Review: Nick TMNT "Pulverizer Returns!"

When Nickelodeon got their hands on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, they got themselves 25 years of stories, characters, and fans.  Giving the Nickelodeon crew a lot to work with to make this new tv series, a chance to bring new stories, wake up long forgotten characters, and introduce the Turtles to new fans.  A mine just waiting to be picked at and shared with the world.  Filled with so many new treasures, that some do not realize how amazing the old treasures are as well.  Till they’re taken out and shined up for this new generation of fans.  In this newest episode of TMNT one of those old characters can be taken off the shelf and dusted as new life is coming their way.  Here is my review of Nickelodeon’s TMNT episode #22 “Pulverizer Returns!”.

This episode starts off with the Turtles fighting the Foot on a rooftop. They take out the Foot very easy as Michelangelo makes a joke about this being a video game set to easy.  Leonardo takes notice that they are beating the Foot easier these days. Donatello enjoys the idea of someone having to tell the Shredder that they were beaten again.

One thing I do like here is that they seem to acknowledge that they are getting better.  Not just showing the Foot looking weak.  In most series we see the Turtles have an easier time fighting the Foot, without saying “Hey look we have improved”.  This is a scene with a great joke as Leo is saying this is not a game, Donatello finds coins.  It’s a good scene showing once again these Turtles are getting a bit full of themselves.

The one delivering the message to Shredder is Dogpound, and Shredder is giving him a pounding.  Shredder is angry because the soldiers are not worthy of being Foot.  Dogpound begs for more time, something which Shredder does not want to give him.  At this point Shredder decides to take an idea from the Kraangs on how to get new strong Soldiers.

I do have to say ouch for Dogpound here.  Shredder is not a nice boss and is very hard on those under him. This has been shown with threats before, though this time we get to see him attacking Dogpound.  Dogpound is scared and has already taken some hits.  He does not try to fight back, which is for the best in this case.  They are making sure to keep things dark with this Shredder and I like that.  I would like to hear more of his side of the story though so we can understand his deep hatred for Splinter.

The Turtles are realizing there’s just no real fight for the night as they’re watching over the TCRI building.  Just when they’re about to call it a night, they see someone starting to break in.  It’s one lone Ninja.  They jump down to take on this one lone Ninja who’s not doing the best at breaking in, only to be ambushed.  The Turtles win the fight against the Foot who ambushed them, then turn to take on the one Ninja only to find that it’s the Pulverizer.  He explains to the Turtles how he joined the Foot Clan and has made it to the rank of Ashigaru-Sha.  Donatello explains how that is the person who is sent to test for traps and die first.  Pulverizer realizes this and wants to be a spy for the Turtles, so he can learn why the Foot is fighting the Kraang.  Donatello wants him to quit the foot.  Though the Pulverizer takes off with being a spy as his goal.

This was a good way of bringing the Pulverizer back and totally made sense.  His flash back was really good at showing how the Foot recruit new members still.  It was also nice to learn that Pulverizer was paying attention to Don and wanted to better himself by joining a Dojo.  Seeing that they were fighting the Kraang he really did think he was on the Good team with the Foot.  Though he turns against the Foot really fast here.  What I liked most here is how fast Don took this into his hands, realizing who it was and how much responsibility he has towards this.

Back in the Lair Splinter gets after the Turtles. They are relying too heavily on their own weapons.  He wants them to learn to adapt to other weapons.  So Splinter has the Turtles trade weapons.  Raph gets Mike’s chucks, Leo has Don’s staff, Don takes Raph’s sais and Mikey is honored with Leo’s swords.  Making a joke about Leo is fun until Splinter orders them to fight each other.  Each of the brothers take each themselves down by the weapon in their hands.  Splinter orders them to stick with this new weapon exchange.

Did I just review this lesson?  Oh wait... yes I did in the Free Comic Book Day TMNT Comic.  I just think the Turtles should have some basic understanding of their brothers weapons already.  As they’re taught to fight them.  Getting handed a new weapon does not mean you try to use it like you use your old weapon.  I also do not agree with Splinter that he should be making the Turtles go out into battle with weapons they don’t know when the Ninjas they are fighting are out to kill them.

The Turtles are each in the living room going about this weapon thing in their own way.  Mike using swords to each pizza, Leo and Raph are training and Don is poking the tip of the sai.  Don gets a text from the Pulverizer saying where the Foot is hitting next.  Don is worried about him.  Raph is happy to have an inside source.  Leo agrees to use the information and then back the Pulverizer out of the Foot.

I really do like how much concern Don has for the Pulverizer.  It’s clear this means a lot to him to keep the Pulverizer safe.  It’s like Michelangelo watching out for LeatherHead.  Donatello has his friend that he watches out for.  If Don wants to admit that it’s a friend or not.  He cares a lot and is trying to be the voice of reason.

The Turtles get to where the Pulverizer told them, when they get their hands on him more of the Foot show up including Fishface and Dogpound.  The Turtles fight with the weapons they were ordered to fight with and found that they were losing.  When backed into a corner Leo orders them to switch weapons and they are able to kick butt.  Once they realize what the Foot was after it’s too late as they get away with some mutagen.  Once the Foot clear out Pulverizer gets them to realize where he’s hiding.  He shares his real name with them and goes to say what is going on with the mutagen, though Don guesses the plan before he can tell them.  Leo orders Pulverizer to stay in as a spy to learn more.  Donatello does not like this at all.

Again really disappointed with how the Turtles handle the other weapons.  This fight was set to make them look bad.  Though if anything it makes Splinter look bad for wanting his sons to go into this dangerous fight and not have a chance against the Foot.  It also shows the Turtles as useless without a weapon which was not the feeling I’ve ever gotten from the Turtles.  In fact in the first episode when Don and Raph were sparring, Raph started the fight off without weapons until he was against Leo.  My favorite part about this fight was after the fight with Pulverizer talking to the Turtles, and learning his name is Tim.  Once again we see Don being defensive and protective for Tim.  Though he’s over ruled by Leonardo in what to do.

The Turtles return home boasting about their weapons in the fight. Don does not share this feeling of cheer as he’s worried about Tim.  Splinter comes in and sees them with their own weapons and gets angry with them.  He orders each of the Turtles to hand over their weapons to him.

Ok... so Splinter... you don’t want your son’s to seek Victory?  Again this is just snapping my mind.  We know the Turtles can fight without weapons we’ve seen that on and off through the series.  It’s like a bigger deal was made about weapons, because it’s the focus of Splinter’s lesson.  I’m glad that Don’s mood about Tim did not just change as soon as they got home.  He’s still too worried to be happy.

Shredder is giving orders to Dogpound.  He wants to test the Mutagen on Pulverizer.  Kraang overhears this and warns Shredder about how unstabilized the Mutagen is.  Shredder takes this warning and tells Dogpound to set up safety measures.

Once again I enjoy some time with the bad guys.  Seeing how the orders are being given out.  Nice that Shredder even knows the name of which Foot Soldier is the test dummy.  I love the Kraang’s expression when he over hears about the mutagen.  They really do build character into the Kraang with those faces.

Donatello gets a call from Pulverizer, he informs Don about the Foot testing this on one Soldier and he volunteered.  He thinks once he becomes a mutant he will be able to take on the Shredder himself.  Don tries to warn him not too.  Though Tim hangs up the phone as he is driven away on the back of a Foot bike.  The Turtles get in the Shell Raiser to try and go to stop him from being mutated.  Starting a huge chase scene fight between the turtles and the Foot as they try to get to the Pulverizer.

Can the Turtles stop the Pulverizer from being mutated?  Want to know what happened watch this episode of TMNT!  Only 4 more episodes left in the season of Nickelodeon’s TMNT and it’s looking great.

I really do enjoy this episode.  Only problem I had with it was how blind Splinter was towards the fact the lack of weapons could put his sons into danger.  Otherwise this was a fun episode with a lot of action, a good chase scene and of course ooze!

Did you see “Pulverizer Returns!”?  What is your thoughts of what they did?  Please share reviews, comments and questions below!