SEASON 1
ENTER THE SHREDDER
Taking place right after the events of the first episode; The Turtles and Splinter split up and go out and search for the Shredder's Technodrome. Splinter however, gets captured after he finds the Technodrome, and it's up to the Turtles to rescue him. This episode surprisingly, is not only as good as the first episode, but in many ways, it's actually better than the first episode. In story wise and following the continuity to the first episode, this episode not only makes as a great follow up, but some of the questions that I had in the first episode; such as where the Ooze that Mutated the Turtles came from, for example, is not only answered here, but is done way better, than the guilty pleasure film sequel "The Secret Of The Ooze".
Getting to our characters, while having a few pieces of dialogue that don't work or is just plain stupid, are still as fun, likable, and awesome as they were in the first episode, and after re-watching the first episode, and seeing this episode, I'm starting to understand each turtle’s personality in this series. With that said, though, if the Turtles didn't have the colored masks at all, I probably would be confused of who is who, mainly because they all look exactly the same. Splinter, is just as humble and likable as he was in the pilot, but I'm still waiting and eager to see him fight in this cartoon. As for April, she really doesn't get too much to do in this episode, but I do enjoy spending time with her, since she is so likable.
Instead of just having Shredder as a villain, we get a whole rogues gallery of creative villains. Shredder, while still not showing off his fighting skills, is still a cool and menacing leader. We also have Shredders evil master Krang the giant talking brain, and as silly and stupid as it sounds, just like how they made talking teenage Turtles eat pizza, and use ninjutsu to fight, is done just as well. His design and character is gross and menacing, and the guy who voices manages to do a perfect job of bringing both aspects to freaky looking character, as well as being a lot of fun. We're also introduced to the two Mutants Bebop and Rocksteady, who may be idiots, but their designs are creative; the personalities they have are fun; and they do put up a decent fight during the climax. Speaking of fighting, the action when the Turtles are fighting off the Mutants and the robots is just as awesome and kickass as the climatic fight sequence in the first episode. Oh, and as for the Shredder’s Technodrome, the design for it is actually pretty creative and cool. However, my favorite critic Doug Walker did make an interesting point of why the Shredder didn't his Technodrome to crush the turtles at their hideout, since he knows where they live. While indeed flawed, not only would the Turtles have probably escaped and relocated, but then we wouldn't have a show.
This episode is not only a great follow up to the pilot episode, but there's so many new things going for it, that it's definitely moving the series forward, with its new villains; kickass fight sequences; and adding more to the show's story.
RATING 5/5
A THING ABOUT RATS
A scientist named Baxter creates a machine that's able to hunt and kill rats. After being turned down by an Exterminator who for some reason sees it as a threat to his business; Shredder hires him to make the machines so he can kill Splinter, along with the Turtles. For an episode that I thought was going to be silly and unexciting, I actually did find myself getting just as invested as the previous two episodes.
The Turtles remain just as fun and awesome as they were in the previous two episodes, and I have to say the funniest scene with the Turtles in the whole episode, is when they mess up April’s apartment by messing up her stuff. April and Splinter also remain just as likable as they were in the previous episodes. As for Shredder, along with the villains from the last episode, they still are fun villains. Ok, Bebop and Rocksteady don't really do much in this episode sadly, but the rivalry between Shredder and Krang is always fun to watch, especially seeing what Krang does later on in the episode to torment Shredder for not giving him a body. As for the new character Baxter who's this typical nerdy loser scientist, is also a pretty fun character as well, who is also surprisingly very loyal to the Shredder, which I still don't get why the Shredder tries to kill him later on in the episode. Not only does he obey Shredder, and ask no questions about who he is, what he wants, or who these creatures are; but when being interrogated by the Turtles, he hesitates to tell him, not out of fear of the Shredder, but because he respects him as a business partner. It's pretty idiotic on Shredders part to try to kill this guy off, out of the blue.
As for the tiny machines that try to kill Splinter and the Turtles, despite being small, not only do they pose as a threat, but every action sequence that involves the Turtles destroying them is really cool. In fact, even Splinter and April take part in the action. If fighting hunter killers aren't enough, the Turtles even fight against Ninjas, and Shredder with a laser gun. I guess the only fight sequence I didn't like in this episode was the fight in Aprils apartment. It's not with the action, it's the fact that it ends way too quickly, and for some odd reason, the building just collapses. Our heroes, of course, do make it out, but the rest of the people that probably live in there don't. The crazy part about it is, our heroes don't feel bad about it at all, in fact, April even jokes about it.
Aside from a few idiotic moments in terms of writing, it's still just as awesome as the last two episodes. The majority of the humor is funny; our heroes are again fun and likable; the villain's plan with the rat hunting machines are executed really well; the villains along with Baxter are fun; and the action still remains being both fun and kickass.
RATING 5/5
HOT-RODDING TEENAGERS FROM DIMENSION X
Shredder decides to release creatures from a dimension where Krang comes from called Dimension X, through a portal that he recently finished creating. However, rebel teenagers called The Neutrinos fly out of the portal, as they are being chased by Krangs Stone Warriors. The teens join forces with the Turtles, as they fight against the Stone Warriors.
Much like all the episodes in this Season, this episode keeps on bringing new things. First off, I love the idea of this other Dimension that's nothing but full of war and chaos with creative creatures, futuristic technology and a rebel of teens. We sadly don't get to see that world, but I am hoping to see and learn more about it in the future. As well as seeing more of the inhabitants in that world. The Stone Warriors are just as cool, fun, creative, and villainous as all the other villains I've been meeting on this show. I also love that we are finally introduced to the Turtle van created by Donatello, which is also a really cool and creative vehicle. Sadly, the only downside when it comes to bringing something new to the series is the Neutrinos. While I like the idea for these characters, they really annoy me. The way with how they act all hip and cool is utterly obnoxious, and their high pitched voices not only annoy me, but also hurt my ears. There's also a semi-love interest in the gang for Michelangelo, which is so brief, that it feels really pointless. I understand that these characters appear in a few more episodes, so I'm hoping that they'll get better, but for a first impression, they gave me a splitting headache.
The Turtles, while still fun and likable, I didn't get into the fun they were having as I did in the previous episodes, but I think that mainly has to do with the fact that they spend most of their time with the Neutrinos. April is still likable as well, and it’s cool seeing her drive the Turtles vehicle during the action sequences. As for Shredder and Krang, well not only are they fun, but Krang seems to be the far superior villain compared to Shredder, due to his knowledge and intimidation; while Shredder keeps making idiotic mistakes. Actually, judging him in these first couple of episodes, while I enjoy this fun take on Shredder, I actually do prefer the Darth Vader wanna be in the first live action movie, since he's highly skilled and really intimidating. As for Bebop and Rocksteady, they're still fun henchman, and Splinter, well he's in the episode for about a minute.
The action, while still being kickass is at times very clumsy. I'm not saying the other action sequences in the previous cartoons weren't too, but at least they were awesome enough to keep me hooked and suspend my disbelief (Even during that tragedy at April's apartment). Here, it just feels a bit messy and unfinished. We hear lasers coming out of the Stone Warriors’ weapons, but we don't see them fire any lasers, as we hear the shots. The speeding cop cars that come after the Stone Warriors, are extremely slow since they talk for a bit; activate a machine that causes bad weather; and walk slowly away to find a hiding place; wouldn't the cars would of rammed into them by now? Also, why did the Turtles wait till the last minute to save the city from dangerous weather, shouldn't they save the city first, then get the bad guy? In the scene when the Turtles use a Barrel, the Barrel itself looks like it was just copied and pasted on to the background, instead of blending into the environment. When one of the Turtles takes on the Ninjas with his swords, they not only get knocked out way too easily, but their bodies just vanish, what is this, a video game? I also have trouble making out if the Stone Warriors fighting against Bebop and Rocksteady with their lasers, are just bad shots, or if they are immune to their lasers, which begs the question if the Turtles are immune to lasers too (Though, I’m pretty certain that it's just bad shooting)? I also question why cops are carrying lasers, even though they say that they are firing bullets? I know that I'm really nitpicking right now, but I just couldn't help but see passed these flaws, nor overlook them, since the episode failed to get me invested in a good half of the action.
While, the episode brought a lot of new and awesome things to the show, it was at times very clumsy. While I do enjoy half of the action sequences, the other half was very clumsy and not animated too well; and while I enjoy the new villains, and the new world that the show created, the new set of heroes for the Turtles to team up with were just too annoying and obnoxious for my taste. While not a bad episode, it's a mixed bag full of things both good and bad.
RATING 3/5
SHREDDER & SPLINTERED
OR
SHREDDER IS SPLINTERED
In our Season finale, Shredder contacts the Turtles in their hideout by saying that he has a ray that can make Splinter human again, however, as the Turtles go after the ray, they come across dozens of obstacles. So how’s the Season finale, IT'S AWESOME!
Almost every single villain that the Turtles encounter is there! They go against Bebop and Rocksteady; Ninjas; and Krang in his new body, and as silly as his new body looks (Especially, the head making idiotic grunting noises at times) is still threatening and creative, especially when carrying all these gadgets. Meanwhile, as the Turtles fight against the forces of evil; Shredder and Splinter are finally fighting one on one, which is not only cool and feels personal, but it's twice as better when Splinter fought Shredder in the first movie. As for April, she's now doing everything she can to get a story, even if it means bluffing her tough boss with a threat. We're also introduced to the Turtle blimp created by Donatello, which is just as cool the Turtle an. If that's not enough to the awesome factor of the episode, we now finally get to see Dimension X, and man does it look cool! As for the action and humor, it’s just as awesome as all the other episodes. If I had to find one or two nitpicks, I would say some of the humans designs at times are pretty freaky; and the scene when the Turtles escape from the Technodrome, didn't show them getting out, and while we can assume that they did, I can't help but feel that there's a piece of animation either missing, or not finished. As a bonus, I find it funny that the Ninjas go from firing lasers when the Turtles are distances away, to fighting like Ninjas when the Turtles are close. However, with that said, and judging by how most of the villains shoot in this show, putting lasers away seemed like a safer bet.
With nitpicks aside, which in all honesty don't really bother me, it's an awesome conclusion to the first Season.
RATING 5/5
OVERALL ON THE FIRST SEASON
I must say, after watching all episodes along with the Pilot episode from the first Season for the first time, all I can say is, MAN DID I MISS OUT! Don't get me wrong, at times the show can get clunky with its action, animation, and story, but as a whole, it's really awesome! To make something as stupid as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" work, along with the other weird stuff that goes on in the show, the execution is done really well! The Turtles are a lot of fun; April is very likable and adventurous, than being boring, bland, or annoying; Splinter is a very interesting character; the villains are creative and fun; the action is awesome; and every single episode always takes a step forward in the series, by adding something new. I just recently saw James Rolfe's 3 part retrospective on the animated series, and after watching it, I must say, I am interested in reviewing more seasons. In the meantime, I'm just happy enough to finally watch and review the first season, which was fun, entertaining, creative, action-packed, and made me feel like a kid again
RATING FOR THE FIRST SEASON 5/5
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