Finally watched it...
 

Just came back from a trip in Pennsylvania and thought I'd miss it, glad I was wrong. Time to share my thoughts as well, it's assessment time:

Clash of the Mutanimals felt disappointing to many due to the hype on the forums about adapting the Dark Leonardo/Cityfall storyline from the IDW comics, but an okay episode to transition to the Shredder story of season 3. That I understand and I agree it should have lasted longer, at least 3 extra episodes like the Karai-Splinter-Shredder story in the near end of Season 2 beginning with The Wrath of Tiger Claw and ending with Vengeance is Mine. There is so much hidden potential in these stories that have yet to be explored, whether it be origins or characters. Though it'll contribute to the Yoshi-Foot Clan conflict, it needs a strong climax or this could be one of the weakest stories of the show. So, for likes and dislikes:

As everyone has mentioned, the fights were fantastic and the funny moment with Baxter Stockman and Pigeon Pete did make me laugh. I also liked Slash's growth as a kind-hearted individual but still also a badass when fighting. Michelangelo breaking the fourth wall, the banter between Donatello and Rockwell were hilarious as well, as were the moments with "Mikeyhead" and Leo and Raph being still as touching. Now, for cons:

The problem to me came from the plotholes when Slash and Rockwell were controlled on why the lair wasn't revealed as well as Raphael suffering again. I counted the mind control time, Raph was controlled for only 7 minutes in total. Even with a shell of a great action sequence at the end of this action packed episode, it still has wasted story potential at this current time (could change in the future, I know).

Speaking of which, I've already mentioned the suffering of Raphael has suffered since the middle to end of season 2 before. Losing his personal rivalries, growing in power like his brothers, and rarely going past the anger trait have damaged the potential he's had. It pains me to say it too, but Raph was completely unlikable and out of character in this episode. This isn't season 1 anymore, the anger trait has rarely been utilized since The Good, the Bad, and Casey Jones and that was early season 2. Why make him angry without a purpose? Although I'd have no problem with Leo saving the day (even if Mikey is also a great choice too), it was a disappointing climax to the mind control. Emotion I can buy as the saving grace, but it was so poorly executed to make Raph "big, bad, and angry."

As for the arguing, I am tired of it, but I agree and disagree. Yes, this should have been the focal point for the season outside the demise of the Kraang, hopefully giving us more character moments for development. (The thing I want at this point.) Even if this is a set up for the controlling of Karai, it makes me wonder what'll transpire next.

Overall, I find it an okay episode, it's on the good range of this season for me thus far, but not by much. Clash of the Mutanimals was fun, but hoping for something excellent in the future. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Oh yeah, I also loved how Leo used a trident to fight Raph. Different weaponsssss!!!

With the issue that some people think that, Raph anger was forced and he was angry for no reason.

Raphs anger didn't feel forced to me, it felt like he was just frustrated because they hadn't done anything to Shredder in a few weeks so he was becoming impatient, which is why he became so angry because he wants to stop Shredder.

Yeah, those were pretty much the only parts I enjoyed. There weren't really any decent one-liners or jokes this time around which was disappointing.

Raph runs in without a plan.
Leo: Raph, you're being dangerous and impulsive!
same episode, Leo runs in without a plan.
Leo: troll-lol-lol!

And people are going off on Raph's anger issues again, but it's more his issues about being controlled. If not for the show's rating, Leo probably would have flat-out told Raph that he probably liked being Shredder's b**ch. And if Leo's experienced anything, it's Raph's problem with authority.

I think I like this solution more than your standard brotherly-love-conquers-all one, lame though it was for being too easy. Leo struck a nerve there.

I'm still kind of miffed that Dark Raph wasn't a full arc, but given what I've been told now about production number vs airing number and the necessity for self-contained episodes, I can see why they didn't do an arc.

Guys, it's not that the writers can't write a decent arc; it's that they aren't allowed to, because no one wants to give a **** about proper running order. They have to keep the episodes as self-contained as possible.

But the problem that they center in on Raph's angry issue again. It's a similar and maybe even a worse problem for Mikey since most his episodes are nearly nothing but "You guys don't believe and respect me."

It's nearly three seasons, they don't have any idea of getting past the surface of being the angry guy of the group?

At the very least they didn't make Raph do something stupid like going off his on alone to take on the shredder that lead to him getting capture.:ohwell:

Raph was always going to the angry guy of the group just like his other incarnations (except OT Raph) but does have some control over it.

His anger issue had nothing to do with this episode, his anger didn't get him captured or do any thing stupid. It was just that he was in the wrong place when he tried to stop Slash that got him captured. It could of happened to any of the turtles.

This episode was about Shredder wanting to test the mind control to see if it was succesful before he uses it on Karai but it wasn't because the worms didn't control there emotional side properly because Raph, Slash and Rockwell took the insults too personally and too quicky, which brought them back to normal. So Baxter will go back to his lab to make it stronger so it doesn't happen again.

The mind control is part of the arc and it will keep going till the season final. So I expect that there could be another Dark Turtle (or Raph again) later.

Okay, so I watched the episode. Not bad, not great. I prefer Age of Ultron over this, and that at least, had more going on.

I did enjoy it, mostly because of the fight scenes, Baxter and Pete slapping each other, and Raph hugging Leo. Now that was touching.:tlove:

But honestly, I knew it wasn't going to be a long story arc. Was I a little disappointed? Yes, but not only because how short the Dark Raph story was, but because the dialogue is becoming a little more stilted. Not every line sounds natural anymore, and it's driving me up a wall.

Also, for some of you Raph fans: I think you guys are misinterpreting the writers' intentions. I don't think they're bashing Raph. In fact, I think they're just trying to make Raph appealing to young children, because they don't always want him to be the star all the time. I understand what you want in this Raph, but you might just have to wait for a few episodes for something that really develops him. Or, if that goes nowhere, give a few years, and there will be something to satisfy you.

I know. I said at least they didn't make Raph do something stupid.

Yeah I know but I was talking about what you said here.

As I said Raph did not have an anger issue in this episode, yes he does have angry moments but he is supposed to be the angry turtle.

Okay filler episode, glad to see the Mutanimals back. Also, no Casey (good) and no April (:( )

It's not a filler episode, it's part of the mind control arc, which started in Casey Jones vs The Underground.

But wasn't just a moment. It was a issue that was said outright by Leo, join in by Mikey, as a reason why they can't go after Shredder.

What's more that this episode needed Raph outburst or else Leo wouldn't have able to figure out of how to break the mind control.

It's not as bad as a character do something stupid for sake of the plot but makes the actions of the character feels force and executed in a clumsy manner.

It would be like Raph suddenly kiss April. Why would Raph kiss April? Who cares, he has to kiss April or else Casey won't get mad and we won't have a conflict for today episode.

Well nothing really big happened to the main storyline

Did you even watch the episode. It was the main storyline.

Shredder was testing out the mind control serum but it turned out to be weak, so Stockman has to figure out to make it more powerful as it will be used in The Deadly Venom because Karai will be brainwashed in that episode.

Casey vs The Underworld - The mind control arc starts in this episode
The Noxious Avenger - Bebop and Rocksteady are collecting ingrediants for the Mind Serum
Clash of The Mutanimals - Shredder tests the mind control on Slash, Rockwell and Raph but it was too weak.
Enter Mondo Gecko - Don't know yet
The Deadly Venom - I assume the Serum is successful because it is going to be used on Karai.

So we're not 1 step further, we only know the serum is weak now.

Yeah at the moment but it will change because it will be used on Karai in the episode The Deadly Venom.

I liked the Star Trek 2 Wrath of Kahn thing with the mind control worms. Also resistance is futile was funny too.

I don't think I'm misunderstanding at all. Based on what they put out, Raph is clearly not their favorite character to work with which is fine but since they're supposed to be professional writers, they should never let on that he's not their favorite. I don't know why they can't strike a happy medium because as it stands, the writers are very one sided. Does anyone at all understand what I'm saying?

Raph is very rarely the star of this show and since he doesn't really have time to shine, how does that even make him appealing to kids? You would think if they want to make him more appealing, they would have him do more and see him more so that kids could latch onto him.

We really shouldn't have to wait and wait and wait when they have no problem developing Donnie, Leo and April in just about every episode.

I'm tired of fighting. I really am. I just wish someone could see my side to this.

I'm actually not surprised by this turn of events as these episodes do follow a cerebus roller coaster. So this is likely more one of the middle episodes that occasionally through you for a loop and offer one thing and deliver the opposite.

Kind of like expecting a meal and coming away with popcorn.