Opinions on April and Karai?

[BabyTurtles]

Originally Posted by Karai Samurai

I think April has had adequate screen time to develop some sort of personality. Karai had a lot less screen time and far better characterization. I just think the writers got a bit lazy with April being the slightly awkward good girl and didn't think it was important to make her something more.

yea I think so too.....

remember that episode when April helped Mikey get on facebook(or whatever they wanna call it XD) in New friend old enemy? she had alot of expressions then.
or
that time when she introduced them to Murakami-san? She was great the entire episode.

....but once they revealed that she was the human the kraang wanted everything went kinda downhill for her character.....everything revolving around her was dire and serious. It's like there was no time for her to just chill and help the turtles with their problems....it was only her problems.

I've come to the conclusion that she's more interesting as a normal girl with personality than a bland girl with a crazy plot.

[blindturtle02]

How is 2012 April bland and without personality? I'm honestly curious here. It's gotten me rewatching some episodes featuring her today since basically everything in my town is canceled due to ice. So KS, do you and Babyturtles feel that she's become more of a plot device than a character? Are they dragging out the whole April/Kraang arc a bit too long for ya? I like the whole psychic/mystery thing myself, but different strokes for different folks and all that. She has great determination when she has been featured. She's certainly no doormat and she's indipendant. She seems as if she's got quite allot of personality. Do you think the writers need to flesh out her character traits a bit more? Maybe have her in more of the downtime scenes in order to learn about her as a person? Again, just curious to hear what everyone has to say. I did like those moments in s1 where she was teaching the guys about every day life in NYC. There should definitely be more of those moments. But we might be seeing more of those since the riff between the boys and April has been closed. From what has been revealed lately concerning the remainder of the second season, I think she's going to be crucial to the boys' survival during upcoming episodes.

[Karai Samurai]

Originally Posted by blindturtle02

So KS, do you and Babyturtles feel that she's become more of a plot device than a character?

Yes! Exactly this!

I can't speak for babyturtles, but remember that episode when Karai asked April "what makes you so special?" X amount of episodes later and I'm still asking the same thing. Sure she's part of this crazy story line, but seriously, all of the craziness is going on while she's just this boring blob right in the middle of it all. All we need is one episode were April can just be April, not Donnie's crush, not (possibly) Casey's crush, and not the Kraang's target, and maybe she will be interesting. I don't know, give her friends. Show her trying to deal with her newly mutated father. April needs something to give her personality. It's possible to have female leads on television who are more than just eye candy. It's cool that the writers gave her psychic (?) abilities and got her to fight, but at the end of the day, April is just there as the object of someone's desires. She can be so much more.

[BabyTurtles]

Originally Posted by Karai Samurai

Yes! Exactly this!

I can't speak for babyturtles, but remember that episode when Karai asked April "what makes you so special?" X amount of episodes later and I'm still asking the same thing. Sure she's part of this crazy story line, but seriously, all of the craziness is going on while she's just this boring blob right in the middle of it all. All we need is one episode were April can just be April, not Donnie's crush, not (possibly) Casey's crush, and not the Kraang's target, and maybe she will be interesting. I don't know, give her friends. Show her trying to deal with her newly mutated father. April needs something to give her personality. It's possible to have female leads on television who are more than just eye candy. It's cool that the writers gave her psychic (?) abilities and got her to fight, but at the end of the day, April is just there as the object of someone's desires. She can be so much more.

yea...this.

again...It's cool that she can fight......but I just want to get to know HER....her likes and dislikes...



and nobody say..."she's a secondary character" or "she's not shown as much so they don't have much time"

they could have taken out a butt-load of Donnie and April awkward moments to give her some lines to herself! talking to another turtle....giving her an opinion...having fun....anything.

that April and Leo moment was golden...In "New girl in town".

[Asha]

The reason I think its hard to understand this incarnation of April is her reactions to plot points that involve her are too simple.

The episodes when she lived with the turtles but the next few episodes she makes no appearance of at least a reference to how she doing.

Understand April could be solved by establishing her dynamic with each of the turtles. Or her having a conversation not plot related could help.

[Karai Samurai]

Okay, I know it's not cool to revive a dead thread but I just watched "New Girl in Town." Even though April was in the episode for only a minute she was perfect! I loved her girl talk with Leo. I wish we got to see that April more.

[blindturtle02]

There's certainly no harm in reviving this thread. Everyone should be allowed to have their say. Now that you mention it, I was watching that one the other day and noticed the same thing. Loved her in that ep!

[BubblyShell22]

I'm sure there will be more April development as the season goes along. We just haven't seen enough of it yet. And I agree that April was awesome in "New Girl in Town."

[Shark_Blade]

I love it more cause April is wearing other type of clothing than that default jersey.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

April is not a bad character in this show but I don't think she's getting enough development. She is definitely getting there but she still seems to be just there for Don to crush on her for humor. While April and Don have the closest relationship as it should be, I agree with others that she should also spend a little time being a big sister to the other three turtles because that's basically her role in this show.

As for Karai, she was actually cool in the first season until Karai's Vendetta. My problem with her is that after the turtles attempted to attack Shredder, she decides to suddenly join forces with the Kraang, the ones who she were more concerned about. I understood that she's angry at the turtles for what going against their plan and attacking her "father" but that's no excuse to side with the beings that are a threat to your home planet. Not only that but she decides to suddenly kidnap April without thinking what do the Kraang want with her. Nope, since she's the turtles' friend, she decides to threaten her life. Then she decides to kidnap Leo and accuses him for betraying her but she didn't even consider how he felt when she left him and his brothers to fight "Justin" of whom she caused. Later, she says that it's nothing personal against them and that she just wants revenge on Splinter for killing her mother. Leo had to tell her that Splinter would never harm an innocent. Having encountering Splinter before, hopefully she has second thoughts since Splinter refused to fight her when she called him a coward. And now, she decides that it's okay to use the Kraang's technology against the turtles despite her dad's orders, TWICE.

While I think 2k3 Karai went off the deep end for attacking the turtles and Splinter for what happened to her "father", at least it's explained what her motive was for doing so. 2012 Karai siding with the Kraang (the ones who are going to take over the world) and going after April has no explanation. Is she after the turtles, April, Splinter, who?! What is HER objective?

[blindturtle02]

Originally Posted by BubblyShell22

I'm sure there will be more April development as the season goes along. We just haven't seen enough of it yet. And I agree that April was awesome in "New Girl in Town."

Yeah, I think so too. It's coming alright. Maybe they're intentionally leaving her a bit mysterious for a while to entice fans? Keep them tuning in or something? Idk haha

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

I like them. Making them the same age as the turtles makes them fresh and original, while still being the characters that we all love.

[victory_angel]

My take on Karai in 2003 version of was that she was a twit. Her loyalty to the Shredder was admirable. But she believed in honor as well and even she could see that the Shredder was not and honorable man and could abandon her whenever he felt like. And once Ch'rel is imprisoned she decides to get vengeance of the very people who brought her father to justice.

As for Karai in the 2012 version, she is witty. And while she does feel like she wants justice for her mothers murder, she is willing to think and consider things that her father will not. For example when she first encounters Leo she doesn't kill him directly, but instead tries to seduce him to the dark side. That way the Shredder would see the Turtles would be better on the side of the Foot rather then being viewed as enemies. And it would hurt "Hamato Yoshi" for his prized student to be on the same side of the enemy.

Bur when Leo doesn't turn the way she wanted she gives up on that and finds the Kraang as something of interest. Even if it was just for the sake of utilizing their technology as a way to aid the Foot Clan. And even with the truce they have in Enemy of My Enemy, she would have betrayed the Turtle's again once she'd fullfilled her side of the bargain. However the Turtle's tried to kill her father, and that makes her angry because even though her father drives her nuts with his vendetta on Splinter. He is still the only family she has, and with him gone she will be left with nothing.

In Karai's vendetta she attacks April and even demands the girl tell her what made her so important since she's at the center of an all that is going on. Perhaps she does this as a way of seeing what sort of value or how much of a threat this seemingly normal girl actually was. Karai still doesn't completely trust the Kraang and both Kraang and the Foot are set to betray one another once they have disposed of the Turtle's

The way I see truly see her is that she is spoiled, the Shredder pretty much lets her have anything she wants and do anything she wants. All that is required is that she be a good little soldier and does what he tells her to do. However she is as much a pawn as she is a weapon. I don't see the Shredder as being all that Fatherly to her, there have been moments that imply that he's quite abusive. I doubt he really played with her as a child, told her bed time stories, or give a crap about whatever she was interested in. He would probably get on her case about her school grades, but other then that he was more then likely held a "you want my love...you need to earn it." attitude.

[Electric]

i actually really like this april. i like how involved she is with the kraang plot, how they need her specifically. it makes her seem like a more important character than if she was just a friend of the turtles. the de-aging i prefer, as i think she fits better with teenage turtles. and i also love how theyre doing her training. she started in the middle of season 1, and we saw her a couple of times working with splinter, then we saw her get her weapon. then towards the end of season 1, we see her try and fight karai, and not do too well, but being able to get away. Now in season 2, shes been able to defend herself for kirby and mutagen man, and despite getting knocked down quite a bit, hold her own against karai. the show took their time with her training and i think its working out great.

however, i do think, like many others, she needs to interact with more turtles than just donnie, which i honestly think will come, especially with casey now. and with that, i hope she and casey dont become inseperable characters, and that we get screen time of each alone, not always together

Originally Posted by LeotheLateBloomer

As for Karai, she was actually cool in the first season until Karai's Vendetta. My problem with her is that after the turtles attempted to attack Shredder, she decides to suddenly join forces with the Kraang, the ones who she were more concerned about. I understood that she's angry at the turtles for what going against their plan and attacking her "father" but that's no excuse to side with the beings that are a threat to your home planet. Not only that but she decides to suddenly kidnap April without thinking what do the Kraang want with her. Nope, since she's the turtles' friend, she decides to threaten her life. Then she decides to kidnap Leo and accuses him for betraying her but she didn't even consider how he felt when she left him and his brothers to fight "Justin" of whom she caused. Later, she says that it's nothing personal against them and that she just wants revenge on Splinter for killing her mother. Leo had to tell her that Splinter would never harm an innocent. Having encountering Splinter before, hopefully she has second thoughts since Splinter refused to fight her when she called him a coward. And now, she decides that it's okay to use the Kraang's technology against the turtles despite her dad's orders, TWICE.

While I think 2k3 Karai went off the deep end for attacking the turtles and Splinter for what happened to her "father", at least it's explained what her motive was for doing so. 2012 Karai siding with the Kraang (the ones who are going to take over the world) and going after April has no explanation. Is she after the turtles, April, Splinter, who?! What is HER objective?

Thats the thing about this karai though. She is lost and struggling. at first she wanted to have fun, not killing leo. then she discovered the kraang, and wanted to take them down, until the others turned on her. now she wants to get rid of them, and sides completely with her father. then she meets april, who for so many reasons is special. and i think karai is jealous of that. so she starts a rivalry with april. then she sees splinter, who she believes killed her mother, so she hates him.

shredder works with the kraang, or really has the kraang work for him, so karai really has no option there. she doesnt trust them, but sees how theyre useful in accomplishing her fathers vendetta. when hes gone, she uses them to get rid of april, which she believes would end whatever the kraang need her for, end her rivalry with april, and hurt the turtles and splinter emotionally.

she is a mess right now.she has issues with so many others that she doesnt know what to do. she struggles between what her father tells her to do, what she wants to do, and what she has to do. her motive is to have everything out of the way. to get everything accomplished.

i think that the mess this karai is, is what makes her such a deep character that can be developed

[blindturtle02]

I seriously doubt the Shredder loves Karai at all. That bit in Karai's Vendeta where she was asking April why she was at the center of everything made me feel as if she were jealous of the love and support April had. It's just my opinion, but I'm thinking deep down, Karai knows that no matter how hard she tries Shredder is never going to see her as anything but a soldier and a tool. Seems like she's beginning to realize this even more in s2. Notice that she's starting to ask him questions like,"You'd never let the footbots hurt me, would you father?" Stuff like that. Looks as if she's beginning to question everything she's been taught. I think she's also gotten a taste of what it is to be a dictator like Shredder, and the kid loves it. But I seriously doubt she'll switch sides when she discovers the truth. That girl is probably going to try as hard as she can to make Shredder pay, and if the turtles are caught in the middle, oh well. I'm thinking she'll do a 180 at some point, but she'll probably have to go to the school of hard knocks first. If she doesn't get a handle on the whole vengeance begets vengeance thing, who the heck knows what'll happen?

[Ultimate Ninja]

I like April, she is a nice character. I would like to see her spend even more time on ninja training though.

Karai makes a cool villain, but I miss the more compassionate and understanding Karai from the 2k3 series. Maybe compassionate is an over statement, but she didn't seem that evil until later episodes.

[blindturtle02]

Originally Posted by Wonder Woman

I like April, she is a nice character. I would like to see her spend even more time on ninja training though.

Karai makes a cool villain, but I miss the more compassionate and understanding Karai from the 2k3 series. Maybe compassionate is an over statement, but she didn't seem that evil until later episodes.

So WW, do you think we'll see Karai go from being cold and calculating to more of an understanding character? I'm hoping that's the case later on if the show lasts around 6 or so seasons. Her story has been awesome so far. If there are any of Yoshi's and Shen's qualities within her, they're buried deep beneath what Shredder has planted there. I feel for this kid. She's trying so hard to gain this tyrant's effection, but all he sees her as is a sort of trophy. I can't help but feel that this is how he would have treated Shen if she had chosen him. He's so bent on competition with Splinter that I'm thinking he probably would have treated Shen as a trophy wife and nothing more. This is totally my own opinion, however. Did Saki ever love Shen at all, I wonder? Does he feel anything for Karai? So far, Shredder has used the kid as a pawn and that's about all. Here's hoping she ditches him some day. If anything, he probably feels ecstatic because she shares his hatred for Splinter, I guess. But knowing Karai, this is going to come back to bite Saki eventually.

[Electric]

Originally Posted by blindturtle02

I seriously doubt the Shredder loves Karai at all. That bit in Karai's Vendeta where she was asking April why she was at the center of everything made me feel as if she were jealous of the love and support April had. It's just my opinion, but I'm thinking deep down, Karai knows that no matter how hard she tries Shredder is never going to see her as anything but a soldier and a tool. Seems like she's beginning to realize this even more in s2. Notice that she's starting to ask him questions like,"You'd never let the footbots hurt me, would you father?" Stuff like that. Looks as if she's beginning to question everything she's been taught. I think she's also gotten a taste of what it is to be a dictator like Shredder, and the kid loves it. But I seriously doubt she'll switch sides when she discovers the truth. That girl is probably going to try as hard as she can to make Shredder pay, and if the turtles are caught in the middle, oh well. I'm thinking she'll do a 180 at some point, but she'll probably have to go to the school of hard knocks first. If she doesn't get a handle on the whole vengeance begets vengeance thing, who the heck knows what'll happen?

i agree. if/when karai finds out the truth, i cannot see her going straight to the turtles as an ally. i imagine she'll be on her own for awhile, not with shredder, not with the turtles, but in the middle

[Metalwolf]

I like Karai, but I'm kind of dreading the eventual AprilXCasey thing. Mainly because Karai's fate is more open-ended with so many possibilities, she isn't going to get shoved into a narrow love interest role like April probably will.

Why is it that females tend to get stuck into the love interest role so often? It's only one possible fate for males, but women seem to get railroaded into it far more often.

[blindturtle02]

Was thinkin the same thing Metalwolf. Also Wondering if they're going to give Karai a dark fate or something to that nature. Hope that's not the case. I like her character and desire things to turn out ok for her in the end.