Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has pleased lots of fans and now you can meet a few faces who engineered the show. Executive producers Ciro Nieli and Brandon Auman spoke about their build up to the show, and personal childhood experiences with the turtles. Our hats go off to these gentleman as they continue to channel excellent TMNT footage to the fans!
The show is graded fairly well across the board, including an IMDB rating of 8.2.
The turtles are still on the hunt for Karai, but there’s been no trace of their sister for weeks. However, as the search continues, a doorway opens in the sky. From it appears a woman named Renet – a time apprentice in training. She was followed by an evil wizard, Savanti Romero, and needs the help of the legendary turtle warriors to stop him. The boys try to attack the time master, but he easily stops them. Renet manages to send Savanti to the past, and explains to the turtles why she’s come back to find them.
The boys agree to help Renet to save her from punishment, heading back in time to stop Savanti from changing history. They land in England circa 980, and run into some knights. Defeating the opposing warriors, the turtles are confronted by Savanti. The time master acquires the time scepter from Renet, and with its power Savanti banishes the heroes to an eternal time loop. However, Renet helps them escape, and they head after Savanti yet again.
Approaching the villain’s castle, the turtles are intercepted in a graveyard. Savanti raises the dead to battle the heroes, however even breaking the skeletons apart will not stop the enemies from rising back up and fighting. But the dead cannot leave the graveyard, and as the turtles ride away, the skeletons are left falling to pieces.
Arriving at Savanti’s castle, the heroes launch their attack, but the villain is prepared. Renet manages to free them once again, and Michelangelo separates Savanti from the scepter. As everyone battles for control of the device, Savanti easily gains the upper hand. But Raphael breaks his time gauntlet, and with Donatello in control of the scepter, Savanti is banished into time. With Savanti lost, Renet is summoned back to her own time and takes the turtles home. As they enter the time stream, interference causes the boys to be separated from their guide, and all four fall through time, landing in Japan.
New episodes have finally returned, and they’ve started off with a bang. The ideas presented in this offering open up a wide range of possibilities, which will hopefully be tapped into as the series progresses. With time travel now a possibility, and the turtles branded as legendary heroes, there are many new opportunities to showcase adventures outside the confines of NYC. Even better is that unlike with the adventures had when the turtles were in exile at the beginning of the season, new time hopping adventures may have some impact on a larger story. While there’s still plenty to do back home, a little time away (possibly to learn some new tricks and develop enhanced skills) will undoubtedly do the boys some good. Of course, there’s no guarantee that these adventures will last beyond these couple of episodes, but the chance is there, and that makes it even more intriguing to watch.
The new characters introduced were, however, a bit disappointing. Renet seemed a little too good at what she was doing, especially for only being an apprentice, while Savanti Romero appeared to be too easily defeated by the turtles. He was supposed to be a very powerful, evil time master, and he was eliminated as a threat (sort of) with very minimal effort. While that does provide even more hope that he will return and be more of a threat, it would have been nice to not save that for the future, and instead explore it while the opportunity existed.
Overall, the turtles’ return after hiatus was a good one. With just enough episodes to get into the fall TV season (and hopefully the start of season four), this new batch of episodes will hopefully provide the action expected and the answers needed for some of the most important elements from this current season. Hopefully when the turtles get into space in season four they will have some company, or at least be able to deposit their sister back at home before heading on their new adventure.
“April … Some things are just beyond our control.”
Shredder is not pleased with Karai’s attempts to destroy the turtles. Fortunately for her, the Kraang have upgraded her Foot-bots, and she’s ready to test them out – on April O’Neil. Meanwhile, Donatello is looking after April from above, but she spots him and reiterates that she wants nothing to do with her former friends ever again. Back at the lair, the others are starting to see the reality of that as well, making Donnie even more depressed. But it doesn’t last long, because they intercept a Kraang transmission about a new weapon, and head out to find it.
April finds her new friend Casey Jones at the local hockey rink, and while the two bond, Foot-bots attack. April and Casey are forced to work together to fight off the robots, with both showing admirable skill. April leads most of the bots away, leaving Casey to handle a pair while Karai and the others follow their prey. The turtles, however, are not aware of the trouble, and have located and broken into a Kraang research facility. Before they can shut down the new Foot-bot, though, Donnie gets a call from April, and she needs his help. While he rushes to save her, the others engage the Kraang in battle.
Donnie arrives just in the nick of time, but Karai still wants the girl, and takes on April head-to-head. Unfortunately for the heroes, the others failed to stop the new Foot-bot, and it arrives to destroy April, easily dispatching Donnie. The Kraang, however, override the robot’s programming and order it to capture April. Upset, Karai attacks it, making herself a target. The others manage to arrive and help their brother and friend, but the robot is still too tough. Donnie finally manages to shut the thing down while Michelangelo destroys it and Leonardo beats back Karai. With everyone safe, April races off to check on Casey, but she does return to the lair and apologize to her friends, reuniting the team for good.
The tale of April’s anger and resentment has officially come to an end. While perhaps it was a bit short-lived, it was certainly an interesting twist to the season. She had good reason to be mad, so it’s hard to believe she was just able to let it go like that. Perhaps some lingering resentment will show itself later (either when it comes to Donnie’s reaction to Casey, or to seeing her father again). There’s also a question of what Mutagen Man will think and do, should he see her back in the lair and friends with the turtles again. No matter what, though, it’s good to have the team back. The most interesting part of the new dynamic will be how long it takes for Casey to get suspicious. April had no friends, and now she’ll be gone all the time. Will he follow her into the sewer one fateful evening? Or will she be with him in the city when she needs a helping hand from her friends?
Perhaps it would have been an even better episode if Leonardo had said something to Karai about Splinter and her true identity. Their battle was short, but certainly could have benefitted from a quick little aside about her real father. Obviously, that is being saved for later (and is already being set up with the disdain Shredder showed initially for her failing efforts). Whether or not she will believe him remains to be seen, but at least it would have been interesting to plant the idea in her head now.
Overall, it was a strong episode (although the reunion seemed a bit forced). April’s excommunication could have lasted a bit longer, but at least now the turtles can get back to business without worrying that running into her will lead to an argument. Now that one mini plot has been taken care of, the next bit of business can be handled: Finding the remaining mutagen and creating a cure for every unfortunate soul infected.
Rating: 7/10
“I sprinkled a little mutagen on my skin…”
Michelangelo is having a really bad day. After missing breakfast, he wakes up to find his entire body covered in a case of shellacne. A little examination reveals that he will soon be turned into a giant zit, and the worst part is that he did it to himself by rubbing some reject anti-mutagen on his skin to become a better ninja. Donatello runs some more tests, and Mikey has, at best, three hours before he explodes. That is, unless the boys can get a certain piece of equipment from the now defunct Kraang base. Meanwhile, Karai needs a tech expert at her disposal for the Foot-bots, and sends Fishface and Dog Pound to collect Baxter Stockman.
While exploring T.C.R.I. for the necessary equipment, the turtles encounter Stockman – who swiped exactly what they need. Before they can take it back, however, Dog Pound arrives and sweeps Stockman off somewhere. While the others try to figure out where exactly they went, Mikey comes up with the notion to check Stockman’s old lab. Sure enough, he finds Fishface and Dog Pound holding the scientist hostage until he turns them human. Unfortunately, Mikey’s stealth isn’t what it should be, and he is forced to battle off Dog Pound, dropping the mutant into a giant vat of mutagen.
Having changed yet again, Dog Pound has become faster and stronger – and is now called Rahzar. The other turtles arrive to help Mikey, but Rahzar is too much for them to handle. If not for some quick thinking from Michelangelo, their fate may have been sealed. He electrocutes Rahzar, and Donatello manages to knock out Fishface and Stockman. While the turtles make their escape, Karai arrives to collect her henchmen. Back at the lair, Donatello manages to cure his brother, but even in victory, the threats continue to mount for the heroes.
For an episode with a premise so seemingly innocent and uneventful, this story proved to be a shocking and exciting. So much was set up for the future, including the teased transformation of Baxter Stockman into Baxter the Fly. With the mutagen collar firmly in place, it’s only a matter of time before it breaks. Also, Dog Pound’s double mutation adds a significant new element to the bigger picture. If mutants can mutate again, how long will it be before Wingnut, the Squirrelanoids, Fishface, or any of the countless other mutants running amok come into contact with mutagen again, and become versions of themselves that the turtles can’t handle? For that matter, what happens if the turtles themselves are doused in another dose of straight mutagen? The results could be catastrophic, but the story could be epic.
Of all the surprises, though, was Dog Pound becoming Rahzar. Those in charge of this incarnation of the turtles have been great about their nods to the series’ past. But this was completely unexpected. Not only did they include a mutant from the movie, but they made him even more awesome than he was then. This Rahzar is strong, fast, and a fierce warrior. He’s already proven too much for the turtles, and he will likely only get stronger. Now his loyalty will be tested too, since he clearly doesn’t need to take orders from Karai. One also has to wonder as to whether Fishface will ultimately mutate again. After all, the show can’t have Rahzar without Tokka. However, going from fish to snapping turtle may be a bit of a stretch, so either the way that happens will have to be super creative, or they may have to take some liberties with the new Tokka.
Even when an episode doesn’t seem to be particularly exciting, this series somehow manages to keep fans enthralled. The new Rahzar and Stockman’s plight guarantee that great things are going to happen, and the turtles better be ready to deal with them. They better hope that their friends come around soon, or else the battle is just going to get more difficult.
Rating: 8.5/10
“What happened to you Pulverizer? Your turned into some kind of … Mutagen Man.”
After being picked on for his current situation with April, Donatello sequesters himself to work on a retro mutagen and help Kirby and Timothy. Unfortunately for Donatello, Timothy starts secretly drinking mutagen. Meanwhile, April is ready for a fresh start at school, and takes on extra credit tutoring a student named Casey Jones. So, while the boys practice their stealth training late at night, April is helping Casey in a nearby park. The lessons don’t go well, however, with Casey more interested in April than books, and Donatello looking on jealously.
While Donnie speaks with Master Splinter about his feelings, Timothy drinks yet another vial of mutagen, and sprouts gooey arms and legs, allowing him mobility again. The mutant takes off into the city in search of April. The turtles pursue him and try to track down April, who finds herself face-to-face with Timothy. Casey steps in to protect her, but he is dispatched fairly easily before April uses her ninja training to hold the mutant off. Before Timothy can unleash a final blow, however, Casey sweeps April up, and the two make a quick escape.
Raphael and Michelangelo come across the scene, and start battling the newly dubbed Mutagen Man. The others arrive, and they learn that Mutagen Man is no longer their friend, and only after April for himself. Fortunately, he runs out of mutagen, and can no longer move. The boys load him into the Shellraiser, but Mutagen Man refuels and escapes. The turtles intercept him, and to protect April decide he has to be stopped. While the others distract him, Donnie uses a failed anti-mutagen to freeze Mutagen Man solid. While the others celebrate, Donnie is feeling down on himself. But Splinter reminds him to never give up hope for what the future may bring.
During season one, both stories with The Pulverizer turned out to be two of the best episodes. So seeing him return, and seeing the next stage of his development was an excellent addition. However, his apparent feelings for April and his sudden hatred for the turtles seemed to be a bit uncharacteristic and unexplained. While it’s understandable that he’d be upset, there’s no indication that he had ever interacted with April, and it was understood that he still wanted to help the turtles. So to become an enemy like that didn’t really seem to fit with his story thus far. However, seeing Mutagen Man make a return was certainly worthwhile. He will definitely provide plenty more excitement for the turtles and April as the season progresses.
Timothy/The Pulverizer before mutated to Mutagen Man
When April told the turtles she needed a break from them, it was hard to imagine that it would be anything significant. Because of the nature of the show’s audience, it seemed more likely that they would all reconcile within two episodes and go back to normal. So the fact that she is still holding a grudge, and shows no signs of letting up, definitely adds some weight to the situation, and makes it better.
It was also time for the introduction everyone has been waiting for: Casey Jones. It certainly wasn’t much of a welcome, though. So far, the audience has seen minimal skills, and only the hockey is a hint to what he’s capable of. But at least he has finally arrived, and his interaction with April is already what one expects from their early encounters. They grate on each other’s nerves, but there’s definitely some attraction there (although how could she get past the fact he’s missing like four teeth right up front?). What will come for them, and for the turtles? Only time will tell.
While this episode didn’t reach the gravitas of previous Pulverizer episodes, it was still an excellent addition. Like all the Donatello-focused episodes, a lot of different things were happening all at once, but it was never hard to follow. Battle lines have been drawn, new friends and foes have been introduced, and now it’s time for the turtles to cure the many innocent people affected by the mutagen.
Rating: 7.5/10