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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Episode 1.15 'The Alien Agenda' Review

Despite Raph's warning, Leo still attempts to trust Karai. Meanwhile, April's school project leads her directly to the Kraang.

Warning! Spoilers! 
 
Another Friday, another solid episode of Nick's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This episode was filled to the brim with everything I love about the show: big laughs, fast-paced action, solid interaction between the brothers and, of course, more adorably funny one-liners from Michelangelo.  
 
This episode juggled a focus between Karai and the Kraang. With Karai, Leonardo continues to tell himself there's good in her (insert Luke/Vader quote here), but naturally, we see nothing to actually support his belief (aside from not killing him, but that could be because she legitimately enjoys their fights). That's okay, though... he's blinded by love and, as Mikey hilariously and bluntly pointed out, it's not like he's the first Turtle this has happened to (here's lookin' at you, Donny). The conflicted Leo/Karai relationship definitely seems like it'll continue to be a key focus for the rest of the season and I'm all for that. He knows she bad news (or at least we're meant to believe such for now) and we have Raph and Splinter there to drive this message home to him. Even the other two brothers are now calling him out on it ("I don't know who she is, but I know I hate her!"). Despite this, you can't shake feelings like that so easily -- the mutated heart wants what the mutated heart wants, you know?   

Meanwhile, April's  school project has a connection to the Kraang. The aliens are clearly behind the human genome project and send "Mrs. Campbell" (Cassandra Peterson) to pick up April. Why her? I legitimately have no idea. Perhaps they need her as leverage to make her father work harder? It's never clarified and left me wondering why they'd suddenly want to snag her. Regardless of the reasoning behind the move, it stemmed a slew of awesome moments (holy elbow rockets!). Her battle with the turtles was thrilling and energetic. It wasn't that long, but it was a blast seeing the purple explosions and their teamwork as they sliced her apart. Topping that off with Mikey scaring Raph by wearing her face was hysterical, too. This show really deserves praise for nailing each personality and having them play off one another so well.    
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The Kraang plot really didn't add anything new to their story. We know they've been experimenting with the ooze and this just reveals they're now interested in more than humans (does this mean there's hope for Bebop and Rocksteady?). That said, seeing the Turtles slice apart the Kraang is something I'll never get tired of, especially if they're forced to team up with Karai and she drops three with a single slash. Plus, Raph vs. Karai was explosive. I thought that was far more entertaining than her prior encounter with Leo. Raph's aggression clashing against her grace and skill made it way more interesting to me. Ultimately, the Kraang plot boiled down to the next mutated creature we'd see... and it's by far the most unique one yet. Comically dubbed "Justin" by Mikey, this latest creature is a combination of various species. Truthfully, this fight will probably be too silly or childish for some viewers, but I thought that's what made it such a nice way to top off the episode. Simply put, it just good, lighthearted fun. And you'll never find me complaining when the show gives an excuse to provide another hilarious Kraang line.  
 
I love how all of the plot points are starting to connect, too. Having Baxter Stockman work for Shredder was a smart move on their part and now giving him Kraang technology is sure to produce some really amusing results. It looks like Xever --- now Fishface -- will soon get a chance to prove he's still useful and that's surely something I'm excited to see. Seeing him toss around knives as a human rocked, so hopefully he'll be every bit as fun in his new form.

Shredder looks intimidating and sounds formidable, but he's quickly losing credibility to me. He keeps spewing idle threats and even quickly realized how stupid he was being over Karai's agenda. The dude needs to do something fearsome again (other than point a claw at someone) or else the memories of that spectacular rooftop battle will be overshadowed by his hollow threats. Step up your game, Oroku Saki!   
 
Packed with some top-notch character interactions, sharp humor and lively combat, 'The Alien Agenda' is yet another great episode from the animated show. 
 
Oh, and the highlight of this episode is easily Michelangelo whispering "booyakasha."
 
Gregg Katzman is a freelance writer for Comic Vine and IGN Entertainment. Be friendly like Mikey and him on Twitter.

16 Comments

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Fantasgasmic

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Edited By Fantasgasmic

Yeah Karai is totally Hamato Yoshi's daughter, which kinda makes her Leo's sister. AWKWARD!

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Raw_Material

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Edited By Raw_Material

The infatuation that Leo has towards Karai is quite funny! I think the casts working for the Ninja Turtles animated series hit the voices of the characters spot on and touches up on the unique personalities that each Ninja Turtle possesses in about every episode thus far. Really find Mikey to be the most hilarious mutated "being" to walk the surface (and sewers); from his classic humor to the funny one-liners he throws in, that you've mentioned Gregg. He, standalone, makes the animated series that much more enjoyable to watch. I really enjoy the new series of 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' and is hoping for the best for this show in the future. Great review on tonight's episode bro. Keep up the good work!

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

I can't wait to watch this later

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k4tzm4n

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Edited By k4tzm4n  Moderator
@ckuakini: Thank you!
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RedheadedAtrocitus

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Psyched for this...watching it in an hour :)

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k4tzm4n

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Edited By k4tzm4n  Moderator
@RedheadedAtrocitus said:

Psyched for this...watching it in an hour :)

Definitely chime back in after you've watched it!
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dondave

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Edited By dondave

Awesome Episode

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Lurkero

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Edited By Lurkero

I agree that Shredder needs to do something intimidating again. He keeps talking about how others are failing him but we've only seen him go out and do one thing. His treats are too empty.

The way that Karai has been written so far is well done. Even though she came out of nowhere I like that her character is ambiguous. She appears to just enjoy being a ninja and not really interesting in being nefarious for the sake of evil. Leo's infatuation with her may pay off in a well written revelation about the nature of her origin (if she is Splinter's daughter like I am guessing).

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xblah_blahx

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Edited By xblah_blahx

Another great episode. Finally got around to watching it. It just seems like this show gets better and better.

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the_stegman

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Edited By the_stegman  Moderator
I really, really don't like Karai...
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McKlayn

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Edited By McKlayn

God I love this show, the only thing about shredder too much more. I mean hes the main villain of a kid's show, his job is to get beaten, make his minions get beat and threaten them when they loose then go get beaten again. So that doesn't really bother me, I still however wouldn't object to seeing him in another fight scene :D i think we will get Fishface first though which im all good with, i expect him next episode

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

"Dude, it's actuallt painful to listen to you sometimes" lol

Does anybody else notice the Michelangelo,Donatello/Leonardo,Raphael divide?

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YourCounterpoint

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Edited By YourCounterpoint

@The Stegman said:

I really, really don't like Karai…

true that.

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k4tzm4n

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Edited By k4tzm4n  Moderator
@Jonny_Anonymous said:

"Dude, it's actuallt painful to listen to you sometimes" lol

Does anybody else notice the Michelangelo,Donatello/Leonardo,Raphael divide?

I'm so happy they dropped that line right after he said that... because that's exactly what we were all thinking, haha.
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KRYPTON

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Edited By KRYPTON

@Fantasgasmic said:

Yeah Karai is totally Hamato Yoshi's daughter, which kinda makes her Leo's sister. AWKWARD!

Was thinking the same thing

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Lvenger

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Edited By Lvenger

I agree that Shredder definitely needs to show himself as not being more bark than bite. Otherwise great review and episode!