Season 1 – Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation

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Michele I 06/01/2023 I have been a fan of the Ninja Turtles since before this series came out, and when I first heard of the show I did not know how I was going to feel about it. The Next Mutation was created because Mirage was trying to keep the Ninja Turtles on TV for fans, CBS was dropping all of their Saturday morning programing which they let known in 1995, making it so the last season would air in 1996. So Mirage went searching for a new home for TMNT, the only offer was Saban/Fox with two conditions... 1. Live action and 2. Female Turtle. This caused a lot of problems behind the scenes for Ninja Turtles. But the show had it's own feel, fan base and characters which made it something people should try to see for themselves if this was good or not. I am a different type of reviewer for it, as I got to visit the set and read the scripts before the show came out. It made me more open to giving the show a try, but I was not alone in loving the show as it aired, being a part of TMNT message boards and chat rooms, I saw the reactions and the Next Mutation got more love than the last two seasons of the original cartoon series. All 26 episodes were discussed, quoted and watched by everyone in these groups. Here's my honest thoughts of the show. What I did not like: 1. The first five episodes, if they could've only stuck to the scripts. These were not the first five episodes recorded but one would think it was with the mistakes in the voice over and editing. Esp when Raph is fighting the foot in the first episode. If you can make it past these five episodes you may enjoy the rest of the series. I wish I could get my hands on the original footage with the original voice recordings and re edit it, leaving in some of the deleted scenes and help it flow better. 2. The sound effects and edits. They wanted this goofier and they made sure to add the effects to make it goofier, this is one of the things the show did not need. 3. Blue Screen shots needed touch ups... often esp in the ads, Leonardo's mask would come out yellow because of the blue screen. It confused fans. 4. Wish Season 2 happened. Okay... that was stretching trying to find what I didn't like. I mean I was okay with the character designs, they were different but we've seen worse. I was okay with the most of the puppeteering as the show got better over time and the crew doing it got very close working together in making it happen. And I was good with the goofy storylines, like Dr. Quease and Bonesteel, in fact Dr. Quease became one of my all time favorite villains so I don't have a lot of complaints about most of that. Things I liked: 1. The growth of the villains, they didn't just stay as they were in the first episode. Even Wick grew to realize that Michaelangelo amused him with the Sewer Hour. Bonesteel came to respect his hunt, and wanted them even more willing to team up with Vampires to get what he's after. Dr. Quease realized that Donatello was worth more to him alive than dead. Each of the bad guys grew from their first appearance, making it so the series could've become more serious as it went on. 2. Venus De'Milo, supposed to be the Turtle's sister, this character also grew. She grew up in China, lost her father in episode one - the script was so much more powerful on that lost - moved to New York as she's ordered to and help the Turtles save Splinter. I was against a female Turtle at first, as I knew how Peter Laird felt. Though I did accept Venus, finding myself liking her character. Only wishing that the series did not add the scene about her not being their sister, that's the biggest downfall with that as it could introduce romance.. which is what was trying to be avoided. 3. Subway Lair - I totally LOVE that they had the original set from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The secret of the Ooze, which was also used in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. That subway lair is an amazing closed set that once you walk in, it's like you're really there. This is the last project this set was used for, but gave us more of a chance to see different views of the set. 4. All new plot lines - They didn't try to re introduce the Turtles, they didn't try to redo a plot from the comics, movies or old cartoons. Their plots, the story arch, the villains and views of the city were their own take and new adventures. Placing us in a world all it's own, most of which never done again in the other versions of the Ninja Turtles. Mikey having a pirate radio station to connect with humans; Donatello risking everything for a scientist that he was a fan of who was working for the villains; hosting a costume contest that humans showed up for that they were able to hang out with people at; Splinter having a human friend that he would meet up with normally more his own age. So many new ideas, that gave the series it own feel and made it so worth watching. 5. Bringing in real black belts to do their stunts, including people who worked on the original movies like Larry Lam and Shishir Inocalla. It was neat having connected people between the different live action versions. 6. Having the Chiodo Brothers handle the costumes - with "Critters" being the film Raphael watched in the first movie. It's awesome to have the people who did Critters bring the Turtles to life for this TV series. Yes the show is goofy, yes it has it's flaws, yes it's not as serious at the Mirage comics or the original films. Though the show held #1 for it's time slot and #1 for Kids programming in early 1998. They were signed up for Season 2, but it was cancelled without even telling Mirage... as the crew and Mirage were wondering when filming was starting... everyone learned when Fox dropped their fall line up and the Next Mutation was not listed. This show had potential but cut loose before it had the chance to truly show it. And judged by many because it was a light hearted version of the Turtles. If you have not seen the Next Mutation, watch it for yourself before judging. Just remember, get through the first 5 episodes, it gets better. Laugh at the goofy episodes like Raphael's episode against Bonesteel and a gorilla or enjoy the more plot driven episodes like "Unchain my Heart". See more Read all reviews

Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation — Season 1

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