I just watched the new episodes (spoilers ahead if you haven't seen yet so please stop reading here) and I'm kind of in shock at how much they're playing up Max being upset about Phoebe potentially having another partner. Like it's written as if she's "cheating" on him which is so interesting since Captain Perfect is also set up as a love interest too? The fact that it gets to the point that Max physically fights him... and yes there's rational reasons for him to be suspicious but at the same time it felt like it came from a place of mostly being jealous. I can not wait to see your thoughts.
thank you for warning me or anyone reading this about spoilers ! luckily I have seen the new episodes and I'm so excited to discuss it with you !
for anyone reading this; please be aware that there will be spoilers for the super secret summer event below ! continue at your own discretion<3
It's so funny you mention the 'cheating' because I think it's a really interesting aspect that they've gone for and the way they're handling it almost feels intentionally ambiguous. the idea of having one character partnering up with someone else and causing tension to rise between their usual teammate has definitely been done before in media literacy. it doesn't necessarily have to be a romantic plot device. the hurt and betrayal that the other feels can be structured in a way that feels platonic. I mean, I'm pretty sure it's a universal experience to feel left out or even like a third wheel in any type of relationship.
but the thundermans have created this dynamic where it almost feels impossible not to read between the lines and suspect there is some hidden meaning behind the betrayal. and it's all in the way they're handling it;
the family aspect of max, phoebe and chloe together is heavily emphasized in the beginning of the episode. phoebe can be seen writing sticky notes for both max and chloe before they're off to summer school, she's prepared their lunches, takes their picture. the whole scene feels like we're watching a young mother seeing her husband and daughter off to work and school before having the house to herself. of course we've had similar scenes like this before and the line is just naturally blurred now that max and phoebe have a more parental role in chloe's life, (which in and of itself is still a choice to give to two siblings in their mid twenties in a kid show. let that be clear.) but it stood out to me because I felt like there was more of a significance to it now then there has been in previous episodes, and it adds to the dynamic of phoebe 'cheating' by partnering up with captain perfect.
because they are treating it like she's cheating. the title of episode 15 even alludes to that view: "I know what you did this summer." which is a reference to both the movie and the famous song by shawn mendes and camila cabello: "I know what you did last summer". a song that's specifically about a spouse cheating on their significant other.
of course there's reasonings you could make, like it's more treated as a comical aspect or max is rightfully upset knowing his history and his background.---the fact that he can be insecure about his own worth as a superhero and therefore takes it harder if phoebe teams up with someone else because it plays on his fears; 'he's not good enough, he'll never be good enough, he's holding her back.' and all of these things are true, but it's still a very thin line to be walking if you consider that these two are siblings.
it becomes even more of a blurred smudge when you add the fact that captain perfect is set up to be a potential love interest for phoebe. this plays into the whole cheating angle exponentially---the stakes are raised, there's an emotional connection, it's not just work. and suddenly jealousy starts playing a role.
because max is jealous. not just because phoebe is working with another superhero. she's joking around with him, she's trusting him with her life, she's meeting up with him outside of work. all of this shatters the illusion of the bubble they've been floating around in; being a family.
max and phoebe have barely had time for anyone else but themselves and chloe for months. something that has been established in canon. they work together, they live together, they're raising a twelve year old together. they've become very comfortable in their little bubble, it's been just them for awhile now. and with the way they're playing house, there's almost no room for a different interpretation. I mean, max even mentions how he assumes phoebe isn't buying him that clock necklace that he wanted, as if that's the only possible reason she'd even be there.
then suddenly there is someone else, and he's taking over max's place, in more ways than one. now there's a possibility of phoebe becoming emotionally involved with someone else, and it creates this new fear; losing her, losing this.
and we know max has never really been able to handle that well. he might not like to admit it but phoebe is his weakness. whenever the possibility of losing her for good looms we can see max take action. so yes, there's a million excuses and reasons you could name that might justify his reaction, there always is, but when it comes down to it, it's hard to ignore the interpretation behind this whole plot.
the writers are dancing on a very thin line that borders between something more and the deeper into the season we get, the more i'm convinced it's somewhat deliberate.
(also, side note, but the way max didn't even wait and lunged at captain perfect? unhinged. i love him. man was ready to fuck him up🤣)
in celebration of the thundermans: undercover winning the kids choice award for 'favorite kids tv show', and, in anticipation of the six brand new interconnected episodes airing july 17, our thunder team would love to invite you to join our thundertwins discord server !
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I can't believe the latest episode just ended by telling us Max and Phoebe are compatible with each other and also too messy to maintain normal relationships with other people
I didn't think the writers would ever come this close to admitting it out loud, if that makes sense? it's always been clear that max and phoebe are not only the protagonists but also the main relationship of the show, but I never thought they'd really make it this explicit in dialogue. It's WILD to have someone tell them they're basically perfect for each other.
I also loved the fact that brenda couldn't believe they were brother and sister. it confirms what we've been saying all along; most of the people in secret shores assume they're together and not related. max's reaction to it is also really funny if you consider that he once told everyone at school phoebe wasn't his sister. he can pretend it's because he doesn't like her all he wants but I think we all know the real reason he's so adamant about it. ;)
I really enjoyed their banter at splat burger as well! the 'playful way they speak' to each other is always so strained with unresolved sexual tension and I'm pretty sure brenda would totally support them getting together. like girlie would not give one fuck and be cheering them on, collecting her share of a bet she made with someone else (chloe) and telling them it took them long enough lmao.
but I love that you bring up the fact that they're too messy to really maintain a relationship with other people because this actually ties in perfectly with what I wanted to discuss regarding max and phoebe and any potential love interest introduced in the show! whenever one of them has a date, the other one usually gets involved or roped into the plot. any potential partner has to be really chill about the way that max and phoebe are almost always together and if not somehow gravitate towards one another regardless.
It makes me wonder how lax link must have been if you consider the fact that in almost every episode he appears max is involved as well. (link and phoebe want to spend more time together. phoebe asks max to help her with tennis so she can get into the country club, resorting into a competition between them and phoebe barely paying attention to her actual boyfriend. / link's friend shows up to steal link away. phoebe asks max to help her and they agree to a double date with max and quinn on their anniversary.) I mean it even comes to the point where phoebe goes out of her way to get them to become friends because she wants them to get along. (not to mention that max apparently kept running link off, which speaks for itself....) there's no way link didn't eventually start questioning why the fuck max was always there lmao. I mean cole only went on one date with phoebe and even he picked up on them immediately.
the same can be said for max and allison but I think allison definitely knew and just tried very hard to deny it lol. and if they were to introduce any new love interests now it wouldn't really be able to last. they're not only living together but they're also a team, working together and raising chloe. good luck trying to explain that to your partner lol. these two only really have time for each other. like I said, they're basically married in every sense of the way!
love the latest gifset because YES they were acting so married the whole episode. literally on the same side for every decision with chloe, working together the entire time, just a united front.
also kind of dumb but the pottery scene reminded me of the scene from ghost where the ghost of molly’s husband is helping her do pottery and guiding her hands or something (this is a crap explanation but it’s been a while since i watched the movie, hopefully you get what i mean or know the scene)
it kind of makes me think about how much trust phoebe must have to let max control her like that though, it’s so intimate - not the pottery, but allowing someone to direct your every action, knowing they have absolute power over you
AW, I'm so glad you love it! I couldn't resist gifing it to be honest. It was such a cute, domestic moment that felt more like a married couple asking for a quick word than anything else. especially if you consider that all I changed was one word and it doesn't even affect the scene at all. max could have said 'wife' and no one would have batted an eye. anyone that doesn't know them probably thinks they're together anyways (further proven by the new episode lmao) and they're basically married in every sense of the way. the lines are very blurred and I'm here for it!
nothing is ever dumb babe!! ♡ but oh my god, yes! I love that you mention this because when @solunaxo and I were watching the episode I actually mentioned how it looked like the telekinetic version of the pottery scene as well! I didn't realise it was from the movie ghost (I know, I know I'm an uncultered swine lmfao) but I do know what scene you're talking about! It's very famous after all lol!
I hadn't even considered that but you're right! to give someone almost full autonomy over your limbs and trust that they'll have your best interest at heart takes a lot of faith but it also means you're comfortable reliquishing a certain control and allowing the other person to take the lead. if you consider the fact that both max and phoebe actually struggle with this aspect a lot in their day to day life it becomes even more meaningful. they both prefer to be in charge. phoebe especially seems to fear the uncertainty that comes with not being able to control the outcome. she likes to be on top of things, be able to direct them in a certain way so everything flows smoothly, including the way people perceive her. but she doesn't even blink when max suggests this solution. she's completely fine with giving him the reigns in this situation, even glancing back at him for confirmation at one point.
and that's what's so funny about max and phoebe to be honest; they love to tell everyone that they're not close, that they're not compatible, that they don't work well together but they always end up proving the opposite.
i've been rewatching the original series and i just got to going wonkers and something about max and phoebe going to the dance *together*, and even phoebe turning to max early on in the episode to say "so you're going to be ready by seven?" just gets to me, like it really sounds like they're about to go on a date
I love that we're all collectively rewatching the original series! ♡ but yes! we talked a little about 'going wonkers' before but it's genuinely such a good episode! not to mention that the implications of max and phoebe having to stay within 3 ft of each other are wild.
there's actually a few instances in the original series where it almost sounds like max and phoebe are going on a date together and it kills me every time! but there's also just something so amusing about the way max behaves whenever phoebe has a date. we saw it in the recent episode of undercover 'save the date', we see it in 'going wonkers', in 'pheebs will rock you' and a few other episodes of the original series. there's always something that gives max (or even phoebe at times) a reason to insert themselves into the situation and sort of take the attention off of their date. which is such an interesting topic on its own that I definitely wanna get into at some point!
but to get back to 'going wonkers' specifically; I love the way max is just a complete menace (affectionate) the entire night. so much so that cole actually starts pointing it out MULTIPLE TIMES, going as far as to mention how he's "glad he asked phoebe and her brother to the dance." It leaves me to wonder what he must have been thinking because there's no way their behavior didn't seem a little suspicious lol! and I know you could argue it's because of the comet and that they had to stay within 3 ft of each other, etc. but that still doesn't excuse the way max is very clearly trying to cockblock them and pry phoebe's attention away from cole. like at no point did he have to get in between them, interrupt them dancing together to complain about courtney, or, as I mentioned before, get in the shot when they're taking a picture. I swear to god there was enough room for him to be within 3 ft of phoebe and stand to the side or do his own thing on the dance floor lol.
and I still firmly believe that max asking phoebe to stay had nothing to do with the fact that they couldn't be separated. yes he needed phoebe there because of the comet but you can tell it doesn't really cross his mind until after he's already asked her. max wanted her there, with him, watching him show up some senior for a girl he doesn't really care about because it's never about them, it's about phoebe being there with him. (like how in 'aunt misbehavin'' he's upset because phoebe didn't show up to his gig. he didn't care about anyone else but her being there.) and phoebe, in turn, chooses to stay with him. her reasoning might have been the repercussions that come with being separated from max during the comet but max does give her the choice. in the end, they somehow always find themselves choosing each other. funny how that works, isn't it?
so now that we've seen a bit of max and phoebe settling in and their "parenting" styles, what sort of headcanons do you have for them in terms of domestically living together? i've got the following:
-they like to do paperwork/grading for their jobs together (max tries to slip some of his into phoebe's pile and she knows and she slips it back into his. neither of them acknowledge this is happening)
-they're actually pretty good about splitting cooking duties, although phoebe takes pity on max always having to do the dishes from now on, so she'll cook just a bit more often. chloe doesn't have the heart to tell them that both of them are kind of mediocre in the kitchen.
-at one point chloe asks max to let her do something because she knows phoebe would say no and she's hoping he won't do that, and max tells her to ask phoebe, and chloe just goes "because she's the boss of us?" and max just freezes because he knows it's a trap
sorry for the late response!! I had a few busy days and wanted to take some time to reply to this properly! ♡
I love your take on this! I can totally see them grading papers together, phoebe preparing new lesson material for her next class while max is (begrudgingly) going over some files for the principal, etc. I also love the idea of max slipping some of his work onto phoebe's pile and her just slipping it right back! It fits their dynamic perfectly and I think It might be one of my new favorite headcanons for now! I also like to imagine max making sly remarks and off handed comments about whatever phoebe is preparing for class. most of the time he does it just to get a rile out of her, have her engage in some sparring with him or when they've been quiet for too long and he can tell the silence is tugging on their edges, but it's also something everyone in the household loves to joke about. because, let's be honest, the artwork phoebe makes as an example for the children to have something to go by is probably atrocious lol.
I love the idea that phoebe has taken it upon herself to cook more now that max is on dish duty! I think max (before having to take care of a twelve year old) was the kind of guy to put cereal and liquor in a bowl and call it breakfast (or dinner). like that guy has no desire to actually put effort into what he eats. (if he's the one having to make it.) he doesn't care, he'll eat whatever is in his fridge or convenient at the time. (he's basically your typical twenty-something bachelor, living off of god knows what and somehow still breathing despite it.) phoebe on the other hand loves to experiment and try new things. whenever she finds some new exotic fruit or sees a culinary dish online, she ends up researching it to see if she can try and incorporate it into her palette. the problem is... as you mentioned, she's mediocre at best in the kitchen. naturally that doesn't stop her from trying, or reading a thousand cookbooks to help her improve. max and chloe have definitely told her she needs to stop experimenting with their dinner though! if she wants to make it to next week lmao.
phoebe also takes pity on max sometimes and helps him with the dishes. especially if jinx and booch stay over and they have a few extra plates to clean. most of the time it ends up with them sprawled out on the kitchen floor, laughing, their hair sticky with soap, clothes soaked through and the dishes forgotten in the sink.
I love that headcanon! it's so funny because, let's be real, chloe has them wrapped around her little finger and we're all here for it! she knows how to play them both and for some reason they fall for it EVERY TIME. I kind of hope we get to see something like this in an episode! it's already been established that max and phoebe have some different views on parenting and it would make for a great story arc if one of them agrees to something the other is against. it'll cause some friction and tension between them, like how they both go behind each others back to fix chloe's powers in 'faulty powers', and forces them to look at how they want to go about raising chloe and what that means for them as co-parents guardians a little more.
one of the things that came up in my mind is that the twins probably had to get used to the quiet. the thunderman household was very much chaos 24/7; hank's boisterous voice, his tendency to break through the ceiling to get whatever he'd be craving at the time, billy and nora's delighted squeals and laughter as they run around the living room playing laser tag, their witty shenanigans, phoebe's fast paced explanations or the way she's usually snapping at max because of whatever stunt he's pulled now, one of max's inventions detonating, etc. there was never a lot of room for peace in the house. now that it's just them, chloe and colosso, there's a lot less noise. phoebe definitely has a harder time adjusting to the serenity. she's used to the constant motion of their family, the buzz of something always going on. max's lair is soundproof and i think he might prefer the lull of sound sometimes, so he takes to it quicker. the stillness can make phoebe a little restless and she starts humming or turning on the radio as a way to make up for it. max can hear her sing along to some of the songs sometimes, when she's cleaning or cooking or grading papers but doesn't comment on it. he knows she isn't entirely aware she's doing it but he chooses not to rattle her about it.
aww, you're so sweet! thank you, nonnie! I'm so glad you like my content! I love making gifs for you guys and seeing the fandom come back to life! It's so much fun hearing all your thoughts and different point of views! ♡
i love that you gif-ed the scene of phoebe bouncing in saying she has a date while max makes THAT face because he really looked *so* upset over it? like i know he had that bet going on but the reaction was very…intense. also did you catch when chloe arrives at the ice cream truck and is questioning max, there’s a moment he seems to hesitate? but then he brings the conversation back to the bet, it almost seemed like he was avoiding his actual issue lol
also turtle boy and turtle girl made me giggle
I knew I had to gif it the moment I saw the scene! and It's wild to me that it isn't even fabricated. like I'm not stitching scenes together to make it look like he might have been upset, (not that I generally do that but you know, to make a point); that is the actual scene. frame for frame. I almost included a third gif of the scene right after where max just stands there, looking like a lost little puppy. I'm telling you, the guy was in pain, he needed a minute to process.
you can see his face completely fall the minute phoebe mentions she has a date. and of course, like you said, there's the undertone of the bet, the fact that he might have to wash 'dish mountain.' there's always some excuse, some petty thing that doesn't seem nearly as important that he can hide behind. there's a million excuses, a thousand tricks. but in the end, it's never really about those little high jinks, is it? the show actually plays with this concept (more than once) in a lot of episodes of the thundermans.
I love that you brought up the scene with chloe because YES!! I was talking about this with my friend the other day and we said the same thing. it really seems like max is going to say something in that moment. his demeanor has completely shifted, there's an intonation in his voice, a pause, and it feels like he's about to confide something, explain why he might be behaving the way he is. but then he stops and sort of diverts the attention back onto the joke, the running gag of the episode. and I wonder if it was originally scripted that way or if there is a version with different dialogue that they decided to cut? either way, I think chloe might catch onto certain.. things sooner rather than later. she might be a little less inclined to be phoebe's wingwoman in the future. ;)
turtle boy and turtle girl was very funny! I guess max finally has at least one alias as a superhero now? lmao.
I neeeeeed to hear your thoughts on the latest episode because that was a LOT
I was trying to gif it today for the max and phoebe 'in every episode' series and I've come to the conclusion that I'm STILL not over it.
this episode was INSANE. It's my favorite episode of the season so far but we do still have a long way to go so! either way I'm really excited to see what else they have in store for us! and if it's anything like the last two episodes I think we're gonna be in for a wild ride!! (affectionate)
but let's break it down, shall we? prepare for a long review underneath the cut!
the scene where max and phoebe are watching chloe, jinx and booch from the kitchen nearly destroyed me and that was only the beginning of the episode! I love, love, love the way they look like actual proud parents watching their daughter having her first movie night. It was so adorable and heartwarming! chloe shooing them away like a true teenager who just wants to hang with her friends was great! but max and phoebe leaving TOGETHER, with the candy, to go upstairs?? and DO WHAT? netflix and chill?
the conversation that ensues between them and the parents of jinx and booch felt so real in the way it showcases that they really are just a young couple that's still trying to figure things out. if you'd told me in that moment they were chloe's parents, I would have believed you. It's honestly no wonder some of the kids watching the show were confused by it! and I've mentioned it before but I love that we get to see the learning curve that is parenting and the way max and phoebe will slowly find their own way in it! It's just wild to me that we started with these two little fifteen year olds that were constantly trying to get on each others nerves and now get to watch them be a team and raising a kid together. (my HEART!)
the lore of the hero league having a lunar space base was something I was not expecting but it sounds amazing and I'm kind of hoping they might expand on it because it would be a really cool addition in the universe of the thundermans.
seeing hank and barb acting as max and phoebe was so weird and funny!! (in a good way!) I think chris and rosa did a great job acting as kira and jack to resemble max and phoebe. there were so many moments in this episode where I actually laughed out loud or just had this huge smile on my face, it was great!
BUT the highlight of the episode has to be kira and jack acting as hank and barb inside max and phoebe's bodies! I think there was a sound coming out of the back of my throat that should have never seen the light of day during the scene depicted below lmao. I CANNOT get over it.
the way she leans into him, her hands on his shoulder?? the way he turns towards her, HOLDING HER HANDS?? I'm sorry i just I love these two so much! their chemistry is insane and it's crazy that even when they're playing different characters you can just FEEL it.
they were also just so cute as hank and barb! they seemed really giddy and animated! AND THE WAY THEY WERE STANDING WHEN THEY SWITCH BACK?? why was his arm wrapped around her lmao?? i'm telling you this is the first step to hank and barb accepting it when max and phoebe start dating. BYE.
and ofc, max and phoebe's twin power making a reappearance was great! it still makes me laugh to be honest, because you can't tell me it isn't the same thing that happened to their parents when they first kissed, and it's just so funny to me that nickelodeon kind of unintentionally made them soulmates in canon. but it was fun to see it return and I'm hoping we get to see more of it in the future! (if only just to see them hold hands lol)
there were definitely some parallels made between hank and barb and max and phoebe in this episode, which was so much fun to see! (they're all chaotic as fuck lmao) and there was something very domestic about max mentioning it's even worse when hank flies through the roof of his own house. that was a moment where I really went; 'damn, they've grown so much!' they have a house and their own family now with chloe!🥺 It's sweet!
I loved your response to the "ask" under this one. So, while we're on the topic of season 1, what do you think about "Up, up, and vacay" ?
I might be alone, here, but it just feels so cesty, to me. I love the parallel between Hank and Barb, and Max and Phoebe, when they're arguing and the guys take the sauce into the garage, meanwhile the girls eat the spaghetti. I was rewatching it and noticed that they both had the same plan (according to Max, even though he said it was Hank and Billy's idea, we all know that Billy went to hangout with Nora and Max and Hank made the plan, just like Barb and Phoebe), so that means the boys, while in the garage, were having the same kind of conversation as the girls were in the kitchen. Barb starts saying how she doesn't want to be without her "hunky Hank" then calls him her "cuddly wuddly thunderbear." So going back to the parallel, Phoebe is Barb, and Max is Hank(literally last nights episode), Max and Phoebe don't want to go on a trip without each other, either! (And totally have nicknames for each other, also)
I probably over analyzed this episode, but it's fun and I'll absolutely continue to do it with every other one, I have one for "Ditch Perfect", honestly there's so many. I need to discuss it with someone lol. Anyway, what do you think?
Up, up, and vacay is a great episode! I think the idea of the thunderman family entering a contest where they have to compete for a price is a really fun concept anyways. it works perfectly for the way they've constructed the family dynamic. they're all competitive, they all have this sort of 'winners mentality', so things are bound to get a little messy and cause some friction. the fact that it's a non-supe competition also adds a small challenge for them. they're very used to relying on their powers, especially when there's something to gain, so having to see them approach things more naturally is really amusing. I love the way billy complains about having to run slow!
the boys vs the girls setup is also nice twist. we don't get to see them pair off like that a lot in the show, billy and nora are usually together, as are max and phoebe, and hank and barb sort of drift inbetween. they switch it up occasionally but that's the main setting for the show. and that's fine, I prefer it that way and it works great! but it's nice to see hank and max agree on something for once and see them have a little stand off with the girls! I also love the thunder ball game and the parallel between the way phoebe tricks hank using his love for her against him and the way max tricks phoebe during knock out ball. I'm pretty sure max was a little proud turned on of phoebe when she deceived hank, even if it did mean he lost.
I wanna say that the parallel between max and phoebe and hank and barb is done somewhat deliberately. I feel like there are a few other episodes (including the latest episode of undercover!) where the show draws a comparison between the two. which is WILD and so, so funny considering the implications that go with it. (tell me max and phoebe are not the main ship of the show, I dare you.)
I think we can assume from the context of the scene at the obstacon that the boys did have a similar conversation in the garage about the girls and how they should forfeit the competition. billy might have been the motive the way nora was for barb and phoebe, but ultimately I think you're right! hank and max probably decided on the plan. though I'm sure max is loath to admit it, and I don't think he would have said anything openly in front of hank. he probably did try to protest, albeit half-heartedly. but max definitely didn't want to go on vacation without phoebe. to be honest, I'm suspecting he might have had some ulterior motives for wanting to go to the beach as well, i mean...🤭 the fact that it ends up working against him a little in the end is hilarious. I'm sure that annoyed the hell out of him lmao.
and don't worry, as long as you're having fun, that's all that matters! I'd love to hear your thoughts and am more than happy to discuss anything with you! ♡
