EPISODE NINETY ONE
“Samurai Tourist”
Written by Christopher Yost
Original Air Date: December 3, 2005
Supervising Producer: Lloyd Goldfine
Producers: Gary Richardson, Frederick U. Fierst, Al Kahn, Norman Grossfeld, Thomas Kenney
Supervising Director: Roy Burdine
Story Editor: Lloyd Goldfine
MAJOR CHARACTERS:
Donatello (Sam Regal)
Leonardo (Michael Sinterniklaas)
Michelangelo (Wayne Grayson)
Raphael (John Campbell)
SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
Master Splinter
Casey Jones
Usagi Yojimbo
Gen
Lord Hebi
Kojima the assassin
MAIN LOCATIONS, VEHICLES AND ACCESSORIES:
April’s antique shop
Blue Star Hotel
NYC streets and rooftops
Subway platform
Synopsis:
Intro: Usagi narrates as we open in New York City. Gen, the rhinoceros bounty hunter from Usagi’s home world, is walking down the street in the middle of the day. Gen attempts to purchase some pretzels from a street vendor who freaks out and runs away. Usagi surmises that he and his companion might not be prepared for all that this city offers.
Act 1: Open in the Turtle Lair. Casey, Mike, Don and Raph watch Leo as he trains vigorously in a blindfold. Everyone is worried about Leo’s recent behavior, save for Casey, who thinks it’s no big deal. Leonardo throws one of his katanas, piercing three candles before it embeds into Raph’s heavy punching bag, draining it of its sand. Raphael goes ballistic, and everyone holds him back from having a violent encounter with Leonardo. Master Splinter orders Raph to calm himself comes in and announces that visitors are arriving. A portal opens, and Usagi Yojimbo and his ally Gen emerge from it. After joyful greetings are exchanged, the Turtles take their friends on a night-time tour of NYC (minus Casey Jones, who went home after he was insulted when Gen called him a “monkey”).
Elsewhere, in a darkened alley of the Big Apple, another portal opens and a stout figure emerges. It is Kojima, an assassin from Usagi’s world. Kojima opens a scroll and receives a message from Lord Hebi (last seen in Episode #74) who tells the paid killer to painfully destroy Leonardo and all his allies.
Our heroes return to the lair to sleep. In the very early morning, Leo arises to begin his training and met by Usagi. The two spar and the Samurai expresses his concern over Leonardo’s state of mind. Usagi shares with Leo that he failed to save his master’s life in battle – but he tells the ninja that with their lifestyle fear and failure are par for the course, and the true test is how a warrior handles these challenges. Leo is contemplative when Mikey bursts in and announces that Gen is missing!
On the streets above, Gen is walking boldly down the sidewalk, completely unconcerned with who might see him. A huge man with a pit bull approaches and is terrified by the sight of the anthropomorphic rhino. Undaunted, Gen complements the fellow on his attire. The man and his dog run away in terror.
Usagi and the TMNT head out to search for the gluttonous bounty hunter. Seeing as how it’s now daylight, the Turtles decide to call Casey and ask for his assistance since they can’t be seen. Usagi asks Mikey how they’ll find Gen in such a huge city, and the affable turtle explains that they’ll just follow the screams.
On cue, we hear a woman screaming. On the streets below, we see Gen emerge from a store, dressed like the muscle man he encountered. A shocked crowd forms around the visitor, who is confused by all the attention. A police officer arrives and pulls out his gun, ordering Gen to put up his arms.
Act 2: Gen is amused by the police officer and has no intention of surrendering. The cop issues his final warning. Usagi and the TMNT arrive on a nearby rooftop and are not happy to view the scene. Casey Jones arrives on his motorcycle – he’s not happy with the situation either. Mike and Raph distract the cop by pretending that a woman is being mugged in a nearby alley, giving Casey time to rescue Gen. Mike and Raph climb the fire escape to join their friends when they are attacked by Kojima.
Act 3: Kojima drops down right in the middle of our heroes and attacks. As Mikey and Raph make it to the top of the building, Kojima tosses three bags at them, which flame up and then explode. A hole opens in the rooftop and the two ninjas fall through. The other-worldly assassin then grabs Don and tosses him into a wall, knocking him senseless. Leo and Usagi attack their foe who mocks their efforts. Usagi warns Leonardo the Kojima is the most talented weapons-master from his world. Leo attacks and the assassin blows some kind of powder into his face, blinding him. Kojima then corners Usagi and prepares to skewer him.
Act 4: Don, Mike and Raph recover and prepare to join the fray. Leonardo screams at the assassin to leave his family and friends alone and then leaps into the air for a final attack. Kojima falls in defeat.
Cut to the Turtle Lair as Gen and Usagi prepare to leave. Gen explains that he will be able to share a rich bounty when they turn Kojima over to the authorities. Usagi tries to give advice to Leo, but the ninja turns away in anger, stating that he will decide for himself how he must behave. Splinter thanks Usagi for visiting and trying to help his son. Usagi and Gen say their goodbyes and depart.