Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Episode 46 was titled Beware the Lotus. In this episode, a female ninja named Lotus is hired by Krang, who is sick of Shredder's constant failures, to destroy the Turtles. Her mission is to deliver Krang the Turtles for destruction. Shredder tries to sabotage her efforts when he can, jealous that he has been replaced. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Episode 46 Beware the Lotus was first aired in syndication on November 27th 1989.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Episode 46 Beware the Lotus
There will be spoilers in this review for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 3 Episode 28
Beware the Lotus.Episode Synopsis
In the Technodrome, Shredder is replaced by Krang by a female ninja named Lotus. Shredder is not happy being replaced and less happy that a girl has replaced him. Yet, Lotus proves her worth trashing Shredder, Bebop, and Rocksteady. Shredder, Bebop, and Rocksteady leave, with Shredder vowing that Krang will come crawling back to him.
Due to the full moon and how romantic it is, Burne Thompson does a story on romance, ignoring April's suggestion about doing a story of the insanity of the full moon and all of the crime it brings.
Lotus meanwhile steals a giant scent analyzer and the genetic code for Turtles, heading to the lair to capture them using the analyzer. A battle happens between the Turtles and the Foot Soldiers. Lotus and Leonardo fight and Leonardo appears to be head over heals with the female ninja. Of course, thinking with his wrong sword gets Leonardo knocked into a wall by a ninja trick. Master Splinter is captured by the Foot.
Shredder schemes to get back into Krang's good graces, and manages to lure the Turtles to the hideout of Lotus, accusing her of betraying Krang. Incensed, Krang fires Lotus, and reneges on her gold payment. Lotus in turn fights alongside the Turtles and Splinter breaks free. Krang begs Shredder to take him back, and Shredder reluctantly agrees.
In the lair, the Turtles have a pizza delivered to them by a mysterious pizza delivery person. On the pizza, there
is a lotus blossom as Lotus suggests that some day, they will meet again.Episode Review
I have one really serious point of contention about this episode and no it was not the stupid sappy romantic subplot this time. Even through I have made my agitation with Turtle romance all too clear in the past. The fact is the Turtles never let people into their lair to deliver pizza, always doing it at a phone booth or a sewer vent. Therefore, the fact that even Lotus walked into the lair and none of the Turtles or Splinter questioned the fact that someone was delivering their pizza into their super secret lair was a real wall banger for me.
Ah the subtext between Shredder and Krang was glorious. Krang is sick of Shredder, so he dumps him for another person who can get the job done. Then eventually Krang has a falling out, with Shredder trying to discredit the person to Krang. And then Krang takes him back.
Freud would have a field day with this. It is like a really bad break up, with Shredder developing creepy stalker like tendencies and being obsessed with showing up Lotus.
Lotus predated another Ninja Turtles character, Karai, who had a slightly similar character. Well at the most base level as they were both female ninjas. We will see her again although...yeah her return appearance is something that makes you wondering what the writers were on.
Episode Summary and Rating
Episode was fine, despite some holes, so 6/10 rating for this one. The subtext in this episode is biting with Shredder and Krang. You can watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Episode 46 Beware the Lotus on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 5 DVD.
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