When Hank raises the stakes of family game night to a new high, each member of the family will do whatever it takes to win the grand prize. (imdb.com)

Interesting fact: Other than the driving in the new car scenes, no scenes are filmed beyond the Thundermans’ house.

The best Thundermans episodes are ones where there’s competition between Max and Phoebe.  In this episode, its Family Game Night and the family gathers to play “Who Arted?” (How could you not love that name!), complete with flashing sign and Wheel of Fortune type wheel.  When the wheel mysteriously (well, as a result of a little deviousness from Max and Colosso) lands on “New Car!” the stakes are raised.  Now everyone wants the new car (but exactly how will Billy and Nora use it?)  Max dumbs Colosso for “girlfriend” Allison, while Barb and Hank try to make sure no one wins the car (since they spent 1/2 their money on their Family Game Night costumes).

But this episode is not really about Family Game Night .  It’s about Max’s relationships.  His relationship with Colosso is believable – two evil minds conspiring as one. Colosso’s jealousy when Max dumps him as a partner for Allison is believable as one.  We do get to see an adult, human Colosso again.

The most charming part of the episode is Max’s relationship with Allison.  The fact that Griffo and Newman are dating in real life adds some genuineness to the relationship.  I loved when Allison said to her mom on the phone, “Yes, I’m his girlfriend” and “I’m finally getting to meet his family.”  One can imagine Newman saying that to herself in real life. It was also nice to see Max finally realize Allison was his girlfriend, after so many failed “relationships” or attractions in the past.

What was also equally appealing about this episode was that it relied very little on super powers.  Sure there was the humanizer, the large magnet to stop the wheel and a little kinesthetic deviousness, but the competitiveness of the family is really what drives the episode.

He Got Game Night was a nice, surprise addition to Nick’s Crush Night celebration of Valentine’s Day.  The Thundermans is back and its good to welcome them back!