iCarly S1E1 iPilot - Episode Review
Here is my first written review on the first ever episode of the classic show (which is getting a reboot for some reason), iCarly. I watched this show a lot as a kid and I am interested to see if it still holds up. Each episode review will be split up into 5 sections:
Plot
Characters
Jokes & Humour
Other Comments
Conclusion & Final Rating
With that said, let’s get on with the review!
Plot
First of all, this episode has a good plot for a first episode. I unfortunately think though that the execution is mixed. I struggle to think how a web show on a new site got so many views so quickly when there are probably lots of other shows not doing the same. I would say that they shouldn’t have started off with that many viewers, but have more when we get to the next episode.
With that said though, I still think the plot is good for a first episode. The pacing is particularly really good and goes at the right speed most of the time. But overall, the plot is a good way to start. I totally believe these teenagers would start out a web show after this.
Characters
This episode does a good job introducing us to our 3 main characters, their personalities and their relationships with each other. I think this episode does a good introduction to Carly & Sam’s friendship, Freddie’s crush on Carly, and Sam & Freddie’s rivalry. And particularly how much Carly reacts to them in some ways.
I also like how they are all portrayed in the episode. Carly is likable, and is portrayed as jokey, but a nice person all around. I like how pissed off at Sam & Freddie she is in this episode. Freddie is also portrayed fairly straight. I think this is a good introduction to his character and makes him a likable character. Sam is annoying in this episode, mostly how she treats that kid at the beginning. I don’t think this is Sam’s best appearance, since this is one of the times she doesn’t really show much empathy. That said though, she isn’t portrayed as ‘the worst’ like she is in episodes further down the line.
Then we get to the antagonist in the episode, Miss Briggs. She is great. I mean awful. She is awful. The episode does a really good job at making you hate her. The beginning scene with her & Principal Franklin is fantastic. She is replaced by many other teachers further down the line. I don’t know why Miss Briggs’ time was severely cut from the show. Maybe there’s a good reason, I don’t know. But I’m glad she wasn’t a one-time character at least.
One character I think this episode didn’t did a good job at introducing to us is Spencer. We got absolutely nothing on his relationships with Sam & Freddie. He was barely in the episode and only appeared for a few gags that weren’t funny. I think the next episode is the real introduction to him.
Jokes & Humour
I laughed a few times in this episode. Carly & Sam’s comments at Miss Briggs were pretty funny. Sam saying “I’m a lovable person!” and then hitting a guy was funny too, ableit mean. Carly’s reactions to Sam & Freddie were funny too.
None of the talents made me laugh though. I do think they’re impressive of course and I’m not sure if they were intended to be funny. But if they were, I personally don’t find them funny. Humour is subjective though.
Other Comments
This episode had a lot more nitpicks then I first remember. Like in that scene where Sam dragged Freddie out of bed, how the hell did Mrs. Benson not appear and say something then? I hate Mrs Benson as much as the next guy, but I think it would make more sense if she appeared then. Not that I’m really complaining.
I also think the hat party thing at the end was extremely unnecessary and came out of nowhere. It was fun, course, but I question why. I also think Spencer stealing that weird woman was weird and just done as an annoying joke. Again, he was not portrayed well in this episode.
Conclusion and Final Rating
This is overall a good episode, but it does have considerable flaws, ableit not many. But I’m going to give it a 7/10. I can totally understand why some people really like or really don’t like this episode. It’s certainly an interesting one.