User blog:Curshburger/Total Drama Action Review

Please note: This review is a work in progress.

Introduction
So, Owen won the $100K in Island, but then gave that up to try to win $1M. A whole bunch of crazy stuff happened, and all of it led to the million being eaten by a shark. So, the 14 that came the closest to winning now are able to redeem themselves in this season.

Welcome to Total Drama Action! Island is regarded by many as one of (if not the) best season in the series, and I can certainly understand why that’s the case. None of the characters are atrocious, and any bad episodes in that season were few and far in between. But, there were some painfully predictable eliminations and several instances where Heather questionably survived. But now it’s time to move on to Action. This is a season that many find to be good, but not exactly on Island’s level. In this review, you’ll see my opinions on every episode this season, as well as every single character (much like last time). Let’s do it!

Monster Cash


Episode Number: 28

The episode in a nutshell: After the previous challenge, 14 contestants arrive on season two’s set. Their first challenge is to avoid a monster being controlled by Chef Hatchet, and Owen ends up picking a shocking trailer for his gender.

Fun Fact: This is the only season premiere that’s a free-for-all rather than a team challenge.

My favorite part: Owen eating the fake food

Quote: “Nope. Call 911.” -Owen

My thoughts: Alright, maybe it’s just me, but I feel like for a season premiere, this thing doesn’t exactly have a lot going for it. The contestants are introduced to the set, they do their challenge, and that’s pretty much it. Nobody even gets voted off or anything. Why? I stated in my last review about my dislike of non-elimination episodes, and we have one right here, as a season premiere, no less! But I do suppose it isn’t something I’d mind watching, so I’d say it’s an average episode.

Alien Resurr-eggtion


Episode Number: 29

The episode in a nutshell: All of the cast members must retrieve alien eggs and return them to Chris before being caught by Mama Alien. Said search for eggs is made difficult thanks to Mama Alien possessing a paintball gun. After returning the eggs, one couple faces a tragic separation and another couple is voted off for their relationship.

Fun Fact: This episode features the first double elimination in the series.

My favorite part: Izzy’s face-off with Chef

Quote: “I’m really digging the twos today. Must be Tuesday.” -Chris

My thoughts: This episode has a pretty neat challenge, I will admit. For some reason, it reminds me of all the fun times I had playing laser tag as a kid. But, take away the challenge and, once again, there isn’t much. You can notice Trent getting jealous of Duncan, which is kinda predictable, and there’s Gidgette, which gets pretty old pretty fast. Thankfully, they got voted off faster than you could say “this is an average episode ”.

Riot On Set


Episode Number: 30

The episode in a nutshell: The Screaming Gaffers and the Killer Grips are chosen by Gwen and Trent, respectively. The two teams’ first challenge is to put on a play. Izzy volunteers to play an old lady, and Duncan plays the role of a gangster. Chef Hatchet grows tired of DJ being soft an makes an alliance with him. When the scripts get flipped, things take a turn for the weird. For losing the challenge, Izzy is the one to get voted off.

Fun Fact: From here on out, every Gilded Chris is made of chocolate and covered in gold foil.

My favorite part: Duncan’s acting

Quote: “I’m not going anywhere. That’s not my name.” -Izzy

My thoughts: Thing with this episode is a good bit of it is Gwent getting slowly but surely more unhealthy with Trent’s jealousy of Duncan. I mean, I suppose the challenges were alright, but there isn’t much here that I can say I enjoyed. This is yet another average episode.

Beach Blanket Bogus


Episode Number: 31

The episode in a nutshell: The Screaming Gaffers and the Killer Grips return to Camp Wawanakwa for their next challenge. Beth befriends all of the Grips, while Trent starts having issues with Gwen. Meanwhile, Justin’s master plan begins to unfold. In the end, the Gaffers win themselves a beach party.

Fun Fact: This is the last episode in which Justin, Leshawna, and Trent visit Camp Wawanakwa.

My favorite part: The Taj Ma-Harold

Quote: “My nickname back home? Leshakin’ it!” -Leshawna

My thoughts: This episode essentially does the same thing last episode did, in terms of things that happen to Gwent, and not having much else to bring to the table. But what makes this episode worse than the last one is that this one is a reward challenge. No elimination, no suspense, no fun. Just nothing but a large amount of filler. I’d skip this one. It’s a bad episode.

3:10 to Crazytown


Episode Number: 32

The episode in a nutshell: The Screaming Gaffers and the Killer Grips compete in a Western-themed challenge. Trent throws challenges for Gwen until the latter breaks up with the former, officially killing Gwent. As a result, Justin interrogates Gwen. This ends in Trent getting voted off and Gwen “owing the Grips a favor”.

Fun Fact: Duncan is now aware of the fact that Harold rigged the votes against Courtney back in Island.

My favorite part: Gwen’s sneezing

Quote: “Either way, you owe us, Gwen.” -Justin

My thoughts: In case you didn’t know, this is my least favorite episode. Justin is super unlikable, the ending is just plain frustrating, and the entire episode is dedicated to derailing Gwen and flanderizing Trent. We’ve seen Gwent hit a few bumps in the road this season, but never did it get this big. Seeing the Grips believe that Gwen is at fault (all because of Justin’s lies) is nothing short of infuriating, and it was at this point that I began to hate Justin so much, that I would’ve skipped straight to The Princess Pride just to see his butt get voted off if I didn’t care so much about spoilers. The worst part about this is that according to some people I’ve talked to, this was never even supposed to happen. The writers wanted to keep Gwent alive, but the network insisted they be split apart because they shipped Gwuncan so much. This is an episode so bad I believe that giving it an awful rating would be an understatement, so instead I’m gonna say that this is an abominable episode. The only good thing about Total Drama likely coming to an end is that we, the audience, never have to witness an episode as abysmal as this one ever again.

The Aftermath: I


Episode Number: 33

The episode in a nutshell: Geoff and Bridgette are fittingly hosting Action’s brand-new feature: a talk show! The eight former contestants that didn’t qualify return in the peanut gallery and Izzy and Trent are the special guests. But tension arises as the hosts start to have problems with each other.

Fun Fact: Cody still has Gwen’s bra from Up The Creek.

My favorite part: Seeing the eliminated again

Quote: “Gwen did WHAT?!” -Trent

My thoughts: