Official Episode Discussion S2 #10 "Fungus Humungous"

[T-U-R-T-L-E POWA!]

Originally Posted by snake

I think splinters worst fear would be losing the turtles to shredder.

Yeah I'd say you're right. I just think it would have made a cool sequence to see how Splinter would have reacted to them finding out the truth.

[Klunk1234]

Originally Posted by NinjaMan

Reminded me of the Darkness within from the 03 series in a way.

Yes, i was thinking about that episode, too. Raph's fear to roaches almost made me gag. Like Raph, I can't stand roaches, too.

Good episode, but pretty intense. Leo really shines in this episode.

[Jon_Talbain]

Did anyone else feel that in the end, the huge mutant mushroom didn't seem like much of a threat? When I first saw the concept art and saw how huge it was, I thought it would be way harder to take it down. I also didn't think it would be that stationery and could at least slide or grow limbs of some kind.

[drgon78]

If it wasn't vulnerable to sunlight then Leo might not have been able to defeat it. Though after the big blast of light Leo was out for an unknown amount of time so maybe the creature did survive.

[JH24]

It was a good episode, but too "out there" for me to really be one of my favorites. I couldn't shake the feeling the fears for Mikey and Raph were handled too easy, Leo's and Donnie's on the other hand were interesting.


Although it's probably going on for longer, this was the first time that Donnie's obsession started to make me feel uneasy. The way he reacted ("Don't say it, leave me alone") while still pursuing April really showed his obsession is becoming unhealthy. (Almost bordering on dangerous)

Casey/Don confrontation was interesting, but felt too sudden. It feels as if there was no transition at all since the episode they first met. Don would have been upset with anyone who lost April, but his inherent dislike for Casey added a venomous layer of hostility.

Normally when someone is freaking out Don would be the first to show worry or try to help, but now there was only hostile indifference. Very interested to find out how this Don/Casey dynamic will develop.


Not a bad episode, not one of my favorites but you could definitely see a lot of work was put into it.

[victory_angel]

I think they lessened everyone else's fear because Leo's fear was a main focus.

Raph is afraid of Cockroaches and Casey is afraid of Bats. That is okay because we know those are their fears. However having Casey see the Turtles as Gigantic rats much like Raph was seeing his brothers as gigantic roaches would have have been too much.

Though if the episode had been more serious I can see Raph's fear being the fear that Leo will always be better then him.

With Mikey and his fear of the Squirrelanoids. I think its largely that he fears comic book and movie monsters in general. And in the end of the Squirrelanoid episode Mikey nearly lost his life to them so he has every reason to be afraid of them.

If they had added to it they would have had Kraang Prime in the mix as well as Mikey also could have lost his life in that fight as well.

Donnie's fear that April hates him has some deep connotations. I mean yeah his fear is understandable because April has only recently comeback after hating them for weeks after what happened to her father. However as other people have pointed out Donnie has the most insecurity when it comes to being a mutant. He even calls himself a freak at some point. However there is also a sense of insecurity between his brothers and himself. So yes if they could have expanded on it I'm sure there would have been images of his brothers saying he's useless as a ninja, he's a walking disaster area, maybe even Splinter saying he's a disappointment.

His running after April even though he is yelling "Don't say it, leave me alone" in his mind he is trying to run away from his tormentor, but in April's mind she is being chased by a giant bat.

But having Donnie being plagued by images of his brothers blaming and ridiculing him would have taken away from Leo's fears of failing as a leader. So they simply left it to the one person Donnie fears failing the most.

[blindturtle02]

Don's April obsession is getting a bit creepy. Although in the end, I'm sure he'll be able to do the thing Saki couldn't, letting go. Or maybe they'll end up together. Dunno.

[victory_angel]

Third option April can't choose between them because Casey and Donnie are almost two halves of the same whole. So she sort of becomes a wife in common law to both of them.

[BabyTurtles]

Originally Posted by victory_angel

Third option April can't choose between them because Casey and Donnie are almost two halves of the same whole. So she sort of becomes a wife in common law to both of them.

Fourth option XD she doesn't like either of them and is single for the rest of the series

[JTH]

Originally Posted by victory_angel

Third option April can't choose between them because Casey and Donnie are almost two halves of the same whole. So she sort of becomes a wife in common law to both of them.

I'd be fine with this, but I'd like to see her end up with Donnie, though the way the story is being set up, Donnie will be the one left out.

I honestly won't mind any option if the story is done well, and soon far, it looks like it's going to be great.

[snake]

Originally Posted by BabyTurtles

Fourth option XD she doesn't like either of them and is single for the rest of the series

This.

10char

[JTH]

And personally, I don't think Donnie's character needed to be dug into very much in this episode, he is getting another episode right after this one bringing back Metalhead.

One would think there is probably a very emotional driving reason to why Donnie would take such a drastic step.

[BabyTurtles]

Originally Posted by jth

And personally, I don't think Donnie's character needed to be dug into very much in this episode, he is getting another episode right after this one bringing back Metalhead.

see that's the main problem I have with this whole Apriltello thing

it feels like whenever it is brought up it over shadows what's really important about the episode.

look at tumblr! the fandom is literally split right now between
people who don't like Donnie's behavior and
poeple who do like his behavior

you'd think Leo would be talked about more, since it was his episode.

this is especially true whenever there is an April episode, I mean...who gets the most love in her episodes? Donnie. whether it's about him worrying about her...being awkward around her...or just talking to her the most.

he seems to take the spotlight...

not including his own episodes......

[Bossa Nova]

I agree with Babyturtles completely.

I also think it's ironic that people keep spouting that Don "needed" this crush because otherwise his character was too forgettable and boring. Well congratulations to the writers at Nick, now ALL of Don's personality is basically consumed by his obsession with April. I'm not sure that's really a step up. So much for the machines guy with a curious streak and biting wit.

[victory_angel]

Originally Posted by jth

I'd be fine with this, but I'd like to see her end up with Donnie, though the way the story is being set up, Donnie will be the one left out.

I honestly won't mind any option if the story is done well, and soon far, it looks like it's going to be great.

Well if the Don O'Neil pairing has to break up. I hope its a good breakup scene like the end of the Ma'korra pair.

[victory_angel]

Originally Posted by Bossa Nova

I agree with Babyturtles completely.

I also think it's ironic that people keep spouting that Don "needed" this crush because otherwise his character was too forgettable and boring. Well congratulations to the writers at Nick, now ALL of Don's personality is basically consumed by his obsession with April. I'm not sure that's really a step up. So much for the machines guy with a curious streak and biting wit.

Perhaps the next episode has Donnie have a chance to have a bonding episode with Casey. Or someone other then April or Splinter.

And is it me or does it seem their building up Leo's relationship with Donnie a bit.

[JTH]

Originally Posted by Bossa Nova

I agree with Babyturtles completely.

I also think it's ironic that people keep spouting that Don "needed" this crush because otherwise his character was too forgettable and boring. Well congratulations to the writers at Nick, now ALL of Don's personality is basically consumed by his obsession with April. I'm not sure that's really a step up. So much for the machines guy with a curious streak and biting wit.

As I keep saying. It's the whole point.

Yoshi/Tang Shen/Saki = Casey/April/Donnie

They made it very clear since the Mutagen Man episode that Donnie's character was going to change as the season progressed.

Donnie is about to undergo a big character evolution during the rest of the season, his "obsession" is done intentionally to set it up.

[victory_angel]

Originally Posted by jth

As I keep saying. It's the whole point.

Yoshi/Tang Shen/Saki = Casey/April/Donnie

They made it very clear since the Mutagen Man episode that Donnie's character was going to change as the season progressed.

Donnie is about to undergo a big character evolution during the rest of the season, his "obsession" is done intentionally to set it up.

I agree that yes it seem that the Triangle between Donnie/April/Casey is a mirror of the other Triangle and I'm sure much of what has played out in Splinter's rivalry with Shredder will be echoed through the actions of those three.


However in the end Donnie truly desires April's happiness and I can see him doing what Shredder could not. Which is to step back and realize that his selfish desires are causing her unneeded pain and let her go.

[Bossa Nova]

Originally Posted by jth

As I keep saying. It's the whole point.

Yoshi/Tang Shen/Saki = Casey/April/Donnie

They made it very clear since the Mutagen Man episode that Donnie's character was going to change as the season progressed.

Donnie is about to undergo a big character evolution during the rest of the season, his "obsession" is done intentionally to set it up.

If they wanted a story arc like that they could have very well focused it on an arc of 3-5 episodes, and it would have had the same punch. As it is now, the "storyline" for this entire show is so far stretched that it's practically non-existant, and all this "building" up has essentially turned Don's character into a one-note turtle. I shouldn't have to wait a season and a half for some inkling of character development on a show that isn't pure comedy, which this show can't seem to make up it's mind if it wants to be or not.

[JTH]

Originally Posted by victory_angel

However in the end Donnie truly desires April's happiness and I can see him doing what Shredder could not. Which is to step back and realize that his selfish desires are causing her unneeded pain and let her go.

And I'm sure that's what they want viewers to expect.

But jealousy, obsession, and mostly Pride, can make even the noble man do very foolish things.

Remember that even Shredder wasn't always bad, but his jealousy and pride consumed his life down a path he could never come back from. His obsession to win Tang Shen ultimately cost both Splinter and Shredder the one they cared for most. And that could be done the same way with April, (minus the death of course )