iCarly Season 3 Episode 10 Review: iHave a Proposal

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

iCarly Season 3 Episode 10, “iHave a Proposal,” is a jaw-dropping culmination of a spectacular TV season that expands iCarly‘s universe with a meaningful twist. 

Written by Melanie Kirschbaum & Alexandra Decas and directed by Phill Lewis, this episode takes big swings — and makes big explosions — until its last second. It has timely jokes that the talented cast delivers without a hitch, but the best scenes feature emotional turns for the characters and their relationships.

“iHave a Proposal” uses the stress of making Marissa and Lewbert’s wedding perfect for stirring up deep-cut memories and hopeful plans for the future. But even though Spencer’s illegal fireworks from Socko’s cousin, Boomer (The iCarly lore!) go off in Act 2, iCarly saves its most significant firecrackers for its final scene.

The season finale’s Danica bit is hilarious and doubles as commentary about iCarly‘s focus never veering far from its leading ensemble. Hopefully, Danica gets more screen time in (a hopeful) Season 4 because Kaliko Kauahi is fantastic.

For now, the show — and the wedding — will go on with or without Danica, especially when Carly is in charge.

It’s a sweet gesture for Carly to step up in making Marissa’s day perfect after the two women finally see eye-to-eye on iCarly Season 3 Episode 7, “iGo to Toledo.” It also speaks volumes that Millicent is Carly’s — albeit still a little reluctant — cheerleader after their heart-to-heart on iCarly Season 3 Episode 9, “iCreate a New Ecosystem.”

That said, “iHave a Proposal” continues to make the show’s most solid case (beyond Josh Peck’s Paul) for a series regular addition in Patty Guggenheim. Since Tinsley’s introduction on iCarly Season 3 Episode 2, “iLove Your Shoes,” Guggenheim’s appearances are as funny as they are unforgettable.

“iHave a Proposal” combines the trust built on iCarly Season 3 Episode 5, “iFaked It,” with the bonds formed on iCarly Season 3 Episode 8, “iCause a Cat-astrophe,” to develop Harper and Tinsley’s relationship and further fold Tinsley into the group.

This season sprinkles in memories of Harper’s financially richer life, and, once again, it’s great to see Harper and Tinsley’s banter about that lifestyle bounce back and forth. Only Laci Mosley and Patty Guggenheim could sell an extended bit about an orchid and a gardener — and the physical comedy that comes with it.

More importantly, seeing how Tinsley steps up for Harper is endearing.

In an episode all about love, it’s romantic to see Tinsley enthusiastically take care of Harper after Harper stands beside Tinsley during “iFaked It.” Showing up for someone in those moments of vulnerability speaks volumes about the strength of Harper and Tinsley’s relationship, and hopefully, a fourth season would see more of it.

Not to mention, iCarly repeatedly reinforces how much pride Harper takes in her work, even with a vest that Carly curses to die by the end of “iHave a Proposal.” So it’s a testament to how much Harper trusts Tinsley that she doesn’t stop Tinsley from doing her best with the Maid of Honor vest.

It’s also smart that Millicent goes to Harper and Tinsley for help with her speech. Not only does that scene build on one of iCarly‘s more underdeveloped dynamics, but it also does so on a solid foundation that reflects in-character choices. It tracks that Millicent wouldn’t go to Carly, Spencer, or even Freddie for advice.

One of the only downsides of “iHave a Proposal” is not seeing Millicent get to live out her officiant dreams after rallying about the role on iCarly Season 3 Episode 1, “iBuckled.” But there’s still time for her to fill that role for another couple, right?

Either way, seeing Mosley and Jaidyn Triplett (an underrated comedic duo) share the screen again after Millicent and Harper’s intense bonding experience on iCarly Season 3 Episode 4, “iGo Public,“ is fun.

Spencer and Carly also have an intense bonding experience on “iHave a Proposal.”

Even with a backdrop of carnivorous plants and illegal fireworks, iCarly crafts a scene that rivals one of the Nickelodeon show’s most pivotal Spencer and Carly scenes. Granddad Shay almost takes Carly to live with him after Spencer’s sculpture dangerously malfunctions on iCarly Season 1 Episode 5, “iWanna Stay with Spencer.”

Before they leave, Spencer urges Carly and Granddad Shay to take her inhaler that he’s kept “just in case,” even though she hasn’t had an asthma attack since she was seven. Spencer’s care and responsibility help Granddad Shay see that Spencer is a capable legal guardian and allows Carly to stay with her older brother.

That scene is one of the only times the original series takes a more serious tone, and Jerry Trainor, specifically, plays that shift so well. Trainor does it yet again — with impressive ease — on “iHave a Proposal.” It almost knocks the breath out of the viewer — and Carly — when Spencer takes that turn and mentions their mother.

Any iCarly fan will likely begin filing through their mind to pull up any memories of Carly and Spencer’s mother from the original series, but there aren’t any. She is never mentioned by Carly, Spencer, their father, Colonel Steven Shay, or Granddad Shay. There are only fan theories that date back to the show’s debut in 2007.

iCarly takes Nickelodeon’s missed opportunity and transforms it into a goldmine.

“iHave a Proposal” starts to mold this story about their mother, their past as a family, and how they impact the choices that Carly and Spencer make from the Nickelodeon show to now. The storyline encompasses 20/20 hindsight and foresight. It spawns countless opportunities to explore character for seasons to come.

iCarly couldn’t find a better scene to open the door than the one in this season finale. Jerry Trainor and Miranda Cosgrove deliver some of their best work this season in the vulnerable scene. Trainor’s delivery of “But I do know. You are not mom. You would never do to anyone what mom did to us” is incredibly emotional.

“iHave a Proposal” never needs to explicitly explain what happened with their mother. That story is for another season — as the cliffhanger signals. This season finale is rightfully more concerned about how Carly’s perception of marriage may impact her relationship with Freddie, her “marriage-obsessed boyfriend.”

Thankfully, iCarly keeps the miscommunication and stress from overstaying their welcome. It leans into healthy communication and comfort when Freddie turns the question of if Creddie is okay into “Are you okay?” and pointedly asks Carly what she wants. Freddie doesn’t push Carly but supports her to open up when she’s ready.

Even though iCarly Season 3 doesn’t end in a Creddie wedding, it ends with them in such a great place. They could not be more committed to each other and comfortable in their relationship. Freddie only wanting to rush into another marriage for Carly and Carly agreeing to get married is more than enough.

Miranda Cosgrove and Nathan Kress bring an earnestness to their delivery of Carly’s lines from earlier in the episode that fill in all the gaps traditionally said in a proposal or before a wedding. With the bombshell ending of “iHave a Proposal,” iCarly can do it all again for Creddie because they’re not going anywhere, nor should iCarly.

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iCarly Season 3 is streaming on Paramount+ now. Try Paramount+ for free, right here.

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