New Ep Discussion: "Prodigal Son"

[creativerealms82]

I loved Leo's line to Karai near the end "You remind me of a Turtle I once knew." That moment I knew Emo Leo was not coming back.

[Katie]

Originally Posted by creativerealms82

I loved Leo's line to Karai near the end "You remind me of a Turtle I once knew." That moment I knew Emo Leo was not coming back.

That was a good line.....but I couldn't help wishing she would have said something about Raph about then

[TheGreenMagic]

That would have been priceless.

Times like this, I wish I had taped all the fourth season after all. Oh, how a music video could be made out of Leo and Karai's changes since Exodus. Crossfade's So Far Away would (IMO) be a fitting song.

[ZariusTwo]

Originally Posted by Ectocooler

This show has this sort of cheesey quality to it lately, and I don't think it would be nearly as bad if they didn't try to play it off as a serious action cartoon. Serious and cartoon are like an oxymoron, and it just doesn't work that well with TMNT in general.

It worked with the original for the first three years (they also had originality to fall back to add to the unpredictability), it does'nt that much with the new show because the comedy is god awful, and the VAs never ONCE give you the impression that there remoltey bothered with delivering either seriousness or comedy.

The fourth season, despite these faults that have been with the series since it began though, has broken the usual "It jumps after the main villain is taken out" assumptions and whatever downward spiral TMNT suffered from came to an end when season two ended.

[Aska_Badoura]

Wow. I thought this was going to be a hyperventilate, cling to the ceiling ep, but it wasn't so bad. Although I thought the escapes of the three Turtles from their vehicles a little trite. (how can you not notice a motorcycle speeding away from a car wreck when you're in a helicopter?)

Leo is refreshingly focused, and I'm so relieved ("I have my son back" says Splinter. ).

Karai sounded so desperate: "No, I must have my revenge!" Seems like she's frightened, and she also seems to not hold any real hatred for the Turtles (probably pretty ticked off at them, yes, but that's slightly different), but she sort of feels obligated to take on her father's hatred for them. It was more like "I have to defeat you!" rather than "I want to defeat you!".

Leo cut the helmet from Karai's head... impressive. And he actually frightened her, which is a good sign; she's not so hard that she's impervious to anything but hatred and destruction.

I'm so glad Leo saw the parallel between his anger and Karai's. And I'm glad he had his head on straight, and was objective enough to see her anger. I thought slicing the head off of Saki's statue may have been too much (push her over the edge again), but she looked thoughtful and maybe a little wistful at the end, rather than angry.

The new opening: I'm going, "No, she's not the Shredder. She really isn't. Don't encourage her!" :p I don't want to think that's she's going to be a permanent fixture as the Shredder (actually, I wouldn't even mind her being the Shredder if she'd be friends with the Turtles again :p), as their enemy. She was a great deal more thoughtful at the end of the ep than I was expecting. It could be that this is going to be a slow journey for her, like it was for Leo. But I'm not losing hope for her yet. (I know, some people just wanted him to kill her, end of story, good-bye, but like I said, they did play her part in earlier eps so that she'd win the sympathies of some fans, and I can't see them just killing her off after that.)

The first set of footprints: I'm sorry, but those were not Rat prints or Turtle prints (they need a footprint model sheet!). Those were Crocodile prints. I thought Leatherhead was going to show up for a bit there. It kind of threw me off. The next set of footprints were right.

GO KLUNK! Attack kitty!

Now... did you notice that that gas station had the Foot logo on the sign? Looks like Karai is diversifying her father's corporation.

Is it just me, or is it odd that the Leo and Karai ep is on the Lovey Dovey Valentine's Day Weekend?

Hmm. Now that you mention it.. heehee.

Recognized that Karai was going down the same self-destructive path as he was before he went to see the Ancient One, threw in her face that she was becoming just like her father, a far cry from the Karai he first met and in the end, gave her a chance (perhaps the last one) to make amends and go back to who she once was and who she truly is and not what the Shredder wanted her to be.

*nodnodnods* What you said.

Again, better it wasn't the old Season 4 Leo. That reckless fool would have just charged in, swords ablazing, not thinking things through... and thus proudly have tried to reach Karai the hard way, going from the first floor of the Foot's tower and up. That wouldn't have ended well, no sir.

Gah. I shudder to think.

Well, I can admit to that. Then again, I've been waiting since Exodus to see Leo and Karai confront one and another, so, to me, everything preceding it this episode was just getting in the way.

LOL, I thought I was the only one who thought that.

Serious and cartoon are like an oxymoron,

Bite thy tongue, there are animators in the audience! We don't like to hear that kind of thing. :p

The thing I take issue with is the "serious and cartoon are like an oxymoron." Sounds like you're bit with the misconception that plagues most of the Western world (and drives me nuts) i.e, that cartoons should only be funny and they're for kids unless there's a bunch of obvious sexual innuendo.

See? I told you.

[Masked Ninja]

Oh, I forgot to ask: For anyone who taped the epsiode... Did they manage to spell "Oroku Saki" correctly on the front of the library this time? The camera panned by it before I could check.

Originally Posted by Aska Badoura

(how can you not notice a motorcycle speeding away from a car wreck when you're in a helicopter?)

I was wondering that, too. It's not like the explosion/smoke cloud were that huge.

Originally Posted by Aska Badoura

Now... did you notice that that gas station had the Foot logo on the sign? Looks like Karai is diversifying her father's corporation.

I did! And thought: "Eeh?" Glad to know I wasn't just seeing things.

[Doppleganger]

Hoooo boy, anybody else think Leo should start sporting a cape, and shout "Titans Go!"? I was a bit annoyed that he took down that Foot Mech so easily. I mean I know the Ancient One taught him a few things but yeesh!

This episode was okay. It was kinda...hopeful which is good I guess. Maybe a little too much. Leo was very...cheery. I guess he was happy that his family was alive but I thought he was still really really happy. And the way they spent all that time making sure he reunited his family, brought food for them, helped them find a new lair. Oh what would they do if he left again! The family would fall apart! Think of the children!

So I guess if they live near a water pumping station now Leo can touch the water and he'll be able to purify it (and I know I'm so gonna be slammed for that).

I did like that he fought Karai with a level head. "It appears the love has gone out of our relationship." Yeah guess they put an end to that.

I hope Karai will take this last chance to reflect and repent, that look appears she might, but *sigh* I doubt it. Still an okay episode if not up to the caliber of last weeks.

[Masked Ninja]

Originally Posted by Doppleganger

So I guess if they live near a water pumping station now Leo can touch the water and he'll be able to purify it (and I know I'm so gonna be slammed for that).

Actually, I think it's pretty funny, epecially given how much he was like SuperLeo in this epsiode. The food bit I thought was cute, but the Footmech trashin'? Oy.

[LUCKFF]

The New Intro Shocked Me. I Haven't Had A Chance To Watch It Again. At 1st Glance The Turtle Van Looked Like U-haul. Whats Up With That? Also For Some Reason I Associate The Van With Pizza, Why????????? And I Dont Like The Voice Of Karai In The Intro.

The Episode Was Good, Really Good At 1st. At The Pace It Was Going, With Leo Finding Everyone I Thought We Would See A Part 3 Next Week. It Was A Refreshingly Slower Pace Then Usual And I Just Couldn't Imagine How They Could Fit A Karai And Leo (full) Fight In This Episode. Thats Where It Went Wrong. The Fight Sucked. There Was No Fight! The Animation Sucked And Karai Sucks As A Fighter. It Really Dragged The Episode Down.

Next Weeks Episode Is Probably Bishops Work. Hes Probably Experimenting. This Might Lead To Don's Mutation Finally.

Originally Posted by Doppleganger

So I guess if they live near a water pumping station now Leo can touch the water and he'll be able to purify it (and I know I'm so gonna be slammed for that).

LOL. I LOVE IT

[Jester]

I dunna, I wasn't a big fan of Leo's psudo-psychic powers. It was an interesting device to show us the others escapes (is it me or were Raph and Mikey's escapes kinda obvious and should have been seen by the Foot). I thought the hype killed this one, actually.

[Raph's Girl]

Alright! Now the turtles live in a mansion! Nice to know the turtles are moving up in the world. Definatly a nice looking house they have there.

Karai needs a new helmet and a new statue. Oi.

But hey... gotta love Leo's new power to see previous episodes.

I wonder tho if that new walking stick Splinter got from his grandpa er the ancient one has a hidden meaning behind it?

Oh and did you notice in the NEW theme it said "Turtles... they never let us down..."???

[Sage Ninja]

Very good episode I enjoyed it. I loved hearing Leonardo speak in his normal sounding voice. I got a little fan girlish with that.

I thought the way the turtles escaped was a little predictable, but clever. I espeically loved the way Donatello and Splinter escaped. Michaelangelo and Klunks escape was decent. Raphael's made me go WTF , how did the foot guys miss him going out the back end of the van? Maybe the foot have tunnel vision or somthing.

Oh some one mentioned given the nature of Michaelangelo's escape drilling thingy, he should have been dragged out of the wreckage injured. Well when Leonardo found him, he seemed to be a bit injured because he had to support him to walk, which struck me as a bit odd because when they showed him escaping he didn't appear to have hurt him self at all. Oh I LOVED that little exchange between Leonardo and Klunk, I loved how Klunk got all fierce alley cat on him protecting his master. Its so rare that you see the other turtles pay any attention to Klunk, I was smiling . You know after how Leonardo took out everything so easily, I thought it would have been a nice dose of comedy if Klunk had attacked Leonardo and try to claw him. That would have been funny, Leonardo getting mauled by a little fur ball of a kitten Maybe you guys wouldn't be bitching so much right now

And was it a little predicable that Leonardo found Raphael last, I thought we were going to have some Raphael and Leonardo brotherly moment, but it didn't go that way. Was I the only one that thought that Raphael sounded a bit hoarse the entire episode. Like his voice actor had a cold or something? I giggled when Raphael came in and acted like a cool cat, and brushed off Donatello's enthusiasm LOL.

Karai bugs me, but I did like that CEO bussiness skirt suit she was sporting in this episode. Very Liberated woman like. I liked the fight with Leonardo and Karia, but I thought it was a bit rushed. Nice badass move Leonardo did to the Shredder statue, but I thought it was a little insencitive and I actaully felt a pang of sympathy for Karai when she looked at his head. If some one had beheaded a statue of my deceased father I think I would have been undone . And this is coming from some one who hates Karai

My biggest question/gripe was, just how long where the turtles seperated for? When the Ancient One had that premonition the turtles lair was getting attacked, and Leonardo was still in Japan. And then after every one is scattered Leonardo is jumping off the boat and goes looking for them. How long did it take to sail from Japan into New York's harbor? Just a few days? I got the empression that the turtles where sepreted for just a few days. It should have taken months to get back to the states. How long did that boat trip last? What was it magic? That was a serious passage of time dysfuntion on the writters part!

[Jester]

You know Sage, I never even thought about that...maybe The Ancient One had a vision much eariler than the events of Scion. *shrugs* but you're right, it seemed Leo hoped a really fast boat from Japan to New York.

[VaughnMichael]

Wow I must not just agree with people or something lol...
Because I loved today's episode.
It had everything! Action, Great Character Dialog, Decent Art and animation, & Character Development and progression of the story.
Leonardo and the family are back as one finally we have the old Leo back now and I love how happy splinter seems and everything just seems back to normal I am glad they found a new home glad to see April and Angel.....was odd though no Casey at all? I guess April only sees Mr. Jones after hours now hehe
I loved the fight between Karai and Leonardo it was short and brief but it was beautiful I know the conclusion of it was predictable but I still liked it I think this is her turning point now...the show is headed in a good direction. I also loved when Leo cut the statues head off beautiful seriously!
BUT ONE THING DRIVES ME INSANE WHERE IS LEATHERHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!???????
BTW am I the only one loving all these tmnt shorts that they're playing I hope they end up on the dvd's!
Oh and next weeks preview is crazy! It looks like we will finally get the Minitonka Mutant episode....which means...bishop is coming out from hibernation

[Jester]

LH is still assumed dead, I hope he shows up though, I miss that big croc.

[VaughnMichael]

Originally Posted by Anarchistguy

well, at least, Leo's back to normal...

Amen To That!

Originally Posted by stege-chan

OMG, what the HELL was with that opening?!!!11one And that new Battleshell...
And the way Leo talked to Klunk was soooo cute!
And about the preview for next week, I'm wonderin' if this's where the Monster Donnie episode will come in....I mean, red-eyed mutant vicious critters?

I thought it was decent I actually really like that they are changing the intros so much to fit the show every time it changes to go along with the story....
The New Ride they have is hardly a Battle shell I actually love it and can't wait till it's made it's more discrete then the Battle Shell was.
Leo Talking to Klunk what did he say? Damn I missed that for some reason...
I do believe next week will be a bishop Minitonka Mutant Episode but heck Don could mutate in the episode to that would be great because this little arc has just end...now the turtles live need something bad to happen again

Originally Posted by vagrant718

The episode was all right, Leo remembering past events like that was kinda far-fetched. And Karai being part of the intro means she's not gonna turn around anytime soon. Leo handle Karai with no problem at all does this mean he surpass splinter as a fighter?

It was far-fetched but way cool cause he's right up there with splinter now which is really helpful...I'm not to sure about Karai I think she may turn over...and they seem to change the intro an awful lot these days so don't be to sure of that....
I think Karai was not fighting as well because she was blinded by hate...it really seems to mess people up in this show when they fight and are angry lol

Originally Posted by Rhane

I really didn't like that there was a lack of emotion from everyone.

I didn't like that either it sort of bothered me...but they didn't have much time to delve into all that mushy crap I think lol it's only a half hour show they have to make due with what they have haha plus the last time they saw Leo he was an utter jerk...but It did makes me smile really big how happy they all had been to see him.

Originally Posted by Torrant2

I don't think there's any hope for Karai now, after all they put her in the intro as shredder. Speaking of the intro, I hope they're not going to keep screwing around with it.
This must have been really closely timed, the robot still in the lair, fresh footprints and tracks, and the fact that nobody went looking for each other.

Don't be to sure of this if the turtles and laird stories have ever taught us anything there is always hope for redemption in the turtles world.
I sure hope they keep screwing with it because it can only get better if they do
yes it seems as if there adventures are becoming weekly

Originally Posted by TerranigmaFreak

The helicopter's cool, but the new battle shell looks like an ice-cream truck. A rocket launching ice-cream truck... The old battle shell's much cooler.
This lair was hands down the best design of all the TMNT lairs. And it's got a magic elevator! I hope the new lair will be equally awesome.

I totally disagree with you and the other person who said this but OK to each there own...this is much better and not so much like oh look at us they should be in something that's not that easy to spot....this truck is a moving van I think anyway...and it is very conspicuous.
The new lair will be fun I bet kinds reminds me of the old shows with a new twist...and color scheme

Originally Posted by TheLastSonof84

Considering how flexible the people behind the show are, I can't say I'd be surprised if that new intro with Karai as the Shredder last only an episode or two. It would be nice to see, after Karai redeems herself, Bishop taking that spot in the opening. Perhaps its just me, but he darn well deserves to be the main baddie once the Foot aren't the main spotlight when it comes to villainy. Unlike, say, Dregg or Dragon Lord, Bishop has everything that it takes to be a good permanent replacement villain for Oroku Saki and he truly needs to step up, take names and become the main baddie. Long as he puts up a better fight than he did in his last episode. That was a bit pitiful compared to his showings in his first appearance and Hun on the Run.

I agree with you 100% on Bishop I hope he takes that spot he's an amazing villain in the fact that he's so freakin' evil that I actually hate him in a good way...but I will Disagree with you about Lord Dregg he's not given a chance the poor character came in at the end of the series and I think he was a hell of a villain he even managed to single handidly capture shredder, krang, the tmnt, April, carter, splinter, trick all the people of earth, and betray his own helpers to me he's as much of a bad ass as the new shredder was...but I'm more then sure I'm the only one who feels that way about Dregg lol...
Dragon Lord I will agree he was an idiot Dr. Quease should have been the head bad guy of the next mutation...

Originally Posted by Ectocooler

I realize most of the posters on this forum tend to prefer the new toon to the original, and prefer the mirage comics over everything. But I still gotta say the new toon is just kind of disappointing lately. I don't expect any of you to agree with me, and I'm not trying to change anyone's minds, but hey it wouldn't be fun if we didn't have different opinions right?
The show started out decent, but I think it's time for it to end (you may not agree with me now, let's see about next season, turtles in time :p).
I wouldn't be surprised if it made it's way to dvd faster than doom did

See you are saying your an old school fan right...but so am I and you don;t seem to have a very opened mind towards the turtles exploration of time and space and such....they did that plenty of times in the old show, the games, and the toy lines...so I don't see why your using turtles fast forward as an example...
OK I agree with you about the movie lol

Originally Posted by Masked Ninja

This was a good episode, but not as good as last week, and not nearly as good as the greats like SAINW, Shredder Strikes Back, etc. I too would have liked to see much more emotion, but I guess they were pressed for time as it was. And using Leo as a device for the flashbacks was a little, erm... He's learned a lot from the Ancient One, I'll grant - but probably not the ability to be his own crystal ball.

Man could you guys just stop it already with all of that comparing of episodes to past episodes you need to just let go and enjoy them for what they are we would not enjoy other people as much if they were all the same so why would we enjoy episodes that would all be the same.

Originally Posted by rayfillet101

during winx(right before the TMNT) they showed a Monster Hunter preview, with the new van and everything. new footage and stuff...I think its a reality more than a promo. I hate hate hate the new previews with mikey and don announcing. last week they were supposed to be dead, and then they pretend to be the triceriton announcer guys? lame!

Oh come on have a sense of humor!

Originally Posted by Rikirk

My only gripe was that in the previous episode all 3 turtles and Splinter couldn't even take down one of those foot Battlemechs. And lo and behold Leo swipes one a few times and makes scrap out of it. Yes, I know the mechs had backup foot soldiers and all that but the epp seemed a bit rushed to make it to the final confrontation between Leo and Karai.
Now..getting to the Leo/Karai face off. I liked it. It was far to quick a battle for my taste...but I'll live with that. Again I think Leo defeated her way to easily...it should have been fleshed out more, but then IM thinking there's not a lot you can do in a 30 minute time frame.

Yes, that wasn't very good but I guess the accent one has taught Leonardo well but I did love that scene it was animated well or well how the foot mech. looked I'd love a figure of that! But was I the only one who wanted Leo to stab him right in his foot symbol when he said "THE FOOT!"
My favorite Part of there battle was when she shot the chain out from her back great stuff there loved it!

[VaughnMichael]

Originally Posted by Aska_Badoura

Wow. I thought this was going to be a hyperventilate, cling to the ceiling EP, but it wasn't so bad. Although I thought the escapes of the three Turtles from their vehicles a little trite. (how can you not notice a motorcycle speeding away from a car wreck when you're in a helicopter)?
Leo cut the helmet from Karai's head ... impressive. And he actually frightened her, which is a good sign; she's not so hard that she's impervious to anything but hatred and destruction.
The new opening: I'm going, "No, she's not the Shredder. She really isn't. Don't encourage her!" :p I don't want to think that's she's going to be a permanent fixture as the Shredder (actually, I wouldn't even mind her being the Shredder if she'd be friends with the Turtles again :p), as their enemy. She was a great deal more thoughtful at the end of the EP than I was expecting. It could be that this is going to be a slow journey for her, like it was for Leo. But I'm not losing hope for her yet. (I know, some people just wanted him to kill her, end of story, good-bye, but like I said, they did play her part in earlier eps so that she'd win the sympathies of some fans, and I can't see them just killing her off after that.)
Now ... did you notice that that gas station had the Foot logo on the sign? Looks like Karai is diversifying her father's corporation.

I agree with you on the Vehicle thing..totally trite! They would have noticed the foot is not this dumb especially Karais foot.
Ugh I cannot believe I forgot to mention that best moment in this episode was that I loved when he cut her helmet open showing her like listen lady you are not the shredder we know it and we still care about you...
I don't see her as the shredder either and I hated her saying watch out for shredder in the beginning it just sounded um lame! lol
I would like them to show her becoming how she is now with the tmnt in the comics....I love Karai it's probably from the comics but you know I never thought we'd ever even see her animated...and I'm glad she is not dead Leo just wouldn't kill like that...
Yes, thank you I thought the gas station had that wait actually...was this scene shown to us before in another episode why do I swear we have seen a foot logo gas station before?

Originally Posted by Doppleganger

So I guess if they live near a water pumping station now Leo can touch the water and he'll be able to purify it (and I know I'm so gonna be slammed for that).

*slams you!*

Originally Posted by Jester

LH is still assumed dead, I hope he shows up though, I miss that big croc.

yea I know huge shame really ....since some how Hun Lived and a giant mutant Croc is dead...wonderfull....

[Spitfire]

No Devils Cried here. Not for me atleast. I was kinda dissappointed in this episode. It should have been a 2 parter. They spent the whole episode showing Leo finding his family and then the last 5 minutes he fought Karai. He gets into the heavily guarded Foot Base in 10 seconds and kicks her butt in a minute. Then he gives her a second chance and runs off.

The new Intro was ummm I have mixed feeling about that one but I do think they need to just give up and make a new intro...new song and all.

[BigApple3AM]

Originally Posted by TheLastSonof84

I might be considered a strange one, but I myself love the two cartoons equally and in thus, in turn, prefer them both to the comic. Though I do like the comics as well, at least the first volume.

That's great dude, seriously, I prefer the movies over everything though (except maybe the old cartoon).


Then again, I've been waiting since Exodus to see Leo and Karai confront one and another

I Haven't been following the show as much as I should, so my opinions on the new show are more of a casual fan than a diehard tmnt fan even though the turtles consume my soul

Oroku Saki was his human self.

At first I thought it was cool they were being different than anything else, but I came to the conclusion that Shredder was already different enough, and that this was actually a worse fate than they gave Shredder in the old comics (worm cloning still sort of bugs me)

Season 2 had its ups and downs for me, since I don't much care for allt he space adventures... and, to me

That's been my point for a while too, though most people disagreed with me in the bebop/rocksteady thread I made a while ago. The grittier turtles work better, but I can understand that maybe it wouldn't for a cartoon that sells action figures.

Originally Posted by Masked Ninja

The thing I take issue with is the "serious and cartoon are like an oxymoron."

I meant more for this kind of cartoon, which is more a franchise than a cartoon. Even the new Batman cartoon strays away from being as dark as the 90's one. I know there's anime out there that's all adult, but they're not selling action figures to kids, y'know?

I think this show does a good job being serious.
I disagree but I see where you're coming from on the other points

The only difference between this and a scifi live action show is the characters are drawn instead of real.

Well, that and probaly a bunch of soap opera crap and violence. There's no real violence in TMNT, I thought there was when they beheaded Shredder, but man was I wrong. I mean they proved they could push the limits, no one really knew Shredder was going to be an utrom, and it wasn't revealed until quite a while later (a whole season away) if they still did stunts like that I would drool over the show

And while I'll admit this show isn't the best thing to ever hit TV, it does a darn good job anyway.

I actually think it's far better than any other cartoon on right now, and it shows that the producers/writers/animators care about their turtles, but unfortunately just because they like what they're doing doesn't mean I do. Then again I have a set preference of what I'd like to see the TMNT be, so I'm totally biased.

animation errors in the old one

That's 80's animation for ya, I've never judged a cartoon soley on animation (not saying you are) but I know tons of people that won't watch Transformers because of bad animation, but they overlook the awesome storytelling, great voice actors, and imagination. Then they watch those godawful anime transformers that might have pretty pictures but nothing else, and it makes me angry

Originally Posted by Doppleganger

So I guess if they live near a water pumping station now Leo can touch the water and he'll be able to purify it (and I know I'm so gonna be slammed for that).

Haha, quote worthiness.

[ZariusTwo]

The recent TF animes havbe their fans, but the oly one that got better was Armada, Energon and Cybertron are overrated, and I just puke at the fact they pilfered Starscreams' War Within look and did'nt bother making a series out of THAT

And coincidently, the episode WAS in every way a two parter, it just had different episode titles, plenty of shows do that