I hope Viral is gone for good

[The Terror of Death]

*If you don’t want to read a wall of text please scroll down to the last paragraph.

After watching Tempus Fugit I’m sure a lot of you know Viral was overpowered by the foot virus and was transformed into the Cyber Shredder. At first I was disappointed she was disposed of so quickly into the season but the more I think about the more I realize it was probably for the best. I wanted to like her as a character 1. Fast Forward didn’t have a lot of interesting villains, 2. She’s the only other female main villain besides Karai, and 3. Her hijacking abilities allow for her to cause a whole lot of chaos. But in the end I feel she can be summed up in three words an evil computer virus. Nothing more and nothing less. Despite her capabilities she was never really that big of a threat and her schemes to eliminate the turtles are pretty much the same. She sends the turtles to different locations and then watches as they fight some creatures or warriors. Then at the episode she’s weakened almost to the point of death and then she escapes. That’s pretty lame if you ask me. You can argue that she never received any back story or character development but even if she did I doubt anything would really change about her. For a back story she would most likely be written as a highly advanced computer virus created by the Kanobos to serve them. And any character development would be almost nonexistent unless you count becoming more powerful and dangerous as character development. What makes her even worse as a villain is that she could probably kill the turtles in a matter of seconds if she wanted to but since the turtles cant die all she really accomplishes is giving them a nice workout. And yes, I do know there’s nothing definite saying she will never return in some shape or form but I honestly wish she doesn’t. And if she does return I hope its in a minor role. I know this must seem like a lot of hate for Viral but does this show really need another unnecessary character?

I’m basically saying Viral has served her purpose (setting up the main plot for BttS and giving birth to Cyber Shredder) and any more episodes with her as the antagonist would mean yet another rehashing of episodes such as Home Invasion, The Gaminator, Timing is Everything, and Tempus Fugit. Maybe its me but I think this show had one too many episodes revolving around time portals, reality bending, and video games. I don’t hate every episode that includes those things or Viral for that matter but I would prefer episodes that weren’t so fillerish and gimmicky. Dinosaurs, ancient warriors, and Utrom Shredder cameos are great and all but its beginning to feel way to repetitive. More Viral centric episodes might mean more of the above. I don’t think the show needs to rely on these things in order to be good.

Note: I’m well aware this series had this stuff even before Viral was introduced but she’s become a major contributor.

[CyberCubed]

I liked Viral but I do like the ending of the character. If Cyber Shredder dies at the end of the season, I hope it goes completely.

I'm already a bit uncertain as to how or why Tengu Shredder returns.

[Cipher]

I always liked Viral. Perhaps it was seeing a strong female villain, perhaps it was how terrifying her power was, I'm not sure. I understand that the scope of her abilities and their electrical restrictions would make writing episodes around her a chore, however. I'll bet that she'll have one more moment of sentience just before/as Cyber Shredder meets his/her end.

I'm already a bit uncertain as to how or why Tengu Shredder returns. I think the most likely idea being batted around is that Viral will pull them through the time window. We know the time window has to come into play again at some point to return Serling home anyway, so it's not unlikely that Cyber Shredder could take control of it at that point.

[X]

Fast Forward didn’t have a lot of interesting villains

^^^^^

I couldn't agree more.

I do like FF, but it felt so different, it felt like I was watching a whole new series, but with continuity. Odd I know.

-X-

[Shred Head]

I agree with everything you said about Viral even in Tempus Fugit everything she did felt like same old same old. I say bring on Cyber Shredder lets just start off fresh we got Serling to show us Fast Forward hasn't been forgotten and thats enough for me. I also hope the only time travleing that happens this season is when Serling gets to go back home to Cody. I'm sick of time travel in this show and I think its something that needs to be put to rest for awhile.

[Spitfire]

I personally liked a lot of the FF villains. I enjoyed the Dark Turtles, Darius, Viral, Shokonabo, Gunjin, Baxter Brain.

Jammerhead was annoying but some of his episodes were good. I have mixed feelings about Triple Threat. I liked his character but not his episodes.

Personally I hope Viral comes back. They took the time to redesign her and I like her new look so I'd be glad to see her come back. Even if it's just at the end of the season where she's deleted for good.

[Hero]

That's one less female character now. Then again, did Viral really count as having gender aside from her shapely appearance?

===HERO

[VaughnMichael]

That's one less female character now. Then again, did Viral really count as having gender aside from her shapely appearance?

===HERO
And voice...

[PrometheusUFO]

I liked the way the original Dark Turtles looked, but then they had to change them and make them look silly.. thus making them yet another reason I didn't like FF. :x

http://ourworld.cs.com/PrometheusUFO/dark-turtles.jpg

[Jon]

Well... from the pictures the only real change for the Dark Turtles was their color. Don't see why that would be such a big thing?!?

[Drtooth]

I personally liked a lot of the FF villains. I enjoyed the Dark Turtles, Darius, Viral, Shokonabo, Gunjin, Baxter Brain.

Jammerhead was annoying but some of his episodes were good. I have mixed feelings about Triple Threat. I liked his character but not his episodes.

Well, Gunjin was one of those "anime style" change of heart bad guys that become good guys later on... but I kinds thought that one was cool too.

I also liked FF's villain Cavalcade, and I'm glad they're including one of them in the 2k3 continuity.

I don't get all the hate for Viral, myself. The only villain I feel was poorly executed was Triple Threat. I also liked the idea of him, and would have gladly bought the action figure, but I think the writers just couldn't do anything interresting with him. Them... it....

I was kinda hoping that Viral voluntarily became CyberShredder, as a way to really strike fear in the turtles and rub salt in their wounds... something along the lines of watching them struggle with him in that time area, and taking on the role. But I guess having her programming corrupted by Shredder (I think it's some sort of Data base she accidentally hacked into... or maybe the Utrom technology for the Shredder's suit)
works just as well.

[Shred Head]

Well... from the pictures the only real change for the Dark Turtles was their color. Don't see why that would be such a big thing?!?

I can see it one of the worst mistakes with there design was the fact that they had the coloring of fruit instead of Turtles. Yeah some of them looked bad due to the fact that they looked like dinosaurs but they could have gave them the right coloring it would have helped.

[Sage Ninja]

I don'r get why they made Michelangelo yellow instead of orange, which is supposed to be his mask color?

I like what they have done with Viral, it doesn't matter to me that she has been taken over by foot data, or if she doing what she's doing on her own, she is still a strong presence in this new series. I look foward to her causing the turtles trouble. And any way, i think it was Vaughn Michael that pointed this out, her being taken over might prove interesting in it self because we might see an internal struggle of herself and the Shredder program. That could be pretty intence if handled right. Viral as a villan is sooo not beyond hope right now. ;)

Personaly I'm nt going to stress over it. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the ride right now. ^-^

[Cipher]

Fast Forward didn’t have a lot of interesting villainsI actually thought the rogues gallery was one of Fast Forward's stronger aspects.

[METALHEAD]

Actually, i hope they show more of her. i mean comon, she's a b**ch and she's a pretty damn good threat to the turtles. who doesn't like female villian's who are big b**ches and complete A$$holes and trying to kill ya almost every once in awhile?:lol::)


also, she's hot!

[FlawedCoil82]

Haha, how can Viral be 'hott'? She has no facial features, a blue 'eye' and a freakish looking werewolf-ish body with talons/claws. :ohwell:

I actually came to like Shokanabo from FF, as I felt he seemed to pose the only real threat from the series. I, to, would not mind if Viral never reappeared again. I wouldn't mind seeing Shokanabo again, as well as the Dark Turtles and maybe the Gunjin and even Darius. However Jammerhead, Torbin Zixx and especially Triple Threat were complete wastes (IMO). Not unlike Garbageman from the normal series.
Jack

[Cipher]

However Jammerhead, Torbin Zixx and especially Triple Threat were complete wastes (IMO). Not unlike Garbageman from the normal series.Torbin Zixx gave us some great episodes. He and Zukko brought a kind of criminal element to the series that it doesn't often see even in a modern day setting.

[Sage Ninja]

Darious, Dark turtles, Shokanabo, triple threat, I never want to see again. Tobin Zixx, I liked and I wouldn't mind seeing him again. If for no reason to see him get his revenge for switching the that thingie on him and getting him in trouble.

Although I didn't care for how the writters had to basically make the turtles "dumb" in order for Zixx to out smart them, because realistically, I don't really see the turtles easily duped by Zixx. That's why I liked Don seeing through Zixx's scheme and turning the tables on him. That was sweet.

[Drtooth]

Torbin Zixx gave us some great episodes. He and Zukko brought a kind of criminal element to the series that it doesn't often see even in a modern day setting.

I think that Zixx was under used or used improperly. i liked the character, I liked the idea... but when they were clouding confusion about if Zixx was on their side, or if Bishop really did have a change of heart. But I think they didn't go into that far enough... though, it's one of those things they had plans for for the next season of FF that didn't happen.

Triple Threat was a great character design, but instead of being some sort of crazy rogue wrestler, they made him/them/it a common street thug. But then of course, "Headlock Prime" was a total waste... and it really could have gone into a huge payola scandal, but they wasted the potential with a bad joke about Wrestling being sophisticated.

[Spitfire]

I really don't see why people hate that episode so much. I let the FF DVD run in the background the other day and sat down to watch it. It's not that bad, that's just my opinion though.

There's really no episodes of the series I can't stand to watch except Father's And Sons. Tales Of Leo annoys me too but I can sit through it. I can also sit through Home Invasion but that ones also hard to bare.

[Tinuvielsdreams]

I really don't see why people hate that episode so much. I let the FF DVD run in the background the other day and sat down to watch it. It's not that bad, that's just my opinion though.

There's really no episodes of the series I can't stand to watch except Father's And Sons. Tales Of Leo annoys me too but I can sit through it. I can also sit through Home Invasion but that ones also hard to bare.


I didn't mind Headlock Prime either because the guys are in the future and it showed something that they might do out and about. I liked the way they wrapped it up at the end with Raph and Splinter back on the roof. It wasn't my favorite my favorite but I don't turn it off either

I did like Zixx too, I thought he was an appropriate character for the time the guys were in. He had a lot of background too so they could have definitely used him in many ways. I mean I would like to know how he got out of his last spot after Don tricked him. That was awesome and score one for the guys

[Drtooth]

HEadlock Prime is one of the episodes that really seem like a wasted concept. I don't know why, but I was imagining something about fixed matches and Raph exposing it. I did enjoy FF, but there are episodes I feel were just absolutely weak, and they really could have been a lot deeper. Not darker, and keeping with the lighter tone, but a little deeper as far as story line.

[Cipher]

HEadlock Prime is one of the episodes that really seem like a wasted concept. I don't know why, but I was imagining something about fixed matches and Raph exposing it. I did enjoy FF, but there are episodes I feel were just absolutely weak, and they really could have been a lot deeper. Not darker, and keeping with the lighter tone, but a little deeper as far as story line.I completely agree. One thing that I really liked about Headlock Prime was that it was one of the few episodes to directly address the fact that the Turtles could now walk around in public. Of course, it didn't really go anywhere with the idea.

I'm not sure why people dislike Home Invasion. I thought that was a pretty cool episode.

Also, Zukko never seems to get any mention, but he was a fairly prominent villain in Fast Foward, and I really liked him. I have a hunch he might have been the infamous Triceraton Shredder we never got to see.

[Tinuvielsdreams]

HEadlock Prime is one of the episodes that really seem like a wasted concept. I don't know why, but I was imagining something about fixed matches and Raph exposing it. I did enjoy FF, but there are episodes I feel were just absolutely weak, and they really could have been a lot deeper. Not darker, and keeping with the lighter tone, but a little deeper as far as story line.

I can understand why you feel like that. They could have taking it farther like you said. I wonder if they just have set limitations for where they are allowed to take the plots? I only wonder that because at this one animation studio I was at, they really emphasized in Kid's shows what kinds of limitations you have to watch out for. Mostly just keeping things simple and on the level.
I know we don't like it but part of me thinks they do what they can with the plots.

I know that drives us crazy because we like something a little deeper. It is hard to find a discussion in an episode like Headlock Prime :lol: except for one like this where we discuss that there isn't much to discuss

Raph exposing a crooked wrestling plot could definitely have worked out. I did think it was kinda odd they decided that people of the future would be all proper at a wrestling match.

[Jelly Bean]

and that why I mourn the loss of the the turtles before FF. Because they went there and any one of any ages could like it. I even got my older cousin involved in the show a for a bit (around season four) and she was getting into it. But when FF happened she turned up her nose at it and thinks it's dumb. She won't watch it with me any more.

[VaughnMichael]

HEadlock Prime is one of the episodes that really seem like a wasted concept. I don't know why, but I was imagining something about fixed matches and Raph exposing it. I did enjoy FF, but there are episodes I feel were just absolutely weak, and they really could have been a lot deeper. Not darker, and keeping with the lighter tone, but a little deeper as far as story line.
I agree the entire wrestling thing in FF ticks me off, it's the only thing that really got me.
They had an entire cast of old Archie characters they could have used, I'd much rather have seen Ace Duck, Cryin' Houn', Blood Bath, Trap, & Stump & Sling than any of that other Tripple threat crap.

[ToTheNines]

There's really no episodes of the series I can't stand to watch except Father's And Sons. Tales Of Leo annoys me too but I can sit through it. I can also sit through Home Invasion but that ones also hard to bare.

I can't stand the second half of "Still Nobody". Jenko is such a tool, and when Nobody talks the gang into quiting... so corny.

They had an entire cast of old Archie characters they could have used, I'd much rather have seen Ace Duck, Cryin' Houn', Blood Bath, Trap, & Stump & Sling than any of that other Tripple threat crap.

Yeah, they missed a major opportunity right there. Poor Archie...

[VaughnMichael]

Yeah, they missed a major opportunity right there. Poor Archie...
They could had even had Leatherhead in there, given if he lived that long.

[Drtooth]

I agree the entire wrestling thing in FF ticks me off, it's the only thing that really got me.
They had an entire cast of old Archie characters they could have used, I'd much rather have seen Ace Duck, Cryin' Houn', Blood Bath, Trap, & Stump & Sling than any of that other Tripple threat crap.


Like they'd ever animate the Archie comics characters....

Woulda been much cooler.

Seems like the entire episode was wasted on an unfunny joke about it getting sophisticated, instead of something with more bite... like a huge payola/fixed matches scandal... or Triple Threat getting thrown out of the league for those kind of purposes... Something more than Raph wanting to beat stuff up.

Of course, I felt that Graduation Day could have been a long, significant character study, and not the random tasks... and that Enter the Jammerhead could have done without Starlee's "Call the antidefamation league" Jewish stereotype mother.

That's the only episodes I really disliked out of the series.

[Jelly Bean]

I wonder if they just have set limitations for where they are allowed to take the plots? I only wonder that because at this one animation studio I was at, they really emphasized in Kid's shows what kinds of limitations you have to watch out for. Mostly just keeping things simple and on the level.
I know we don't like it but part of me thinks they do what they can with the plots.

what animation studio did you go to Tinuvielsdreams? Also I don't get why there would be limitations on story and plot direction in a cartoon series. So long as it's not to violent or inappropiate. I don't see what so hands off about a plot involving wrestling ring rigging vs. Raph wanting to just win a fight.