I quite agree; I was looking through blogs and I was wondering if I'd find something like this, and here it is, and lo and behold I agree with it!

The Shadow Leech thing annoys me in particular – in fact, the whole exposition does. Four major events, things that each really ought to have its own significant moment, are packed into a couple of sentences, with no explanation.

One, there's a Shadow Leech on Metru Nui. How did it get there? How did it just randomly happen to come across our hero?

Two, Takanuva finds out he can now control both Shadow and Light. Interesting idea, but c'mon, that's HUGE. It's just sort of a major development when the one Toa of Light in the universe finds out that his powers have been changed to both Light and Shadow. Where's the emotion? How did he find out? What does he think of the fact?

Three, Takanuva learns of the existence of the Order of Mata Nui. They're so secret nobody has known even about their existence until just a few weeks ago, when extreme circumstances required that the Inika and Nuva learn about them. Now, quite suddenly, they reveal themselves in entirety to Takanuva – for such a secretive order, faced with that situation they'd probably inform one member to heal Takanuva in secret, telling him absolutely nothing more than he absolutely needs to know. It seems quite uncharacteristic to tell him that the Order exists without a dire need to.

... Hm, I wonder if he's being stalked by an Order member. That would be fun to think about.

And four, he's sent to Karda Nui. No explanation other than "to bring information to the Toa Nuva" – he doesn't even know the Nuva are there, much less what the place is, or such significant relevant facts as that that was where Matoro died using the Ignika or that it was once his home. Maybe he was told all those things, but because they're such an enormous revalation they would reeeally need more than just a sentence to themselves – and they didn't even get a sentence, for that matter; he's just sent there, apparently with the needed information, no more described about it.

Of course, perhaps what he was told will be revealed in future episodes, but I just really think the exposition was far too rushed, very literally throwing Takanuva through the portal with only minimal description of the four major events before it.

I think you've covered the practicality criticism nicely of those points; that's my stylistic criticism.

I for one always hate "alternate universe where everyone we know is evil" stories, and I like this one no better than usual. As you mentioned, so far it seems unrealistic as well as canonically problematic with the Toa Mata... since otherwise I like the concept, of Nidhiki and Tuyet teaming up against Lhikan (those two should really have a romance between them, by the way). I think I agree; it would be more realistic if Nidhiki and Tuyet were in control, rather than the Toa Mata being around.

... But since I hate these type of stories, I might not be one to judge. My criticism of the exposition stands, though.

Aye, there was far too little explanation at the beginning. Personally I'm not bothered too much by the shadow leech. It occured to me that the Brotherhood know about Takanuva and are perhaps too busy with their master plan to confront him directly (and in light of what happened to their leader, they may not want to). Now if I were in there position, and I had the means to turn not only a Toa, but the Toa of Light himself, into a Toa of shadow and have this being under my command, I'd go for it. Toa are powerful beings, after all, and I imagine the irony of turning their greatest enemy into an ally would appeal mightily to the intelligent members of the Brotherhood.

I suspect there is an Order member on Metru Nui at the very least, and that one of his duties is to stop any serious harm coming to Takanuva. Even so, suddenly revealing the existance of the order does seem like something of a big step.

When I first heard about the alternate universe, I thought "hey! A universe where Tuyet uses the Nui Stone! Cool!" Then I heard that the Brotherhood and Dark Hunters were freedom fighters. The Brotherhood, yes. I believe they were still 'good' back at that point in time. The Dark Hunters - they would never fight for freedom. For their own survival and interests, yes. They might well masquerade as freedom fighters in order to extend their own influence, but I can never see them protecting Matoran or doing anything that does not serve their own interests without demanding some kind of price. Exterminating Toa and acting as 'noble bounty hunters' is how I'd envision them.

The way I see it, Tuyet would try to rally Toa to her cause. She thinks she's in the right and that what she's doing is completely noble - exterminating the Dark Hunters and any threats to the Matoran and bringing order to them. She could probably convince a few, but there would be a vast number who's react much like Lhikan did, the Toa Mata included I'm sure. Unless Tuyet took extermination measures herself, we'd be talking about a Toa civil war. Whatever the result, there simply would not be enough Toa left to form anything like a 'Toa Empire'.

Still, it might improve...

I don't have enough emotional investment at this stage to make a judgment call, but you both raise some valid points. Myself, I can't help wondering who's protecting Metru Nui in Takanuva's absence.

I'm sorry, but I can't see a Nidhiki/Tuyet romance, ToM. The timing might work for Nidhiki and Lariska. Maybe. But Nidhiki and Tuyet are too much alike, and I think, when it came down to it, they'd despise one another for that very reason.

All will be explained, Danska, all will be explained.