Official Episode Discussion S4 Ep 17: The Insecta Trifecta

[Vicky82]

Raphael must overcome his fear of insects to lead the team when they are forced to battle Stockman-Fly's new insect minions.

The episode is up on I Tunes

[Vicky82]

Good episode but not as good as the last 2 episodes but Splinter helping Raph to get over his hallucination/fear was awesome, I loved there interactions.

Some moments where disgusting, bug sick, Raph kissing the bug, mutating ants having mutating ants come out of there backside. Bug sick coming out of it's butt.

As expected Raph was hallucinating when he was kissing that bug, he thought he was kissing Mona Lisa.

The return of Turflytle

The end fight scene was great, I loved Karia and April's little team up.

Shredder is slowly mutating.

[Powder]

Scumbug was dope. I knew that's who he'd be as soon as I spotted the ripped business attire. Overall a decent episode, if a bit repetitive in nature for this series (Raph's fear of bugs is ground retread one time too many, perhaps). As expected, it was very similar to Son Of Return Of The Fly 2, though that is a favorite of mine.

The only thing that stuck out for me as a real negative is seeing what special snowflakes the gals have become back to back. Psychic mutant tracking & snake powers all in one fell swoop. I miss the days when they were relatively normal chicks. Cool seeing those two get along, though!

[snake]

I'm not going to be able to watch the episode until monday or tuesday, but was Shinigami in it?

[Vicky82]

Originally Posted by snake

I'm not going to be able to watch the episode until monday or tuesday, but was Shinigami in it?

No she wasn't, Karai was though and we got Casey back and talking.

[Redworld96]

Vicky you need to put the french kiss in the poll today LOL

Funny episode, no Shini this time but I loved the team Karai/April

Sensei laught at the end of the episode .... it was cute

[snake]

Originally Posted by Vicky82

No she wasn't, Karai was though and we got Casey back and talking.

You want Shinigami? Ok, Casey doesn't talk and appears in the background

You want Casey? Ok, f*ck off for an episode Shinigami

[GoldMutant]

From now on, I'm putting my reviews under spoilers due to length. Overall, better than last two weeks in some capacity, but still irritating.

Spoiler:

"When you're on a planet filled with bugs, you're not afraid anymore." (several mutant bugs arrive, scarring him.)

Honestly, the bug phobia was a very forced premise due to this one line of dialogue. I get when you have a serious fear, it lingers onward until you recover. Regardless, even with the Splinter mantra (btw, I liked Splinter and Raph getting a moment, now need a Mikey/Splinter one) which was useless in the end, it just feels like a slap in the face.

The whole phobia to me overtook the actual story: Baxter finally gaining relevance again. Some of you may know that he's actually my favorite TMNT villain, more than the Foot and Krang themselves. However, it feels like he and the reintroductions of Antrax and Scumbug were second fiddle slightly. I did like Antrax's appearance, Scumbug not so much.

Anyways, for Baxter, where did his character go? I know in FW and 2k3 he plays Shredder's lackey. Anyone remember when Baxter was laughable in his attempts in this series, like the dumpster? Anyone remember when he was tragic after becoming a fly? Well, besides the name gag, he has no character. It's the same problem Aaron pointed out last week with April and Splinter, with the former this week I'm baffled by her being able to track mutants with little conflict. Again, powers first, personality second for April. Casey also while subdued lacks any character, it's gotten old.

Besides all my issues, I liked the final fight in the construction zone. There was Super Shredder foreshadowing, though I felt it didn't need to be seen to keep us more in the dark. There was a reference to Final Fight or Double Dragon in the beginning of the episode. Really, the nice little moments are still there, but the characterization is still lackluster and the same treading plot ground occurred. (Shredder's war with Karai, Raph's fears)

Not much to say this week, just a serious mixed bag for me. Not going to rate it at this time.

[Vicky82]

Originally Posted by GoldMutant

From now on, I'm putting my reviews under spoilers due to length. Overall, better than last two weeks in some capacity, but still irritating.

Spoiler:

"When you're on a planet filled with bugs, you're not afraid anymore." (several mutant bugs arrive, scarring him.)

Honestly, the bug phobia was a very forced premise due to this one line of dialogue. I get when you have a serious fear, it lingers onward until you recover. Regardless, even with the Splinter mantra (btw, I liked Splinter and Raph getting a moment, now need a Mikey/Splinter one) which was useless in the end, it just feels like a slap in the face.

The whole phobia to me overtook the actual story: Baxter finally gaining relevance again. Some of you may know that he's actually my favorite TMNT villain, more than the Foot and Krang themselves. However, it feels like he and the reintroductions of Antrax and Scumbug were second fiddle slightly. I did like Antrax's appearance, Scumbug not so much.

Anyways, for Baxter, where did his character go? I know in FW and 2k3 he plays Shredder's lackey. Anyone remember when Baxter was laughable in his attempts in this series, like the dumpster? Anyone remember when he was tragic after becoming a fly? Well, besides the name gag, he has no character. It's the same problem Aaron pointed out last week with April and Splinter, with the former this week I'm baffled by her being able to track mutants with little conflict. Again, powers first, personality second for April. Casey also while subdued lacks any character, it's gotten old.

Besides all my issues, I liked the final fight in the construction zone. There was Super Shredder foreshadowing, though I felt it didn't need to be seen to keep us more in the dark. There was a reference to Final Fight or Double Dragon in the beginning of the episode. Really, the nice little moments are still there, but the characterization is still lackluster and the same treading plot ground occurred. (Shredder's war with Karai, Raph's fears)

Not much to say this week, just a serious mixed bag for me. Not going to rate it at this time.

Length????? it's not that big.

[ToTheNines]

Watching right now. What's up with the animation? It's very fluid, but I feel like all the characters have this weird, exaggerated, loopy way of moving. Strange.

[GoldMutant]

Originally Posted by Vicky82

Length????? it's not that big.

Huh, thought it would be bigger. Either way, I'm keeping it under spoilers if I review earlier than the actual time it's on.

[pannoni1]

Goriwai Namino Initiwai (sp?) certainly needs to be a poll option and was the best part of the episode. That said, the second half of Season 4 continues to deliver good continuity, and to quote an OT episode, is a Big Bug Blunder. It didn't feel as deep as the previous episodes with a lot of recycling, but still had some fun action in it with all of the usual things that a Turtle fan would come to know, from a mutation, to a variation on a familiar weapon, to the rooftop actions, captures, rescues, robberies, pizza, and all the like.

Show Grade: 7/10

[ToTheNines]

Cool episode, I enjoyed it. Hopefully no more phobia Raph from now on.

Kinda funny that last week we got a Nightwatcher shout out, and this week the big action set piece was cribbed from the Bigfoot scene.

[Aaronardo]

Two writers should be writing these things more often. That was honestly miles better than the show has been in recent memory, and the closest it's come to Season 1 writing in a long time. Still a long ways away, but I do have to applaud them for everything they accomplished in this particular episode.

For one, I was very happy to see Splinter's personality come back for this episode. The mantra he teaches Raphael and the joke that comes with it at the end is classic 2012 Splinter, and I really wish we got more of that. He's a troll. That's what makes him a fun character. I hope we get some more of that in any coming episodes. Can we get April's personality back now?

First Raph-centric episode in a long time that actually gave the character a chance to shine. Not so much his personality, but he gets a chance to be put in the limelight, and for what we were given, I liked what we saw. Could've given us more of his personality to make it even better, but I do have to appreciate what we got since we haven't got that in a long time.

The humor DEFINITELY took a step up in this episode. The characters didn't play off of each other which is what made the show so great in its first two seasons, but the humor here was still really good. Next hurdle is for the writers to realize that you can have humor in otherwise serious episodes.

The plot, however, was this episode's downfall. Not as bad as the last two episodes, but Shredder suddenly being incredibly nice to Baxter when that just puts both characters out-of-character was a little strange. The plot itself felt somewhat rushed but to be fair, it had a clear beginning, middle, and end, which, ironically, is something that has alluded this show for quite some time.

Basically, what I'm saying is this filler episode about Baxter being out of character and Raph's bug fear is one of the best episodes of the season so far. While that's kind of sad, at the same time, the episode itself is actually quite good. I hope we get more episodes like this in the future, as the show is clearly trying to get itself back on track.

[PApagreg]

Originally Posted by GoldMutant

From now on, I'm putting my reviews under spoilers due to length. Overall, better than last two weeks in some capacity, but still irritating.

Spoiler:

"When you're on a planet filled with bugs, you're not afraid anymore." (several mutant bugs arrive, scarring him.)

Honestly, the bug phobia was a very forced premise due to this one line of dialogue. I get when you have a serious fear, it lingers onward until you recover. Regardless, even with the Splinter mantra (btw, I liked Splinter and Raph getting a moment, now need a Mikey/Splinter one) which was useless in the end, it just feels like a slap in the face.

The whole phobia to me overtook the actual story: Baxter finally gaining relevance again. Some of you may know that he's actually my favorite TMNT villain, more than the Foot and Krang themselves. However, it feels like he and the reintroductions of Antrax and Scumbug were second fiddle slightly. I did like Antrax's appearance, Scumbug not so much.

Anyways, for Baxter, where did his character go? I know in FW and 2k3 he plays Shredder's lackey. Anyone remember when Baxter was laughable in his attempts in this series, like the dumpster? Anyone remember when he was tragic after becoming a fly? Well, besides the name gag, he has no character. It's the same problem Aaron pointed out last week with April and Splinter, with the former this week I'm baffled by her being able to track mutants with little conflict. Again, powers first, personality second for April. Casey also while subdued lacks any character, it's gotten old.

Besides all my issues, I liked the final fight in the construction zone. There was Super Shredder foreshadowing, though I felt it didn't need to be seen to keep us more in the dark. There was a reference to Final Fight or Double Dragon in the beginning of the episode. Really, the nice little moments are still there, but the characterization is still lackluster and the same treading plot ground occurred. (Shredder's war with Karai, Raph's fears)

Not much to say this week, just a serious mixed bag for me. Not going to rate it at this time.

One of my many problems with this show is that the writers add too many mutants and villians without focusing on Shredder's lackey, we already seen Xever with his underground street racing why not see the other mutants. You can do so much with Bradford's loyalty to Shredder, Tiger Claw bounty hunting, Zecks thievery, Rocksteady's arm contracts and etc. Hell sometimes I forget Hun even exists half the time and Don Vizio next apperance is his only spotlight episode. 2/3 of this show is either Mutants or Shredder, I wants some magic and martial arts for gods sake.

Also why the hell was Baxter being nice and loyal to Shredder. That statement should't exist but for some reason the writers made it possible

[Vicky82]

Can I just point out that this is not a filler episode, all the last 3 episodes are connected.

Originally Posted by Aaronardo

Two writers should be writing these things more often. That was honestly miles better than the show has been in recent memory, and the closest it's come to Season 1 writing in a long time. Still a long ways away, but I do have to applaud them for everything they accomplished in this particular episode.

For one, I was very happy to see Splinter's personality come back for this episode. The mantra he teaches Raphael and the joke that comes with it at the end is classic 2012 Splinter, and I really wish we got more of that. He's a troll. That's what makes him a fun character. I hope we get some more of that in any coming episodes. Can we get April's personality back now?

First Raph-centric episode in a long time that actually gave the character a chance to shine. Not so much his personality, but he gets a chance to be put in the limelight, and for what we were given, I liked what we saw. Could've given us more of his personality to make it even better, but I do have to appreciate what we got since we haven't got that in a long time.

The humor DEFINITELY took a step up in this episode. The characters didn't play off of each other which is what made the show so great in its first two seasons, but the humor here was still really good. Next hurdle is for the writers to realize that you can have humor in otherwise serious episodes.

The plot, however, was this episode's downfall. Not as bad as the last two episodes, but Shredder suddenly being incredibly nice to Baxter when that just puts both characters out-of-character was a little strange. The plot itself felt somewhat rushed but to be fair, it had a clear beginning, middle, and end, which, ironically, is something that has alluded this show for quite some time.

Basically, what I'm saying is this filler episode about Baxter being out of character and Raph's bug fear is one of the best episodes of the season so far. While that's kind of sad, at the same time, the episode itself is actually quite good. I hope we get more episodes like this in the future, as the show is clearly trying to get itself back on track.

Shredder was 'nice and out of character' because he is injured and possibly having drugs pumped into him as well as the mutagen. He won't be like that when he becomes stronger and fully mutate into Super Shredder.

Originally Posted by PApagreg

Also why the hell was Baxter being nice and loyal to Shredder. That statement should't exist but for some reason the writers made it possible

He's being a Kiss ass and he's only one that can help Shredder due to his injuries and change him into Super Shredder.

[Yoshimickster]

A lot of people take issue with Raph retreading on his fears and I'd like to say he's not facing fear this episode, he's facing PTSD! He was on a planet full of giant insects, RIGHT before his girlfriend betrayed him, that messed him up! I was really glad they put Mona Lisa in the hallucination and showing it as a BAD thing, showing that things in "The Evil of Dregg" didn't magically go back to normal at the end, at least sub-consciously. There are things they need to talk about when she comes back.

EITHER WEITHER-this episode RULED, the action, the humor, the omni-directional move gear, the fact that Baxter Stockman is probably Shredder's best minion, and that AWESOME ending. A great half standalone half story ep in my book.

[Aaronardo]

Originally Posted by Vicky82

Can I just point out that this is not a filler episode, all the last 3 episodes are connected.

An episode that does not mainly focus on the main plot is considered by many to be a filler episode. While bits and pieces of the main plot show up in this episode, the episode's main focus is a fun little episode about Baxter, his lackeys, and Raph's fear of bugs.

Originally Posted by Vicky82

Shredder being nice, he's injured, possibly drugged up and having mutagen pumping into him so yeah it will obviously make him out of character.

That's an inference. The writers need to tell us these things if they want us to know. It's like Lilo & Stitch 2 (strange example, I know, I had just randomly watched this movie last night). In it, Jumba keeps the reason Stitch is malfunctioning from the rest of the family, which causes a lot of the plot points, hence plot convenience. Now, the reason for Jumba keeping this secret from the family is clear to me. He doesn't want anyone to worry so he can fix this problem without anyone really knowing about it. However, this is never addressed in the movie. Thus, it just feels like lazy writing.

That's more or less the effect here. Yes, Shredder's going to be nice to Baxter because he's basically the guy making him stronger. But since that is just glossed over, it comes off as lazy writing. Not that I'm complaining, though. It's a nitpick compared to everything else the episode gave us.

[Yoshimickster]

He's nice to Baxter since he's the only one doing a good job! Tiger Claw had a stinkin' army of robot super soldiers, a cyborg dance fighter, and Russian heavy, and he was STILL beaten by six teenagers and a bunch of nameless canon-fodder. Seriously, give them all names, without them they are weak!

Shell, the only reason Stockman Fly lost was because he didn't know about the grapple-harnesses, before that he captured two Leo, April, Karai, Casey, and not Shinigami because she and Casey can't be in the same place at the same time or else they'll explode like anti-matter...or Viacom's just cheap with its voice acting budget.

[Vicky82]

Originally Posted by Aaronardo

An episode that does not mainly focus on the main plot is considered by many to be a filler episode. While bits and pieces of the main plot show up in this episode, the episode's main focus is a fun little episode about Baxter, his lackeys, and Raph's fear of bugs.

It's still connected to the main story, if you skipped the last episode you be confused on watching this episode.

- Baxter went out to steal money for Shredder that was lost in the last episode.

- Karai and the Turtles are looking for Shredder.

- Shredder starting to mutate

These episodes are fillers, they don't mention the main story

The Weird World of Wyrm

Pizza Face

Mazes & Mutants

Parasitica