Official Episode Discussion S2 #3 "Follow The Leader"
 

I figured I'd make this just because we don't have one yet.

What an episode! I loved everything about it. And it explained the "another trap" thing. Well, discuss away!

Just curious, is this allowed?

Not sure, but I guess I saved Machi some time by doing it myself.

Well then 3 things.

1.) I hope she doesn't mind.

2.) For the sake of clarity, you might want to add season 2 I the title.

3.) Another solid episode as to be expected. Loved the refrences to the movies. 8.5/10. I do however, have three nitpicks about it.

- Why did the turtles carve "Lam-e-ardo" on Leo's sword? That seemed a bit mean-spirited.

- How did Leo's sword magically repair itself after it had been shattered by the foot robots?

- Why did it never occur to any of the turtles to use water on the robots?

-I guess it they wee just joking around
-No answer for that one
-No water in the area?

If someone designed robots ninjas that would succumb to water they'd deserve a shuriken in the eye.

Splinter told Leo so it's now a secret between the two. Should be interesting to see how the others find out.

I loved the little dig at how trenchcoats on a turtle is actually a useless disguise lol. The robotic foot are still around and look to be an even more serious threat. Can't wait to see how the boys manage to deal with them from now on.

I loved this episode as well. Yep it definitely does explain the "another trap" thing from Squirrelanoids. So will Leo and Splinter keep the Karai thing between themselves or will they tell the other three turtles directly? I really wasn't expecting Splinter to reveal the truth so early in the season but I liked that he trusted Leo enough to tell him.

I had a question about the mutagen canister. Well someone else posed it earlier in another thread. Don said they now had 1 and a half. Is he referring to the half he nabbed in Mutation Situation? I've only seen that one twice and it's been a pretty busy couple weeks for me but I think I remember him grabbing half a canister after the first skirmish with Kirby. Do I have that right?

Loved the robotic foot and can't wait to see more battles. Wondering when we're going to see Stockman again. Someone pointed out that he's running his own business via billboard in another thread. I totally missed that so thanks, whoever you are.

That comment Shredder made about punishing his daughter for disobedience gave me chills. I can't help but wonder what that punishment consists of. Flashing back to that scene of him beating the mess out of Dogpound and wondering if he'd do the same to a kid. I'd say that's a safe bet. Don't much like thinking about that as I detest abusive family relationships. But yeah an all around great episode. Great to see Karai getting some solo time and looking forward to seeing more of how she handles things with Shredder away for a while.

holy crap that ending!! *_* did not expect them to figure out SO SOON!

and Raph XD what is he Snow White!?

Fun episode! It was cool seeing the foot soldiers get beat up like Kraangdroids. I also noticed the Stockman billboard with a mouser in the background... I'm curious how he was able to pull that off with Shredder. Also, it looks like we now know the source of Tang Shen's trading card art... Karai's torn picture! I wonder how Leo's going to adapt to the news...

Yeah if Shredder finds out she disobeyed him by engaging the turtles he's gonna be rip ****. He definitely isn't one for empty threats. She's definitely gonna need to come up with something (or someone ) to get him to let that slide.

The Shredder is so psychotic that it makes me even more curious as to what he was like when he and Splinter were best friends. He obviously had good qualities considering how close he and Splinter were but he also obviously had a reputation considering people called him The Shredder. Hell, it could be the opposite. Maybe Shredder was good and became bad and Splinter was the bad boy who turned good. Splinter and Shredder are definitely changed men now because of their past. Battle hardened but to two different extremes. I definitely would like a flashback episode to fill in the blanks.

IGN review up quick. 8.3 / 10

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/...-leader-review

I'm quite mixed about the episode. I really liked the conflict between Karai and Leo, but at the same time, I hated the ending. Master Splinter could of waited sooner if he wanted to tell Leo the truth.

Leo will probably feel so awkward about all the flirting now.

So far, this has been the best episode of S2. Just great all around.

"That trackers about as useless as a turtle in a trenchcoat!" :lol:

I'm surprised Splinter told Leo the truth...wasn't expecting it. Also, it was nice to see Raph comforting Donnie about April at the beginning. And Raph is obsessed with pigeons :lol: The Footbots were cool, I just wish they looked a little different to mix things up. Considering the turtles couldn't even defeat them, I assume they'll be back soon enough. They didn't even use all those crazy weapons we saw in the production art!

The only bad thing about the episode's ending is another example of the whole 'plot amnesia' the show suffers from. You don't go from Karai is my daughter to let's chase mutant squirrels. You just don't.

well technically they didn't XD

and it was just a halloween special :D specials sometimes have nothing to do with the overall plot :3

Lol, well they can't just throw it all out there in the beginning of the season. This brings up an even more interesting dynamic. Now it's implied that Leo, who is struggling to get his brothers to trust him and his judgment and leadership, is now withholding information from them.

Also I really find it fitting that Raph is so in tune with animals with him being a bit wild himself lol.

but really! when did he have the time to train those birds! Mikey and Donnie are like "what the heck-!?" the whole time :lol:

Wow, what a shocking ending. Did not expect Splinter to reveal the secret so soon, Leo's going to have a heck of a hard time keeping this from the guys. I like how close Leo / Splinter are that they can share these things, could hurt his reputation as a leader though once the others find out. The episode is my favorite of the season so far, wonder how Leo will react around Karai now though? Will he try to save her now even more? I can already see how the others will find out, hey'll probably spill the beans while trying to sway Karai over, Donnie will likely be the first of the three to find out, he will put two and two together. Leo V.S Karai will continue the season I bet but for Leo it will be hard knowing this information and Karai trying to kill him left and right :lol:

Loved the Leo V.S Karai bits, those are always my favorite fights in the series. Enjoyed the episode a lot, though wish the others didn't write nasty comments on Leo's sword, hope he gets back at them for that 8)

Has anyone noticed that this forum has been sorta dead lately?

Man. I have to watch this episode soon. I can't believe I missed it. It sounds epic!:tgrin:

Just one question: do we see the turtles carve "Lam-e-nardo" on his sword, or does he pick it up and notice it? That does sound a little bit mean.

I thought overall, it was a good episode. But how the heck did Raph managed to summon all those pigeons??? :o

It's the latter. We don't see the turtles actually carving it on the sword.

I'm definitely watching it when I get the chance. Anyways, why would the writers put that part in? Do they really think he's lame? Is there some joke to this that I'm not getting?

I guess this one is the official topic, so yeah, here are my thoughts on the episode. Honestly the Foot should have been this awesome since day one.

http://markandpaigerodriguez.blogspo...ow-leader.html

3 things I notice from here from older shows/movies.

Mikey says Go ninja Go Ninja Go. Yep Turtles II, with Ice rapping the song lol.

Turtles in tenchcoats? Well the old toon Turtles walk around them all the time.

And of couse the robot foot. Yep again from the old Cartoon, Love it.

well they are brothers...and it's sometimes a little harder to earn respect from someone that knows everything about you (including your flaws)

but yea...it was a little mean :( at least Mikey tried to cheer him up by giving him his comic book.

Wow. What an episode! It's definitely my favorite of the season so far, but that's probably because I'm a huge Leo fan, so I'm biased. Anyway, there was a lot of good stuff here. Loved the Turtles questioning Leo's leadership and how they don't want to follow him. Leo then doubts himself, but Splinter tells him to believe in himself or his brothers won't believe in him. Loved the Leo vs. Karai bits and even the part where she made the comment about selling him to scientists. Yeah, the whole Lame-O-Nardo thing was pretty cruel, but it fit with what the Turtles were frustrated about, and I don't think the writers have anything against Leo. Remember, Raph called him that once before, so it was just brothers being brothers. Also loved Raph and the pigeon gag again. That was just awesome as well as Mikey's, "Go ninja, go ninja, go!" I didn't expect Splinter to tell Leo the truth, but now that it's out, I hope Leo and Splinter will tell the others. Loved the bonding between Leo and Splinter, too. Oh, and I loved the return of bada** Leo when he told Karai off. That was just great.

Fave quotes:

Raph: That scanner is as useless as a turtle in a trenchcoat.

Mikey: 'Ello, Guvnor. Do you like my manacol?
Don: It's monocle.
Mikey: Whatever.

Splinter: A true leader doesn't always pose his will onto others and lets his team flourish. Grow.
Leo: So I shouldn't be the one leading the team?
Splinter: My son, how can your brothers believe in you if you do not believe in yourself?

Karai: You know, I could make a lot of money if I sold you to a scientist in a lab. Could you imagine the headline? "Talking Ninja Turtle Found In Sewer." I could be rich.
Leo: Yeah. Sweet. I'm captured and now totally humiliated. Awesome day, Leo, awesome day.

Mikey: Go ninja, go ninja, go!

Leo: Shredder is lying to you. Your grudge is with me. Stay away from my brothers and my sensei. Understood? Believe me, Karai.

Leo: I'm not mad. I just wish that you guys would listen to my orders.
Raph: Sorry I can't play my violin while I'm driving.
Leo: What's your problem, Raph? Still jealous that you're not leading the team?

Raph: It's good to have you back, Leo. I mean it, brother.
Leo: Thanks, Raph.
*They fist bump*

Raph: We can do this one of two ways, sweetheart. You can let us go, or walk away from all of this in a sandwich bag.

And that's all I can think of. See you next week, guys.

I really liked this episode, it was jam packed with action. My only issue is... well, is it just me or has this season been lacking in the humor department a bit? Seems like there are a lot less jokes.

This episode was amazing!! By far my favorite of season 2 so far. I wasn't expecting Splinter to tell Leo about Karai so soon. Raphael is adorable. The end just got me....so sudden and such a cliffy!! ARGH!

It was amazing episode. Now i am going to Japan to find more foot ninjas!! And soon i will destroy the turtles once and for all!! AHAHAHHAHAHAHHHAAA

Finally! :tparty: An episode that actually "stirs the pot" and adds complexity to the series again rather than the "mutant of the week" episode. :):lol: This episode was richly satisfying by advancing the characters and their multiple relationships: Karai/Shredder, Leo/Karai, Leo/his brothers/Raph, and Leo/Splinter all in one episode!

First, I'm glad that Mikey wasn't dumb this time and that all of his jokes were either witty or playfully sarcastic rather than the loud and random humor we were being given previously.

The theme about reshaping leadership and to improve its direction was done well in this episode when Leonardo had to mentally debate and balance over giving orders versus encouraging individualistic fighting patterns all within the context of Splinter's advice and the real world of fighting (the Foot Soldier robots), while involving Leonardo and his brothers. The writing was done very well here.

One thing that caught me by surprise, was Splinter revealing to Leonardo about Karai being his daughter so soon. I would have thought this revelation to the Turtles (or at least to Leonardo) would have occurred at the earliest, midway into the season, but I guess not. Has this revelation occurred too soon, or are there a lot more developments in the future that are make the timing of this revelation just right? We'll see...;)

This episode is a small responsive sign of my hopeful wishful thinking for the potential I saw midway in the show's first season, and if it can continue in this direction it can slowly charm me back into being interested in the series again, especially now that the whole April/Don relationship has been put on the backburner, and there were not any new mutants in this episode. But... as we've heard... there are many more mutants that are going to show up. :ohwell:

I understand that the Nick series has to have action figures to sell and can't have these highly developing episodes every week, but if they at least inserted 3-4 minutes full of moving the series along in each episode, at least my interest would be more balanced with each subsequent episode rather than it being a polarizing experience (character development/advancement episodes vs. mutant of the week episodes).

Anyways though, this episode stands out very well. Maybe even more so than the Season 1 finale because here we knew more about the characters in this one episode (which is more satisfying and what I have been insisting on) rather than a huge, visual fighting spectacular in the Season 1 finale. C'mon Nick writers... don't disappoint us by giving us these infrequent, expectation-rising episodes, and then pulling the rug from under us in airing the many "mutant of the week" episodes or overdone conversations revolving around shipping (i.e. April/Don). :tgrumble::P

It's not "carved" it's more like condensation writing, like writing on the mirror or shower stall door after taking a shower.

One thing I'd like to add, really loved the music during the Leo V.S Karai fight. Over all, the fight was my favorite out of all the Leo V.S Karai fights so far, every thing was wonderfully done, hope we get more of these in the up coming episodes.

Though, what's weird is why wouldn't the turtles follow Leo's orders? He sacrificed his life to save them twice in the season one final, what's a guy gotta do to get a little respect here?

I think it was more or less the brothers were aggravated that Leo was criticizing their unorthodox methods of fighting/accomplishment, and assumed that Leo "didn't know what he was talking about" when they confronted him that achieving the goal (to get to the dragon gate) was more important than the method itself (direct ninjitsu fighting).

I thought you were looking for Tiger Claw.

They didn't have to be so harsh like that though :(

Well teens will be teens... right? :lol: It's easier for us to say that from a third person objective standpoint, but from a first person subjective standpoint you have to incorporate the emotions. Maybe its difficult for these three brothers to discern between "being bossy" versus receiving strict guidance/orders from Leo, ya know? ;)

I laughed harder at Go Ninja Go Ninja go than most jokes from the last few eps.

I know what you mean. I absolutely loved the track that played when the Turtles had their rematch with the robot foot soldiers, the orchestral version of the shows theme song. I remember part two of "Rise of the Turtles" had a similar song during the fight with Snakeweed, and I think they played a slower and lower key version when Donnie tried calming Timothy down in "Pulverizer Returns", then had the song kick into a faster tempo during the escape scene.
The stuff gives me chills. Hope to find the tracks someday.

They've all done heroic and noble things, but they still tease and make fun of each other. Their siblings, sometimes they go to far without knowing it, but they still have each others back.
Raph blamed himself for Leo getting captured, and remember what he said to the others? That they were going to save them, but the way Leo wants them to. Now that's showing respect for his leader and brother.


Another great episode from season 2. Can't wait to see Mutagen Man's official debut!

I guess the tones changing, I think I've laughed about 5 times in S2.

I hope this doesn't mean the Foot will always be robots from now on. I want to see more of the human foot.0