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A Case of Mistaken Identity
When stories involve superheroes, a common thing for them to deal with is their secret identity, mainly making sure it stays secret for the protection of themselves and others. Sometimes, the matter exists for the purposes of drama in their relationship with loved ones or to create a personal drama in simply how hard it is to keep it secret. In the case of this episode, the matter of the secret identity of this featured superhero, Gizmoduck, is central to a story about jealousy of someone else mistaken to be him. Ultimately, the execution is mixed.
With how popular Gizmoduck has become at this point, Huey, Dewey, and Louie become curious as to who he really is. Through an investigation, there's a chance encounter with Scrooge and Launchpad, the latter of whom they come to believe is definitely Gizmoduck. Fenton Crackshell also happens to be there, and despite being cool with keeping his status as Gizmoduck secret before, he becomes visibly upset at this assumption. Scrooge tries to assure him that it’s better the nephews think Launchpad is Gizmoduck to protect his identity, but to no avail.
It’s at this point where the plot of the episode is established with Fenton setting out to prove that Launchpad is not Gizmoduck, and the results have a good deal of frustration and contrivance. The frustration comes from how it’s already well established to the audience that Launchpad isn’t Gizmoduck. To have the world around Fenton stick to believing falsehoods doesn’t sit right.
Following Fenton putting up with ridiculous reasons for the nephews’ claims such as a piece of metal at Launchpad’s allegedly being part of Gizmoduck, there’s a Gizmoduck party. It seems like an easy place for Fenton to show up as Gizmoduck while Launchpad appears as himself, all set to disprove the theory. However, as Gizmoduck, Fenton has to put up with all sorts of ineptness from people thinking that he’s wearing a costume. Some fans who are also wearing a Gizmoduck costume even have quirks that seem to be more impressive than that of the real hero which is kind of sad. Then there’s an incident with fireworks where Fenton rushes to dispatch a box of them when they’re accidentally lit while everyone else, including Launchpad, runs away. Fenton finishes the job, but everyone still believes Launchpad is Gizmoduck when he comes back all banged up. Is that really enough to be so sure? How do they know that this outcome is definitely what happened?
Because of this setup, Launchpad is then constantly bombarded with people who are more convinced than ever that he’s Gizmoduck, something he’s desperate to deny. In that regard, it’s interesting that both he and Fenton are on the same page to prove that’s not the case despite the latter’s jealousy. It seems like they have a chance when Launchpad is captured by the Beagle Boys, and Fenton comes to rescue him as Gizmoduck. However, since he and Launchpad weren’t both there when Gizmoduck got the Beagle Boys arrested, this does nothing to break the belief. Also, since a lie detector used on the Beagle Boys says they’re telling the truth, now this false belief is 100% confirmed, dragging things out even more.
It’s at this point where the episode becomes very monotonous with its story where just when it seems to be getting somewhere, something always keeps it going. It would be appropriate for the audience to just want it to get to a resolution. Thankfully, that turns out to be well-handled. Launchpad, in an interview where the crowds expect official confirmation that he is Gizmoduck, ends up saying the password to get the Gizmoduck suit on himself. His inexperience on how to actually work the suit leads into several mishaps and eventually a spectacle of a runaway through the series. The most standout element though is Fenton’s role in this circumstance. Even though he’s not the one with the power, it’s nice to see Fenton’s natural wits be what saves Launchpad from every mishap his mishandling of the suit causes. Then, after much ineptness from the public, there’s something rewarding with them noticing Fenton’s heroic efforts in addition to finally realizing Launchpad can’t be Gizmoduck. There’s even some solid humor with Huey, Dewey, and Louie now considering Fenton a likely candidate albeit shockingly placed below Mrs. Beakley of all characters. While a good laugh to end the episode on, it’s perplexing to see how Fenton is upset about people not knowing his identity, a mark against this story as a whole.
This secret identity story has a fair share of things to hold it back from the long time everyone believes a fallacy, and contrivances to keep it going. Still, it’s entertaining, and a solid number of moments have good heart, humor, and character, so while it’s far from great, it’s certainly not bad.
B
The Ranking
1. My Mother the Psychic
2. Allowance Day
3.
The Big Flub
4. The Land of Trala La
5. The Good Muddahs
6. Dough Ray Me
7. A Case of Mistaken Identity
8. Bubba’s Big Brainstorm
9. Metal Attraction
10. Bubbeo and Juliet
The next review steers us to the reboot where Scrooge goes missing during his birthday party.
If you would like to check out other DuckTales reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
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