Total Drama Action (abbreviated TDA) is a Canadian animated television series. It is the second season of Total Drama, airing after Total Drama Island. It premiered on Teletoon on January 11, 2009.[1] This season was also created by the makers of 6teen, another Teletoon program. Unlike in previous seasons, Teletoon did not air new episodes every week.
Plot
Like Total Drama Island, the previous season of Total Drama, much of Total Drama Action chronicles the events of the eponymous fictional reality show. The Total Drama series itself is an "animated reality television series," which stars the cast and crew of the fictional series, parodying many aspects of reality television. After last season's winner forgoes their prize money of C$100,000 (US$73,129.00) for a challenge (open to all 22 of Total Drama Island's contestants) in which the winner would receive C$1,000,000 (US$731,485.00), the money was left in limbo after a situation resulted in a 14-way tie.
Consequently, host Chris McLean (voiced by Christian Potenza) initiated a second season featuring all 14 contestants who tied. Two weeks after the aforementioned tie, the contestants who tied are told to arrive at an abandoned movie studio lot in Toronto, Ontario, where the new season, titled Total Drama Action, would take place. Due to its location, Chris told the contestants that the challenges would all be in the form of various movie genres. The accommodations of the contestants are handled by the underpaid Chef Hatchet (Clé Bennett), similar to how they were handled in the previous season. The outhouse, which was used as a confessional in Total Drama Island, has been replaced with a makeup trailer.
After the quick elimination of two contestants, the couple Bridgette (Kristin Fairlie) and Geoff (Dan Petronijevic), a second challenge determined the team captains of the two competing teams: the Screaming Gaffers, headed by Gwen (Megan Fahlenbock), and the Killer Grips, headed by Trent (Scott McCord). From then on, challenges would alternate between "reward challenges" where winners would receive a special prize, and "elimination challenges" where the losing team would vote off one of its own in an elaborate "Gilded Chris Ceremony".
The pattern of reducing the contestants down was briefly interrupted on two occasions: once when Izzy (Katie Crown) was reinstated following a voting irregularity where her alter-ego, "E-Scope", was voted off, and another time when Courtney (Emilie-Claire Barlow), a contestant who did not originally qualify for Total Drama Action, successfully sued the show and was added to the game. The players eliminated would make the "Walk of Shame" and to the "Lame-o-sine", where they leave the movie studio.
Once seven contestants were left, the Screaming Gaffers and the Killer Grips were dissolved, and the challenges became more individual-oriented. Chris hired Owen as his ringer to sabotage the other contestants and create drama. Eventually, two contestants were left standing: Duncan (Drew Nelson) and Beth (Sarah Gadon), with both contestants being considered official winners depending on the country of airing.
Total Drama Action debuted on January 11, 2009, at 6:30p.m. on Teletoon, with its premiere on Cartoon Network following on June 11, 2009. In the U.S., Cartoon Network creates a disclaimer with a TV-PG-D rating before the previous show's recap. In the UK it aired on April 11, 2011, at 10:00 GMT as part of Disney XD's Easter Shows.
The participating contestants arrive to a rough start, at the film studio back lot to meet Chris McLean, where he tells them about the modifications and changes from Total Drama Island to Total Drama Action. Their first challenge will be one of the monstrous proportions, and Owen gets to pick the trailer for his fellow males.
29
2
"Alien Resurr-eggtion"
Nicole Demerse
January18,2009(2009-01-18)
June 18, 2009
202
The fourteen cast members must retrieve "alien" eggs and return them to the trailers without being caught by Mama Alien. However, the search for the eggs is made quite difficult thanks to Geoff and Bridgette's relationship and the alien's paintball skills. It's a race through a dark maze of alien slime, ending with Gwen and Trent winning, and Geoff and Bridgette will not be escaping this episode's elimination.
Elimination: Bridgette and Geoff
30
3
"Riot on Set"
Alex Nussbaum
January25,2009(2009-01-25)
June 25, 2009
203
The teams are chosen by Gwen and Trent of the previous challenge, and their first challenge is to put on a play. While Izzy is chosen to play an old lady, the other team picks Duncan for the role of a rundown gangster. DJ's insecurity is discovered by Chef who decides to use it for his means. But when someone gives him the wrong scripts, things start to get weird and chaotic on the set. It all leads up to Izzy getting eliminated for her bad performance and getting 14th.
The teams participate in a beach-themed challenge. Beth attempts to befriend the rest of her team, while Trent starts to have some problems with his relationship with Gwen. Meanwhile, Justin begins to show his true nature. The team that wins receives a wicked beach party.
32
5
"3:10 to Crazytown"
Nicole Demerse
February8,2009(2009-02-08)
July 9, 2009
205
The teams compete in Western-themed challenges. Trent continues to throw challenges for his love and Gwen can't stand it anymore. Their relationship finally reaches its end and Justin angrily blackmails Gwen as a result. It all ends with Trent taking the blame and being voted off, with Gwen owing the Grips a favour.
Elimination: Trent
33
6
"Aftermath I: Trent's Descent"
Alice Prodanou
February15,2009(2009-02-15)
July 16, 2009
206
Geoff and Bridgette are hosting this season's new feature: a behind-the-scenes talk show. The non-returning contestants are back as the peanut gallery and Izzy and Trent are the guests of honor. However, the hosts start to have problems with each other as the show progresses.
34
7
"The Chefshank Redemption"
Brendon Yorke
April5,2009(2009-04-05)
July 23, 2009
207
The competition starts to heat up when the remaining castmates face the prison movie challenge. The Grips are pretty confident, as they have a special deal with Gwen from the opposing team as a result of her past actions. One team wins the first challenge, and Izzy returns to the competition. Gwen is eliminated due to her previous actions, though she feels she earned some extra "karma points" in doing so.
Elimination: Gwen
35
8
"One Flu Over the Cuckoos"
Alex Ganetakos
April12,2009(2009-04-12)
July 30, 2009
208
The castmates take part in a medically-themed challenge. Izzy has returned, making Owen very happy. Leshawna tries to make an alliance with Duncan and Harold, to outnumber Heather. Then, when an infectious disease breaks out, things go critical on set. When Duncan and Leshawna save the cast, their acting skills gets Leshawna the reward.
36
9
"The Sand Witch Project"
Shelley Scarrow
April19,2009(2009-04-19)
August 6, 2009
209
The castmates compete in a horror-themed challenge. Lindsay starts taking the leadership role of her team, and DJ's conscience begins to bother him about his previous actions. This leads to DJ quitting from the competition even though his team won the challenge, saving Lindsay and Justin from potential elimination.
Elimination: DJ
37
10
"Masters of Disasters"
Alex Nussbaum
April26,2009(2009-04-26)
August 13, 2009
210
It is a disastrous time for the cast members, as they face their disaster movie challenge, which includes earthquakes, floods, and lava spills. The disasters get much worse as Owen gets seriously injured and the others find themselves in deep water - literally! Leshawna accidentally reveals her secret in front of her teammates, angering them. Ultimately, the castmates are saved by Harold and the Gaffers win a reward.
38
11
"Full Metal Drama"
James Hurst
May3,2009(2009-05-03)
August 20, 2009
211
War comes to the set as tensions rise between the castmates. As lies and mistrusts continue to plague Leshawna, Duncan and Harold are at each other's throats about who is the better teammate while someone's influential powers start to wear off on two others. In the end, Duncan and Harold become allies and win the war while Izzy's disinterest in Justin is still enough to get her eliminated again.
Elimination: Izzy (2nd time, as herself)
39
12
"Aftermath II: Forgive & For-Gwen"
Shelley Scarrow
May10,2009(2009-05-10)
August 27, 2009
212
The Aftermath show returns with Gwen and Trent in the hot seat, but trouble erupts when Geoff attempts to boost viewers with harsh segments and embarrassing clips of the guests, which push apart Geoff and Bridgette. Gwen's behavior on the show made her lose a lot of her friends from the previous season, but Trent manages to save her relationship with everyone in the studio.
40
13
"Ocean's Eight -or Nine"
Paul Poque
June24,2009(2009-06-24)
September 3, 2009
213
The two teams compete in a series of bank heist themed challenges, while Leshawna faces the consequences of her past actions, and begins to regret what she did. Then, the action really heats up when Courtney returns to the show due to a lawsuit. This leads to the losing team trying to send Courtney home, but in the end, their votes are declared null and void, and Owen is sent home instead.
Elimination: Owen
41
14
"One Million Bucks B.C."
John Slama
September10,2009(2009-09-10)
September 10, 2009
214
Chris turns back the clock to the stone age in this challenge, and the castmates are forced to take part in prehistoric challenges. While Courtney bends the rules, Duncan proves that he is not above cheating. Meanwhile, Heather goes to drastic measures in order to get what she wants. In the end, one team proves that they are higher than the other in the evolution chart and receive a nice good meal.
42
15
"Million Dollar Babies"
Richard Clark
September17,2009(2009-09-17)
September 17, 2009
215
The final eight compete in sports-themed challenges. Beth's infatuation with a mysterious love, combined with Courtney's new rules and conditions, causes a small problem to arise between Leshawna and the other seven. However, after an accepted apology, Heather gets sent home instead.
Elimination: Heather
43
16
"Dial M for Merger"
Alan Resnick
October1,2009(2009-10-01)
September 24, 2009
216
The teams have been dissolved as the seven cast faces off in a spy challenge filled with lasers, explosives, bombs, and really bad accents! Justin trusts his previously reluctant brain throughout the challenges, and Leshawna successfully makes an alliance with Duncan and Harold. After the blackmail plot of a schemer gets foiled, two winners are declared and this earns them a trip that was not worth the effort.
44
17
"Super Hero-ld"
Alex Nussbaum
October8,2009(2009-10-08)
October 1, 2009
217
It is a super time on set as the contestants participate in superhero-based challenges. Courtney forms a fierce, fierce rivalry with Lindsay, while Duncan and Harold maintain their old rivalry as their "alliance" falls apart. A new alliance is formed, replacing an old one and it all ends with Leshawna's elimination, and Harold's heartbreak.
Elimination: Leshawna
45
18
"Aftermath III: O-wen or Lose"
Alice Prodanou
October22,2009(2009-10-22)
October 8, 2009
218
It is another episode of the Total Drama Aftermath, Owen, Heather, and Leshawna take the stage for an exclusive interview about their time on the show. However, trouble ensues when Bridgette finally becomes fed up with Geoff's new attitude to the point that she breaks up with him on live TV. It takes several people and a shocking therapy to finally make this Captain Hollywood realize the error of his ways.
46
19
"The Princess Pride"
Heather Jackson
November5,2009(2009-11-05)
October 15, 2009
219
Fairy tales come to the set of the show as a princess is crowned, causing two knights to form a fierce rivalry over love. Despite fighting his way through dragons and ogres, Justin finally meets his ultimate end in the game and gets his long waited comeuppance after Courtney refuses to return his love.
Elimination: Justin
47
20
"Get a Clue"
Alex Nussbaum
November12,2009(2009-11-12)
October 22, 2009
220
It is crime-solving time on set as the cast participates in three mystery-themed challenges. As Lindsay starts to apply herself, Courtney continues to be fed up with her. As a result, the two find themselves butting heads quite often. To make matters worse, Chris is found dead on a moving train, and Courtney seems to be amongst them. In the end, Lindsay wins a reward and uses it to make someone else jealous, asserting her strategic prowess.
48
21
"Rock 'n Rule"
Alan Resnick
November19,2009(2009-11-19)
October 29, 2009
221
The final 5 turn into six after Owen returns to the game after got kicked off unfairly and filed a lawsuit and Chris agrees to let him back so he could pay off his family's debt because of a cheese seller. He and the final five compete in rock and roll themed challenges. Courtney wins invincibility again, so Lindsay plots for Duncan's downfall to weaken Courtney's chances. In the end, Lindsay accidentally eliminates herself, leaving Beth sad.
Elimination: Lindsay
49
22
"Crouching Courtney, Hidden Owen"
Alex Ganetakos
November19,2009(2009-11-19)
November 5, 2009
222
A kung fu challenge comes to the set as the boys battle against the girls. Owen is not allowed to compete and must sabotage the teams instead for extra drama, but fails. Courtney desperately tries to form an alliance with Beth, while Harold and Duncan start to mend their conflict. However, Owen soon ruins their new friendship and the unlikely winner, Harold, earns himself a feast.
The show lifts off as the final five compete in space-themed challenges in order to win immunity. Courtney and Beth start to feel a strain on their recently made alliance, and Owen can't shake off his guilt. Beth and Harold begin to secretly develop crushes on each other. After a number of calculations, Harold believes that Owen is a traitor among the cast, but he is unable to warn the other remaining castmates before being eliminated.
Elimination: Harold
51
24
"Top Dog!"
Ken Cuperus
November26,2009(2009-11-26)
November 19, 2009
224
The final five narrows to the final four as they participate in an animal-themed challenge, as the castmates return to the location of season one. The drama intensifies when Owen is exposed for the mole he is. At the elimination ceremony, Courtney meets her end in the contest, along with her long awaited comeuppance, but not before discovering a spy and causing Owen to be fired. This all leads up to Duncan and Beth being determined.
Elimination: Courtney and Owen (2nd time)
52
25
"Mutiny on the Soundstage!"
Brendon Yorke
December3,2009(2009-12-03)
December 3, 2009
225
Duncan and Beth compete in a pirate-themed challenge. However, total chaos breaks loose as they start a fight that threatens their friendship. The final two are pushed through a treasure hunt of knowledge and endure all of the elimination challenges in addition to one more, due to a choice. As the two finalists race to the end, something unexpected happens.
53
26
"Aftermath IV: Who Wants to Pick a Millionaire???"
Alex Nussbaum
December10,2009(2009-12-10)
December 10, 2009
226
Duncan and Beth attempt to find a way to break the tie and eventually are asked various questions by the eliminated contestants, who then vote for the winner.
All twenty-two contestants gather at the Gemmie Awards for their show's nomination. However, their world comes crashing down when Chris announces a new reality show to replace them. In a desperate attempt to save their fame, all of the contestants (plus a new face) join together in a race to New York City in a bus to beat a team of dirtbags and their leader. All the while, a third show documents their every move.
Episode finale variations
The show's producers created two alternate endings for the final episode, such that the winner seen in one country's broadcasts is the runner-up in other countries (and vice versa) where the show airs. In Canada, Duncan was aired as the winner as well as in Denmark, Latin America, Norway, the Philippines, and in the United States.[citation needed] Beth is also depicted as the winner in airings from Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Hungary, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.[citation needed]
Characters
The main Total Drama Action cast consists of host Chris McLean, assistant Chef Hatchet, and the contestants that make up the castmates. The remaining contestants from Total Drama Island also appear on the show, but serve in lesser capacities as commentators on The Aftermath. The contestants were Trent, Lindsay, Gwen, Owen, DJ, Beth, Geoff, Leshawna, Izzy, Heather, Bridgette, Justin, Harold, Duncan and eventually Courtney.
Like Total Drama Island, Total Drama Action was developed and produced by Fresh TV, targeting an age group of 10-to 16-year-olds. Many of the show's settings, as well as the show's opening sequence, are deliberately made to be as close as to their Total Drama Island counterparts as possible; Camp Wawanakwa, the setting of Total Drama Island, was also revisited on several occasions, most notably as the site of some of the season's challenges. All of the cast of Total Drama Island return in the same roles as that of Total Drama Island, though some had their roles reduced as their characters were not as prominent in this season. As with Total Drama Island, two endings were commissioned for the series, one with each of the final two competitors winning; after the airing of the penultimate episode and prior to the season finale, viewers were prompted to the show's website (either at Teletoon for viewers in Canada or Cartoon Network for American viewers) to vote for the desired ending. Unlike Total Drama Island, however, the alternate ending was available as a webcast on the show's website immediately following its airing.
Total Drama Action has received generally mixed reviews from critics and fans, though not as much as its predecessor. Most critics[who?] agree the season does not live up to the first season, Total Drama Island. Total Drama Action received a 7.6 on Metacritic by fans, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[4]
Media
DVD releases
Total Drama Action has only been publicly sold on DVD in Australia. The first half of the season was released on a Region 4 DVD, on November 2, 2011."[5] The second half of the season was released exclusively to Australia, on July 4, 2012.[6][7]
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