Missed Opportunities

*Papenbrook* · 08-12-2015, 06:21 AM

I feel there are missed opportunities throughout the show. For example, I feel like the writers could have made "A Foot Too Big" a better episode by having the focus on April and Donnie equally. That way, the audience could see their relationship from two different perspectives. Also, they could have made April make a precise complete decision about her relationship with Donnie and Casey, instead of being ambiguous about their relationship status in the end.

So, that is my take. What is yours? Please discuss below.

*CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy* · 08-12-2015, 09:18 AM

My take is that Nick is afraid to do anything permanent with the love triangle or Donnie's crush, so it will ebb and flow as different writers shrug and decide to do something with it.

Tarris Vaal · 08-12-2015, 10:14 AM

Actually - taking the ep from April's perspective might have been quite interesting (and revealing) as we have not really had something like that before. Its always been presented from Donnie's POV.

Foot too Big was definitely a missed opportunity, though its hard to say whether or not it was deliberately so on the writers part - perhaps to extend the will they/wont they? theme.

That said, its hardly the only missed opportunity in the Nick series. Clash of the Mutanimals was another one that could have yielded really interesting story arcs and character development.

I'm starting to think Nick's writers are really hamstrung in their ability to write multi episode arcs because of the way Kids tv networks dislike having to show episodes in given order. I dont know if other series have similar problems, but its seems most kids shows are really pushed to keep their episodes self contained as far as possible.

Must be very frustrating for their writing team

*BubblyShell22* · 08-12-2015, 11:30 AM

Well, considering there was a lot more that was intended to be in "Tale of the Yokai" and they were declined because of the reasoning that "It's a kids show" pretty much says it all. They can only do so much with certain things though I know they probably wanted to do more.

Speaking of missed opportunities, I really wanted to see more psychological trauma in regards to Leo and the attack by Shredder's army. All we got was him worrying about his leg and not really focusing on the trauma of being beaten within an inch of his life. Sure, it was good for what it was, but I do feel like there could have been more there, especially with "In Dreams."

Metalhead 2.0 · 08-12-2015, 02:05 PM

Dark Raph is the first thing that comes to my mind... such a waste.

Haalix · 08-12-2015, 04:52 PM

definitely the mind controlling part.

Spoiler:

RandomtasticFantasy · 08-14-2015, 07:05 AM

1. The mind control as a whole. A lot of missed potiential and far more interesting things could have been done instead of just as ploy to keep Kairi evil and drag that out. Each turtle and depending on how long it lasted, could have been an interesting take.

2. Don being able to make retro mutagen yet Shredder has never seemed to hear anything about this. Even though some of his henchman should be mildly aware that he can.

3. As said above, seeing or hearing April's thoughts on the love triangle at any point instead of making her seem vague, sending mixed signals or at worst, flat out stringing both candidates along to some viewers. Or not being cliche and dragging it out at all or at least writing it better so fans didn't get so annoyed with it so fast.

4. April in general. It always feels like she was meant to be more important or at least meant to do some crazy cool things but the ideas got dropped or borderline forgotten about. Or used only when it's needed for the plot. Her being part mutant, having those powers, her mother missing and possibly still being alive; none of it feels like it was as fleshed out as it could have been. We still have a ways to go, and the Kranng will probably make a comeback, so hopefully they will flesh her out more.

5. Irma. Just Irma.

6. Maybe not doing more with Spike as a villain before he became good. Kinda neutral with this one though.

*CyberCubed* · 08-17-2015, 07:40 PM

Baxter Stockman is feeling very underused in the show, I think he needs to break free of Shredder and do his own thing.

*victory_angel* · 08-17-2015, 11:31 PM

The whole Northhampton plot was a missed opportunity. It seemed like a lot what they were doing was sitting and twiddling their thumbs waiting for Leo to wake up. And then there is a lot of siting and twiddling their thumbs waiting for Leo to get over his injuries.

Was their something essential about missing those three months that was supposed to be revealed later in story. I mean seriously, the Northhampton story is supposed to be a time of emotional development for all the Turtles.

You have the Turtles dealing with the fact that one of their own was beaten with an inch of his life. Their home is destroyed, their city is taken over by the Kraang, and the only parental figure they have is dead as far as they know.

Kids show aside, where was the emotional turmoil beyond Donnie kicking himself for disagreeing with Leo at the end of invasion. And everyone just absorbing the fact they are all invasion orphans.

Why aren't the Turtles sitting down to a family meeting and planning out how they are going to live at the farm house? How long they are going to live there? What they should do if Leo just doesn't wake up? But nope, they treat it as an extended vacation with no concerns or worries about what is going on in the city.

Because obviously they can't stay there forever, they are eventually going to need to do something about the Kraang with or without Leo.

And speaking of that dispute between Donnie and Leo, why not show a resolution to that. I mean having any of the turtles let alone Donnie saying "You're leading us to disaster!" and having no follow up between them after Leo reawakens.

The only time that I think a heart to heart could have been done would have been when Donnie was saving Raph at the end of 'Within the Woods'. But that scene was never shown. So is that meant to be a flash back for the upcoming episode? Or are we just going to wonder?

*ssjup81* · 08-17-2015, 11:57 PM

Hm, missed opportunities, eh?

The first thing to come to mind for me is the Noryh Hampton stuff. I liked the horror episodes (the setting was PERFECT for them), but they could've had an ep or two showing them all adjusting to the new lifestyle with Leo being knocked out. Donnie was upset that he was the cause of Leo getting hurt....would've been nice to see that or his coping. I guess I wish it would've been more like Mirage with all three turtles, especially Mikey with the punching bag.

I feel the Vision Quest eps should've been at least a two-parter...or three eps. The first ep with them doing the quest and then receiving Splinter's message. The second ep focusing on two of the turtles and the final ep focusing on the other two and then all four reuniting. They could've delved more into their psyches and maybe showed how much Shredder affected Leo mentally...they only focused on the physical pain and I like how Leo was mentally holding himself back, like a PTSD victim...just felt they could've handled it better.

Let's see...what else... Oh yeah, Irma. I'm one of those who felt that with the way it was set up that Irma could've been switched out before that Ho Chan ep and maybe have her being held captive with the real Mrs. O'Neal someplace.

Baxter is another, unless there'll be more dealing with him later. I'm still hoping that he's planning on double crossing Shredder and the others. He was originally planning on creating his own mutant army and after his mutation, he was trying to become human again. Maybe his brain is shrinking...but I still blame the fact that his voice actor is expensive.

Ok, that's all I can think of right off.

*drgon78* · 08-18-2015, 06:11 AM

I would love to see an episode completely done in April's perspective. It would also be interesting to see what a normal day for her without the turtles would like.

I agree the timeline doesn't make sense for there not to have been a real Irma, though we don't know if the real one would care or even knows who April is.

*ObiWanFan4life* · 08-18-2015, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgon78

I would love to see an episode completely done in April's perspective. It would also be interesting to see what a normal day for her without the turtles would like.

I agree the time doesn't make sense for the not to have been a real Irma, though we don't know if the real one would care or even who know April is.

Maybe have the episode set before the pilot.

Avatar Yuffie · 10-06-2015, 01:26 AM

Fully aware it's a kid's show aimed for selling toys, but I can still comment dismay the writers never took advantage of the many episodes the Norhampton arc. Leo recovering from his trauma from having beaten up, and how it affects the team should have been focused.

April's feelings and thoughts about the love triangle. Now it's giving the impression she willfully is stringing two guys along, when she should be more focused about her dad and the implications of her still living mom.

The whole "the older brothers should listen to Mikey more regardless of how silly he is" aesops had frankly overstayed it's welcome.

The fact Kraang Prime seemed so uninterested seeing April again in season 2 finale after all her build up as the important component for terraforming in the last one is jarring.

Irma. It could have been so easy to write her out from the story as April's other normal person who eventually got fed up and broke up their friendship (either the lying and/or weird aliens and mutants and ninjas thing) that would have been a good character study for April. But NOPE.

Meliwen · 10-06-2015, 11:26 AM

I agree with much of what was said here, and another I'd add is Raph's demutation in Into the Woods. When there's so much emphasis placed on mutagen and how dangerous it is in any other episode, it felt strange to see how casually one of the turtles turning into a plant was treated, and how quickly and brushed over making a cure for that was. It feels like that should've been the main plot in an episode, for any turtle it happened to, rather than an afterthought to add some quickly resolved drama.

*Jephael* · 10-06-2015, 07:06 PM

I feel like they should've done an episode where Mondo Gecko and Muckman are introduced to the Mutanimals and offered membership into that group, instead of just shoehorning them into the season finale. Kinda reminded me of how we never actually saw when April and Splinter actually meet back in the early days of the series.

*GoldMutant* · 10-06-2015, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jephael

I feel like they should've done an episode where Mondo Gecko and Muckman are introduced to the Mutanimals and offered membership into that group, instead of just shoehorning them into the season finale. Kinda reminded me of how we never actually saw when April and Splinter actually meet back in the early days of the series.

Jeph, I entirely agree. That would have been fun.

Believe me, I could think of missed opportunities pretty easily, but I'll do it by season:

Season 1:
Practically no complaints here on missed chances, maybe the only one would be expanding a few episodes to make them better. Those would be Bradford's debut in New Friend, Old Enemy, Pulverizer as a given, and probably TCRI. Mostly no flaws of missed potential to expand in later seasons.

Season 2:
While my personal favorite, I think the following could have been done better:
-Mutagen Man's disappointment. (RCS busy or not, it's completely wasted)
-A sudden end to Slash vs. Raphael (easily one of the best things the show had)
-No follow up on the escaped mutants in Metalhead Rewired other than Meet Mondo Gecko.

Season 3:
Tons of missed potential here, but besides the obvious Northampton and Dark Raph, here's a few others:
-No origin story for the Mighty Mutanimals
-Not following up on the mind control other than Karai and the hero brainwash (come on, city takeover!)
-Filler that should have been fixed (Noxious Avenger as pointless plus some of Northampton)
-Expand into two parters other than the midseason and finale. (Clash, Vision Quest, Fourfold, Creeping Doom, Deadly Venom, and Fourfold would benefit)
-The end of Karai plus the healing hands not being expanded on

Probably me going on rant mode, but tons of missed chances here.

*Ninturtle* · 10-06-2015, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jephael

I feel like they should've done an episode where Mondo Gecko and Muckman are introduced to the Mutanimals and offered membership into that group, instead of just shoehorning them into the season finale. Kinda reminded me of how we never actually saw when April and Splinter actually meet back in the early days of the series.

I'm not sure they were in the Mutanimals yet , it seemed like they were allies with the Mutanimals because the world was at stake and because April recruited them.

matteso586 · 10-06-2015, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldMutant

Jeph, I entirely agree. That would have been fun.

Season 3:
Tons of missed potential here, but besides the obvious Northampton and Dark Raph, here's a few others:
-No origin story for the Mighty Mutanimals
-Not following up on the mind control other than Karai and the hero brainwash (come on, city takeover!)
-Filler that should have been fixed (Noxious Avenger as pointless plus some of Northampton)
-Expand into two parters other than the midseason and finale. (Clash, Vision Quest, Fourfold, Creeping Doom, Deadly Venom, and Fourfold would benefit)
-The end of Karai plus the healing hands not being expanded on

Probably me going on rant mode, but tons of missed chances here.

Why don't we ask about some of them at NYCC? And maybe even about Mutagen Man.

*GoldMutant* · 10-06-2015, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matteso586

Why don't we ask about some of them at NYCC? And maybe even about Mutagen Man.

If asked at the Con, both the Mutanimals and MM are my main concern. At this point, I might just try writing more about season 3 on improving it, got some ideas on how to do it.

*Shark_Blade* · 10-06-2015, 09:03 PM

Lord, I hope they are done with Mutagen Man - what a pathetic lifeform. He's the Jar Jar Binks of the series, it boggles my mind that anyone cares about that retard. He's dead to me anyways.

I'm more concerned of how they're gonna explain April's mutant/alien dna and her telepathic "Jean Grey" power further, but it's pretty unlikely.

08-12-2015, 06:21 AM	#1
Papenbrook I'm leaving. Goodbye. :) Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: No comment -_- ... Posts: 2,754	Missed Opportunities I feel there are missed opportunities throughout the show. For example, I feel like the writers could have made "A Foot Too Big" a better episode by having the focus on April and Donnie equally. That way, the audience could see their relationship from two different perspectives. Also, they could have made April make a precise complete decision about her relationship with Donnie and Casey, instead of being ambiguous about their relationship status in the end. So, that is my take. What is yours? Please discuss below.

08-12-2015, 09:18 AM	#2
CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy Annalist Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 16,435	My take is that Nick is afraid to do anything permanent with the love triangle or Donnie's crush, so it will ebb and flow as different writers shrug and decide to do something with it. __________________ *ALL THEIR DAYS ARE NUMBERED*

08-12-2015, 10:14 AM	#3
Tarris Vaal Stone Warrior Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cullompton, Devon Posts: 505	Actually - taking the ep from April's perspective might have been quite interesting (and revealing) as we have not really had something like that before. Its always been presented from Donnie's POV. Foot too Big was definitely a missed opportunity, though its hard to say whether or not it was deliberately so on the writers part - perhaps to extend the will they/wont they? theme. That said, its hardly the only missed opportunity in the Nick series. Clash of the Mutanimals was another one that could have yielded really interesting story arcs and character development. I'm starting to think Nick's writers are really hamstrung in their ability to write multi episode arcs because of the way Kids tv networks dislike having to show episodes in given order. I dont know if other series have similar problems, but its seems most kids shows are really pushed to keep their episodes self contained as far as possible. Must be very frustrating for their writing team __________________ Help animate the Sedisverse - Kickstarter at; https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...the-sedisverse

08-12-2015, 11:30 AM	#4
BubblyShell22 Leo-holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 16,912	Well, considering there was a lot more that was intended to be in "Tale of the Yokai" and they were declined because of the reasoning that "It's a kids show" pretty much says it all. They can only do so much with certain things though I know they probably wanted to do more. Speaking of missed opportunities, I really wanted to see more psychological trauma in regards to Leo and the attack by Shredder's army. All we got was him worrying about his leg and not really focusing on the trauma of being beaten within an inch of his life. Sure, it was good for what it was, but I do feel like there could have been more there, especially with "In Dreams." __________________ "A warrior who never fails, never learns."-The Ancient One. "Embrace your inner a**holiness."-Mr. Anderson.

08-12-2015, 04:52 PM	#6
Haalix Thug Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 74	definitely the mind controlling part. Spoiler: But from the sound of the new clip on Nick (they are going to Shredder), and the episode previews, where they seem to be mind-controlled, I have some hope it'll be used again on the turtles

08-12-2015, 02:05 PM	#5
Metalhead 2.0 Stone Warrior Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 822	Dark Raph is the first thing that comes to my mind... such a waste.

08-14-2015, 07:05 AM	#7
RandomtasticFantasy Random Punk Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 49	1. The mind control as a whole. A lot of missed potiential and far more interesting things could have been done instead of just as ploy to keep Kairi evil and drag that out. Each turtle and depending on how long it lasted, could have been an interesting take. 2. Don being able to make retro mutagen yet Shredder has never seemed to hear anything about this. Even though some of his henchman should be mildly aware that he can. 3. As said above, seeing or hearing April's thoughts on the love triangle at any point instead of making her seem vague, sending mixed signals or at worst, flat out stringing both candidates along to some viewers. Or not being cliche and dragging it out at all or at least writing it better so fans didn't get so annoyed with it so fast. 4. April in general. It always feels like she was meant to be more important or at least meant to do some crazy cool things but the ideas got dropped or borderline forgotten about. Or used only when it's needed for the plot. Her being part mutant, having those powers, her mother missing and possibly still being alive; none of it feels like it was as fleshed out as it could have been. We still have a ways to go, and the Kranng will probably make a comeback, so hopefully they will flesh her out more. 5. Irma. Just Irma. 6. Maybe not doing more with Spike as a villain before he became good. Kinda neutral with this one though. __________________ Under construction. Last edited by RandomtasticFantasy; 08-14-2015 at 07:22 AM.

08-17-2015, 07:40 PM	#8
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,880	Baxter Stockman is feeling very underused in the show, I think he needs to break free of Shredder and do his own thing.

08-17-2015, 11:31 PM	#9
victory_angel Foot Elite Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ca Posts: 3,108	The whole Northhampton plot was a missed opportunity. It seemed like a lot what they were doing was sitting and twiddling their thumbs waiting for Leo to wake up. And then there is a lot of siting and twiddling their thumbs waiting for Leo to get over his injuries. Was their something essential about missing those three months that was supposed to be revealed later in story. I mean seriously, the Northhampton story is supposed to be a time of emotional development for all the Turtles. You have the Turtles dealing with the fact that one of their own was beaten with an inch of his life. Their home is destroyed, their city is taken over by the Kraang, and the only parental figure they have is dead as far as they know. Kids show aside, where was the emotional turmoil beyond Donnie kicking himself for disagreeing with Leo at the end of invasion. And everyone just absorbing the fact they are all invasion orphans. Why aren't the Turtles sitting down to a family meeting and planning out how they are going to live at the farm house? How long they are going to live there? What they should do if Leo just doesn't wake up? But nope, they treat it as an extended vacation with no concerns or worries about what is going on in the city. Because obviously they can't stay there forever, they are eventually going to need to do something about the Kraang with or without Leo. And speaking of that dispute between Donnie and Leo, why not show a resolution to that. I mean having any of the turtles let alone Donnie saying "You're leading us to disaster!" and having no follow up between them after Leo reawakens. The only time that I think a heart to heart could have been done would have been when Donnie was saving Raph at the end of 'Within the Woods'. But that scene was never shown. So is that meant to be a flash back for the upcoming episode? Or are we just going to wonder? __________________

08-17-2015, 11:57 PM	#10
ssjup81 Foot Elite Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Central Virginia (Back in the US) Posts: 4,734	Hm, missed opportunities, eh? The first thing to come to mind for me is the Noryh Hampton stuff. I liked the horror episodes (the setting was PERFECT for them), but they could've had an ep or two showing them all adjusting to the new lifestyle with Leo being knocked out. Donnie was upset that he was the cause of Leo getting hurt....would've been nice to see that or his coping. I guess I wish it would've been more like Mirage with all three turtles, especially Mikey with the punching bag. I feel the Vision Quest eps should've been at least a two-parter...or three eps. The first ep with them doing the quest and then receiving Splinter's message. The second ep focusing on two of the turtles and the final ep focusing on the other two and then all four reuniting. They could've delved more into their psyches and maybe showed how much Shredder affected Leo mentally...they only focused on the physical pain and I like how Leo was mentally holding himself back, like a PTSD victim...just felt they could've handled it better. Let's see...what else... Oh yeah, Irma. I'm one of those who felt that with the way it was set up that Irma could've been switched out before that Ho Chan ep and maybe have her being held captive with the real Mrs. O'Neal someplace. Baxter is another, unless there'll be more dealing with him later. I'm still hoping that he's planning on double crossing Shredder and the others. He was originally planning on creating his own mutant army and after his mutation, he was trying to become human again. Maybe his brain is shrinking...but I still blame the fact that his voice actor is expensive. Ok, that's all I can think of right off.

08-18-2015, 06:11 AM	#11
drgon78 Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 2,408	I would love to see an episode completely done in April's perspective. It would also be interesting to see what a normal day for her without the turtles would like. I agree the timeline doesn't make sense for there not to have been a real Irma, though we don't know if the real one would care or even knows who April is.

10-06-2015, 01:26 AM	#13
Avatar Yuffie Stone Warrior Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 805	Fully aware it's a kid's show aimed for selling toys, but I can still comment dismay the writers never took advantage of the many episodes the Norhampton arc. Leo recovering from his trauma from having beaten up, and how it affects the team should have been focused. April's feelings and thoughts about the love triangle. Now it's giving the impression she willfully is stringing two guys along, when she should be more focused about her dad and the implications of her still living mom. The whole "the older brothers should listen to Mikey more regardless of how silly he is" aesops had frankly overstayed it's welcome. The fact Kraang Prime seemed so uninterested seeing April again in season 2 finale after all her build up as the important component for terraforming in the last one is jarring. Irma. It could have been so easy to write her out from the story as April's other normal person who eventually got fed up and broke up their friendship (either the lying and/or weird aliens and mutants and ninjas thing) that would have been a good character study for April. But NOPE. __________________ We all know that Most Writers Are Male. Something like eighty percent of media aimed at children have male main characters, whereas half the population is female. At best, women will often be minor characters or will not be present at all. Stories about women are for women, stories about men are for general consumption. (TV Tropes Feminist Fantasy)

10-06-2015, 11:26 AM	#14
Meliwen Foot Soldier Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 157	I agree with much of what was said here, and another I'd add is Raph's demutation in Into the Woods. When there's so much emphasis placed on mutagen and how dangerous it is in any other episode, it felt strange to see how casually one of the turtles turning into a plant was treated, and how quickly and brushed over making a cure for that was. It feels like that should've been the main plot in an episode, for any turtle it happened to, rather than an afterthought to add some quickly resolved drama.

10-06-2015, 07:06 PM	#15
Jephael That whack job behind you Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Carlisle, Pennsylvania Posts: 8,143	I feel like they should've done an episode where Mondo Gecko and Muckman are introduced to the Mutanimals and offered membership into that group, instead of just shoehorning them into the season finale. Kinda reminded me of how we never actually saw when April and Splinter actually meet back in the early days of the series. __________________ "I like it. Simple, but effective!" Raphael; The Mean Machines - 1988

10-06-2015, 09:03 PM	#20
Shark_Blade Emperor Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7,909	Lord, I hope they are done with Mutagen Man - what a pathetic lifeform. He's the Jar Jar Binks of the series, it boggles my mind that anyone cares about that retard. He's dead to me anyways. I'm more concerned of how they're gonna explain April's mutant/alien dna and her telepathic "Jean Grey" power further, but it's pretty unlikely.