Kim Possible: So the Drama
How Fatal Flaws Drive Plot
In the early 2000s, Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle were asked to create an animated series that would reach 9-14 year olds as well as an older audience. Having worked on other animated series and movies for the channel, they were the perfect pairing to stand up to the task. With writing and producing credits for: Sky High(2005), Aladdin: The Return of Jafar, Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, and even A Hotel For Dogs, Bob and Mark had been writing a producing tv directed at teens and children since the early 90s. When given this opportunity to create something original, McCorkle came up with the idea of “Kim Possible, she can do anything” and Schooley followed with Ron Stoppable,who can’t. From there the series was born with the hope that Kim would be a figure young girls would look up to. Unknowingly, they would create on of Disney’s most beloved series, garnering even international success and being the 2nd series to break the strict policy that Disney had created that limited shows to 65 episodes and 3 seasons.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Disney Channel had a strict policy that limited shows to 65 episodes and 3 seasons, resulting in the premature cancellation of successful series like Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire. For Kim Possible, reaching the end of Season 3 meant hitting the critical 65-episode milestone. However, the success of "Kim Possible: So the Drama" (garnering 7.8 million views) led to the show's surprising renewal for a fourth and final season. This achievement made it the second series, following in the footsteps of "That's So Raven," to surpass the constraints of the 3-season, 65-episode limit. Originally intended as both the series finale and the conclusion of Season 1 had the show not been renewed, "Kim Possible: So the Drama" started as a concept for a three-part special, similar to "Kim Possible: A Stitch in Time." However, the idea was transformed into a standalone movie, which even enjoyed a limited theatrical release in Australia.
Throughout the series, Kim Possible, teenage hero, confronts the world's most dangerous criminals and supervillains with unwavering courage. However, a recurring theme is that her everyday teenage problems often seep into these battles, revealing her vulnerability. Kim's tendency to overthink and stress about her personal issues proves to be her fatal flaw, and it frequently affects her crime-fighting activities.
This fatal flaw becomes a central focus as the prom approaches. Kim's preoccupation with maintaining the status quo and her lack of a romantic relationship take center stage. The intensity of her thoughts amplifies when Bonnie points out that she is the only one without a date to the prom, while all the other cheerleaders have partners who are considered more socially acceptable than Ron, Kim's usual companion.
From the pilot episode, it is established that Kim and Ron typically attend these high school dances together. Ron, in stark contrast to Kim, possesses qualities that set him apart. While Kim is intelligent, popular, and athletic, Ron is academically challenged, nerdy, and physically unimposing. Nevertheless, he proves to be a hero in his own right. Ron not only accompanies Kim on her missions but also helps her, often playing a crucial role in saving the day in unique ways.
On the side of the villains, Dr. Drakken becomes fixated on uncovering Kim's fatal flaw. In a unique twist, his own fatal flaw of overcomplicating his plans inadvertently aids him in this endeavor. For the first time in the series, his tendency to complicate things actually works to his advantage. Surprisingly, neither Team Possible nor Shego can unravel the intricate details of his schemes, leaving them perplexed.
Fortunately, Drakken's inherent incompetence continues to follow him into "Kim Possible: So the Drama."Despite coming dangerously close to uncovering Kim's fatal flaw, he ultimately falls short by a narrow margin. His misguided deduction leads him to believe that boys hold the key to exploiting Kim's vulnerability, assuming that by targeting her romantic life, he can finally triumph in his grand scheme for world domination. However, the truth runs deeper than his surface-level assumptions.
While boys and relationships may be noticeable symptoms of Kim's flaw, they are not the root cause. The crux of Kim's flaw lies in her deep concern for social status and how it profoundly influences her decision-making. It is not merely about boys or romantic entanglements but rather the significance she places on societal acceptance. This flaw reveals itself as Kim becomes entangled in the pressures and expectations surrounding the upcoming prom, where the opinions of her peers, particularly Bonnie, weigh heavily on her.
Drakken's negligence extends beyond his misunderstanding of Kim's vulnerability. He also disregards the significance of Ron in Kim's life, both as a hero and as a friend. Shego, surprisingly, acknowledges Ron's importance to Kim's success in "A Sitch in Time," recognizing the vital role he plays in their dynamic duo. However, Drakken remains indifferent and seemingly oblivious to Ron's value until the climax of the movie, when he finally bothers to learn his name.
Ron’s unearned confidence and carefree attitude make him resistant to the pressure of fitting into societal norms… most of the time. As evidenced by his self-proclaimed motto, "Never be normal," Ron embraces his individuality and celebrates his uniqueness without hesitation. He frequently serves as the voice of reason, grounding Kim when she becomes too consumed with conforming to societal expectations.
Throughout their adventures, Ron's role as a hero is undeniable. He may not possess Kim's impressive athletic abilities or intellect, but his unwavering determination and bravery are vital contributions to their crime-fighting escapades. He complements Kim's strengths with his own, filling the gaps and providing essential perspectives that often lead to successful outcomes.
The arrival of Eric, who appears to be the perfect prom date for Kim, introduces a temporary shift in the dynamics of Kim and Ron's friendship. As Kim becomes enamored with Eric and their relationship starts to flourish, the bond between Kim and Ron is momentarily put on hold.
Caught up in the excitement of a potential romantic connection, Kim's focus shifts towards building a connection with Eric. This newfound closeness between Kim and Eric creates a temporary distance between Kim and Ron, causing their friendship to take a backseat. Ron also comes to the realization that his feelings for Kim are more than platonic.
The revelation that Eric was, in fact, a synthodrone created by Drakken as a ploy to distract Kim becomes a temporary setback in their plans. However, rather than breaking her spirit, this revelation only serves to showcase Kim's remarkable resilience and inner strength with a bit of encouragement from Ron. Once again Drakken’s plan actually works out in Kim’s favor.
Initially taken aback by the deceit and betrayal, Kim finds herself confronted with the harsh reality that Eric was nothing more than a manufactured facade. She channels her frustration and disappointment into a renewed determination to face the challenges ahead. Once she regains her focus, she refuses to be defined by the actions of others and uses the setback as a catalyst for personal growth. With this personal growth, she gathers the courage to accept the date she should have had all along, choosing someone who values and appreciates her for who she truly is versus what is expected of her.
Despite her worries, Kim soon realizes that her concerns were unfounded as everyone, including the janitor, was rooting for her and Ron, with Bonnie being the only exception.