iCarly Season 3 Episode 9 Review: iCreate a New Ecosystem

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 9, “iCreate a New Ecosystem,” fires on all cylinders.

Written by Aydrea Walden and directed by Phill Lewis, “iCreate a New Ecosystem” crafts laugh-out-loud sequences that rival the greatness of its less robust and often quieter beats of interpersonal connection. It has something for everyone!

“iCreate a New Ecosystem” even captures the ensemble at its best this season, proving the iCarly cast is not phoning it in during the penultimate episode but excelling and matching the writers’ whip-smart comedic and heartfelt choices.

This episode provides character insight via strong narrative through-lines — even the more minute ones that hark back to Harper’s financially richer life pre-iCarly.

iCarly‘s cohesive continuity and the cast’s comedic timing make the episode’s already well-written jokes land all the smoother.

The physical comedy of Spencer dealing with the ball of yarn from iCarly Season 3 Episode 8, “iCause a Cat-astrophe,” is one thing. But the pacing of the “knock and enter” joke with Lewbert and Marissa? That’s gold!

Relatedly, “iCreate a New Ecosystem” is another example of the characters’ shared histories (or otherwise) co-existing with their present to create sharper stories.

For instance, Spencer mentioning that his dad can’t make it and his grandpa isn’t invited to the Grandparents Club meeting ties directly to Spencer’s history. Those name drops are perhaps the deepest cuts to his humble beginnings.

Even though Spencer and Granddad Shay break some new ground on iCarly Season 2 Episode 4, “iHire a New Assistant,” Carly and Spencer’s dad being away for work and Granddad Shay’s brief time parenting Carly means that Spencer was her brother and parental figure most of her life — as depicted on the Nickelodeon series.

So, while it may initially hit the ear wrong when Spencer screams, “I’m gonna be a grandfather,” to Lewbert and Marissa, he’s not far off.

That commonality between Spencer, Marissa, and Lewbert brings the trio closer together in a more organic way than the C-story about Lewbert’s insect ark. Although, it’s great that iCarly doesn’t let the almost-newly weds slip off into its peripheral vision. Instead, they have just as much absurd and funny drama as everyone.

Seeing Mary Scheer and Jeremy Rowley get more real estate on the show is a blast.

Their bug bit carrying itself — and a great pun — through “iCreate a New Ecosystem” to the FaFuDa is fantastic. Still, it’s not as good as the camera staying on Spencer just a little too long as he puts together Freddie’s books to mean Carly is pregnant. Miscommunication can be such a fun device when used correctly.

Jerry Trainor is always funny, but he is hysterical on “iCreate a New Ecosystem.”

His line reading in the gender reveal joke is only matched by Laci Mosley’s with the FaFuPa shirt joke. This cast continues to raise their comedic caliber, and iCarly catches that on camera. For example, Miranda Cosgrove and Nathan Kress start to break during the Instant Pot joke just after the title card and theme song.

It’s delightful — as is how “iCreate a New Ecosystem” harnesses a chaotic sense of humor at FaFuDa. iCarly expresses such an awareness of comedy that lands at every turn, like the Rule of 3 with the “Hi Gwen” bit.

Those FaFuDa sequences have so many people and narrative moving parts, and they never miss a beat. Everyone is active in the background and adds a spark to the scenes, including newer additions like Josh Peck and Carmela Zumbado.

However, the best part of “iCreate a New Ecosystem” is how iCarly cuts through that louder, chaotic energy to a much quieter source of character introspection and connection with Millicent and Carly. This season steadily leads to this conversation, earning the payoff and making it all the sweeter.

Carly seeing Millicent through the noise and hearing her out when no one else has speaks volumes. iCarly‘s direction acknowledges that in how the camera doesn’t pull focus to Freddie and Gwen overhearing their conversation. 

For the first time in Season 3, Carly and Millicent get a chance to talk to each other. It’s very iCarly that they do so in a sea of foam. Nevertheless, their pointed communication evens out the miscommunication infused in the B-story. In turn, “iCreate a New Ecosystem” is one of the most balanced episodes yet.

It also reinforces Creddie’s sincerity and longevity with sweet beats (Cooking Gwenchiladas together! The look on Freddie’s face when he thinks Carly’s pregnant!). Most importantly, it does so through Carly valuing Millicent’s perspective and Carly receiving support from Millicent — and Gwen — when welcomed into their ecosystem.

The remaining ensemble members (and Paul) manifesting in the foam — the ecosystem — alongside them is a well-done visual bit.

iCarly Season 3’s penultimate venture is a 5-star episode that could never be created or matched by A.I. This cast and crew, including their top-tier writers, are not slowing down. “iCreate a New Ecosystem” is one of the best episodes yet, proving iCarly is only getting better. So, it’s probably best to start preparing for the season finale now.

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