This article comes fromDen of Geek UK.

Earlier this year Nickelodeon announced that they would be launchinga newTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlescartoon in 2018.

Normally, this would be good news.

The first half of the fourth season was set in space and it was great fun.

The Turtles bounce from planet to planet under the guidance of brain-in-a-droid Fugitoid.

An intergalactic shark bounty hunter called Armaggon and played by Ron Perlman proved to be a highlight.

NickelodeonsTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtleshas always struggled a little against its form.

They dont really like the fact that were telling these linear serialized stories.

Its kind of difficult.

Wed love to tell more in some of these arcs, but it just gets really difficult.

In the same interview, showrunner Ciro Nieli explained the difficulties of producing multipart episodes.

For web connection Nickelodeon, they have scheduling and international distribution concerns to consider.

Thats something Nieli touched on, too.

Youve got to understand, Nickelodeon has its bread and butter in making stories that are 11 minutes.

The comedy shows, theyll take a half hour show and split it into two stories.

Any show that leans heavily on serialization faces the problem of potentially becoming impenetrable to new viewers.

Children are obviously discouraged from television marathons.

Similarly,Breaking Baddidnt have to worry about a generation of its audience potentially outgrowing the show each year.

Its a problem with no easy solution, and one that has impacted onTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The episode ordering is vital in tension building.

Playing the episodes in order reveals an additional layer of care taken in the story pacing.

The second half of the 4th season, fromCity At WartoOwari, is an admirable balancing act.

Its a shame because its well designed.

Seeing the episodes together draws out the parallels in various story elements.

She shows contrition, though, and is able to remove the scarring with her mutation powers.

She may show signs of Shredder, but shes not too far gone.

The two injury stories offer a great platform to lay out the differences between the two characters.

The mutated Shredder is a fantastic turn for, and conclusion to, the character.

His motivation is usually clear but under the surface madness has set in and he shifts.

It turns out that its not bad writing, rather that hes quite, quite mad.

It hasnt been heavily sign-posted, its just been there, happening in the background.

His deformed face exposes the inner workings of his mouth in a way thats evocative ofHellraiser.

Like a buff cheese grater!

Super Shredder looks physically twisted, which is thematically appropriate.

His physical form is as erratic as his rage fuelled persona.

He has lost his humanity.

As the references to Cronenberg andHellraisersuggest, the show remains rife with horror movie references.

Along with strong horror, theres a ramping up of the consequences of violence in this season.

She cuts his hand off.

The two major character deaths land differently.

His death here is permanent, though.

Shredders death is no less shocking.

Because, did Leonardo cut Shredders head off?

The effect of all these deaths is a sort generational clear out.

Rebellion against the generation above is inherent in a childrens show and here it all fits together so nicely.

The tone shifts is different at times but there is always a balance.

Greg Cipes Michelangelo, meanwhile, remains the lightness and heart of the show.