History Recap / DannyPhantomS1E18LifeLessons

* AnAesop: Learn to see other people's point of view, and don't judge them before you get know them.

* WorthyOpponent: Skulker's goal is to decide whether Danny or Valerie is most... uh, worthy of being his Worthy Opponent. When his efforts lead nowhere, he decides to simply hunt them both at once.

->'''Danny:''' I am ''so'' not kissing the bride.
->'''Valerie:''' [[IronicEcho What makes you think you can?]]

->'''Danny:''' Don't you have anything better to do?
->'''Valerie:''' This ''is'' [[ItsWhatIDo what I do!]]

->'''Valerie:''' I guess I was kinda harsh on you before. I never thought a ghost could be anything but trouble.
->'''Danny:''' That's 'cause you never bothered to get to know one. Truce?

->'''Danny:''' Wow, this is like the worst job ever. I didn't know ''this'' was the job you were talking about.
->'''Valerie:''' [[MeaningfulEcho That's 'cause you never bothered to get to know me.]]

* ContinuityNod: Danny blamed himself in [[Recap/DannyPhantomS1E10ShadesOfGray Shades of Gray]] 8 episodes ago for ruining Valerie's life. The fact that he's so eager to help her when he sees what job her family's financial situation has forced her to take seems to indicate he still hasn't entirely forgiven himself.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: When Danny bumps into the Nasty Ned mascot, the person inside snaps "Watch it!" before heading off. Later, when Valerie is looking for Danny Phantom, the Nasty Ned mascot suit is discarded and she panics before leaving. Two guesses who was in the suit.

* LaserGuidedKarma: A twofold example. Everyone who attempted the easy way out in taking care of the flour sack assignment for using Tucker's daycare service gets an F, as Tucker's mom used the flour sacks to make cookies for a bake sale thinking her son got her the flour she needed, while Tucker himself is forced to refund everyone's money.
* MeaningfulEcho: After defeating Skulker together, Valerie admits to Danny Phantom that she never knew a ghost could be helpful. To this, Danny says "That's because you've never gotten to know one." Later, when Danny Fenton learns of Valerie's second job, he apologizes for assuming her life wasn't so hard. Valerie responds with a sobering "That's because you've never gotten to know me." [[IronicEcho Ironically]] enough, Valerie doesn't know she's telling this to the same person who told her in the first place. In the least, it gets Danny to realize he's [[NotSoDifferentRemark no different]] from her for being judgmental.

* NeverMyFault: Valerie complains about Danny Fenton not sympathizing with how hard things are for her (even though he doesn't know about it, and even though that doesn't excuse her leaving him to do all of an assignment they're both supposed to be working on) and Danny Phantom for getting her lost in the Ghost Zone. Danny is quick to remind her that Skulker is the one who did this to her, not him. She later admits she was too hard on him.

* WorthyOpponent: Skulker's goal is to decide whether Danny or Valerie is most... uh, worthy of being his Worthy Opponent. When his efforts lead nowhere he decides to simply hunt them both at once.

* LaserGuidedKarma: A twofold example. Everyone who attempted the easy way out in taking care of the flour shack assignment for using Tucker’s daycare service gets an F, as Tucker’s mom used the flour shacks to make cookies for a bake sale thinking her son got her the flour she needed, while Tucker himself is forced to refund everyone’s money.

The sight of Valerie chasing the Box Ghost through the park as the episode ends confirms it. Hopefully, the huntress will eventually learn that she and Danny Phantom are NotSoDifferent, but, for now, at least she and Danny Fenton seem on their way to becoming friends.

* MeaningfulEcho: After defeating Skulker together, Valerie admits to Danny Phantom that she never knew a ghost could be helpful. To this, Danny says "That's because you've never gotten to know one." Later, when Danny Fenton learns of Valerie's second job, he apologizes for assuming her life wasn't so hard. Valerie responds with a sobering "That's because you've never gotten to know me." [[IronicEcho Ironically]] enough, Valerie doesn't know she's telling this to the same person who told her in the first place. In the least, it gets Danny to realize he's [[NotSoDifferent no different]] from her for being judgmental.

* NotSoDifferent: Danny and Valerie both hunt ghosts and want to be a hero but find it hard to balance [[WakeUpGoToSchoolSaveTheWorld with school, work, etc.]] – the reason they keep butting heads is because they're essentially rivals.

* InconvenientItch: When Skulker was paralyzed, he complains that his nose itches

It turns out they're not on Earth but just in another part of the Ghost Zone. Valerie lands on one of the floating land masses, and her flying board disappears back into her suit. The tranquilizer dart's worn off, as Danny's now gained all of his movement back. He thanks Valerie for saving him back there, but she just snaps at him for all the trouble he's caused her, blaming him for getting her in this mess in the first place. While trying to break the handcuffs with a rock, a thoroughly annoyed Danny reminds her that the maniac who captured them deserves some blame, too!

* WorthyOpponent: Skulker's goal is to decide whether Danny or Valerie is most... uh, worthy of being his Worthy Opponent.

They're not the only ones who had bad luck with this assignment. While they were running for their lives, Tucker returned from tracking down Sam and their "child" to find that his mom was able to bake a bunch of cookies for the bake sale, since her son was kind enough to get all the flour she needed... The result? Everyone who used his baby-sitting service – re: EVERYONE – gets an F, except for Sam, who gets an A for her "exemplary parenting skills," and Danny and Valerie, who get a C since their sack is one of only two that’s not part of a cookie. The two partners smile at each other when they get the news, satisfied and relieved.

Danny tries to bypass the crowded morning bus by flying to school, only to be ambushed by Valerie, who's gotten impressively better with her weapons and HoverBoard. Skulker finds them both to be impressive fighters, in fact. After watching their battle for a few minutes, the hunter decides to set up a contest between them to determine which one is stronger... and deserves the honor of being his prey.

Skulker, who's been watching them, doesn't know what's so special about the sack, but deduces that it's obviously important to both of his targets, so he phases into Valerie's room and, invisible, lifts it right out of her hands. Valerie grabs one of her guns and chases after the ghost, who turns visible in the hallway just after Danny's ghost sense goes off. Danny goes ghost, but Skulker tosses him the sack and flies away. Valerie now comes out in her suit and immediately starts firing at the ghost she sees stealing her homework. Danny turns intangible and flies out of the building, but Valerie gives chase on her hover board. He tries to tell her what really happened, but, of course, she's not interested in listening, so he just lands and puts the sack down, telling Valerie no one (and nothing) needs to get hurt. A very confused Valerie powers down her weapon, wondering why he would do that or even be concerned about her at all.

Valerie drags the paralyzed Danny ''very'' roughly behind her until they reach the edge of a cliff hanging over the misty green abyss of the Ghost Zone. Skulker thinks he has them trapped, but Valerie, to Danny's horror, jumps off the edge. Skulker may have taken all her weapons, but she still has her hover board, which assembles when she brings her feet together. Skulker opens the jets in his own suit and flies after them.

It turns out they're not on Earth but just in another part of the Ghost Zone. Valerie lands on one of the floating land masses, and her hover board disappears back into her suit. The tranquilizer dart's worn off, as Danny's now gained all of his movement back. He thanks Valerie for saving him back there, but she just snaps at him for all the trouble he's caused her, blaming him for getting her in this mess in the first place. While trying to break the handcuffs with a rock, a thoroughly annoyed Danny reminds her that the maniac who captured them deserves some blame, too!

While Sam and Tucker argue over the proper way to raise their "child" back on Earth, Danny and Valerie return to retrieve their own, just as its crying mechanism is getting on Skulker's last nerve. The irate hunter prepares to blast it to smithereens when the two partners somersault in and steal it away. Skulker fires at them, but they're moving in perfect unison, steering Valerie's hover board perfectly to dodge every blast. They swoop down and under Skulker, knocking him off his feet. Danny's not exaggerating when he says they've "finally got this teamwork thing down..." just before Skulker grabs the chain holding them together. They’re saved by his curiosity about the sack they were so determined to get back. He takes it from Valerie again, and while he's dealing with the crying and gases, Danny picks up the literal ChekhovsGun, still tied in the same place, setting off the BoobyTrap again. He pushes Valerie down out of the way, and the paralyzing darts all hit Skulker, who freezes and goes down (maybe he shouldn't have made weapons powerful enough to penetrate his own armor). Danny casually steps up to the paralyzed hunter and relieves him of the key to the handcuffs. As soon as they’re free, Danny and Valerie retrieve their project and stroll away, leaving Skulker moaning that his nose itches.

* InsistentTerminology: It's the Ghost ''Zone'', not a "Ghost World," Valerie.

->'''Valerie:''' I guess I was kinda had on you before. I never thought a ghost could be anything but trouble.

* ContinuityNod: Danny blamed himself in “Shades of Gray” 8 episodes ago for ruining Valerie's life. The fact that he's so eager to help her when he sees what job her family's financial situation has forced her to take seems to indicate he still hasn't entirely forgiven himself.

-->'''Danny:''' Look, I don't want to hurt you!
-->'''Valerie:''' What makes you think you can?

-->'''Danny:''' I am ''so'' not kissing the bride.
-->'''Valerie:''' [[IronicEcho What makes you think you can?]]

-->'''Danny:''' Don’t you have anything better to do?
-->'''Valerie:''' This ''is'' [[ItsWhatIDo what I do!]]

Skulker doesn't give them much of a head start after all, as he instantly runs after them, firing several nets and projectiles that miss. Danny tries to power up an energy blast, but it fizzles out; he realizes the handcuffs must be blocking his powers (that would explain the [[PowerGlows glowing]], wouldn’t it?). Valerie stops when she sees one of her guns lying on the ground and bends down to get it. Danny tries to warn her not to, but she picks it up, setting off a BoobyTrap. He pushes her to the ground as hundreds of darts shoot at them from a nearby tree and then chews her out for being so GenreBlind. Valerie hears Skulker coming and tells Danny to get up and run, but he got hit by one of the darts and can’t move.

Danny manages to pull himself into a standing position behind his cuff-mate and tells Valerie he knows the Ghost Zone and can help them escape. Valerie is hardly eager to trust him but realizes, since they’re stuck together, she has no choice but to work with him. Danny tells her to head for one of the doors scattered throughout the landscape, since some of them lead back to Earth. The first one, unfortunately, leads them right into the path of an oncoming train, but the second is apparently safe, as they fly through it, closing it behind them before Skulker can see where they went.

It turns out they’re not on Earth but just in another part of the Ghost Zone. Valerie lands on one of the floating land masses, and her hover board disappears back into her suit. The tranquilizer dart's worn off, as Danny's now gained all of his movement back. He thanks Valerie for saving him back there, but she just snaps at him for all the trouble he's caused her, blaming him for getting her in this mess in the first place. While trying to break the handcuffs with a rock, a thoroughly annoyed Danny reminds her that the maniac who captured them deserves some blame, too!

Valerie suddenly deflates, sighing about how she just keeps getting paired up with jerks. She picks up a rock and starts attacking the cuffs herself, with much more vigor, while raving about the trouble her partner keeps giving her about a school project. He has no idea what her life is like, juggling school, fighting ghosts, ‘’and’’ working a new job so she can save money for college! Danny’s surprised to hear she has another “job” in addition to ghost-hunting, just as the thought of Danny Fenton makes Valerie so mad, the rock in her hand shatters (needless to say, the cuffs are still completely intact).

Her rant’s interrupted by a hologram formed by two beams shooting of the handcuffs. Skulker appears on the projected screen to invite them to a feast where they can find something they need desperately: the flour sack. They both instantly gasp, “We have to go back!”... Danny nervously adding, [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial “Even though I have absolutely no idea why that sack is so important...”]] in response to Valerie’s understandably quizzical look.

While Sam and Tucker argue over the proper way to raise their “child” back on Earth, Danny and Valerie return to retrieve their own, just as its crying mechanism is getting on Skulker’s last nerve. The irate hunter prepares to blast it to smithereens when the two partners somersault in and steal it away. Skulker fires at them, but they’re moving in perfect unison, steering Valerie’s hover board perfectly to dodge every blast. They swoop down and under Skulker, knocking him off his feet. Danny’s not joking when he says they’ve “finally got this teamwork thing down...”

That’s when Skulker grabs the chain holding them together. They’re saved by his curiosity about the sack they were so determined to get back. He takes it from Valerie again, and while he’s dealing with the crying and gases, Danny picks up the literal ChekhovsGun, still tied in the same place, setting off the BoobyTrap again. He pushes Valerie down out of the way, and the paralyzing darts all hit Skulker, who freezes and goes down (maybe he shouldn’t have made weapons powerful enough to penetrate his own suit). Danny casually steps up to the paralyzed hunter and relieves him of the key to the handcuffs. As soon as they’re free, Danny and Valerie retrieve their project and stroll away, leaving Skulker moaning that his nose itches.

The flour sack’s a lost cause, though, completely in tatters after the harrowing events of the day – looks like they can kiss any hope of a good grade good-bye. Valerie doesn’t seem too disappointed, though. She’s still shocked that Danny Phantom was so willing to help her; she’s not used to seeing a ghost as an ally instead of a monster.

-->’’’Valerie:’’’ I guess I was kinda harsh on you before. I never thought a ghost could be anything but trouble.
-->’’’Danny:’’’ That’s ‘cause you never bothered to get to know one. Truce?

Valerie narrows her eyes in suspicion but accepts his proffered handshake and agrees to a truce before asking him to get her out of the Ghost Zone. Danny assures her will before overshadowing her. In Valerie’s body, he flies through the Ghost Zone and out the Fenton Portal into his family’s basement. As he obviously can’t let Valerie see where he led them or wonder why he would use that portal or how he knew about it, he turns intangible in her body and flies to her apartment.

Once they’re in her room, Danny retracts the suit before leaving Valerie’s body, dropping her on her bed in her normal clothes, asleep. He’s about to leave when he spots the Nasty Nat costume from earlier lying on her floor. ‘’This’’ is the nightmare of a job Valerie has now?! Danny’s still working through this surprising discovery when Valerie starts yawning. He quickly reverts back to human form before she wakes up.

Danny tries to explain his presence in her room by saying he dropped by to pick up “the baby” and YourDoorWasOpen, but Valerie loses it when she notices he’s holding her costume. She grabs it from him and warns him not to tell anybody, which Danny has no intention of doing.

-->’’’Danny:’’’ Wow, this is like the worst job ever. I didn’t know ‘’this’’ was the job you were talking about.
-->’’’Valerie:’’’ [[MeaningfulEcho That’s ‘cause you never bothered to get to know me.]]

Danny admits she’s right, but now that he has, he’d like to make it up to her. Valerie says he can start by not getting mad and shows him what’s become of their project.

They’re not the only ones who had bad luck with this assignment. While they were running for their lives, Tucker returned from tracking down Sam and their “child” to find that his mom was able to bake a bunch of cookies for the bake sale, since her son was kind enough to get all the flour she needed... The result? Everyone who used his baby-sitting service – re: EVERYONE – gets an F, except for Sam, who gets an A for her “exemplary parenting skills,” and Danny and Valerie, who get a C since it’s the only other sack that’s not part of a cookie. The two partners smile at each other when they get the news, satisfied and relieved.

While Sam continues to enjoy taking care of her “baby” even after the assignment is over, Tucker goes through the painful ordeal of refunding everybody’s money at the Nasty Burger. Once it’s finally over, he takes down the sign for his business and tosses it aside. When it lands on the mascot, the two friends hear Danny’s voice tell him to watch it. He explains, evasively, that since he caused a lot of trouble for... the person who wears this, he decided to make it up to... that person by giving them the day off. Despite his determination to keep his promise, Sam realizes he’s talking about Valerie, but she also admires the gesture and assures him Valerie must be enjoying her day off.

* AccidentalKiss: When Tucker remembers he left all “the other babies” unattended, he says he’s got to run and quickly gives a kiss good-bye to his own “baby”... and then to Sam. On the lips.
-->’’’Tucker:’’’ Uh...
-->’’’Sam:’’’ [[ThatDidntHappen That never happened.]]
* {{Bowdlerization}}: Tucker says the EggSitting assignment is supposed to teach them about “shared responsibility.” Actually, it’s supposed to teach them “don’t have unprotected sex,” but don’t tell the kids in the audience that.
* BroughtDownToNormal: Skulker’s cuffs prevent Danny from using any of his ghost powers, even though he remains in ghost-mode.
* BurgerFool: Valerie’s new job.

* CharacterDevelopment: Valerie begins to learn Danny Phantom is not all bad (although she still won’t be joining his fan club any time soon) and to warm up to Danny Fenton, who also comes to see that there’s more to her than a snob who hates ghosts.
* ContinuityNod: Danny blamed himself in “Shades of Gray” 8 episodes ago for ruining Valerie’s life. The fact that he’s so eager to help her when he sees what job her family’s financial situation has forced her to take seems to indicate he still hasn’t entirely forgiven himself.

* DontTouchItYouIdiot: Danny tries to tell Valerie this when she finds her ecto-grenade launcher in Skulker’s arena. She doesn’t listen...

* FreezeFrameBonus: One of the articles on Valerie’s bedroom wall says “Who’s the Ghost Kid Dating?” and has pictures of Sam and Paulina.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Danny uses Skulker’s own trap against him.

* InsistentTerminology: It’s the Ghost ‘’Zone’’, not a “Ghost World,” Valerie.
* ItsAllAboutMe: Both Danny and Valerie have this attitude in the beginning. The plot teaches them both to try to see things from the other’s point-of-view.
* KissingInATree: Tucker sings this about Danny and Valerie when he finds out they’re “married.”
* NeverMyFault: Valerie complains about Danny Fenton not sympathizing with how hard things are for her (even though he doesn’t know about it, and even though that doesn’t excuse her leaving him to do all of an assignment they’re both supposed to be working on) and Danny Phantom for getting her lost in the Ghost Zone. Danny is quick to remind her that Skulker is the one who did this to her, not him. She later admits she was too hard on him.
* NotSoAboveItAll: Sam spends the first half of the episode reminding Tucker that the “baby” he keeps gushing over is just a flour sack and the second half gushing over her daughter, whom she names Lilith, and doing her make-up.
* NotSoDifferent: Danny and Valerie both hunt ghosts and want to be a hero but find it hard to balance [[WakeUpGoToSchoolSaveTheWorld with school, work, etc.]] – the reason they keep butting heads is because they’re essentially rivals.
* OhCrap: Danny’s and Valerie’s reaction when Skulker reminds them he still has their flour sack.

* WorthyOpponent: Skulker’s goal is to decide whether Danny or Valerie is most... uh, worthy of being his Worthy Opponent.