Underrated Fred Wolf series' episodes

[Prowler]

As we know, the FW series had about 193-194 episodes. A lot of them are still fondly remembered after all these years, but not all of them.

I can immediately think of The Maltese Hamster . This was the first mobster TMNT episode. All the Turtles and Splinter are captured except for Donatello. This is the first time the Turtles face villains that aren't Shredder, Krang and co. in the series. Yes, this episode predates Enter: The Rat King. It's the 4th episode of the 3rd season. So it's not like it's an episode that only came out at a time the TMNT popularity was waning.

This episode was a pretty great parody of old detective/crime movies/tv shows. Donatello really shines in this episode He's like a turtle version of Humphrey Bogart, and a wall even falls on him. In no other mobster episode did I see the mobsters as a credible threat against the Turtles. This one is by far the best mobster episode from the OT, imo. I dunno why no one seems to remember this episode.

Another episode that I think deserves more love is Pizza by the Shred. I dunno why, but I really enjoy this episode. Rat King getting a pizza that wasn't for him and then Shredder and the Turtles invade his lair and ruin his dinner. Also Mike has to get a job and drives the Neutrino car, which makes its first appearance in a while.

Also:

Shredder. Who are you? And what are you doing in the Turtle's lair?!
Rat King: Do I look like a turtle to you?

Come on now, this exchange was gold. :lol:

I'm sure there's more episodes that deserve more love, but these are the two I can think of from the top of my head.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I have lost count of how many times I watched "Pizza By the Shred". Loved everything about that episode.

Also thought that some of the European Vacation episodes are underrated. Loved the first two in Paris, and thought the rest have a fair number of pros despite their cons.

[MikeandRaph87]

The problem is I am not sure what is considered beloved and therefore which can be underrated. I mean I obsess over the awesomeness that is Night of The Rogues and Get Shredder!,but are they beloved classics or are they underrated great? Pizza By The Shredder was among those I saw heavily thanks to VHS releases in the dark era between Next Mutation's run and the slow release on DVD( or YouTube 2007 uploads whatever came first pending on release order). I enjoy it for The Shredder/ Rat King interaction. Nice to see Mike get some focus yet the absurdity of setting up a fake pizzeria to lure the Turtles to find their lair? I can't decide if I love it or its a bit of a silly stretch.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I also thought Red Sky is very underrated in that so many people want nothing to do with those episodes, declaring that they're not a part of the 80s show.

[Wesley]

It’s hard to know which eps are underrated alright. I agree with the ones already mentioned in this thread.

I also think “Shreeka’s Revenge” is quite underrated. Shreeka was a good villain with an interesting backstory, even though she only appeared in that episode. It was fun seeing her interactions with Bebop and Rocksteady.

[Prowler]

I think Red Sky episodes are more under-watched than underrated. Get Shredder and Turtle trek are both considered good episodes by most people here afaik. Same for Night of the Rogues.

[oldmanwinters]

"Burne's Blues"
"Shredder's Mom"
"Tempestra's Revenge"
"Bebop and Rocksteady Conquer the Universe"
"Leonardo, Renaissance Turtle"
"Phantom of the Sewers"
"The Big Cufflink Caper"
"Michelangelo Meets Bugman"

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I can immediately think of The Maltese Hamster.

The Maltese Hamster is cool. When Shredder teams up with the Tony Vivaldi
and the gangsters, it also gives a kind of in-universe explaination of how so many gangsters have access to rayguns. Bebop probably didn't teleport back all of them to the Technodrome, just those who were inside the car at the moment. Then those weapons went into circulation in the underworld.

[CyberCubed]

Most of the eps mentioned so far aren't underrated eps, they've always been well liked and popular eps.

If you want an underrated ep watch the Rondo ep of Season 4 where the black and white movie monsters come to life.

[sdp]

I love the episode of Mister Ogg, I mean you have a Mr. Mxzy in the TMNT universe who talks like Pee-Wee Herman, what more could you ask for. :lol:

Sure its a rip off of Mxyzptlk but whatever, it's always cool to see weird stuff in an otherwise "grounded" series.

[MikeandRaph87]

I don't want this to become a favorite episodes thread like with my referencing Night of The Rogues and Get Shredder!. I think they are designated classics,but which are and which are in the eye of the beholder?

I suppose Splinter Vanishes is overlooked as The Rat King warred with Leatherhead in Letherhead Meets The Rat King which I believe is much more referenced and well-received while teaming up in this episode.

The Dimension X Story, if I am not mistaken was the first CBS aired episode, is great from the turtles it focused on, the solid mix of fun and action.


Napoleon: Colossus of The Swamp was a fun and action packed episode which incorporated The Punk Frogs and Big Louie. Shredder's show of not knowing biological science was the near fatal flaw.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Big Louie was also great. I like the fact he had rival gangsters (Beaver and Wally Cleaver)

[MikeandRaph87]

Big Louie was also great. I like the fact he had rival gangsters (Beaver and Wally Cleaver)

He is a character I feel I am alone in wanting to see more of. Its just the potential that was there in a more serious environment would really allow the character to flesh out his Godfather-like approach.

Yes,The Big Cufflink Caper was the perfect blend on serious and silly that is showcased throughout the entire run of the 1987 cartoon. I felt a legit threat yet peppered with The Cleavers of Leave It To Beaver as a nuisance to the Godfather and looking for a cuff-link albeit a specialized one that can benefit the villains situation.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Yes,The Big Cufflink Caper was the perfect blend on serious and silly that is showcased throughout the entire run of the 1987 cartoon. I felt a legit threat yet peppered with The Cleavers of Leave It To Beaver as a nuisance to the Godfather and looking for a cuff-link albeit a specialized one that can benefit the villains situation.

They could probably have done more serious crimes than just "let's go stealing every cufflink in New York City"?

[Wesley]

Big Louie was also great. I like the fact he had rival gangsters (Beaver and Wally Cleaver)

Agreed. I enjoyed all the episodes that he was in. I would’ve liked if he was used again in other tmnt versions. It was interesting to see the criminal underworld.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Agreed. I enjoyed all the episodes that he was in. I would’ve liked if he was used again in other tmnt versions. It was interesting to see the criminal underworld.

Some kind of mob should be around when the turtles went to Italy.

[Prowler]

Some kind of mob should be around when the turtles went to Italy.

And then the cartoon would get accused of xenophobic stereotypes :lol:

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

And then the cartoon would get accused of xenophobic stereotypes :lol:

The Archieverse had Japanese mafia, the Yen Brothers who fixed sumo wrestling matches.

http://miragelicensing.com/comics/archie/32/32.htm

[Utrommaniac]

I'm in on the Shreeka's Revenge episode. It would have been great if she was a recurring character in some respect too.

Her history with Krang was pretty darn interesting since she was his "last Shredder"...and I even joke that she's his ex :lol:

[MikeandRaph87]

I'm in on the Shreeka's Revenge episode. It would have been great if she was a recurring character in some respect too.

Her history with Krang was pretty darn interesting since she was his "last Shredder"...and I even joke that she's his ex :lol:

I would have loved a plot that had Shreeka team up with Beserko to get revenge on Krang. I even wrote a fan fiction script. Definite possibilities!

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I'm in on the Shreeka's Revenge episode. It would have been great if she was a recurring character in some respect too.

She could have been given a second character, but recurring character sounds like she would appear as often as let's say Dregg. She didn't have that potential.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

She could have been given a second character, but recurring character sounds like she would appear as often as let's say Dregg. She didn't have that potential.

Speaking of Dregg, I think it would've been cool if he hired Shreeka instead of Medusa to destroy the turtles, only to bertray her at the end just like Krang.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Krang abandoned Shreeka somehwere in the Andromeda Galaxy. Does anyone think that may have happened when Krang was on his way to Earth.

[MikeandRaph87]

Krang abandoned Shreeka somehwere in the Andromeda Galaxy. Does anyone think that may have happened when Krang was on his way to Earth.

He was exiled to Earth. I would like to know who/ or the race that devolved Krang to his brain status and exiled him. I think Shreeka would have been duped by Krang before all of the capture/trial/exile.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

He was exiled to Earth.

I never saw it as Krang being exiled to any specific planet, just exiled from his home-planet.

[pferreira]

Is Splinter Vanishes underrated? I'd go with that one.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Is Splinter Vanishes underrated? I'd go with that one.

No idea, but that episode rocks.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Is Splinter Vanishes underrated? I'd go with that one.

No idea, but that episode rocks.

Agreed, it was the first episode of the show I ever saw. Good times.

[CyberCubed]

Again, you guys are listing popular and well received episodes. These aren't "underrated" episodes. An underrated episode means an ep that's decent or good but people rarely talk about and seems forgotten.

The Ice Creature Cometh, now there is a great episode you rarely see people talk about. Excellent animation, one of Season 5's more enjoyable eps.

[Wesley]

Again, you guys are listing popular and well received episodes. These aren't "underrated" episodes. An underrated episode means an ep that's decent or good but people rarely talk about and seems forgotten.

The Ice Creature Cometh, now there is a great episode you rarely see people talk about. Excellent animation, one of Season 5's more enjoyable eps.

I dunno. All the episodes listed here are underrated to me. I agree about The Ice Creature Cometh, though. I was actually just about to post that episode. One of the most emotional episodes in the series with Bebop being shown to care about the ice creature.

I also think The Foot Soldiers Are Revolting is great. It was interesting to see Bebop and Rockteady work together with the Turtles albeit briefly.

[pferreira]

Again, you guys are listing popular and well received episodes. These aren't "underrated" episodes. An underrated episode means an ep that's decent or good but people rarely talk about and seems forgotten.Okay Cubed I give up. Please list all underrated episodes of the show so I can pick.

[CyberCubed]

Okay Cubed I give up. Please list all underrated episodes of the show so I can pick.

The Big Zipp Attack
Beyond the Donatello Nebula
Back to the Egg
Donatello Makes Time
What's Michaelangelo Good for?

Just to name a few.

[cammy85]

Polly Wanna Pizza!! No fighting in that one and yeah Ditto got annoying, but it did climax with a very tense situation.

The mad scientist episodes as well. Although they got repetitive, it showed that the Turtles could use their brains and other instincts to save the day. Donatello Makes Time is another good example of an episode I hated as a kid, but it grew on me after getting the DVDs.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

What's Michaelangelo Good for?

I've mostly seen positive comments for What's Michaelangelo Good for?.

[Prowler]

Again, you guys are listing popular and well received episodes. These aren't "underrated" episodes. An underrated episode means an ep that's decent or good but people rarely talk about and seems forgotten.

The Ice Creature Cometh, now there is a great episode you rarely see people talk about. Excellent animation, one of Season 5's more enjoyable eps.
I never really see anyone talking about The Maltese Hamster here. Even when people talk about mobsters in the OT they rarely mention that episode...

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I never really see anyone talking about The Maltese Hamster here. Even when people talk about mobsters in the OT they rarely mention that episode...

In recent years, most talking about the original series at this community seems to have been how the crossovers fit into the original storyline, with the Technodrome moving. Not so much about specific episodes.

[MikeandRaph87]

We can change that OriginalTMNTCartoonFan and Prowler! Why don't you gentlemen pick one out each and I will follow up a reply to the episode chosen?!

[pferreira]

The Big Zipp Attack
Beyond the Donatello Nebula
Back to the Egg
Donatello Makes Time
What's Michaelangelo Good for?

Just to name a few.Never had a problem with any of those episodes although they were fairly average ones.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

What's Michelangelo Good For is a great one. One of my faves, actually, and introduced us to Pigeon Pete. I kind of prefer him as just a pet, TBH.

[DarkFell]

What about the episodes that Usagi Yojimbo appeared in? Are those underrated or nah?

How about The Old Switcheroo episode?

[AquaParade]

Because "underrated" is such a hard thing to pin down, I'll take a slight liberty and mention the first season of Fred Wolf, relative to the rest of the series. One could argue, in comparison, season 1 is underrated.

To me, there is a discernible difference in quality between Season 1 and the rest of the series. A slightly edgier tone, smoother animation, and a strong, serialized plotline from beginning to end.
The classic intro to the cartoon seems to represent the tone of the first season and pair with it more fittingly than the more goofy, colorful, and slapstick episodes we got later on.


Don't let me exaggerate though. I wouldn't say the differences between Season one and the rest of the show are exactly "night and day". And I'm definitely not trying to argue that one portion of the show was intended for mature audiences, while the rest was "Just a children's cartoon. The goofy jokes and irreverence were there from the start.

For my personal tastes, I'd probably still go back and watch this series from time to time, had it continued in it's initial direction. Not that there is anything wrong, necessarily, with the path they took.

[MikeandRaph87]

Because "underrated" is such a hard thing to pin down, I'll take a slight liberty and mention the first season of Fred Wolf, relative to the rest of the series. One could argue, in comparison, season 1 is underrated.

To me, there is a discernible difference in quality between Season 1 and the rest of the series. A slightly edgier tone, smoother animation, and a strong, serialized plotline from beginning to end.
The classic intro to the cartoon seems to represent the tone of the first season and pair with it more fittingly than the more goofy, colorful, and slapstick episodes we got later on.


Don't let me exaggerate though. I wouldn't say the differences between Season one and the rest of the show are exactly "night and day". And I'm definitely not trying to argue that one portion of the show was intended for mature audiences, while the rest was "Just a children's cartoon. The goofy jokes and irreverence were there from the start.

For my personal tastes, I'd probably still go back and watch this series from time to time, had it continued in it's initial direction. Not that there is anything wrong, necessarily, with the path they took.

of those first five I would argue A Thing About Rats, episode 3 is underrated. Raphael threatens Baxter's life and Shredder attempts to have the foot soldiers kill the poor scientist. Michelangelo is the star as he volunteers himself to infiltrate the abandoned house, meets Krang, and will become the Turtle Van.The comedy of the Turtles first visit to April's apartment is as odd as Michelangelo's first surface trip in the 2012 because they watch a lot of television. It is a shame the mousers never showed up again especially being a secondary minion to bust in the video games.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

What about the episodes that Usagi Yojimbo appeared in? Are those underrated or nah?

How about The Old Switcheroo episode?

Those are among the better liked episodes so I wouldn't exactly call them underrated relative to the whole series, but on their own, they do get criticized for Usagi's portrayal and the body swap trope for example, so I can see why people think they aren't appreciated enough.

I thought the season 4 finale "Unidentified Flying Leonardo" was underrated. The setup was extremely goofy and there was no Shredder and Krang, but its nice to see the turtles out of their element every once in a while. I remember enjoying the episode alot on my first marathon for some reason and watched it again before moving onto season 5.

[CyberCubed]

The ep where Raph switches bodies with a random taxi driver is oddly hilarious.

[Prowler]

That episode with the wax figure guy was also pretty good. The Turtles had a lot of trouble beating him. Problem is, that episode had rather lousy animation. Safe goes for the Rondo episode. Lots of season 4 episodes has poor animation.

The first Howie episode is decent. It has a cool fight between Donatello and Shredder. That's the main reason I've watched that episode more than once.

[DarkFell]

Because "underrated" is such a hard thing to pin down, I'll take a slight liberty and mention the first season of Fred Wolf, relative to the rest of the series. One could argue, in comparison, season 1 is underrated.

To me, there is a discernible difference in quality between Season 1 and the rest of the series. A slightly edgier tone, smoother animation, and a strong, serialized plotline from beginning to end.
The classic intro to the cartoon seems to represent the tone of the first season and pair with it more fittingly than the more goofy, colorful, and slapstick episodes we got later on.

Don't let me exaggerate though. I wouldn't say the differences between Season one and the rest of the show are exactly "night and day". And I'm definitely not trying to argue that one portion of the show was intended for mature audiences, while the rest was "Just a children's cartoon. The goofy jokes and irreverence were there from the start.

I can agree with this. As much as I grew to like the later seasons of the OT, part of me still would have liked to see the elements within the First Season, transition onward towards the rest of the series. Maybe we would have seen the Turtles mature in attitude, but they still could have been just as enjoyable.

[ABrown]

I also thought Red Sky is very underrated in that so many people want nothing to do with those episodes, declaring that they're not a part of the 80s show.

I agree that the Red Sky era as a whole is completely underrated. I consider it to be when the show was at its best, but most people prefer the style from seasons 1-7.

[Coola Yagami]

That one episode where they were trying to steal power for the Technodrome.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

That one episode where they were trying to steal power for the Technodrome.

One? That happened in at least 20 episodes, if not more.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

One? That happened in at least 20 episodes, if not more.

That's the joke :tlol:

I always saw the Lotus Blossom episodes as underrated because alot of people don't like the character. The first episode was comedic gold in my opinion due to the stuff between Shredder and Krang, while the second had some decent character development for Lotus and improved her relationship with Leonardo from being just a love interest to a good friend.

[Wesley]

I always saw the Lotus Blossom episodes as underrated because alot of people don't like the character. The first episode was comedic gold in my opinion due to the stuff between Shredder and Krang, while the second had some decent character development for Lotus and improved her relationship with Leonardo from being just a love interest to a good friend.

I thought the Lotus Blossom episodes were great as well. Lotus was an interesting character, imo, one of the few morally ambigious characters in the show, at least in her first ep anyway. Didn’t think her eps were underrated, though.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I thought the Lotus Blossom episodes were great as well. Lotus was an interesting character, imo, one of the few morally ambigious characters in the show, at least in her first ep anyway. Didn’t think her eps were underrated, though.

Her first episode is good, but how the heck did Krang spending most time inside the Technodrome, first became aware of Lotus Blossom and first contacted her.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Her first episode is good, but how the heck did Krang spending most time inside the Technodrome, first became aware of Lotus Blossom and first contacted her.

Shredder probably told him of the stories he heard of the female ninja in Japan just like Splinter, and then Krang used that to track her down.

[Wesley]

Pirate Radio comes to mind as underrated too. Great comedy episode. Hilarious to see Shredder as a DJ.

[pferreira]

Peking Turtle seems to get short drift but I thought it was a pretty good one.

How about The Old Switcheroo episode?I think that's a pretty excellent episode and proves to naysayers (yes Neatoman, muhahaha!) that the show could be written great. If that's an underrated episode compared to a ridiculous episode like Cowabunga Shredhead being seen as a classic then I'm not sure if the fans know what makes a good episode to be honest.

[Wesley]

Agree with Peking Turtle. It was a fun episode, imo. It was at least nice to see April and Vernon starting to get on well with each other for a change, even though it was only in the second half of the episode.

[CyberCubed]

A lot of those early Season 4 eps get a bad rep because they're animated poorly, but the actual stories in them are pretty decent. Nothing special as they're all just sci-fi parodies mostly and slapstick, but a lot are fun to watch.

[pferreira]

A lot of those early Season 4 eps get a bad rep because they're animated poorly, but the actual stories in them are pretty decent. Nothing special as they're all just sci-fi parodies mostly and slapstick, but a lot are fun to watch.Agreed and a couple like the one I just mentioned is pretty worthy of attention even if as you say the animation for that episode wasn't very good.