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It is so good to review an episode again. A 111 day wait is unacceptable.
Anyhow, I give this a B (4 out of 5)
The second half of this season wastes no time jumping into what lies ahead for New York now that the space travels are over (though not exactly concluded; note Sal, Mona, Dregg, Newtralizer, even Bishop during the opening titles). After a very quick and artful opening--mostly because of the Japanese dialogue--we jump right into the war that Karai is planning. As a matter of fact, this episode sets up Karai--not April--as the more interesting character not only in this episode (despite April's final heroics) but perhaps the most key character to this season, setting up a lot of potential. But more on that soon.
To get the most obvious out of the way, a lot is attempted in establishing April's attempts at living up to her new title as well as the capabilities and demeanor of Shinigami in addition to Karai's first stage of weakening what's left of Shredder's hold on the city. So much is attempted in fact that small but significant matters such as heartfelt reunions and dynamics are whisked over.
Now that that's out of the way, let's take a look at Karai, whose actions in trying to take over the Foot make a lot of sense (despite the hesitation from those she loves). Saki felt that the Hamato clan lied to and stole him from his rightful heritage all those years ago so he hurt them back. Years later, he does the same with Karai and she yearns to inflict upon him those same consequences. The child turning on her parents (in most cases the father) is a tale told time and time again and though Karai is in fact Yoshi's daughter, he wisely points out that she is most connected to Saki.
Yoshi and the turtles however act as the pieces of a melodramatic farrago towards Karai's ambitions. All credit to them for wishing for Karai's wellbeing but she also has a point. Her search for renewal within the Foot Clan goes beyond palliatives and more towards a cure for both the city and those she loves. After all, with her in charge, hostilities towards her family could cease, she would help to ensure her real father's wellbeing, perhaps even find a way to control the crime level in the city. Additionally, she has shown that this is not a straightforward, hasty assassination attempt but a meticulously thought out step by step process. She's even bringing allies into her circle since she has the wisdom from experience that she can't do this alone.
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