Season 4 Discussion Thread

[SKX31]

Originally Posted by Metalwolf

I think what bothered me most about Turtles Forever in TMNT is how it actually implies that destroying their 'multiverse' is kinda easy, with almost any sufficiently high level of villain being able to do it. Then they imply that even 'in-universe' the characters are considered to be not real, being everything is ultimately governed by a comic book universe, written by real 'in-universe' versions of Eastman and Laird. I think for me, the movie almost ruined my interest in TMNT because while there is escapism, there is a point where you can get too weird and then it's a lot harder to escape into it without wondering 'How can they ever relax if their multiverse is destroyed that easily?' and 'Why should I care about them when even their own 'multiverse' says that they're not real?'

Speculation time!

The counterargument is that it isn't that easy. The Technodrome entered 4Kidsverse completely by accident - implying that the universes are separated by at least some distance to each other. And then, the thing that caused Ch'rell to mentally break was scores of TMNT dimensions all obeying similar parameters.

So the Kraang, even if they have portals into FW-verse, might not have discovered many of the other verses simply because many other TMNT verses don't have Dimension X / the Nick verse is relatively isolated / the authors control what to show.

And then, there's a chance that OUR universe is simulated or in some other way fictional. Why should we care then?

That said, I don't blame you for thinking that way. It's a pretty valid question you're stating.

[ssjup81]

I know some were asking about Donatello's Portable Portal and whether or not the OT Donatello actually had one. Yes, he did. That giant stationary one and a Portable one...but his Portable Portal was bulky and on wheels. You can see it in the season 7 ep about those two convicts breaking out of a prison in Dimension X and switching places with Irma and Vernon. The Portable Portal is what caused the problem.

[Autbot_Benz]

Originally Posted by neatoman

On the subject of Turtles Forever I'm just going to be honest, I don't like the Fred Wolf cartoon and I'm not at all bothered by it's potrayal of the Fred Wolf turtles. From my point of view Turtles Forever was mostly accurate and when I watch the Fred Wolf cartoon it just further cements that feeling.

The Fred Wolf show, as popular as it might have been, is not good. Even putting aside production errors, it still suffers from really bad writing. When people defend it they usually go for the comedy as their main argument, as comedy is largely subjective and eventually became the show's primary drive, but personally I just find the comedy painfully unfunny nine times out of ten.

The only way I stand watching most episodes is by making fun of the flaws, not pretending the show's own comedy is funny.

THIS I agree 100%

[CyberCubed]

Many of the original cartoon episodes hold up to this day. I don't know what you guys are talking about. The animation errors are a different story but I overlook those.

[SKX31]

Originally Posted by neatoman

On the subject of Turtles Forever I'm just going to be honest, I don't like the Fred Wolf cartoon and I'm not at all bothered by it's potrayal of the Fred Wolf turtles. From my point of view Turtles Forever was mostly accurate and when I watch the Fred Wolf cartoon it just further cements that feeling.

The Fred Wolf show, as popular as it might have been, is not good. Even putting aside production errors, it still suffers from really bad writing. When people defend it they usually go for the comedy as their main argument, as comedy is largely subjective and eventually became the show's primary drive, but personally I just find the comedy painfully unfunny nine times out of ten.

The only way I stand watching most episodes is by making fun of the flaws, not pretending the show's own comedy is funny.

The biggest flaw it had scripting wise, IMHO, was that it didn't really know if it should be a Negative Continuity or not. I'm looking at all the times the Technodrome was stuck somewhere - in the ice caps, Dimension X, Earth's core, etc. Did those locations mean anything? No, Shredder and Krang still came up with Scheme #whatever to refuel the Technodrome / take out the Turtles / kidnap April.

It's like the writing staff implied they wanted to follow a storyline ala. Season 1 / early Season 2, but didn't change Status quo until Season 8 hit because "It's a kid's show!" / "We gotta introduce this new toy!".

As a result, the overall product feels like it's all over the place.

David Wise's recycling and subplot-heavy scripts shouldn't be ignored, though. Even if the recycling, cliché scripts and blatant ripoffs is kinda expected for that time's standards. Quoting Mark Pellegrini on "Bebop and Rocksteady conquers the universe":

Bebop and Rocksteady steal a device called the anxietron, which cripples everyone it zaps with fear, and use it to overthrow Shredder and Krang. After the Turtles get zapped with the ray, only Zach can save the day and reverse the effects.

...

This episode is a bit cluttered with just a whole lot of… stuff. You’ve got Bebop and Rocksteady wreaking havoc on the city, Krang and Shredder trying to summon up the courage to reverse the anxietron’s effects, the Turtles getting scared but braving danger anyway, Splinter getting tied to some train tracks with impending doom careening his way, Zach determining to prove to some schoolyard bullies wrong that he really is the Fifth Turtle, and April getting swallowed by a giant dinosaur robot that goes haywire and rampages through the city."

It's the worst example of subplots, but even great episodes like "Cowabunga Shredhead" had some B-plots that wasn't executed perfectly.

On that note, how many subplots should we expect the crossover to have? On one hand, it's probably going to be 60 minutes. So we should expect at least one subplot. On the other, if a certain subplot isn't Nick-related it might not get resolved unless another crossover becomes a reality (looking at you, Forever and how it handled 87 April).

[MisfitKraang]

Originally Posted by victory_angel

ones to watch

Deadly Venom (First part of Karai being brainwashed)

Turtles in time (simply because it introduces Renet and leads into the tale of the Youkai.)

Tale of the Yokai (Extensive backstory on Hamato Yoshi and Oroku Saki)

Fourfold trap (Karai is still brainwashed and ready to threaten the Turtles once again.)

Dinosaur Seen in Sewers (Must see as a lead into the season finally)

(Tie into story, but more or less skipable)
Attack of the Mega Shredder (a Meh episode. But it has a plot point that appears in the next two episodes.)

Creeping Doom (Another Meh episode. Donnie essentially becomes so dumb he makes Mikey look smart. And oh yeah, the Creep is back.)

Okay got it!! Thank you so much I'll be sure to check them out before season 4!!!!

[CyberCubed]

Don't skip episodes. Watch them all and form your own opinions. Also not watching every episode at least once is absurd especially if you want to follow a series.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Many of the original cartoon episodes hold up to this day. I don't know what you guys are talking about. The animation errors are a different story but I overlook those.

You have a different mindset and viewpoint then we do.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by LeotheLateBloomer

You have a different mindset and viewpoint then we do.

Because you're comparing it to cartoons with continuity.

[TigerClaw]

The Sal Commander's actual name is Gathrokka, I'm sure Mona Lisa has an actual name too, then Mikey would jump in and call her Mona Lisa.

[evan2000]

Originally Posted by TigerClaw

The Sal Commander's actual name is Gathrokka, I'm sure Mona Lisa has an actual name too, then Mikey would jump in and call her Mona Lisa.

Did we ever find out Newtralizer's alien name?

[TigerClaw]

Originally Posted by evan2000

Did we ever find out Newtralizer's alien name?

Nope, we never did.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Because you're comparing it to cartoons with continuity.

Continuity has nothing to do with why I personally think it's age. It depends on your tastes which are different from mines is what I'm saying. The episodes themselves just aren't as entertaining as they use to be for me.

[matteso586]

Originally Posted by evan2000

Did we ever find out Newtralizer's alien name?

His real name might be Filch.

[Powder]

Are you just guessing that based on Mona's original episode or did someone from the staff say that?

[Meliwen]

Wyrm sounds a lot like the genie in Aladdin.

I love how Sal doesn't come across quite as villainous as I expected he would be. Though his exposed insides continue to baffle me. I found seeing the ribs and stuff on Razar, Mutagen Man and Noxious Avenger to make sense, but here it seems out of place.

Mona looks great and I still love the Fugitoid.

[TigerClaw]

Originally Posted by Meliwen

Wyrm sounds a lot like the genie in Aladdin.

I love how Sal doesn't come across quite as villainous as I expected he would be. Though his exposed insides continue to baffle me. I found seeing the ribs and stuff on Razar, Mutagen Man and Noxious Avenger to make sense, but here it seems out of place.

Mona looks great and I still love the Fugitoid.

It's interesting seeing Mona Lisa being all sort of antagonistic towards the others, even if her Commander sees the others working together and admiring them.

No doubt she will have a change of heart when she meets them, especially with Raph.

[matteso586]

Originally Posted by Powder

Are you just guessing that based on Mona's original episode or did someone from the staff say that?

I'm just saying that Newtralizer's real name is "possibly" Filch.

[ToTheNines]

Newtralizer's real name is possibly Abraham Lincoln IV.

[The Happy One]

Originally Posted by matteso586

I'm just saying that Newtralizer's real name is "possibly" Filch.

But why, Filch?