Post by Neverending on Oct 11, 2014 15:29:09 GMT -5
Oh.
1.01 - TURTLE TRACKS
Written by David Wise and Patti Howeth
Directed by Fred Wolf and Vincent Davis
Original Airdate: December 14, 1987
The first episode of the original animated series is a crash course in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. We're introduced to most of the main characters, learn the most important backstory and discover the premise of this... silly idea. And despite being only 20 minutes, everything flows pretty well, there's lots of great humor and the action scenes are lots of fun. If you know nothing about the TMNT universe, or need a quick refresher, this is the best place to start. Especially since you get to hear the kick-ass theme song.
A+
1.02 - ENTER THE SHREDDER
Written by David Wise and Patti Howeth
Directed by Fred Wolf and Vincent Davis
Original Airdate: December 15, 1987
I would describe the first episode as classic TMNT and most people would probably enjoy it. The second episode, however, is where things start to get crazy. This is where the fans remain and where everyone else runs away. In this episode we're introduced to Krang, the Technodrome and Dimension X. Remember when it was rumored that Michael Bay wanted to turn the Ninja Turtles into aliens? Well, this is where the idea originates. In this episode, it's revealed that Shredder created the Ninja Turtles and their rat sensi Splinter with mutagen from another universe. And now he's gonna use this same mutagen to create Bebop and Rocksteady. Unfortunately or fortunately, lightening doesn't strike twice and Bebop and Rocksteady are idiots and no real match for the Ninja Turtles. But Shredder always has a Plan B and attacks the Ninja Turtles with lots of crazy weapons inside the Technodrome. This all results in action scenes that are creative and very entertaining but they take up most of the running time and we end up with an episode that has a weak story.
B
1.03 - A THING ABOUT RATS
Written by David Wise and Patti Howeth
Directed by Fred Wolf and Vincent Davis
Original Airdate: December 16, 1987
In case you didn't notice, the first two movies are based on the first two episodes. Sadly, the producers of the movie series didn't continue the trend and they missed out on one of the most popular villains of the TMNT universe. Here, we're introduced to Baxter Stockman. He's a scientist who designs a robot called the mouser, which is powerful enough to capture and kill the Ninja Turtles and Splinter. The neat thing about this episode is that the turtles use their intelligence instead of violence to defeat the mousers. Donatello, in particular, is mostly responsible for saving the day and this is where he builds the beloved TMNT van. We also get to witness the first power struggle between Shredder and Krang. Now all that being said, there's a sitcom-y scene at April's apartment where the turtles engage in some shenanigans. It's a funny scene but it also gets in the way of the story. They should have left that for another episode.
A
1.04 - HOT RODDING TEENAGERS FROM DIMENSION X
Written by David Wise and Patti Howeth
Directed by Fred Wolf and Vincent Davis
Original Airdate: December 17, 1987
Shredder opens the portal to Dimension X and it allows three teenagers and two warriors to enter Earth. The teenagers are called Neutrinos and they help the Ninja Turtles defeat the warriors who unleash a deadly weapon. This episode is epic and action-packed but it's also squeezed into a 20 minute running time. This should have been a multi-episode storyline.
B
1.05 - SHREDDER AND SPLINTERED
Written by David Wise and Patti Howeth
Directed by Fred Wolf and Vincent Davis
Original Airdate: December 18, 1987
The first season of the original animated series concludes with this episode. And as expected, lots of things happen. Krang gets his body. Donatello builds the TMNT blimp. Shredder and Splinter have their fight. April O'Neil finally gets her story. Then everything ends with Krang, Shredder and the Technodrome being transported to Dimension X. Like in the previous episode, way too much happens in 20 minutes. I don't understand why the first season is only 5 episodes. It should have at least been 10. Also, this is a good time to point out that most of these episodes feel like toy commercials. In just 5 episodes they gave us the Ninja Turtles, April O'Neil, Splinter, Shredder, Krang and his mechanical body, Bebop and Rocksteady, the Technodrome, the robotic Foot Clan, the mouser, the TMNT van, the TMNT blimp and the Neutrinos with their flying cars. So right now you have to ask yourself, did you love the show in the beginning or were you just hyped for the merchandise? It was probably a little of both.
B
SEASON ONE RANK
1. Turtle Tracks
2. A Thing About Rats
3. Shredder and Splintered
4. Enter the Shredder
5. Hot Rodding Teenagers from Dimension X
