Goodbyes are enviable; both in works of any fiction and in real life. Saying a final farewell… is hard and is often a dreaded feat for fans who find themselves counting down their final days with beloved characters. It is also a draining and heart-string pulling ordeal for the writers who must pen their final send off to the characters they created and watched develop over time (for the record it never gets easier- take my word on that!). No matter how you look at it, parting is one is as far as you can get from easy and painless. Now, fans have to say goodbye to “Phineas and Ferb.”
After four seasons, a nearly jaw-dropping episode count of over one-hundred episodes, one Disney Channel original move and an eight year run (breaking the former title holder held by “Kim Possible” with a five year and three month record); fans were faced with a final parting with Phineas, Ferb and company.
But for the two brothers who always go above and beyond with all they do as well as give everything their all, the series took that lead in mind and with seventy-three hour, non-stop, marathon of the entire series leading into an hour-long special wrapping up the series that ending things with a bang! Not to mention with the biggest ratings ever seen by Disney DX at one point four million.
And that is impressive, inspiring and just simply mind-blowing. Yet, I cannot even think of a more befitting ending for a series that will take its ranks among the finest series we have seen Disney spin out over the decades.
And you just know that would even make our titular characters, and series creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh very proud of the legacy they formed.
For anyone who might not be acquainted with the series; “Phineas and Ferb” chronicles the adventures of the two step-brothers and their inventions, adventures and on-goings through their summer vacation that they long to make the most of. Each episode features the very specific phrase, “Ferb, I know what we’re gonna do today!”, that triggers their side of the plot into high gear. As the two, occasional with the aid and involvement of their friends, their older sister Candace obsesses over attempting to ‘bust’ them. Usually this factor ties into the main plot, but has diverged off into a sub-plot of its own as despite Candace’s very strong desire to ‘bust’ her brothers- she is also a typically teenage girl with friends, issues and a crush she attempts to obtain the attention (and affection of), viewers get to also see other sides of her. Typically series try to stick to having their main plot, and a single sub-plot in each episode; but Phineas and Ferb are not what you would call typical by any means. So why would they be limited to a single sub-plot?
Simple, they aren’t. Perhaps one of memorable moments worth noting- not to say rest of the series lacks those moments, oh no- come from Perry’s side of the story. From a short glance one might write the boy’s pet platpus as just a simple, run of the mill pet who does not do much. But Perry bears perhaps the biggest secret of anyone in the series- he is a secret agent for an animal-centric government agency that tasks him with dealing with the evil antics of Doctor Heinz Doofenshmirtz.
The series does a lot of things, and plays off a ton of different aspects and because of this the series is as far as cookie-cutter as you can get. They did everything and anything they could think of at least once, no matter how wild or crazy and made the most out of everything that came their way. That alone is admirable. The series was brilliantly written and packed with great humor and heart. They even allowed themselves to poke fun of the tropes they developed and made them into running gags.
And it all just worked in a way that I am not sure could even be formulated.
Despite not being a fan, but rather a casual viewer, I have to admit that it is clever and quite well written and animated with strong story-telling at a time when there really was not a lot going on in western animation. “Phineas and Ferb” had a great run, and will be missed, but will be remembered fondly like other great series before it.
Who knows, maybe someday years and years from now it will make a return? Anything is possible.
Join the conversation; what do you think of Phineas and Ferb? Share your thoughts on series, and the final in the comments.
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