Should you watch this, Wiki this, or wait for the recap? Wiki it.
Shredder mutates Baxter Stockman as punishment for his repeated failures, while Donatello finally concocts a Retromutagen to cure Kirby Bat and Splinter. But when Baxter Stockman and Rahzar catch wind of the cure, it’s an all-out battle for the Retromutagen!
“The Lonely Mutation of Baxter Stockman” is an ironic title and the 16th episode of Season 2. Ironic because, well, he’s literally surrounded by mutants – Rahzar and Kirby Bat make an appearance here, in addition to the Turtles. Looks like poor Fishface has been forgotten this season.
Many choice cameos and references are dropped in this episode, from Ace Duck (this toy only character which Turtlepedia says had an obscure reference in the 90s cartoon), to a particular pair of mutants – a pig and a rhinoceros. I’m sure I missed out some others to do with the Retromutagen too. It’s a good ep if you’re a geek though!
Highlights
Turflytle
Mikey’s Turflytle costume is back! And they’re going to make a Turflytle toy out of it to go with it! But with the resolution of the Kirby Bat plot, I doubt we’re going to see anymore of Turflytle for the rest of the season… buzz buzz.
Ensemble cast
The Turtles cast has grown much larger, which is especially obvious when they all gather on the rooftop and it’s the Turtles, Casey Jones, April, Kirby Bat, Baxter Stockman, Rahzar, and the Foot Bots. And this is just a regular episode, mind you! I like that the mythology has been firmly built up by this point, and we get more regular appearances of the supporting characters.
Wraps up the Kirby Bat plot
I don’t know about you, but I for one was kind of tired of April’s constant whining about her mutated father. They didn’t seem that close to begin with, and it was just an irritating reminder that this was an unresolved subplot. Finally, it concludes. Or maybe Kirby will turn into the Kirby Bat, periodically.
Baxter Stockman’s final mutant
The episode ended on a cliffhanger – Shredder’s ominous proclamation that Baxter would make him one final mutant. Who is it? Will it be the previously mentioned pig and rhinoceros mutant? We know that Bebop and Rocksteady are coming to this series, and will we get to see them by the season 2 finale?
Letdowns
Baxter Stockman isn’t really a threat
As much as you want to believe it, Baxter Stockman is not a threat. Even in his fly form. So there’s very little tension and worry there when he threatens the Turtles. It’s only when Rahzar arrives, that the Turtles get worried.
Doesn’t advance the series arc much
This wasn’t a very strong story to begin with. It had many nice moments, but besides for the Kirby Bat plot, it’s more like a series of dramatic hints. I was a bit disappointed with the lack of story or character development in this episode – the focus was on Baxter, but it’s not like we learned very from him.
“The Lonely Mutation of Baxter Stockman” had some choice scenes, internal references, and comic moments, but failed to weave it all together into a story that we could care about. Hopefully it was because of the introduction of Baxter Stockman’s new form that took that focus away. In any case, it has left me intrigued – just what mutant is Shredder trying to create?
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