Ninjago Season 5 Episode 1 'The Invitation'

[UnderscoreChronix]

It seems a few of my predictions came true. 

 

"Skylor will have a relationship of some kind with Kai"   Called it. 

"Zane merges with Pixal and makes himself a new body"  Called it. 

"The Ninja are just wearing their favorite suits"  Called it. 

 

I liked this episode. It didn't feel rushed, they just let the plot unfold without having to just rush into a fight scene. I also liked the idea of the Ninja being split up after Zane's "death". 

 

 

Things of note:

*There are more elements, and people with control of them. 

*Speed is apparently an element (as Jay pointed out), I wonder if they'll do Psionics too.

*Skylor either has Fire powers, or the ability to use the power of anyone she touches. Or she's actually evil and plans to drain the power from people, but that's unlikely.

*Wu isn't dead, he just didn't go with everyone else.

*Nya isn't going with the Ninja either, woohoo! 

*Oh and Nya probably has fire powers too. 

*After Zane became the Titanium ninja, he somehow gets to evil guy's island and gets captured. How??

*Jay's TV show is totally a parody of Wipeout. 

Edited December 21, 2014 by Toa Chronix

[Boidoh]

THERES A NEW EPISODE?!? WHERE!?

[Smitty]

THERES A NEW EPISODE?!? WHERE!?

I think that what we'd all like to know.

[UnderscoreChronix]

THERES A NEW EPISODE?!? WHERE!?

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HTZQ6sm7jw

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q8g2jDVpL4

 

Here you go. 

[Boidoh]

Thanks!

[Smitty]

Seems legit.

 

Not a bed episode. It looks like some years have passed again.

[Boidoh]

That was great.

 

Now it seems there are a ton more than 4 elements... Plot twist.. Speed, light, the Green, Air... Steel. I'm guessing this will have more than BIONICLE.

 

I liked that joke where Garmadon joked about Lightning not being an element.

 

Is there another episode? If not, when will it be released?

[fishers64]

The Orange Ninja's power looks like power copying or absorbing. 

[Aho]

Alright, I really enjoyed this episode. Skylor seems like an okay character... If she has power absorption powers, I wonder how Kai gets his powers back. It wouldn't make sense for him to lose them for the tournament.

If, on the other hand, Skylor has fire powers, it would mean she is related to Kai, which would be a great plot twist if they played it out right. (Think Luke and Leia from Star Wars)

Edited December 22, 2014 by Aho

[fishers64]

I don't think she stole all of his powers - just a little bit, and copied it for herself.

[Gatanui]

I don't find it that obvious that Zane merges with Pixal.

[Smitty]

I don't find it that obvious that Zane merges with Pixal.

Yeah Borg just said PIXAL was AWOL.

[Gatanui]

 

I don't find it that obvious that Zane merges with Pixal.

Yeah Borg just said PIXAL was AWOL.

 

So? For all we know Pixal could be missing because she too is looking for Zane.

[Smitty]

 

 

I don't find it that obvious that Zane merges with Pixal.

Yeah Borg just said PIXAL was AWOL.

 

So? For all we know Pixal could be missing because she too is looking for Zane.

 

So? your right, nowhere in that episode did they say PIXAL had merged with Zane, they just said she was gone. However at the end of "The Titanium Ninja" we see PIXAL meet Zane in the factory, and Zane asks if they car compatible. Fast forward to "The Invitation" and PIXAL is gone, and Zane is locked in a dungeon. Zane looks different but that to be expected with his rebuild in to a PIXAL compatible form. When we really need to know is what Zane meant by "compatible"? did Zane want to merge with her or "merge" with her?

[Zeb]

did Zane want to merge with her or "merge" with her?

 

That sounds so weird.  

 

I liked this episode, and I can't wait to see the next one. I wonder where this will go, and how the Serpentine are involved...

 

Also, did anyone notice that in the Slither Pit, Kruncha & Nuckal had their voices switched?  

[Boidoh]

 

did Zane want to merge with her or "merge" with her?

 

That sounds so weird.  

 

I liked this episode, and I can't wait to see the next one. I wonder where this will go, and how the Serpentine are involved...

 

Also, did anyone notice that in the Slither Pit, Kruncha & Nuckal had their voices switched?  

 

I was wondering why he sounded so weird...

[Zeb]

So, after this episode, we now know of these elements:

 

1. fire
2. ice
3. earth
4. lightning
5. light
6. speed
7. metal

And then, of course, you could count creation & destruction as elements though I'm not entirely sure about those.

[Boidoh]

There is also:

 

the Green

Sound  Sonics

Levitation

 

From that scene where it shows random folks using  powers that's what I've deciphered.

Edited December 24, 2014 by Boidoh

[fishers64]

And whatever Lady Orange's power is. 

[Tweetn]

I can't watch the videos for some reason

[Toa Smoke Monster]

I watched this episode on my On Demand, and I thought it was a really good start for the new season. Its interesting seeing people with other elemental powers. I particulary liked the fight between Kai and guy with Metal Powers. (I don't remember his name.) I thought that was a really well done battle. The Ninja taking on the thugs in the noodle restaurant was good too. 

 

Overall, I liked this episode a lot and I look forward to watching the rest of the season 5 episodes on my On Demand.

[Ptah]

I thought I'd give this the full review treatment.  In case, folks come by later.

 

Episode 35 - "The Invitation"

Alternate Title "MORTAL KOMBAT!!!"

 

Recap:

We are teased with a holodeck battle between Lloyd and some Nindroids, but noticeably absent are the other Ninja.  It's time for the season opening tradition: Wacky Ninja odd-jobs.  Like before once the previous threat has been defeated, the Ninja take on jobs for the sole purpose of quitting them once the next season threat arrives.  Jay is host to a American Ninja Warrior/Wipe Out game show.  Cole is a lumberjack and he's ok.  Kai can't tell you he's in the Slither Club because the first rule is you don't tell anyone about Slither Club.  Lloyd lures them back with Mom-jitzsu: guilt plus the promise of a hot meal. At the noddle house, some 'not-so' random thugs shake down the place.  The Ninja spring to action and the day is saved. Or is it.

 

Turns out the thugs deliver a message to the Ninja that Zane is alive and if they want to learn more they should meet at the pier and join Master Chen's Tournament of the Elements.  They comply.  Garamadon sensing something is up follows them and joins the Ninja on their ferry ride to Kombat Island. 

 

It's time again for another Ninjago tradition: Retconn exposition.  Garamadon is our Basil Exposition here, though soon we'll be calling him Raiden. In the ever changing past, there were several Elemental masters more than the four ninja. These masters passed their talents down through their bloodline like redhair.  So the opponents have powers too.  While they have names, I'm going to be calling them by the source Ninjago ripped them off from.  We've got Quicksilver, Invisi-bill, Vibe, Ecomancer, Colossus and Kitana.  Kai crushing on Kitana comes to her aid when Colossus acts like a jerk.  This leads to a fight that is ended when Shang Tsung intervenes. Oh and Garamadon has a history with Master Chen and Shang but remains cryptic and vague.  As the island comes into view, Master Chen gloats over a chained full metal Zane.

 

 

Review:

Here's a quick Mortal Kombat primer for those who've never seen the movie, but plan to as soon as they read this.

Garamadon = Raiden [Knowledgable elder who is completely unhelpful]

Kai = Lui Kang ['Chosen One' who can't focus on the task at hand while he chases Kitana for a date]

Skylor = Kitana ['Mysterious' female fighter. Love interest that can fight and probably is the daughter of the main villain]

Jay = Johnny Cage [The wannabe cool sidekick. Low self esteem and always the worrier]

Clouse = Shang Tsung [sinister sorcerer who would vaporize them all but is on a short leash]

Lloyd = Sonya Blade [Only here for the mission and can't be bothered to think strategically]

and

Zane = Sub-zero [That's too good to resist]

 

 

So we have entered the Tournament arc. Ugh. The Tournament arc is the go-to storyline for most cartoons that pass the three season mark. It's full of fights. (yeah)  But doesn't mean anything in the end (boo)  We get new powersets (yeah) but we'll probably never see them again (boo). The other drawback is we get another BS retconning of Ninjago history.  At this point I've ceased to care about the larger story.  As the alt title says, this is clearly inspired/ripped from 'Mortal Kombat'.  Mortal Kombat worked as a movie because the action kept the pace moving so we didn't think about the lore.  I don't know if it will work as a tv show.  The TNT series floundered I hope Ninjago does better.  One part of the show that really stuck with me is the Odd-jobs.  After 30+ episodes, I'm tired of the Ninjas' whining.  Kai is such a primadonna.  Even when your friend sacrifices himself to save the world its still about how he should have been the one. Jay is still a whiny baby.  I want to be special. Dude, you shoot lightning out of your hands. Why isn't that special to you?  And Cole... pick a character.  Either your the walking stomach or the strong man but choose one.

 

Trivia note: Anyone else notice that Kombat Island is the same as Holodeck Isle in the beginning.

[Ayliffe]

Lego uploaded the entire first episode on their youtube channel. If you haven't seen it already, now's your chance!