TMNT Season 3 Best Episode Tournament: FINAL MATCH

[JTH]

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FINALS

This is it, after a bunch of matches, it was clear cut who everyone wanted in the final match. Both episodes pretty much trounced everyone on route to this and we'll now see if we can get a good one here. It's 1 vs. 2, the best vs. the best. When it's all said and done, we'll know which episode is considered the best episode of Season 3. Thanks to everyone who took part or played a role in this. So without anymore delay, let's start.

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The Final Poll will last 7 days and will be a public poll.

To check out the complete up to date bracket, the link is here:
http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=460628&tclass=TMNT%20Season%203%20Best%20Episode

Now with that said and done, it's time to take a look at the final, much anticipated "Tale of the Turtle Tape"!


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Official Seed: #1
Where JTH seeded this episode: #2
Total Points Received: 187
Official IGN Review: 9.7/10
Current TV.com Rating: 9.4/10
Highest Rating Episode Received: #1 (Everyone but me)
How did it get here?: Defeated Clash of the Mutanimals in Round 2, Defeated The Pig & The Rhino in Round 3, Defeated Dinosaur Seen in Sewers! in Semi-Finals

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Official Seed: #2
Where JTH seeded this episode: #5
Total Points Received: 151
Official IGN Review: 9.0/10
Current TV.com Rating: 9.9/10
Highest Rating Episode Received: #2 (8 Times)
How did it get here?: Defeated In Dreams in Round 2, Defeated Serpent Hunt in Round 3, Defeated Return to New York in the Semi-Finals

Which episode will win in your mind, vote away, thanks again. Remember...HAVE FUN!!! :D

[GoldMutant]

(Slow but surely back in action :) Enjoy my little comparison)

Since beginning October 3, 2014, the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' third season has overall been the subject to hit and miss territory. While the weakest season currently, there were some gems throughout the season though spaced. Beginning with 24 (26 by making the two parters separate) and now down to 2, the end finally approaches the tournament. Though both now rank in my top 5 but aren't my absolute favorites, I see why everyone praises them compared to before. In comparison to the previous tournaments, two obvious contenders made to the end, but which was superior? The tournament concludes today with the emotional and artistic time travel adventure in Tale of the Yokai combating the third invasion based finale, Annihilation: Earth!

Considering the popularity of The Invasion from season 2, one might expect Annihilation: Earth! to outdo everything on a grander scale. Well.... in some regards yes, but others no; while an amazing episode, the road getting there in comparison to season 2 and 1 is much more random and sudden. As one has paid attention to my drawn out analysis (:P), Annihilation: Earth! I've yet to cast a vote for ever since it's encounter with Clash of the Mutanimals months ago. Mostly due to personal taste; while a good episode, I'd say it's the third best one hour episode, behind both from the second season. For one last time, let's examine the hour long finale.

Following a recap of Dinosaurs Seen in Sewers' climax, the first part involves the Turtles, Casey, and April followed by a mysterious Norman called Bishop, revealed as an Utrom in this series. Bishop details about the Triceraton and Kraang war, with the latter using the Heart of Darkness, a black hole generator which swallowed the Triceratons’ homeworld. With alteration of the Kraang on Earth, the Triceratons are determined to destroy Earth to end the species and the Turtles must stop them plus a revived Technodrome (:roll:). With assistance from Leatherhead (who is at the lair tending to Rockwell and Slash from last episode), the brothers and their allies minus Splinter and knocked out Mutanimals, the eight board the Technodrome in desperation. After boarding and failing to stop the Technodrome, the Triceratons, led by Mozar (voiced by Michael Dorn) literally annihilate the Technodrome, but not before an aerial dog fight. Episode ends back in New York where the Turtles battle the Triceratons divided and Mikey about to be blasted.

Part 2 commences with the Turtles rescued by Splinter and the Mutanimals, with Mondo Gecko and Muckman now joining the fray oddly. After a failed attempt to stop Mozar, Michelangelo is transported with the commander and Slash, LH, Rockwell, and Casey are trapped, forcing a retreat. Two different stories then occur: the remaining Turtles attempting to rescue their little brother from Mozar (acid trip to boot and badass Leo) who wants information on the Kraang from Mikey. The other plot involves April and Splinter forced to make an alliance with the Foot Clan to stop the Heart of Darkness. Though the Turtles succeed in their rescue mission, the alliance fails as Shredder literally backstabs Splinter, causing the Earth’s annihilation. The debuting Fugitoid saves the four as well as April and Casey, ending the season on a somber note to fix what’s occurred.

The problem with Annihilation: Earth! is the sudden introduction of the ever popular Triceratons. As previously stated in the semifinal match, the finale feels like a culmination; the problem is the climax relates nothing to what occurred in the season. Due to the Foot Clan dominating the season since Battle for New York, the Triceratons barring visual clues throughout the series are a rather forced plotline outside setting up the fourth season's narrative. In addition, when comparing the previous finales, it's yet another retread of The Invasion and Showdown, except for the Triceratons taking center stage this round. Unless viewers are aware of the source material, the Triceratons feel like a sudden inclusion.

In addition to the Triceratons, it literally feels there's something missing scenes due to time. Like Battle for New York with promising concepts, this episode has interesting such as the uniting of allies, the alliance between the Foot and Splinter, the possible Kraang, and more. Personally speaking however, the episode's concepts didn't get enough limelight; it's a severe conflict throughout season 3, but a personal gripe nonetheless. Without justification of Muckman and Mondo aboard the Mutanimals as an example, it feels rather forced and could have benefited off an extra scene.

Finally, the infamous moment of the entire episode: Shredder's betrayal and dooming Earth for his vengeance. The main reason I don't hold high regard for the scene is because not only forced (timing with the countdown was good, I'll say for sure), but Splinter did absolutely nothing this season. Let me compare season 2 with Splinter to this season.

Season 2:

Gave Donatello and Raphael advice which is strong for the audience too respectively in Slash and Destroy and Mutagen Man Unleashed
Mind controlled again by the Rat King during Of Rats and Men
A major focus in The Manhattan Project with the Foot Clan plot
The triangle with Shredder and Karai, specifically in Wrath of Tiger Claw and Vengence is Mine
Battles Subprime and presumed dead in Invasion in a strong encounter.


Not withstanding the tiny aspects where he isn't major, Splinter was present for almost half the season as a central character, the biggest he has been in the show. Compared to season 3:


Spirit Splinter ala the 1990 movie in Vision Quest
Transforms feral in Return to New York
A minor case here, but turned fatherly towards the Turtles in The Noxious Avenger
Involved in both Karai episodes, but drives Fourfold Trap more.


My point on the matter is this: when Shredder threw Splinter away in season 2, it was heart breaking because Splinter was heroic throughout Invasion and had enough tragedy dealt beforehand. Season 2 ultimately made Splinter a star player, the biggest he played in the entire show. With his death here, Splinter losing Karai was sad yes but Karai drove plot ultimately in Fourfold Trap unlike here, making their battle in that episode rather lackluster due to setting up the conflict. Splinter dying is relatively forced to go the extra mile and make it the hardest of all the blows for the Turtles, but without Splinter being prominent, the moment is wasted considering the world still goes boom.

With all these complaints, it may appear I actually hate the episode, but not really. Like I've said though, the reason the episode doesn't work personally is reusing an old plot device and favoring shock value. In addition, whereas Showdown and Invasion one can sit through and not be entirely confused, new viewers will be unaware and confused of the new characters introduced. Other than that, the aerial action was fantastic, Mikey's acid trip was entertaining, and the choreograph of certain aspects was executed well, specifically Splinter's demise. To conclude, Annihilation: Earth! is a strong finale, but requires a longtime viewer to understand what is happening and retreads older stories instead of new content. A strong finale, but from the series' point of view, it feels by the numbers.

While the one hour episodes have more going for them, the competition accomplished an emotional factor not seen since season 2 (though Serpent Hunt comes close personally). Personally, Tale of the Yokai felt too overrated originally when ranking the episodes; by rewatching, the episode I should have given more credit. As season 3 lacked substance for a large portion barring silly one offs and mispotential, this was the episode to reignite the series. How does Tale of the Yokai stand up to Annihilation: Earth? Well, episode summary first:

Continuing from where Turtles in Time concluded at, the heroes in a half shell land in Japan during the midst of Hamato Yoshi and Oroku Saki's friendship due to Renet's scepter in the previous episode. Upon an encounter with a younger Shredder and viewing a duel between Saki and a much more arrogant Hamato Yoshi, the Turtles ponder if it's merely coincidence for going into the past. During dusk, the Turtles encounter this incarnation's Tang Shen (voiced by Minae Noji) with baby Miwa who wants to leave to New York despite Yoshi's protests. When Saki soon intervenes, history begins to alter with Casey fading from existence ala Back to the Future and later April, forcing the Turtles to convince Shen to side with Yoshi. Following a discussion with Shen, the dojo begins to burn up later by Saki, betraying his clan and attempting to end Yoshi. Just as established before, Shen leaves Miwa on the ground (?), is tragically killed by Saki who gets his face burned, takes Miwa, and Splinter is alone. After the Turtles rescue their younger sensei, Renet finally takes the Turtles back home with time brought back to normal, concluding Tale of the Yokai.

(will continue in part 2 with analysis and my final ranking of the season)

[GoldMutant]

(part 2)

I will admit previously that I didn't like Yokai when the polls began; either way, the episode definitely deserves more credit personally. Minae Noji, the Platinum Dunes Karai (before being replaced with the upcoming OOTS) does a spectacular job as Tang Shen, one of the best castings in the entire series. Though far from the first time we've seen Tang Shen as a major player (specifically with IDW and aspects of 2k3), her performance fits that of a mother. Giving off a soft spoken performance, Noji's voice gives a tender vibe and drove the plot alongside our younger Shredder and Splinter. Besides Tang Shen, other elements shined brightly in comparison to Annihilation: Earth!

As one may notice throughout the season, the imagery is gorgeous to look at; no more apparent is that than both the flashback, the nighttime area involving Yoshi and Shen, and of course the final fight. Might be a personal liking, but the difference in Shredder and Splinter's characters as younger adults was a welcome addition. It's rather tragic in that sense, seeing Yoshi being too cocky until his tragedy and Saki being a good man before his evil ways came to be. Add in some comedic moments such as Leo's butt line and Tale of the Yokai possesses excellent visual flare. Even though the episode doesn't hold back majority of the time, in some aspects it feels a little controlled.

That said however, there are middling aspects of Yokai that hurt the episode personally; particularly Shredder's sudden change is a serious issue. As if fast forwarding the episode, he goes from a caring man to antagonistic for no reason at all. Though the hatred towards Yoshi being with Tang Shen is primarily reasoning for Saki's anger, the lack of an extra scene or two doesn't help his transformation. This also leads to another issue: how did some of the Hamato Clan's ninja betray and join Saki so quickly? In addition, besides setting up Miwa to be Karai, why would Tang Shen leave her on the ground because it felt just as forced. While minor complaints, the Foot Clan's rise comes off as tacked on which is rather disappointing considering the build up.

In the end, where it comes down to is this: do you prefer the action of Annihilation: Earth or the emotional ride of Tale of the Yokai? Like their previous competitors, both have impressive style respectively, but also substance leading to heart wrenching moments. Although I feel Serpent Hunt nailed the tragic moments the most when Steranko and Zeck mutated, I'll be damned when both held nothing back in execution. Though the road for both felt somewhat tacked on, both are well deserving of their popularity before reaching this match.

Overall, while neither episode reaches the top 3 personally, Tale of the Yokai ultimately has the greater emotion and atmosphere. For as much as Annihilation: Earth! was fantastic on its own merit, the lack of build up, decisions before and during the episode, and repetition wear it out. This is another case where the season finale is solid, but there was superior competition all things considered, identically to Showdown from season 1's tournament versus The Gauntlet. Despite personal issues with both episodes, Tale of the Yokai is the superior of these two fan favorites. Ultimately, where these two episodes landed on my updated list is right here:

1. Casey Jones vs the Underworld
2. Dinosaurs Seen In Sewers!
3. Serpent Hunt
4. Tale of the Yokai
5. Annihilation: Earth!
6. Attack of the Mega Shredder!
7. Vision Quest (interchangeable with Return)
8. Return to New York (interchangeable to number 7)
9. In Dreams
10. The Pig and the Rhino
11. Within the Woods
12. Buried Secrets

(honorable/dishonorable mentions)
13. Meet Mondo Gecko (it's a guilty pleasure :P)
14. The Deadly Venom (I can't say if it's good or bad, just middling and indifferent at best, though mortified at the healing hands)

(bottom of the season)

15. Race with the Demon
16. The Fourfold Trap
17. Eye of the Chimera
18. Battle for New York
19. The Noxious Avenger
20. A Foot Too Big (it and the bottom four I have issues with, but could have salvageable; this was just too boring and is rather overhated.)
21. The Creeping Doom
22. Turtles in Time
23. Clash of the Mutanimals
24. The Croaking

Although season 3 is hit and miss, the question remains: where does the show go from here? The potential in space has excellent opportunities despite not being taken advantage of entirely. Whether there's a hidden gem, I still partake in watching the show in hopes greatness can finally be rediscovered. With that said, prepare for late February and early March where the show returns to conclude space hopefully. That's all I have to say, ciao!

Tl; dr: Both are amazing in their own right, but due to overall style and minimal moments, I vote for Tale of the Yokai.

[Splinter the boss]

It was hard for me to vote since they are both really good episodes. However, I picked Annihilation: Earth in the end because it was the season 3 finale and had the Triceratons.