iCarly Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2 Review: iBuckled / iLove Your Shoes

iCarly secures its spot as one of TV’s best revivals with a two-episode season premiere that sharpens its humor, strengthens its ensemble, and smooths out the corners of its love triangle.

iCarly Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2, “iBuckled / iLove Your Shoes,” addresses the small time jump between seasons with the same ease as it unpacks Carly and Freddie’s complicated relationship spanning nearly two decades.

“iBuckled” bypasses any awkward pacing or stunted dialogue by relaying its exposition in the most engaging way possible — an awkward proposal and the characters doing the most bizarre tasks, like beer pong and yard rewinding.

The former is incredibly clever because it allows the audience to actively participate in Carly and Freddie’s reunion. Their tension is so high that iCarly knows the only thing capable of cutting through it is Mrs. Benson proposing to Lewbert.

“iBuckled” sources a surprisingly endearing story beyond its inherent hilarity by addressing Millicent’s worries that her grandma won’t involve her in the wedding. Mrs. Benson’s grand gesture couldn’t be more in character, and the same is true of Millicent’s joy that she will have the biggest and best role at the ceremony.

It’s also such a statement that Mrs. Benson and Lewbert take their next step before Carly and Freddie. It’s hilarious and heartbreaking, which makes it all the more perfect that Carly channels that frustration into a reality TV show.

The mentions of Zeebo from iCarly Season 1 Episode 23, “iCarly Saves TV,” are fun for fans of the original series, as is Josh Peck’s Paul recasting himself as Carly’s brother on House of Shay, referencing Josh and Megan on Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh.

It’s gratifying to see Peck and Jerry Trainor share the screen again — however briefly — after their many run-ins as Josh and Crazy Steve on Drake & Josh.

One of the other best parts of “iBuckled” is Freddie’s quick yet impactful comment that his mother is marrying the adult man he and his friends bullied as a child. iCarly is always in a strong and smart conversation with the original series, imparting commentary on its past, which contributes to the revival’s success.

Because of its healthy relationship with the original series, it’s a delightful surprise that “iBuckled” notes that — with Season 3 — iCarly can reference itself.

For instance,  bringing Hannah Stocking back as Sunny Johnson from iCarly Season 2 Episode 9, “iHit Something,” isn’t necessary to the episode’s story, but it’s great to see the show utilize the performers in the revival’s growing toolbox.

Nevertheless, the most rewarding outcome of iCarly‘s House of Shay is how it exemplifies that Carly and Freddie are unknowingly in sync. The extra touch of Pearl thriving in the background of Carly and Freddie’s shared chaos is symbolic gold. 

It’s comical and clever that “iBuckled” invests so heavily in the love triangle only for “iLove Your Shoes” to unravel it in favor of a more substantial and necessary story.

The second episode in the Season 3 premiere turns more undivided attention to Creddie on the heels of Freddie’s charming, knee-buckling speech. Nathan Kress couldn’t have delivered that promise better, frankly.

“iLove Your Shoes” digs into Carly and Freddie’s friends-to-lovers love story that spans more than 15 years and finds a balance in the enemies-to-lovers romance blossoming between Harper and Tinsely. 

iCarly pulls out all the stops with the guest stars that make these romantic storylines possible — with Never Have I Ever‘s Benjamin Norris as Troy and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law‘s Patty Guggenheim as Tinsley.

While Norris’ Troy makes a fitting and hilarious exit with Pearl, Guggenheim makes such a great impression as Tinsley that, hopefully, iCarly Season 3 plans to follow Harper and her former nemesis’ story as closely as Creddie.

After all, Harper and Tinsley have a nearly equal tenure relationship that iCarly Season 3 can detail because the characters went to high school together.

As for romance tropes, “iLove Your Shoes” is filled with them for Creddie — from mutual jealousy to that gut-punch reveal that Freddie’s knees buckled, too. This episode does not disappoint; what it means for the season is even better.

Carly’s pining for Freddie is good after seasons of Freddie doing just that for Carly on the original series. That turning of the tables is more than earned after this many years. In that vein, it’s engaging that Carly is selfish and oversteps because of her intense feelings for Freddie, leading to that ultimate conversation.

Part of iCarly‘s appeal lies in seeing the characters from the original series navigate their lives as adults, so that final scene between Carly and Freddie is vital. It is a stepping stone that differentiates Carly and Freddie’s future from their past and sets them up for a romance arising out of a genuinely equal and healthy friendship.

So, even when the two-episode premiere doesn’t exhibit as much longevity within Spencer’s story in Season 3 (beyond the in-character purchase of a Sister Act-themed axe-throwing bar), iCarly‘s reinvestment in the majority of its ensemble — and Creddie — reverberates a resounding confidence throughout “iBuckled” and “iLove Your Shoes.”

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What did you think of the first two episodes of iCarly Season 3? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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New episodes of iCarly stream on Thursdays on Paramount+. Try Paramount+ for free, right here.

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