Official episode discussion: Rise of the Turtles, Part 1 and 2

[Warrior]

I really do love the new show from these episodes--high expectations for this one. I have to admit I was kind of worried because I haven't been loving a lot of shows Nick has put out lately, but I think that this'll appeal to kids and fans alike as it progresses.

Though I have to say my (odder than usual) little siblings found Spike a little creepy. As they put it, "All turtles are equal, but the mutated ones are superior!" Yes, they're technically not of the same species anymore, but in spirit, uh . . .

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Tomoshibi Amatsu

That kinda sounds like "this forbidden love is alright and acceptable, but this one totally isn't" to me.

Not really. Don has a teenage crush and it's being portrayed that way. Goliath and Elisa had a much deeper, adult relationship that developed slowly over time. It was extremely well done. There was never any "OMG they shouldn't be doing that", it felt natural and right. When I was a kid I never even thought how progressive or risk taking Greg/Disney were being, I was just happy they were together as that was right for the characters, the objection that they were different species never entered my mind.

I don't think anyone expects anything to come from Don's crush, but if they do want to progress it from a crush to a deeper relationship then the Goliath and Elisa model is the gold standard to work from. If they can do even half as well then it would be a success.

[CyberCubed]

Did anyone notice that we haven't been told how the Turtles got their names in this series yet? The flashback tale totally overlooked the part where Splinter names them after renaissance painters.

[TurtleTitan97]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Did anyone notice that we haven't been told how the Turtles got their names in this series yet? The flashback tale totally overlooked the part where Splinter names them after renaissance painters.

Maybe when April appears again and meets Splinter he'll tell her.

[blackaerin]

Originally Posted by Warrior

As they put it, "All turtles are equal, but the mutated ones are superior!" Yes, they're technically not of the same species anymore, but in spirit, uh . . .

Not really on topic, but I see someone's been reading Animal Farm recently.

[Zany Orange Dude]

Originally Posted by TurtleTitan97

Maybe when April appears again and meets Splinter he'll tell her.

I can see that happening.

[RskimB]

Originally Posted by VaughnMichael

The Kraang are odd and remind me of Mojo Jojo from the Power Puff Girls with their way of speaking.

glad someone else noticed.

i thought the first ep was solid.
i really like the turtles designs. the humans are eh, a bit exaggerated.
i liked the humor but hope Mikey isnt always so spastic.
i wish the Don and April thing could have been eased into at least.
loved Carlos Chiang O'Brien Gambe!
i'm hoping we really get to see just how much training the turtles still have ahead of them.
not really a fan of the turtles being able to jump 8ft and such

[btomegr]

Just got done watching and I'm on the edge of my seat. I really like Raph in this series. I'm really gonna enjoy watching these as they come out.

[Avatar Yuffie]

Originally Posted by Tomoshibi Amatsu

That kinda sounds like "this forbidden love is alright and acceptable, but this one totally isn't" to me.

I personally don't think Don/April is getting anywhere because of Casey (but fortunately having him as an older teen it most likely won't be overplayed as much). But hey, if it helps them both to develop as characters, go for it.

And really it's not weird. Have you guys seen Adventure Time where a human boy has feelings for a humanoid bubblegum princess and then a girl made of fire? As long as it's done well, it won't be a problem

[sykosis]

Originally Posted by The Big Bad

Funny: I would have thought getting kidnapped, discovering the existence of both teenage mutant ninja turtles and alien robots with brains, losing her father, and being forced to move in with her aunt counted as "something". Unless all that happens in every episode, it's a pretty safe bet that the events of "Rise of the Turtles" will form one of the most important parts of her story*. And yet, she is treated as a bystander--we're told almost nothing about about how she feels and thinks about these life-changing things, and the one character whom we're told is super-important to her and whose kidnapping we're supposed to feel sad about is one she barely interacts with. Even if one doesn't think it's important that fiction not be sexist, this is not good writing.

In other words, no.
----"

* More so, arguably, than they are for the turtles themselves, since Mikey's "mom" comment aside, the turtles seemed oddly uninterested in the Kraang's connection to their own origin.

To assume so much after a pilot episode that was meant to introduce a new generation to the TMNT must keep you up at night. Everyone's a critic, but sometimes you just need to take it for what is a 46-minute pilot cartoon show. Exclusion doesn't always mean laziness, it could have been to introduce a sense of mystery. What did they want with April's father. And if you care about April you're going to care about her dad, because its her dad. I think you expected too many answers at once and it sucked the fun out of your experience. As for what you said about them not caring about the relation between the Kraang and their origin, I recall them mentionining that in the episode. You ripped the episode to shreds but as someone who is 26 years old, a fan since the 80s cartoon and a fan of the TMNT I don't think I could take any more of your reviews with a grain a salt because they are like something a bitter angry critic would write: "its not how I would make it", but you didn't make it, so attempt to enjoy it.

[marcelangelo]

Originally Posted by sykosis

To assume so much after a pilot episode that was meant to introduce a new generation to the TMNT must keep you up at night. Everyone's a critic, but sometimes you just need to take it for what is a 46-minute pilot cartoon show. Exclusion doesn't always mean laziness, it could have been to introduce a sense of mystery. What did they want with April's father. And if you care about April you're going to care about her dad, because its her dad. I think you expected too many answers at once and it sucked the fun out of your experience. As for what you said about them not caring about the relation between the Kraang and their origin, I recall them mentionining that in the episode. You ripped the episode to shreds but as someone who is 26 years old, a fan since the 80s cartoon and a fan of the TMNT I don't think I could take any more of your reviews with a grain a salt because they are like something a bitter angry critic would write: "its not how I would make it", but you didn't make it, so attempt to enjoy it.

wow, that was clear and well written I have to say..it even reflects my own notions dude!...

[Zany Orange Dude]

Originally Posted by sykosis

To assume so much after a pilot episode that was meant to introduce a new generation to the TMNT must keep you up at night. Everyone's a critic, but sometimes you just need to take it for what is a 46-minute pilot cartoon show. Exclusion doesn't always mean laziness, it could have been to introduce a sense of mystery. What did they want with April's father. And if you care about April you're going to care about her dad, because its her dad. I think you expected too many answers at once and it sucked the fun out of your experience. As for what you said about them not caring about the relation between the Kraang and their origin, I recall them mentionining that in the episode. You ripped the episode to shreds but as someone who is 26 years old, a fan since the 80s cartoon and a fan of the TMNT I don't think I could take any more of your reviews with a grain a salt because they are like something a bitter angry critic would write: "its not how I would make it", but you didn't make it, so attempt to enjoy it.

Well said!

[BubblyShell22]

I third that. Well said.

[TurtleTitan97]

Originally Posted by sykosis

To assume so much after a pilot episode that was meant to introduce a new generation to the TMNT must keep you up at night. Everyone's a critic, but sometimes you just need to take it for what is a 46-minute pilot cartoon show. Exclusion doesn't always mean laziness, it could have been to introduce a sense of mystery. What did they want with April's father. And if you care about April you're going to care about her dad, because its her dad. I think you expected too many answers at once and it sucked the fun out of your experience. As for what you said about them not caring about the relation between the Kraang and their origin, I recall them mentionining that in the episode. You ripped the episode to shreds but as someone who is 26 years old, a fan since the 80s cartoon and a fan of the TMNT I don't think I could take any more of your reviews with a grain a salt because they are like something a bitter angry critic would write: "its not how I would make it", but you didn't make it, so attempt to enjoy it.

Well said indeed.

[Oniri]

I am a total late comer on this, but I loved the premiere! The humor was great, mostly due to spot on line delivery. I do wish they eased into the Don/April thing, but it was adorable anyway.

I am going to have to concern with other folks on the "empty NYC" thing not being true. I live (all my life and presently) in Brooklyn, spend half of the time of Manhattan and occasionally trot around the other boroughs. During late night/ balls-early morning, Brooklyn (which does seem to be the case here due to the Bgs) can be pretty vacant if not completely barren.

Even Manhattan, if you go to the neighborhoods and areas where people actually live, it can get super quite there as well. According to the "mom and pop"-like stores and such in the BGs, they seem to be walking around a "neighborhood", not a shopping district like 42nd st or 34 st. In NYC, there can actually be a HUGE difference between areas where people shop and areas where people go home to sleep.

[Tomoshibi Amatsu]

Originally Posted by Chris

Not really. Don has a teenage crush and it's being portrayed that way. Goliath and Elisa had a much deeper, adult relationship that developed slowly over time. It was extremely well done. There was never any "OMG they shouldn't be doing that", it felt natural and right. When I was a kid I never even thought how progressive or risk taking Greg/Disney were being, I was just happy they were together as that was right for the characters, the objection that they were different species never entered my mind.

I don't think anyone expects anything to come from Don's crush, but if they do want to progress it from a crush to a deeper relationship then the Goliath and Elisa model is the gold standard to work from. If they can do even half as well then it would be a success.

I think it's pretty established that yeah it's just a crush. The way Don acts about it points that out since he does it in that stereotypical nerdy fashion sort of like Sheldon and Jenny from My Life as a Teenage Robot. So it could just end up being a running gag that never goes anywhere and of course April will fall for Casey Jones.

Still I feel like people are saying "I HATE IT CAUSE THEIR DIFFERENT SPECIES AND THAT'S BAD! SEE!? I'M NOT A FURRY!" then "you know this has the potential to really go somewhere interesting." Maybe that's why people didn't care about Goliath and Elise. It's not something they could easily equate to beastiality.

[Candy Kappa]

got to see part 2. absolutely fantastic

cop/paste what I said in previous post, really. This show is fun and extremely well made

[Jephael]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Did anyone notice that we haven't been told how the Turtles got their names in this series yet? The flashback tale totally overlooked the part where Splinter names them after renaissance painters.

Actually I'd love to see the Turtles discover where they got their names by going to an art museum or something.

[Tomoshibi Amatsu]

Originally Posted by Jephael

Actually I'd love to see the Turtles discover where they got their names by going to an art museum or something.

That screams of Mikey making a crack like "Gee Leo I didn't know you were an artist." while looking at the mona lisa.

[blackaerin]

Originally Posted by Jephael

Actually I'd love to see the Turtles discover where they got their names by going to an art museum or something.

Would be nice if they also mention the actual meaning of their names, but of course they probably wouldn't given that 3 of 4 names have very religious translations.