Julie and the Phantoms - Flying Solo (S1E3)
Julie's performance makes a big splash, and the guys try to convince her to join Sunset Curve — but she'll have to come clean to Flynn first.
| Runtime (min) | 30 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 9.0 (7 votes) |
| Air Date | 2020-09-10 |
| Genres | Family, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy |
| TV Rating | TV-G |
| Network(s) | Netflix |
Storyline
After Julie's emotional performance of "Wake Up" with the phantoms goes viral at school, she faces newfound attention and pressure. The video of her seemingly solo performance spreads quickly, and suddenly Julie is no longer invisible—students and teachers alike are talking about her talent. Meanwhile, Luke, Alex, and Reggie are thrilled by the success and eager to continue making music together. They propose that Julie officially join their band, essentially reforming Sunset Curve with her as the lead vocalist.
The central conflict of the episode revolves around Julie's secret. Flynn, her best friend, knows nothing about the three ghosts living in Julie's garage studio, and Julie struggles with whether to reveal the truth. The boys encourage her to be honest, understanding that trust is foundational to any partnership. Julie must decide whether to risk her friendship by sharing an unbelievable story about performing with deceased musicians from 1995, all while navigating her grief over her mother's death and her return to music. The episode explores the complications of keeping secrets from those closest to us and the courage required to be vulnerable.
What parents say
Parents have praised "Julie and the Phantoms" for its positive messages about grief, friendship, and pursuing creative passions. Many appreciate that the show handles Julie's loss of her mother with sensitivity, showing a realistic portrayal of a teenager working through sadness while finding joy again through music. Parents note that the show emphasizes healthy communication and the importance of honesty in friendships, particularly in this episode where Julie must decide whether to trust Flynn with her secret.
Some parents have commented on the show's appeal across age groups, with both tweens and teens enjoying the musical performances and relatable characters. Parents appreciate that the romantic elements remain age-appropriate and that the ghost characters, while central to the plot, are presented in a lighthearted, non-scary way. The emphasis on teamwork, supporting friends through difficult times, and believing in yourself resonates with families looking for uplifting content.
A few parents have mentioned that the supernatural premise requires some suspension of disbelief, but most find it a charming framework for exploring real emotional themes. The musical numbers are frequently cited as a highlight that families enjoy watching together.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about the importance of honesty in close friendships. Julie's struggle with keeping the phantoms a secret from Flynn demonstrates how withholding significant truths can create distance between friends, even when the secret seems too strange or difficult to share. Kids see that real friendship requires vulnerability and trust, and that taking the risk to be honest—even when you fear judgment or disbelief—is essential to maintaining authentic connections.
The episode also explores how to navigate sudden attention and success. Julie's viral performance brings her out of the shadows at school, and she must learn to handle newfound visibility while staying true to herself. This teaches children that external validation, while nice, shouldn't be the primary motivation for pursuing their passions. Julie's journey back to music is rooted in honoring her mother's memory and finding personal healing, not in becoming popular.
Additionally, the episode reinforces lessons about collaboration and compromise. The phantoms want Julie to join their band, but this requires negotiation and mutual respect. Kids learn that successful partnerships—whether in music, school projects, or friendships—depend on everyone feeling heard and valued, and that working through differences strengthens rather than weakens the bond between team members.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why does Julie hesitate to tell Flynn about the phantoms? | Julie fears that Flynn won't believe her story about three ghosts from a 1990s band living in her garage. The situation sounds impossible, and Julie worries about seeming unstable or losing her best friend's trust. She's also still processing her own grief and return to music, making it difficult to articulate something so strange and personal. The episode shows that even close friends can struggle with vulnerability when the truth feels too unusual or risky to share. |
| Is the sudden attention Julie receives at school portrayed positively or negatively? | The episode presents Julie's newfound visibility as both exciting and overwhelming. While students and teachers now recognize her talent, Julie isn't seeking fame—she performed to reconnect with music and honor her mother. The show emphasizes that external validation is secondary to personal healing and artistic expression. Julie must learn to handle attention without losing sight of why she started performing again, teaching kids that staying grounded in authentic motivations matters more than popularity. |
| What does this episode teach about keeping secrets from friends? | The episode demonstrates that secrets create barriers in close friendships, even when kept with good intentions. Julie's reluctance to share the truth about the phantoms causes tension with Flynn, who senses something is being hidden. Kids learn that honesty—even when the truth seems difficult or unbelievable—is necessary for maintaining trust and intimacy in important relationships. The episode validates that being vulnerable with friends, despite fear of judgment, strengthens rather than damages genuine connections. |
| How do the phantoms support Julie in this episode? | Luke, Alex, and Reggie encourage Julie to pursue music seriously and to be honest with Flynn about their existence. They recognize that Julie needs a strong support system beyond just them, and they respect her friendship with Flynn enough to push her toward transparency. The phantoms model healthy collaboration by discussing band dynamics openly and validating Julie's concerns. Their support helps Julie see that she doesn't have to navigate her return to music or her grief alone. |
| Does this episode address Julie's grief over her mother? | Yes, Julie's grief remains a present undercurrent throughout the episode. Her return to performing is directly connected to honoring her mother's memory and the encouragement her mom gave her to pursue music. The episode shows that healing isn't linear—Julie experiences moments of joy through music while still carrying sadness. This realistic portrayal helps children understand that it's possible to find happiness again after loss without forgetting or dishonoring the person who died. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | A year after her mom passed away, Julie plays one of her old CDs. Suddenly, three ghosts appear — the guys from the '90s band Sunset Curve! |
| 1 | 2 | When Julie starts singing again, the boys and her best friend Flynn encourage her to fight for a spot in the school music program. |
| 1 | 3 | Julie's performance makes a big splash, and the guys try to convince her to join Sunset Curve — but she'll have to come clean to Flynn first. |
| 1 | 4 | Flynn books Julie and the Phantoms to play at the school dance, Alex hangs out with his new crush, and the boys decide to teach an old friend a lesson. |
| 1 | 5 | Willie brings the guys to an exclusive club, where a powerful ghost magician asks them to be in his band. But he's got something up his sleeve. |
| 1 | 6 | Julie pairs up with Nick for a school performance and learns he broke up with Carrie. The band gets a new gig, but Julie's grounded for missing class. |
| 1 | 7 | Julie rehearses with Nick — while daydreaming about Luke. Alex wonders why Willie's been acting so weird. The band plays a party at Julie's house. |
| 1 | 8 | Julie meets Luke's parents and shares a touching song he wrote. Luke confides in Julie about Caleb and the band's "unfinished business." |
| 1 | 9 | Julie and the Phantoms get their dream gig at the Orpheum! But when Caleb interferes, Julie searches for the courage to perform on her own. |
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