmoduck suit. Launchpad’s conflict is very engaging, as it features memorable lines of dialogue and a somewhat unique take on the man vs. machine trope.

7. “The Shadow War!” = 10/10

Season finales are meant to be epic, as this show manages to have an epic two-part experience for its first season finale. Magica De Spell shines as a formidable threat while still retaining the comedic charm of her predecessor. Many familiar faces come together to fight off Magica’s shadow army, highlighting their chemistry and action skills. Meanwhile, the events of this episode would eventually lead to different consequences for the next season. The episode also has plenty of memorable moments, such as the “going away” party of the Duck family and Donald’s intelligible voice.

6. “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.

5. “The Town Where Everyone Was Nice!” = 10/10

The Three Caballeros are back for another adventure that mixes in old and new elements. Even though the lesson of the primary plot is nothing new, the chemistry between the characters makes the experience worthwhile and harkens back to the simplicity of early Disney films. Despite José Carioca and Panchito maintaining their simplistic personalities, their amiable charm is a nice change of pace from the rest of the cast. The subplot involving Dewey, Louie, and Webby is relevant and highlights the importance of living your life instead of spending time capturing it on camera. There’s plenty of nods to The Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos, along with a climax that took some visual inspiration from those films.

4. “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.

3. “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.

2. “The Duck Knight Returns!” = 10/10

Darkwing Duck is fully integrated into the DuckTales universe in what is arguably the best episode of the series. There’s plenty of references to the Darkwing Duck series and the writers clearly understand and respect the source material. This episode is a clever commentary on the reboot craze, as it addresses the people who may feel apprehensive about the changes and the importance of honoring the source material when integrating new elements. The plot does a perfect job at introducing Drake Mallard and indirectly passing the baton from Jim Cummings to Chris Diamantopoulos. While every scene provides a dramatic or comedic emotional experience, the two most impactful scenes involve Drake’s inspirational Darkwing Duck story and the epic climactic battle featuring the two Darkwing actors.

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.

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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

Continuing the success of the first season, this season goes above and beyond in expanding the personalities of established characters. Meanwhile, this season saw the addition of more original characters and characters from other parts of the larger Mickey Mouse universe. With Magica being defeated, the show’s next major conflict would come in the form of the invasion of the Moonlanders. The saga of Della Duck would continue and conclude in this season, with the reunion with her children being a first in Duck history.

Like how the first season focused on Dewey, the second season placed a focus on Louie and his desire to make money. In comparison to the past season, Louie’s episodes have a more episodic structure that is representative of his different attempts at money-making. Unlike Dewey, Louie’s arc has a sense of conclusion even if he still has growth ahead of him in the next season. While Louie’s arc may be more predictable than Dewey’s, the entertainment value and emotional weight are just about the same.

In addition to expanding upon the new characters from the last season, there are some notable new characters brought to the mix such as Violet Saberwing and Zan Owlson. Even with most of these new characters not having as much prominence, their presence is welcome and compliments the rest of the cast. This season also saw the addition of more pre-existing characters such as Fethry Duck, José Carioca, and Panchito, along with fully integrating Della Duck and Darkwing Duck into the fold. More characters from the original DuckTales also came back for this season, with most of those characters receiving drastic changes, primarily Gandra Dee and D’jinn (formerly known as Dijon).

Integrating the moon and Moonlanders for one of the overarching narratives makes for an interesting sense of progression that builds upon Della’s arc of returning to Earth. The world-building of the moon integrates elements from the DuckTales video game and creates a more cohesive experience among other parts of the franchise. One step backward is the lackluster build-up to the season finale, especially in comparison to the season one finale. While the episodes that directly built up Magica’s wrath were weaker on their own, they still did their job in building up the emotional weight for the season finale. The individual episodes that lead to this season’s finale are better in quality, but their payoff feels lackluster and drags down the excitement for the season finale.

In comparison to this first season, this season is an overall improvement outside of the season finale. Even with the episodes set in Duckburg, there are more fantastical elements integrated into the plot and that raises the stakes of the overarching narratives of the season. Among these larger-scale adventures is the continual evolution of the lead characters, along with implementing new character dynamics and shaking up previous character dynamics. At this point, the show has found its footing and is taking its storytelling above and beyond to bring new life to old stories while also telling new stories.

SEASON 2 EPISODES – WORST TO BEST

24. “The Depths of Cousin Fethry!” = 7/10

Emulating how Huey and Dewey felt during this episode, this episode is an adventure with a few instances of fun but lacks emotional weight and significance. The parallels between Huey and Fethry are welcome, as it makes Huey feel more comfortable in being an eccentric genius. Fethry is a standout character in this episode because the writers do a good job at recreating his weirdness from the comics. Despite the few instances of danger, the lack of emotional weight or creativity makes these moments feel lackluster outside of the climax.

23. “The Ballad of Duke Baloney!” = 8/10

The first episode that serves as a consequence of the season one finale, this episode brings a somewhat new twist to the amnesia plot. Despite the slower pacing and lower stakes, Glomgold (or Duke Baloney) feels like a different character while still holding a grudge against Scrooge. Glomgold’s backstory is executed very well and naturally ties into his rivalry with Scrooge, along with implementing elements from the comics and the original DuckTales. This episode also contains a visually bizarre dream sequence that effectively sums up the conflict.

22. “Storkules in Duckburg!” = 8/10

Despite the title, there’s more of a focus on Louie in starting up a business rather than Storkules spending time in Duckburg (outside of instances where Storkules is working for Louie). Storkules adjusting to life on Donald’s boat provides some moments of humor and a touching climax that slightly evolves their friendship. Louie’s attempts at starting a business have some level of grounded relatability that is mixed with his money-hungry mindset, even if the emotional weight is slightly lacking due to the predictability.

21. “Treasure of the Found Lamp!” = 8/10

An interesting pseudo-treasure hunt that has some memorable humor while taking inspiration from DuckTales: the Movie. The most welcome update is D’jinn (a.k.a Dijon in the original DuckTales), as he went from being a Middle Eastern stereotype into an honorable warrior with an interesting backstory. Scrooge and Webby’s fake quest is filled with fun moments while the triplets’ search for the lamp also has its moments despite feeling somewhat predictable. In terms of the writing, the plot does a good job at portraying the theme of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.

20. “Last Christmas!” = 8/10

An episode that feels in line with the first season in the best ways, as it sees Dewey finally meet his mother (though not in the way he expected). Dewey’s interactions with the younger versions of Della and Donald make for a creative exploration of the past while providing the usual heartwarming lesson about the importance of family. Scrooge’s plotline shows a bit more of his history and has its subversion by showcasing Scrooge’s true passion for Christmas. The various subtle nods to Mickey’s Christmas Carol are a nice homage and highlight an important piece of Scrooge’s real-world history.

19. “The Golden Armory of Cornelius Coot!” = 8/10

Like how the triplets felt as this episode’s mystery progressed, the adventure becomes gradually tedious and manages to rebound in excitement when Della and Launchpad literally crash in from their subplot. While Webby seeking to prove herself by solving a mystery that Della couldn’t solve makes for an interesting plot to explore, the execution feels run-of-the-mill despite some fun moments. Partially ramping up the excitement of the episode is Big Time Beagle’s internal conflict mirroring Webby’s conflict, as it creates a sense of competition between the two groups. The subplot featuring Della and Launchpad makes for some interesting comedy and dialogue.

18. “The Outlaw Scrooge McDuck!” = 8/10

A flashback Scrooge episode that adds a “futuristic” twist, and serves as a lesson of sorts on hard work. Scrooge and Goldie continue to be a compelling couple, with their love-hate relationship being expanded upon further. An interesting shake-up to this flashback plot is the presence of Gyro via time travel, as he and Fenton’s sheriff ancestor bring some humor to the episode. The climax is also a nice change of pace, with Scrooge needing to partake in a scheme to recover the giant gold nugget he discovered. Rockerduck is another great addition from the classic comics, as he challenges Scrooge in a more sophisticated manner.

17. “What Ever Happened to Donald Duck?!” = 8/10

While the plot of the episode isn’t anything too exciting, the history and character development hold a lot of emotional weight and importance. Having Donald figure his way off the moon and Webby and Dewey’s search for a new mystery were plot points that were expected to happen, and the writing doesn’t do much to make these stories stand out. However, new information revealed about Donald and General Lunaris makes their characters more interesting and raises the stakes of the impending invasion of the Moonlanders. Meanwhile, Penumbra has a change of heart and becomes a likable character.

16. “The Richest Duck of the World!” = 8/10

While Louie’s plotline about learning the hardships in maintaining wealth is relatively standard, this lesson is elevated by the inclusion of the Bombie. A nice change of pace to the story is having Scrooge attempt to rebuild his wealth, and having him realize the difficulty of starting from scratch. There’s sentimental value in having Scrooge and Louie team up to stop the Bombie, as their “battle” serves as a humility check for both characters. Meanwhile, the subplot involving Della and the rest of the kids is mainly just there to set up the invasion of the Moonlanders.

15. “Moonvasion!” = 8/10

With the high bar set by “The Shadow War”, this season’s finale comes across as slightly disappointing, despite its strengths in the second part. The main problem with this season finale is Lunaris’ limited screen time before the finale, as his fear-mongering lacks emotional weight. With that being said, Lunaris works well as a formidable threat to Scrooge due to being one step ahead. It’s also disappointing to see Della and the kids relegated to avoiding the Moonlanders during the first part, but their subplot is salvaged once they reunite with Donald. While both parts have great action scenes, the second part is superior due to Glomgold’s involvement in stopping Lunaris and the action-packed climax in space.

14. “What Ever Happened to Della Duck?!” = 9/10

Della Duck finally gets her time to shine, as this episode works well in showcasing her outgoing personality and perseverance to get back to Earth. Despite being the only character for much of the episode, Della’s personality makes her escapades compelling and builds up emotional weight. The episode’s emotional weight is especially strong during the climax, as Della begins to learn about being a mother. There’s plenty of references to the Moon level from the DuckTales video game and its remake, with Della’s lullaby being set to the iconic Moon theme.

13. “The Golden Spear!” = 9/10

Essentially serving as a sequel to Della’s introductory episode, this episode continues to highlight Della’s extroverted personality and juxtaposing that to Donald’s subplot about his increasing stress. Della’s outgoing personality makes the “wonders” of Earth all the more convincing to the Moonlanders and the audience. Meanwhile, Penumbra works as a great foil for Della due to her skepticism and introverted personality. A notable instance in making this series feel grounded is Donald’s growing stress to reflect his limits, despite all of his years adventuring. The ending is very notable in being a massive shake-up for Della, Donald, and the Moonlanders.

12. “Timephoon!” = 9/10

Louie’s time-traveling scheme was expected to have no consequences in theory, but the timestream manipulation conflict is cleverly sourced to the side effects of Gyro’s time tub. Raising the stakes of the conflict is the Duck family fending off against people transported from different eras. Bubba the caveduck is finally integrated into the reboot with stronger ties to the McDuck family, along with the smart decision to relegate him to a guest role. Della gets some notable character development in this episode, as she learns about needing to deliver tough love.

11. “The Dangerous Chemistry of Gandra Dee!” = 9/10

Fenton gets a chance to shine in the standard superhero plot where the hero must overcome evil without their super abilities. Elevating this type of story is Fenton and Gandra’s relationship and how Fenton has been actively finding a way to prove himself without being Gizmoduck. Gandra is updated in a modern way that allows her to bond with Fenton more creatively and intimately. As another of Mark Beaks’ attempts to outshine Gizmoduck, his plan to become a giant monster feels standard at first but becomes much more interesting when Fenton relies on his smarts to stop him.

10. “The Most Dangerous Game… Night!” = 9/10

The start of the season brings a fantastical edge to what was expected to be a “relaxing” family game night. This episode establishes Louie as someone who can see all the angles, and how his mastery at planning and street smarts allow him to effectively come up with schemes. As a character-driven episode, there’s plenty of entertainment value from the characters spending time together and competing in simple games, as it highlights some old and new character dynamics. The miniature group of people that Gyro discovers is a welcome mix-up and leads to a creative climax and resolution.

9. “Nothing Can Stop Della Duck!” = 9/10

One of the most significant episodes of the series, with one of the most emotional scenes in the show. The first act has plenty of humor and emotion as Della finally reunites with her children, and it’s very touching to see them interact with each other. It’s refreshing to see Della as a flawed but passionate mother, as she begins to learn about taking care of children. The only notable flaw is the predictability of a climax (even if the action is fast-paced and engaging), as Della feels the need to prove herself and learns about not needing to be a perfect mother.

8. “The 87 Cent Solution!” = 9/10

Scrooge’s slow descent into insanity after losing 87 cents makes for a riveting mystery with plenty of humor. Despite his insanity, this episode showcases Scrooge’s persistence, even when he temporarily takes a break to recover from his sickness. Seeing the gradual concern for Scrooge’s well-being makes the episode and underlying mystery engaging, with Glomgold appearing more “sane” as the episode progresses. Like all great mysteries, the ending wraps up satisfyingly and justifies Scrooge’s paranoia.

7. “Raiders of the Doomsday Vault!” = 9/10

Della and Dewey start their bonding process with an adventure to encounter something important. This episode establishes why Dewey and Della can connect so easily, as Della nurtures Dewey’s sense of adventure and both characters have a tendency to take leaps of faith. Glomgold and Scrooge working together make for some comedic moments while maintaining a sense of contempt for each other. Easter eggs such as the excerpt of Powerline’s “Stand Out” and Ludwig Von Drake’s color combination password are nice additions to the episode.

6. “Friendship Hates Magic!” = 9/10

Webby once again tampers with the supernatural in her attempts to get Lena back from the Shadow Realm and gets a new best friend in the process. Webby and Violet work well together as they bond over their fascination for the supernatural, with Lena’s attempts to get Webby’s attention having some comedic appeal. Like “The Ballad of Duke Baloney”, this episode is also a result of “The Shadow War”, as Violet gets ahold of Lena’s amulet when Magica was defeated. There’s also plenty of enjoyment from Mrs. Beakley and Launchpad spending some time together and bonding over Darkwing Duck in a gradually effective way.

5. “Happy Birthday, Doofus Drake!” = 9/10

One pairing that was destined to happen eventually was Louie and Goldie, as they share an interest in being con artists. The plot of Louie and Goldie “competing” for the gift bags among the other scheming party guests makes for an episode that unravels in a compelling and comedic way. Even with their scheming tendencies, the second half of the episode showcases that Louie and Goldie have some level of compassion for each other. One of the best subplots of the series comes from this episode, as Della teaches Huey about getting out of his comfort zone through a video game experience filled with subtle but epic moments.

4. “GlomTales!” = 9/10

In highlighting this series’ theme about family, Glomgold unites some of Scrooge’s worst enemies to form his own “family”. The entire recruiting process is filled with compelling character interactions and instances of humor, particularly the running gag of Magica being seen as Scrooge’s greatest enemy. Louie’s attempts at scheming his way to the family’s adventure are filled with humor, as the twists in the final act highlight his mastery of schemes. Glomgold’s parody of the theme song is very hilarious in a “so bad, it’s good” way.

3. “A Nightmare on Killmotor Hill!” = 9/10

Having both sets of trios in this episode makes for an interesting adventure that is quite literally character-driven. The individual dream sequences (along with the dream montage) showcase plenty of visual creativity and humor, and they perfectly reflect the personalities of each character. Driving the conflict of this dream adventure is Magica, as she attempts to get Lena’s magical powers in subtly creepy ways. There’s also a lot of sentimental value in this episode as Webby, Violet, and triplets are willing to help Lena in overcoming her internal conflict.

2. “The Town Where Everyone Was Nice!” = 10/10

The Three Caballeros are back for another adventure that mixes in old and new elements. Even though the lesson of the primary plot is nothing new, the chemistry between the characters makes the experience worthwhile and harkens back to the simplicity of early Disney films. Despite José Carioca and Panchito maintaining their simplistic personalities, their amiable charm is a nice change of pace from the rest of the cast. The subplot involving Dewey, Louie, and Webby is relevant and highlights the importance of living your life instead of spending time capturing it on camera. There’s plenty of nods to The Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos, along with a climax that took some visual inspiration from those films.

1. “The Duck Knight Returns!” = 10/10

Darkwing Duck is fully integrated into the DuckTales universe in what is arguably the best episode of the series. There’s plenty of references to the Darkwing Duck series and the writers clearly understand and respect the source material. This episode is a clever commentary on the reboot craze, as it addresses the people who may feel apprehensive about the changes and the importance of honoring the source material when integrating new elements. The plot does a perfect job at introducing Drake Mallard and indirectly passing the baton from Jim Cummings to Chris Diamantopoulos. While every scene provides a dramatic or comedic emotional experience, the two most impactful scenes involve Drake’s inspirational Darkwing Duck story and the epic climactic battle featuring the two Darkwing actors.

SEASON 2 SCORE: 9/10

As Disney’s first reboot of an animated series, this show had a lot of potential and high expectations to meet. Despite the negative perception caused by recent cartoon reboots and Disney’s live-action remakes, this show managed to retain the charm of its predecessor while modernizing the franchise to become relevant in the modern age. The first season elaborated on the personalities of classic and new characters while combining them with overarching narratives and character arcs.

The highlight of the series is the characters, with their appeal coming from the stellar vocal performances of the star-studded cast. Even with the weaker episodes of the season, the strength of the characters and their chemistry helps to elevate the experience. For the first time since Quack Pack, Huey, Dewey, and Louie have distinct personalities. Their unique personalities are handled a lot better as they each represent a part of Scrooge’s overall personality. Characters such as Webby and Gyro Gearloose are more compelling due to their major overhauls, while characters such as Donald and Scrooge have the same appeal with only minor changes. New characters such as Lena and Mark Beaks fit in perfectly with the rest of the cast, and exploring new territory for the franchise.

Unlike most of its contemporaries, the visuals are distinct due to emulating the comic book style. In addition, some unique stills and in-universe artwork take inspiration from Carl Barks’ art style. There’s also plenty to love with smaller details such as Scrooge and Donald having their shirt colors match those of their comic counterparts, along with character designs that feel unique but in-line with the expanded Mickey Mouse universe.

Like the original DuckTales, the plots comprise of globe-trotting adventures and grounded experiences around Duckburg. With the use of overarching narratives, the stories have more stakes and emotional weight. In both types of plots, the show manages to incorporate some fantastical elements while having a sense of grounded realism. While the stories feel in-line with previous Uncle Scrooge stories from the comics, there’s some inspiration from modern Disney shows such as Gravity Falls.

The first season may be the weakest of the three, but it lays the groundwork for the evolution of the characters and storytelling for the next two seasons, while also being outstanding on its own right. It’s also a miracle that this show turned out to be an amazing reboot, with plenty of love for the source material while being able to create something unique and setting the standard for cartoon reboots.

SEASON 1 EPISODES – WORST TO BEST

23. “The Beagle Birthday Massacre!” = 7/10

Despite this episode’s significance, it’s the weakest episode of the series due to its more laidback and predictable nature. Lena and Webby’s friendship is established very well, but the writing doesn’t do much to create something unique from the premise of crashing a birthday party. The hijinks have their own level of fun, but the show (and even the rest of the season) would have better comedic moments.

22. “The Golden Lagoon of White Agony Plains!” = 7/10

While it’s nice to explore Scrooge’s love-hate relationship with Goldie O’Gilt, their adventure in this episode doesn’t do too much to stand out. The chemistry between Scrooge and Goldie is strong enough to overcome the predictability of the plot, as Goldie has a tendency to backstab Scrooge and temporarily has a change of heart to rescue him during the climax. The pacing is also slower than most episodes, which makes this episode harder to sit through.

21. “Terror of the Terra-firmians!” = 7/10

A mystery with a slow build and payoff, but balanced out with engaging character interactions and humor from Launchpad and Louie. The clash between Huey’s reliance on science and Webby’s belief of fantastical phenomena drives the plot and provides the suspense of finding the Terra-firmians. Meanwhile, the subplots involving Dewey and Launchpad and Mrs. Beakley and Lena feel run-of-the-mill for their respective plotlines.

20. “Jaw$!” = 8/10

While this episode is important for showcasing the first instance of Lena’s change of heart towards Webby, the entire episode lacks the stakes present in other episodes. The money shark monster is a clever idea that lends itself to intense and comedic moments, but the writing doesn’t do much to make the monster feel intimidating. Scrooge’s attempts at polishing his image towards the masses is more compelling than those same instances during the original series, but they’re not anything noteworthy outside of his actions during the climax.

19. “The Other Bin of Scrooge McDuck!” = 8/10

This episode is one of the darker episodes of the series, even if the plot is nothing more than a centralized treasure hunt that solidified Lena’s resistance to Magica and her scheme. What makes this specific episode interesting is the growing tension of Magica’s pursuit of Scrooge’s dime, and Lena’s increasing struggle to hide her true intentions from Webby. The subplot involving the nephews and the freeloading sasquatch named Tenderfeet has some charm, but isn’t that memorable outside of the conflict between Louie and Tenderfeet.

18. “The Spear of Selene!” = 8/10

In comparison to other episodes that focused on Dewey’s search for the whereabouts of his mother, this episode has the least amount of emotional weight due to the predictable journey through Zeus’ temple. Serving as a change in direction to the overarching narrative of the season, the outcome is unique but the journey to get there is nothing special (but still entertaining). While Scrooge’s rivalry with Zeus could have stood out more, Storkules’ unrequited friendship with Donald is a major highlight that leads to some comedic moments and would eventually be expanded in later episodes.

17. “Sky Pirates… In the Sky!” = 8/10

Don Karnage makes a stellar guest appearance in this episode, even if his character is less menacing that before. A conflict that feels out-of-place for these characters, the plot follows the usual tropes of the ignored sibling storyline without bringing anything new. Despite the stale plot, the characters elevate the episode with their interactions, along with a memorable climax and catchy musical segments. Louie’s internal conflict in the subplot may have been brief, but it provides some instances of humor.

16. “Woo-oo!” = 8/10

The start of the series manages to establish the characters and world while providing a classic adventure. While the first part feels predictable in establishing the premise, the second part raises the stakes and creates a memorable experience that highlights the strengths of the character interactions. There’s plenty of Easter eggs to the original series and nods to other Disney Afternoon shows. Like the rest of the season, the pilot establishes Dewey’s love for adventure and using that to kickstart the search for his mother.

15. “The Secret(s) of Castle McDuck!” = 8/10

Despite the gradual build-up of the emotional weight in this episode’s climax, there’s a good amount of adventure, humor, and suspense that comes from Dewey trying to hide the findings about his mother. The plot’s emotional impact is executed well, but the resolution feels rushed. While Scrooge’s subplot with his father provides some information about his past, it’s not very engaging outside of the scene where Launchpad pretends to be Donald.

14. “The Last Crash of the Sunchaser!” = 8/10

As the episode set before the season finale, the stakes are raised higher than ever before in a figurative and literal sense. However, the impact of those stakes takes a while to develop throughout the episode, with Dewey’s attempts to get back a lost piece of paper being drawn out more than expected. Balancing that out is the arguments between Scrooge and Beakley in figuring out how to get the plane unstuck. Even with the slower impact of the first two acts, the third act is emotionally heavy and perfectly sets up the rift that would eventually be resolved in the season finale.

13. “McMystery at McDuck McManor!” = 8/10

Even with a smaller-scale mystery, this episode manages to create a lot of suspense to uncover who was behind Scrooge’s temporary disappearance at his birthday party. Some humor comes out of Louie inviting Scrooge’s worst enemies, and how they each wanted to bring down Scrooge during Huey’s investigation. Huey’s conflict from his need to outdo Duckworth at party-planning is interesting but feels forgotten when Scrooge goes missing.

12. “The Great Dime Chase!” = 8/10

Another laidback episode that is elevated with the fantastical elements of Little Bulb’s mad power trip and Mrs. Quackfaster’s “trials” in the McDuck archives. While Louie learns the literal value of a hard day’s work, it doesn’t feel that significant, especially with his major arc that would occur in the next season. The subplot, on the other hand, holds a lot more weight due to starting Dewey’s search for his mother. Even with the subplot slightly dragging at the start, it does a good job at expanding Webby’s fascination for the McDuck family.

11. “The Impossible Summit of Mt. Neverrest!” = 8/10

There’s plenty of adventure that comes from exploring a mountain covered with wormholes. Scrooge’s ego check in this episode is welcome and showcases the extreme dangers that can come from adventuring. Webby’s and Dewey’s dynamic continues to flourish with the simple act of Dewey helping Webby go sledding for the first time. Launchpad’s subplot has plenty of humor, as Louie is able to use his manipulation to help Launchpad.

10. “The Living Mummies of Toth-Ra!” = 9/10

Leave it to this series to make a revolution with comedic appeal. Louie and Webby work well off each other as they each have different views in getting value out of Toth-Ra’s legacy. The pyramid’s society is fleshed out well for a 22-minute episode, and feels rooted in history while highlighting the current struggles and living conditions of the residents. Launchpad’s dimwittedness is effective in providing some humor and doing a good job at marketing burritos.

9. “Day of the Only Child!” = 9/10

Here’s an episode that answers an in-universe version of the question: “What if the triplets were the only child in their family?”. All three brothers have familiar but unique experiences in being an only child, with the lesson of the power of siblings being naturally conveyed in the climax. Despite the dramatic change of character in Doofus, his counterpart in this reboot adds an interesting dynamic to the cast and showcases the corruption of wealth in a grounded but suppressive manner.

8. “From the Confidential Casefiles of Agent 22!” = 9/10

Webby has her time to shine in this episode, as her passion for Scrooge leads to memorable dialogue and action scenes between the two characters. The parallels between Webby’s and Scrooge’s first missions is an engaging way to integrate past history and showcase Scrooge’s growth. Black Heron is a formidable threat that serves as the first catalyst of F.O.W.L.’s modern attempts at world domination. The use of gummiberry juice and the several nods to the Gummi Bears TV series is clever and expands on the presence of Disney Afternoon lore in this series.

7. “Daytrip of Doom!” = 9/10

Despite being one of the most grounded episodes of the series, the adventurous but awkward personality of Webby makes an average trip into an exciting adventure. As an eccentric kid, Webby’s personality allows for a variety of comedic scenes and being able to shine in the climax while outwitting Ma Beagle. The subplot involving Donald and Beakley also has some humor, with their love for the triplets and Webby, respectively, coming out in full force when they confront the Beagle Boys.

6. “The House of the Lucky Gander!” = 9/10

As one of the handful of Donald-centric episodes, this episode is effective in showcasing the perseverance of his character despite his tendency to encounter bad luck. The juxtaposition of Gladstone’s and Donald’s experiences at the casino provides plenty of comedic moments and makes the climax feel intense. Toad Liu Hai’s casino is a visual marvel, as the kids gradually become succumbed to its offerings. Launchpad’s off-screen side story showcases an interesting side of the character that is begging to be explored.

5. “The Infernal Internship of Mark Beaks!” = 9/10

Another grounded episode that has plenty of humor and heart, with Mark Beaks’ first appearance being a standout character. Mark Beaks works as a great foil to Scrooge and serves as a relevant parody of Mark Zuckerberg and other Silicon Valley figures. The rivalry between Huey and Dewey provides plenty of memorable moments and highlights the philosophies of those that “know what they’re doing” and those who “fake it until they make it”. In an unusual turn of events, the temporary collaboration between Scrooge and Glomgold is funny, even if it ends up going nowhere in the long run.

4. “The Missing Links of Moorshire!” = 9/10

There’s a sense of subtlety in this episode, as this golf game gradually went from being a regular sports rivalry to an underlying sense of doom. Even with the subtle sense of danger, it doesn’t make Scrooge’s internal conflict any less engaging. Another instance of Scrooge keeping his ego in check, he must face the reality of Dewey being a better golfer than him. All of the kids have their own time to shine, with memorable character moments reflective of their personalities. There’s also some humor that comes from the pony kelpies, Briar and Bramble, as both characters are nods to the My Little Pony franchise.

3. “Who is Gizmoduck?!” = 9/10

Fenton’s character is expanded in a compelling way, as he learns how to become an effective hero using the Gizmoduck suit. Having a character like Huey as the beacon of hope is something that hasn’t been seen in superhero stories in a while, and sets Huey up as an indirect sidekick of Gizmoduck. The clash between Fenton and Mark Beaks creates a Superman-Lex Luthor dynamic that is rooted in popularity rather than heroics or wit. There’s also some noteworthy small details such as the subtle but shared similarities between Fenton’s mother in the original and the reboot and Mark Beaks’ subtle racism.

2. “Beware the B.U.D.D.Y. System!” = 10/10

This episode manages to flawlessly introduce two superheroes to the mix, with the Darkwing Duck opening scene emulating the magic and ambiance of his show in the show’s universe. Gizmoduck also has a welcome update to his origin story, with Fenton’s desire to help others is put to good use with his first use of the Gizmoduck suit. Launchpad’s conflict is very engaging, as it features memorable lines of dialogue and a somewhat unique take on the man vs. machine trope.

1. “The Shadow War!” = 10/10

Season finales are meant to be epic, as this show manages to have an epic two-part experience for its first season finale. Magica De Spell shines as a formidable threat while still retaining the comedic charm of her predecessor. Many familiar faces come together to fight off Magica’s shadow army, highlighting their chemistry and action skills. Meanwhile, the events of this episode would eventually lead to different consequences for the next season. The episode also has plenty of memorable moments, such as the “going away” party of the Duck family and Donald’s intelligible voice.

SEASON 1 SCORE: 8/10