New Ep Discussion: "Dragon's Rising"

[nWoCHRISnWo]

I guess I'm in the minority here because I agree with Leo. They really need to step it up or they could be toast. Just put yourself into Leo's head... If you fail finishing a job one more time, that could spell the end for you and your family. It's literally a life and death situation. Nothing is wrong with wanting to get better. This season has made me a huge Leo fan.

[J Legault]

Very cool episode. Poker scene, funny and memorible! Leonardo, probably been taking advice on crime from watching BatMan or something.

Hun and PDs now own their own headquarters. Much nicer than the old hideway of the PDs.

The first episode to show Casey's dad, FINALLY!

Ruffinington out of Jail!?!

Some good moments, The ending was great with Casey at his father's grave.

Rate: 5/5 stars

Speaking of Ruffinington, Nobody returns next week!

[Kali]

I liked this. It was mostly a character story, but with a lot of good action. Leo’s outburst at the end was a long time coming, and I’m glad he finally expressed it. And I love how Raph said “He ain’t wrong.” He can’t bring himself to admit Leo’s right, so his brother’s simply “not wrong”. Loved that.

And remind me to never play poker with Splinter. But he looked great in the visor.

[Leonardo19]

It was a good episode but not great. I liked how the episode had a lot to do with Casey. I love the direction the series is heading. Leo's speach at the end was great and makes me think the series is heading for a darker version of the turtles. The turtles loosing battles is great makes the show more real. If I was Leo I to would grow tired of loosing battles and I feel he knows if not him then who will lead the turtles in the right direction. Lately I been bragging to everyone I know how great this series is and how I feel its more of an adult cartoon then it is for kids. The thing I look forward to most every week is the next episode of the turtles.

[Fledermaus]

Hmm... I actually noticed it some episode ago, but I noticed it again here... April's eyes have turned blue this season. They were originally green.

I liked her better with green eyes. Now, she's starting to resemble another comic book redhead (movie version). Maybe she's got them freaky eyes that change colors now and then.

Other random obervations/peeves:

Why the shell where Leo and Raph concerned about parachutes when they must've had at least 8 hoverboards behind them?

I did not like Hun's new HQ. The building was realistic in that it accurately resembles the pretensious professional buildings of today. The Purpdrag HQ is set too far back from the curb, plus the ugly parking lot. Those plants were squinty, I thought, compared to the building. They were put in just cuz. I'm sure the zoning laws have changed since Shredder had his building built. In that case, Hun should've just bought an old building that looked more dignified and renovated the insided of it to his needs. But no. He opted for the tackier, pretensious design. To me, this somewhat depicts, that, try as he might, Hun willl never be of the same class as the Shredder.

I guess I'm sort of a new urbanist--that's why the building stood out to me. That's the kind of thing I hope to stop. Anyone with me on this?

Anywho, I think I'll finish with the random observations. For now.

[Raph's Girl]

The way the previews seemed to focus on Leo Im sure we all thought it would be a Leo ep...but nope...ended up being an ep that focused a bit on our fave vigelante, Arnold Casey Jones Jr!

Some of my fave things in this ep:
1: Raph and Casey learned to never play poker with a rat.

2: Casey Sr was hot!!


Seriously tho....man...when Leo blew up I got scared...

I also cried at the end when Casey visited his dad's grave.


I loved this ep! And Im sure I'll love next week's eppy "Still Nobody"!! Woot!!! More Nobody!!!

[cowabunga14]

I really enjoyed this episode especially since Casey is my favorite human charcter. The action was great and it was good to see Hun make an appearence. That as an intrestin' openin' how it statred out with widescreen and then had Splinter, Raph, and Casey playin' poker in full screen. I liked to see an episdoe start in widescreen then go to full screen more often. I lie how the new Purle Dragons aren't wussies like the old ones. The old ones were too easy for the Turtles. I liked it when the Turtles got in the helicopter and fought Hun and the Purple Dragons. That was a good fight scene. I that Casey and Hun were goners when they fell out of the helicopter. I laughted when Casey said "Goongala" all funny. Casey's father's message about standin' up for what was right reminded of an episode of Naruto I saw when Irani met this guy that was like a father to him cuz he never really had one. The guy told him to stand up for what was right and he was the hero of the city. He died a hero cuz this gangster
had his ninjas kill him. Leonardo really oughta go easy on his bros if he expects to win. I liked how Casey expressed standin' up for what's right when was in the cemetary. I thought Casey was gonna really punch Hun when he had the chance but that flash back changed everything. I give this episode a five out of five. The preview for next week's episode was funny. I liked the pun.

[Sage Ninja]

very good episode, I adored the scene in the begining with Splinter and Casey and Raphael. That was some good comedy right there. I love this version of Splinter! So much better than that frail,weak, dull, words of wisdom that make no damn sence! Splinter from the old toon. Seriously Splinter from the old toon just spoke to hear his own voice I think.

Good episode, I enjoyed the Casey Vs. Hun fight. And let me say that I'm glad that the writters are finnally developing Casey and making him hard core! I really felt the anger and barely supressed violence from him while battleing Hun, I am glad he didn't sacrife his honor to kill Hun.

And on to Leonardo...oh boy, oh boy, oh boy . His anger at the end and hearing him chew the boys a new asshole actually made my ears burn. That was intence; greatly acted out by Leo's voice actor. I have to say that after that little out burst I personally felt rather dazed, and I didn't know what to think about Leonardo. However I will say this, even though he was harsh and his expectations for particular missions out come where unrealistic, I rather agree with him. Not on every thing but i could really hear the deep frustration in his voice when he was going off on his brothers and I sympathise with him. He was still way off base with practically calling his brothers amertuars though, but he was right.

And immediatly after his out burst I held my breath because I was sure that one of them was going to explode back, and I was shocked that none of them did. I think the fact that none of them did say anything back is a real testament to how much they understand Leonardo's passion to not fail again. And I have to say that Raphael deserves props in this, he really has matured and become more level headed. The fact that he didn't fly at Leonardo's throat when he started yelling at them shows how he has come along and how he understands where Leonardo is coming from. Go Raphael!

A few other things, Donatello was kick ass in with his driving that turtle is awsome, I was also a little surpriced by how he just shot at the truck behind him that shot would have killed those guys and he knew it! It Donatello is no light weight.

For once Michaelangelo didn't need saving this episode, good for him I liked how he was serious and even barking out some orders, very good, I want to see more of Mikey being serious in battles.

Good episode, the preview completley flew over my head, but it amused me, I haven't seen eppy with Nobody in it yet. Should be interesting.

[Fledermaus]

In spite of many flaws, this ended up being a satisfying episode nontheless. Interesting, because the basic premise has been so many times already, this shoudn't have worked. The saving grace of Dragon's Rising was the revealing of Casey's backstory--showing that he is far more than a mindless psychotic vigilante. That was very, very good. Also, we are moving along right on schedule with Leo's moodiness. As many of us thought, Leo's biggest problem is that he can't deal with half-winning. He didn't get to "defeat the enemy" as completely as he wanted to.

I had to resist the impulse to shout "Ja, mein Führer!" after Leo's hissy speech. Okay. So he had a point. True, they can't afford to not complete their missions. BUT... I think it was quite clear that no one saw this as a game. Also, Don had a good point. They did their best. Therefore, I think it was very condescending of Leo to assume that his brothers did not take the matter seriously.

Were any of the four of them goofing off during the mission? No. In fact, I was rather surprised by Mikey's seriousness. He was giving commands, taking initiative, being responsible. That's huge. How was Leo unable to see this?



I think we have already discussed that in great detail. That is why I have no novels to write. So far we are right on schedule with Leo's descent into a**hole-ville. Sometimes, the problem needs to get worse before it gets better. Before you realize you're in the wrong, you may have to experience the negative consequences of your bad decisions. I'm waiting for that turning point when Leo realizes that his heart isn't actually where he thinks it is. When he is aware. Until then, I accept this GROWL SNARL Batman-wanna-be $h1t. It's part of the growth process. He will be a wiser person afterwards. I hope he will be a better person... That's not always a guarantee in this situation.

Oh, and for everyone who was whining about Leo's attitude--did you catch what Mikey said? He said he was also getting annoyed by it. If Leo is pissing you off, then rejoice, for the writers are manipulating you, the audience, just as they intended!

[Buslady]

The ep rocked.
I really liked Casey's butt kicking and his bit of maturity...I about died laughing though, he helps Hun up and lectures him. Oh god that was to die for!!!!
I laughed at the lack of logic, how the hec can Hun & everybody get INTO the plane when they and everything not tied down should be getting pulled out of the plane?

Getting past that...

LEO! He's worse than Raph. Taking his anger out on everyone. Daaamn..lighten up Leo, what's in the past stays in the past! Take a chill pill man...i thought it interesting Raph agreeing.
I think Raph's compensating for Leo's lack of leadership too and I think it's overdue those two have a little discussion, heart to heart or something cause Leo's gonna self destruct if he keeps it up.
I can see Raph arguing with Leo, "since when did we become the city's superheros? The freak SWAT? The Freak Brigade? When!? I thought that's what that ddamn Silver Sentry and his geeks are for! *Stomps off* I'm sick 'o fighting this crap...I'm movin out of state..."

heheheh

Hun's HQ would fit perfect in SoCal...I thought nothing of it!!

Poker...gambling..on a kid's show! ALL RIGHT!! woohoo!! I loved that bit.

[Tinuvielsdreams]

Really interesting use of the characters lately...I really feel for poor Casey.
Deep character development only leads to one thing...an explosion in the plot!
(Or in Leo the amazing ticking bomb turtle.)
I wasn't sure how I felt about the way he acted at the end. I didn't expect Raph to take it in agreeance the way he did though.
Each week is just making me anticipate the next one more which is great!
Kudos to whoever writes the character dialogue.
*Fledermaus I didn't even notice April's eye color I really want to go back and look now.
I think I am hoping for another mini Karai scene again just to know what she is up to...

[Machias Banshee]

I finally saw the ep, and all I gotta say is..

"$#%& you, Leo"

Jeez, the writers are Really making him nasty... if they wanted the audience to get cheezed with him, they've definitely done their job, judging from the other posts in this thread. Even the others are getting fed up with it. The others KNOW its not a game... they risk their lives everytime they go out and do this stuff. Just because theyre not in the same frame of mind as HIM, doesnt mean they're doing anything wrong... and personally, I don't know if I'd Want to see them all acting like he is right now. I sooo cannot wait to see the a-- well, I'll keep quiet now.

But I'm in the same boat as Fleder. I'll be patient, cuz it Does usually get worse before getting better... *has a mango lassi of patience*

As many others said, the lack of physics was kinda noticeable. BUT... I DID like how they handled the rivalry between Casey and Hun. Lots of nice character development for Casey, even the relationship between him and his Father. More father-son stuff, the better...

Speaking of which... I LOVED the beginning with the whole poker match. I think Splinter's been watching too many of those tv shows... the visor just topped it all.

[Tinuvielsdreams]

no one does a visor like splinter... Question: Is there anything he can't do?
Answers: Of course not!
I think we know what splinter does all the time when his boys aren't home. He is sitting around watching celebrity poker and texas hold em' on TV

[Anarchistguy]

Am I the only one who noticed Casey's father in this cartoon looks NOTHING like his comic book counterpart. In the Dreamwave comics, he's a fat, bald man.

[Raph's Girl]

Originally Posted by Anarchistguy

Am I the only one who noticed Casey's father in this cartoon looks NOTHING like his comic book counterpart. In the Dreamwave comics, he's a fat, bald man.

Well in the Dreamwave series his dad was an arse and a former baseball player.

In this tho it seems he was a nice guy, rather hot, wise, and owned a store.

[cowabunga14]

Originally Posted by Anarchistguy

Am I the only one who noticed Casey's father in this cartoon looks NOTHING like his comic book counterpart. In the Dreamwave comics, he's a fat, bald man.

I find that ironic how Casey's father was humble and influential whereas his comic book couterpart was arguementive and brutal. Casey as a kid in the Dreamwave comics has more of an anime look to him than he does in the current cartoon. Things also happened differently in the comic when Casey's dad's shop got blown up.

[Katie]

Originally Posted by Anarchistguy

Am I the only one who noticed Casey's father in this cartoon looks NOTHING like his comic book counterpart. In the Dreamwave comics, he's a fat, bald man.

Speaking of Casey's parents....mom sure wasn't all 1950's pleasant in H.A.T.E. last season.....maybe Casey's memory was all idealized?

[Buslady]

Originally Posted by Katie

Speaking of Casey's parents....mom sure wasn't all 1950's pleasant in H.A.T.E. last season.....maybe Casey's memory was all idealized?

I thought Casey would've been a 70s kiddo...or 80s...not 50s..eerrr unlesss im misunderstanding the post hehehee

[Kali]

Originally Posted by Katie

Speaking of Casey's parents....mom sure wasn't all 1950's pleasant in H.A.T.E. last season.....maybe Casey's memory was all idealized?

I was wondering about that, too. I mean, people change over time, but I was seriously scratching my head over that one.

[OA]

Very good ep IMO....loved the character development and the emotional ending with Casey at the grave....these eps just keep getting better and better!