On the surface, it seems like Tucker is the third wheel.

He’s the only one without ghost powers.

He’s not part of the romantic tension between Danny and Sam.

He’s goofy, lighthearted, and treated like comic relief.

But when you look deeper he’s the most emotionally grounded one in the group.

And that flips the whole trio dynamic on its head.

Danny, Sam, and Tucker actually mirror Vlad, Maddie, and Jack.

And once you line them up, it becomes clear:

Danny is the emotional counterpart to Vlad.

Not Sam. Not Tucker.

Danny = Vlad

-Both are haunted literally and emotionally

-Both are obsessed with being chosen or validated

-Both want control, even if they don’t realize it

-Both are scared of being seen and rejected

-Their ghost powers didn’t heal them they just made the wound more visible

Danny is becoming what Vlad already is unless he learns to choose love over pride.

Sam = Maddie

-Intense, intelligent, values-driven

-The moral backbone of the group

-Often misunderstood, but never uncertain

-Doesn’t fall for performance sees people for who they are

-Grounded in principle, but capable of real warmth

Sam doesn’t need Danny to validate her, she has her own path. Just like Maddie didn’t need Vlad.

Tucker = Jack

-Loyal, funny, deeply underestimated

-Provides balance and heart, even when overlooked

-Doesn’t need to be the center of attention to feel secure

-Emotionally in tune and highly adaptable

-The glue that keeps the group from falling apart

Tucker isn’t the third wheel.

He’s the anchor.

So why is Danny the real third wheel?

Because he’s the one still trying to belong.

Sam and Tucker know who they are.

Danny doesn’t. Not yet.

He leans on them. He looks to them. He needs them.

And that makes sense because Danny’s arc is about becoming.

He’s not the hero because he’s the strongest.

He’s the hero because he’s the one who still has the most to learn.

And the trio as a whole?

They’re a redo of what Vlad lost.

Danny has what Vlad never let himself have:

Friends who challenge him without leaving

People who see his mess and stay anyway

A second chance at being known

Vlad chose control.

Danny still has time to choose connection.

So no, Tucker was never the third wheel.

Danny was the one drifting.