Do you think that the show has gotten less serious?
 

In my opinion, I think that the show has gotten less serious.

In season one, there was a generally dark tone. April's father got kidnapped and brainwashed. There were some dark mutations, which includes Snake's, Rat King's and Timothy's. In addition, Splinter was taken more seriously than he is now. Even though there were some silly episodes, the season as whole was dark.

In succeeding seasons,however, the tone is lighter. Now, this could be because of the changes made to the writing staff. However, it wasn't until recently that it began to bother me.

For example, Splinter was taken more seriously in season one. He constantly looked back on his past, and he tried to make sure that his sons never follow the same path that he once took. However, as time went on, he began to show stereotypical traits that challenged his once prominent humanity. He is shown using a cheese phone, eating a cheesicle, and running on a hamster wheel. These actions contradict what his character was first shown as. I am sure the writers used these as cheap gags, but it felt off, at least to me.

That is just one of the many examples of the lighter tone the show is taking. It's frustrating.

What are your thoughts? Discuss below.

Karai kidnapped/brainwashed/mutated, Mondo got stomped, Muckman torn apart, Splinter gutted, earth destroyed. It's still dark as hell. Just has some more jokes.

How was Creepweed not dark? April's mutated mom? I mean, c'mon. Freaky as sh*t.

That may be so. However, they all had less of an impact on the tone. Those plotlines/stories were created in order to either further an already unnecessary plotline, or get an immediate shock reaction from the audience.

I think the darkest season was 2, but I agree that 3 was way too light, especially coming off of 2. I don't really like the show as much as I used to.

Turtle's in space is an essential part of TMNT lore , they've done it multiple times since Mirage.

I would say the show has not gotten less serious; it's gotten less directed and more random. More goofy-sh!t-of-the-week.

I'm kinda liking the goofy **** of the week as I like how the characters are represented in this show, I also like how the characters won't be abandoned as Mona and Armaggon are confirmed to return.

However, those versions of the arc have characters that are taken more seriously.

During this season of TMNT, there were two filler episodes BEFORE the turtles found the the first piece of the black hole generator. This not only lessens the tension, but also allows more filler.

I think that is why the current "arc" is going to last thirteen episodes.

Them being in space allows for more adventures in space and it allows them to bring in more characters from TMNT lore. And most of the characters shown in season 4 so far will return again so it's not like the filler episodes are completely unnecessary.

The show has enough characters that deserve the spotlight. In fact, most of the show's previous characters are often unused and abandoned. When you reuse so many previous characters from the lore, even though you already have established characters, it consumes time that can be used for world building and character development. So why do we need more characters?

They're gonna do the show the way they want to. You'll either like it or you won't.

I can still express my grievances, Powder. That is what this thread is mostly about. Hell, we even have an entire thread dedicated to criticism. What makes this thread different?

Oh man, here we go. :ohwell:

To judge an episode on the series, I go by season to see if the quality between the episodes is continuous or deteriorating then go by comparisons. For where it stands, it's honestly like the Teen Titans, ranging from wacky and over the top of adventures to tragic tells as inconsistent writing. While season 1 and 2 retained that balance, the fault at hand is the aftermath of particular episodes from each season.

It most certainly started in the first season and persisted throughout the show; putting aside flanderization of characters with the inconsistent stories and development, it's an occurrence often. For example season 1 showed off the TCRI raid of figuring out the Kraang's plot and later April being the prime target; come the next episode, we're dealing with a massive cockroach pet for Raph to fight. Season 2 did something similar with the Manhattan Project with all the suspense and intriguing ideas, only to go for filler with Malachi. With season 3, there's several examples even if each contributed a small amount to the overarching plot; even then some of the filler wasn't addressed until the Triceraton invasion.

As of right now, judging season 4 as a whole right now is a pretty harsh judgement, but it is quirky in what it's doing for space adventures. Needless to say, the show's been like this since the very beginning not just suddenly occurring on the current judgement call. While some episodes do retain proper continuity such as The Deadly Venom in season 3, the mutation spill from 2, etc., the evidence can be traced from the very beginning.

So, it's practically a subjective perspective; as it stands the near end of a season builds up the seriousness alongside parts of mid or early season. However, kinda depends on how you think it. It's inconsistent writing with taking certain steps back for plot sakes, otherwise yes it can suffer severe mood whiplash.

Edit: I said it before PK, and I'm going to state this again for you. Repetitious watching supports the evidence of you still watching the show, even though you want to see how it ends. This thread is extremely ill required and can be taken to the criticism thread where it should be.

It just seems like all you ever do is try to find flaw with the show. I don't think I've ever once seen you say you liked something or create a discussion that was of a more positive nature. I have to wonder why you'd continue watching the show or analyzing it if you think it's done so poorly. You totally do have a right to your opinions & stuff, but there comes a point where it just seems like a smear campaign.

I want the show to get better. I want the writers recognize its flaws, and try to repair its storytelling. I also want it too tie in some loose threads before it ends.

I am sorry if I am criticizing the show to much. I just get tired of seeing the same plotlines over and over again. It is frustrating and redundant.

Here's an idea, turn and face the left to this area right here:

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=50181

Seriously, at least when I offer an opinion on these episodes, I offer my thoughts both positive and anything off putting. PK, it's getting extremely redundant if you're going to make these threads often; if you have a problem formulate why you have problems in the link I provided.

I thought that this particular topic needed its own thread. Thus, I created this thread.

You don't have to read my topics and respond, GoldMutant. If it's bothering you that much, you are free to ignore them from now on.

By the way, I have expressed some positives about the show. I just have more negatives than positives.

I am sorry if I am being rude.

We're 4 seasons in, they've clearly got their formula down. If it's yet to meet your expectations, it's never going to. What you see as flaws, they clearly do not, & neither does the bulk of their fan-base, obviously. I'm sure they don't want loose ends more than fans do, but sometimes their hands are tied & they have to do "filler" for toy sales in place of character arc advancement, that's a fact. You have to accept that the show is how it is. They're not going to change it for you.

If you're tired of seeing the same thing over & over, stop watching. You know what else is frustrating & redundant? The content in this thread.

You're right. Thank you, Powder.

While I'm hardcore into the Nick series, I do feel similarly about the Bay-helmed live-action films. But after raging against the machine for a while I had to just accept that it's not made for me, my opinions don't matter, & that life goes on. There will always be other versions that do suit my tastes. No use getting all up in arms about something you have no power over. It's better to invest your emotions in other stuff, good or bad. Granted, I can't help but react to certain things I see, & that's fine, but I'm not gonna grind the stump & ask why when I know the above. I'm not trying to be a dick to you & my replies aren't meant to be personal attacks/judgement, just tryna spare us both some frustration.