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TMNT Episode Review

TMNT – “Mazes and Mutants” Review

by Zach Gasior April 28, 2014

written by Zach Gasior

“Hear ye, hear ye. We have seen the future, and it is LARP.” – Michelangelo

Enjoying their recent victories, the turtles are taking a break to play a tabletop RPGcalled Mazes and Mutants. However, Master Splinteris skeptical of their attitude, and senses that something is amiss. All the while, a mysterious figure watches the boys from the shadows. To make the game more exciting, Michelangeloand Leonardosuggest finishing their quest through LARP (live-action role play) in the sewer system. The course will be complete with traps and clues that will lead to victory.

With victory over the “troll” they encounter, the boys find their first clue. But it’s not the one that Leo set up. Someone has tampered with their game, and right on cue, a mysterious fog rolls in, transforming the sewers into a real dungeon – with real traps. The new game master – a mutant sparrow name Sir Malachi – reveals the nature of the new quest to the heroes, and if they want to save April, they will play his game. The turtles easily overcome monkey goblins and a fire pit, but when Raphaelgets angry at their mutant host, the sparrow man uses his magic to change the hot-headed turtle into a turkey.

Angrier than ever, the boys stumble across a secret passage that leads right to April, who is being guarded by a dragon that looks like Leatherhead. The turtles take on their crocodile friend, but slowly the truth of the whole game dawns on Leonardo. Everything they see is being created in their minds, and taking control of their own thoughts will break them free. By believing that none of it’s real, the turtles escape Malachi’s game and find themselves safe and sound in the sewer again. There, the game master reveals his unfortunate mutation story (a gamer feeding the sparrows when mutagen fell from the sky), and that he just wanted someone to play a game with. Having reconciled, Sir Malachi disappears back into the shadows, now a friend to the mutant brothers.

Despite the growing mainstream acceptance of geek and nerd culture, there are still some aspects that are looked down on by society. LARP is one of those, unfortunately. It’s really just another way to have lots of fun, living out fantasies that nearly all boys and girls had at one point or another in their lives. So to see the story in this episode not only revolve around it, but treat it with respect and dignity (yet still lighthearted fun) was refreshing and enjoyable. The humor allowed TMNT fans that aren’t into role-playing to stay engaged, while the proper treatment of the subject matter invited those who do enjoy a good quest to come along for the adventure.

Sir Malachi raises a very interesting question about the mutations that the audience has seen so far, and those yet to come. Because of Kraangexperimentation, April has some psychic abilities. Similarly, accident has given the Rat Kingmental control over rats. But for the most part, mutation has only caused physical changes and abilities. There have been no signs of mental prowess beyond that of more fully developed cerebral cortexes in animals. So how was Sir Malachi able to enter and influence the turtles’ minds? Do some (or maybe all) mutants actually possess psychic abilities on top of their enhanced physical features? Could there be other mutants in the future that are able to psychically harm the heroes? And will actual magic ever come into play in this incarnation, as it has in those past? Only time will tell if these elements are worth exploring to the writers. Fortunately, there are at least two more seasons to do just that.

It was great to see that after the fantastic “Wormquake”two-parter that the series is back, stronger than ever. Even though these hiatuses are really killing any momentum for shows, fun episodes like this make sure that it can pick right back up, in full swing from minute one. Hopefully more quirky and enjoyable episodes like this make up the second half of Season Two.

Rating: 9/10

April 28, 2014 0 comment

TMNT – “Metalhead Rewired” Review

by Zach Gasior February 24, 2014

written by Zach Gasior

“I give you … the new and improved Metalhead!”
-Donatello

Donatello has been hard at work upgrading Metalhead. Now armed with various fighting techniques, the robot is the perfect training partner – and he shows the turtles exactly what he’s capable of doing. While Master Splinter tells the others to use this new and improved invention to their advantage, the security system goes off, and the boys rush into action, only to find Spider Bytez running around the sewer being chased by Kraang. The aliens capture the mutant spider, and the boys give chase, curious as to why they’re so interested in the mutant.

Along with Metalhead, the turtles pursue the Kraang to an empty garage, but the aliens disappear into thin air. Of course, Michelangelo finds a secret panel by accident, but when Metalhead tries to plug in, he shorts out and blows up their only clue. Donnie tries to fix up their steel friend, but Leonardo suggests that the only solution is to shut him down. Unfortunately, Metalhead doesn’t take kindly to that idea, and he runs away from the lair.

The turtles follow him into the city, and locate the robot just as he disappears through a well-hidden Kraang portal. They continue on and arrive at a Kraang holding facility, where the aliens have been rounding up the city’s mutants, including Kirby O’Neil. As it turns out, Metalhead has been trying to save the captured creatures (Slash, Snakeweed, Wingnut, Spider Bytez) and the turtles rush to save him from the Kraang. As they fight, however, the Kraang release some of the mutants, now under their control, but Metalhead is able to destroy the control devices. He opens the portal back to New York’s streets, and all the captive mutants escape. However, in order for the turtles to leave, Metalhead must stay, and bravely sacrifices himself for his friends.

It seems to be a noticeable trend now that episodes focusing on Donatello are significantly better than most of the others. It was as true with this episode as it was with the Pulverizer and Mutagen Man episodes. While Metalhead has been seen several times since his initial creation, another episode that involved him in the main action was certainly a welcomed change. It’s been a key feature of this incarnation of the turtles that even the most useless and disposable of characters have great personality that can drive an episode. Metalhead is no different, and with an upgraded A.I., he was even more of a character. Unfortunately, we now have no idea when he will be seen – or if he will – again.

Episodes like this are the perfect time to reveal smaller, but crucial parts to the overall story. Where the big reveal of April’s connection to the Kraang felt forced at the wrong point in time, the new piece of information in this episode was perfectly timed and executed. Knowing that the Kraang are trying to round up all the mutants gives the turtles a sense of the overall plan. What exactly the aliens hope to do with their captures is anyone’s guess, but knowing that they must protect their mutant enemies from their alien enemies adds a new and interesting layer to the story unfolding this season. It also means that this probably isn’t the last that will be seen of any of these old mutants, and may even be connected to the cure Donatello’s been searching for.

This episode showed two things: 1) that revisiting old characters can still be interesting, and 2) that the true nature of this season in the remaining 15 episodes is anyone’s guess. There are so many issues that could come back to play a factor before the season’s over, and that’s assuming that some of them aren’t held for season three. Really, all that is known is that surprises are still in store for the turtles and the audience, and it’s going to be a wild ride until the very end. Here’s hoping the boys have more friends like Metalhead around to help them through.

Rating: 8/10

February 24, 2014 2 comments

Reviews TV/Cartoon Series

TMNT – “Fungus Humungous” Review

by Zach Gasior February 17, 2014

written by Zach Gasior

“I’m freaking out, I’m FREAKING OUT, I’M FREAKING OUT!”

– Raphael

April loves having Casey to discuss turtle business with, and the two now make trips to the lair together. However, when they slip into the sewer, April is blasted by a yellow powder, and begins hallucinating. Casey runs to the lair and collects the turtles to help hunt down their female friend, but during the search he inhales the powder as well, and imagines a swarm of rats.

The boys find April deep in the sewer, but also come across a mutant mushroom. While they manage to fling it off into the depths, Raphael is exposed to its spores as well. Back in the lair, Donatello deduces that the mushroom releases a toxin that’s causing them to see their worst fears. The gang treks back out into the sewers to stop the fungus, but when they stumble upon its breeding ground the remainder of the ninja team is sprayed with spores. Now all six heroes are stuck inside their worst nightmares.

However, not all hope is lost, because Leonardo is able to fight his fear long enough to penetrate into the heart of the fungi’s lair. With an onslaught of mutant mushrooms guarding the main branch, Leo is forced to come face-to-face with what he fears most – losing his team. Fortunately, he comes to grip with the possibility, finds perfect focus, and uses sunlight to defeat the freaky fungus. With the spores’ effect worn off, the others track down their leader and take him home, safe and sound.

It was fun to see an episode in the recent mix that doesn’t have implications beyond the immediate problem. The mutagen issue is still a threat, and here the turtles were dealing with it again, while taking a break from the major plot developments. The episode was quick, enjoyable, and overall well timed. It was also nice to see the turtles’ little family growing, and the dynamic including their new brother/friend. Casey and April now have each other as confidants, and the turtles have a new ally; when all six are finally together and fighting for real, they will be a formidable team (as they always have been).

Even though it wasn’t a major Shredder or Kraang episode, this adventure did have its implications for the greater TMNT universe. Several times with this series there have been episodes to feature Leonardo’s competence as leader, but they’ve always been from someone else’s perspective (usually Raph’s). Finally, though, the same issue is being addressed from the actual leader’s perspective. This is a prime example of how to keep the show from going too stale. It’s okay to have the same plot used several times, as long as there is a new spin on it with each use. That was accomplished here, and seeing Leo confront and embrace his greatest fear was remarkable growth for the hero.

Interestingly enough, there was also some pushing of the Donnie-April-Casey triangle this episode, as well. Fans knew that this would be an issue, but the question still remains whether or not there will be an episode devoted to it later on. Casey and Donatello were giving each other grief over how each handled April’s freak out, and there was clearly the sense of a greater rivalry brewing. If ever the writers were going to address the Donnie-April romance(?), then having an entire episode devoted to just putting it on the table and dealing with it would be ideal, especially now that Casey Jones can make the whole conversation much more interesting.

This episode was simply a fun addition to the TMNT story thus far. While it didn’t have too many grand implications for the story as it’s developing, it still helped progress a few minor plot points, and gave new life to the mutagen chase happening over the course of this season. It’s great to see Casey and April working together with the turtles, and it’ll be fun to see how the six of them act as a real team when it comes time to battle the Foot or Kraang down the line.

Rating: 7/10

Everyones Fear:

Mikey: Squirlanoids

Leo: Failing the Team

Raph: Roaches

Casey: Rats

April: Her Mutated Father

Donnie: Being Insulted and Rejected By April