Best/Favorite episode of the 2003 series

Leonardo1984

Since there seems to be a large amount of people here that really enjoy the 2003 series, I’m curious to know what your favorite episode/episodes of the show are and what episode/episodes are objectively the best in the series?

Personally, my favorite episodes are the Shredder Strikes Back part 1 and 2 and Tales of Leo. Objectively, I would probably say Same As it Never Was is the best episode in the series.

Tatoruzu

Leonardo1984

Same As it Never Was

That's definitely a fan favorite.

The episodes that really stuck with me for some reason were the Secret Origins trilogy where the turtles are in feudal Japan. It really feels like a turning point in the series and it's where Laird's creativity started to shine through the most. It was a sharp deviation from the traditional TMNT origin story, and yet it felt fully authentic.

And I know you didn't ask for this, but it's what I do... Probably one of the worst episodes is Sons of the Silent Age for completely missing the fucking point.

helljumper

Leonardo1984 Pretty much agree with all of this word for word. Leo's always been my favorite turtle and this show was honestly the main reason for that, so honestly most of my favorite episodes are centered around him. If you asked me personally I'd say Prodigal Son as well as Tales of Leo and Shredder Strikes Back part 1.

Objectively though I agree it's probably Same As It Never Was, I'd also throw an honorable mention to the Battle Nexus arc too, one of the few times that multiverses and crossovers were done in a somewhat cool and not ultra-forced way imo. Honestly most of the multi-episode arcs in the show were pretty good

Leonardo1984

Tatoruzu Yeah, Sons of the Silent Age isn’t my least favorite (mine is monster hunter from season 1) but it is a VERY poor adaptation of the comic.

Gort

my exposure to tmnt cartoon is incredibly limited mostly comprised of compilation VHS tapes so i only ever saw maybe like 25 episodes as a kid. that said i always loved the nano episode.

why is 2003 so neglected on home media? there doesnt seem to be complete boxset anywhere

Tatoruzu

Gort

why is 2003 so neglected on home media?

My theory is that Paramount is worried it would BTFO whatever slop they're currently serving up at any given moment. I believe it was even the last show to be added to streaming services. Anybody who is unfamiliar with the TMNT who has the option between watching 03 and Tales would never watch Tales.

They don't have the same worries with '87 TMNT because they know it doesn't hold up as well so they can safely distribute it to profit off of nostalgia from adults while keeping their current grift with the younger crowd safe.

there doesnt seem to be complete boxset anywhere

There was a boxset recently released. Some dodgy company bought the license from Paramount for an "Ultimate Collection" but it sucks ass. It's awful. There was no concern for the quality whatsoever.

Good video about it:

Leonardo1984

helljumper Yes prodigal son is a great episode too! And yeah I think the battle nexus episodes are solid.

Gort

Tatoruzu My theory is that Paramount is worried it would BTFO whatever slop they're currently serving up at any given moment.

An episode I think most people tend to over look is "I, Monster" Season 4, Episode 5. While I think "Same as it Never Was," is an incredibly solid episode, "I, Monster" directly adapts Tales of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Issue #4 Vol. 1 By Jim Lawson, of the same name. Here we get the introduction of the Rat King and my god, this is probably one of the most Physically imposing Rat kings I've seen.

This episode honestly gave me nightmares as a kid, hearing Rat Kings monologue as it drips with venom along with seeing his fragmented memories with the grainy filters. It felt like I was watching a slasher flick rather than TMNT, and seeing Rat King try to pick off each of the Turtles was something to behold. The fight between Leo and Rat King was excellent, this was during the City at War arc, so Leo at this point wasn't in his right mind. To see him lose it like he did on Rat King, was equal parts awesome/frightening. Fantastic episode.

Leonardo1984

Shpadoinkle_Day It is a great episode!

VCRVinnie

Shpadoinkle_Day Shoutout to the Season 2 story Reflections and is probably the best clip show any show is ever producing! Just recapping season 1 and part of Season 2 might not seem much but tying in that Shredder actually played a large role in the origin of Splinter and the 4 turtles is pretty genius! Especially for a cooldown episode that has Splinter narrating the pre intro sequences!