In the final five episodes of season one of Turtletastic, flamboyant Stone Scriven and his stuffed turtle roommate, Timothy try to survive their sophomoric year.
Turtletastic, is back with a final flourish thanks to the prolific Selbrede and Guilfoyle and things haven’t changed a great deal for poor Stone Scriven and his turtle roommate, Timothy.
Episode four is called “Please Just Stop The Music” and throws Stone and Timothy into a relatable campus conflict of noisy neighbours. The initial dialogue, with Stone’s mounting frustration and Timothy’s initially dismissive attitude, feels realistic in the shared experiences of dorm life. However, the episode quickly takes a bizarre turn when Timothy, in his attempt to resolve the noise issue, gets kidnapped by the partygoers. This escalation, while absurd, provides a new comedic avenue for the series. The interactions between the students and the talking turtle are suitably ridiculous, highlighting the improvisational nature of the performances. The episode ends on a cliffhanger with Timothy’s dramatic escape and vow of revenge, leaving the audience curious about the fallout.
Episode 5, “Stone Avoids a Paper” comedically captures the universal student struggle of stalling and leaving your homework until the last minute. The episode opens with Timothy’s nagging about Stone’s overdue paper, setting up the central conflict. Stone’s elaborate attempts to avoid doing the work, including a bizarre series of phone calls under the guise of a survey, showcase his talent for creative avoidance. The introduction of ‘the void’ as a character offering surprisingly sound academic advice adds another layer of surreal comedy to the episode. Their conversation about the writing process, framed through absurdist analogies, is a highlight. While the episode primarily focuses on Stone’s avoidance tactics, it culminates in the anticlimactic reveal that he did eventually write the paper, at the last minute, setting up the next hurdle of his missed work.
Episode 6: “Confident, Part 1” delves into Stone’s insecurities, triggered by the seemingly perfect lives of “muscle gays” on social media. The episode opens with a relatable moment of social media-induced despair, quickly followed by Timothy’s characteristic, if questionable, attempt to boost Stone’s confidence. The plan, which involves Stone wearing budgie smugglers in the woods for a photoshoot, is predictably absurd and highlights the stark contrast between Stone’s self-doubt and Timothy’s unwavering, if misguided, optimism. The dialogue remains sharp and witty, particularly in the exchange about the purpose of the photoshoot and Timothy’s questionable ownership of budgie smugglers. The episode ends on a double cliffhanger, with Timothy being blown away by the wind and Stone realizing his clothes are also missing, setting up an intriguing Part 2.
The penultimate episode of Turtletastic is episode 7, “Confident Part 2” which sees Stone trying to find Timothy and his clothes. This time, Stone is plunged into the chaotic aftermath of Timothy’s abduction and his own doomed photoshoot. Stripped of both his roommate and his attire, Stone’s frantic search through the woods highlights his vulnerability and growing frustration. His interactions with his friends and more chatty stuffed toys whom he meets on his journey underscore the absurdity of his situation and the challenges of explaining a missing talking turtle. Stone’s moment of insecurity offers a glimpse into the emotional core beneath the comedic surface. The eventual reunion with a tight-lipped Timothy, who hints at bizarre woodland encounters, only deepens the mystery. The final realization that Stone has been wearing his clothes all along provides a classic comedic payoff, setting the stage for the season finale.
The season finale of Turtletastic is called “The World Out There” and opens with a continuation of the previous episode’s outcome, with Stone finally getting his clothes back. However, the focus quickly shifts to a new source of anxiety, a nature documentary about turtles. Timothy’s extreme reaction to the graphic depiction of turtle predation is a comedic highlight, displaying Guilfoyle’s talent for over-the-top, paranoid delivery. The episode’s central conflict arises from Timothy’s newfound fear of the outside world, leading to a philosophical debate with Stone about the risks and rewards of vulnerability. The arrival of Franklin and the rugby team provides a moment of connection and acceptance, reinforcing the episode’s message about the importance of community. The final twist, with Timothy’s reaction to the mention of Coronavirus, brings the series back to its signature blend of absurdity and topicality, ending the season on a characteristically ambiguous note.
Turtletastic concludes its first season with a blend of dark humour, philosophical musings, and the series’ trademark absurdity. While the show’s technical limitations are still present, the strength of the writing and the performances of Craig Selbrede and Ronan Guilfoyle shine through. Turtletastic has established a unique voice, offering a blend of student film charm and genuinely funny, character-driven comedy.
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