Splinter vanishes!

[shreddinghead]

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3469/logoanim.gif
Episode #100 "Splinter vanishes"
Original Air Date: November 17, 1990


I recently watched this episode, and i just have to say this episode was really great! Moreover, the plot was/is showing us fans that the core of the turtles is their brotherhood, TMNT, in my opinion of course.

The turtles split as a result of Splinters plan to give them a deeper insight in the importance of their sticking together. As a parallel to the appearent dispersal of the turtles, the Rat king and Leatherhead joins forces against the turtles, with their robot rats and alligators, to epic proportions.

[MikeandRaph87]

I thought it odd how Rat King and Leatherhead collaborated as it was shown their hatred for one another interfering in each other's plans before.Still,it was interesting for them to look past it and see each other as conspirators. It was a stretch for Splinter to draw the duo out by making it known the TMNT had parted ways.

Even odder was the turtles each getting jobs. Now,if they were in disguise I could understand with exception of Raphael inspring Cowabunga Carl not needing one.

Despite the two oddities it was a great episode. A villain team up and a great fight! Also, despite the turtles taking on jobs it was a good character piece IMHO.

[oldmanwinters]

I think it was hilarious that all the turtles were able to snag paying jobs in the city.

Only in the old toon, eh? :tlol:


Even odder was the turtles each getting jobs. Now,if they were in disguise I could understand with exception of Raphael inspring Cowabunga Carl not needing one.


Indeed, the 2k7 movie was a much different take on the "Turtles get jobs" idea. I give Munroe & crew credit for the concept and execution. And I liked how the prequel comics expanded upon the idea.

[CyberCubed]

I thought this was one of the more violent episodes in the series. Rat King literally almost kills Donatello with a time bomb that blew up his whole shop.

And the fight between Leonardo and Leatherhead was vicious. Leatherhead throws those weights that barely miss Leo and they crash into the wall. Leonardo also kicks the exercise machine straight into LH.

It was a fantastic episode and its the only ep of Season 4 that Leatherhead is actually in. How sad is it that Leatherhead doesn't appear in Seasons 5 and 6 at all?

[oldmanwinters]

I thought this was one of the more violent episodes in the series. Rat King literally almost kills Donatello with a time bomb that blew up his whole shop.

And the fight between Leonardo and Leatherhead was vicious. Leatherhead throws those weights that barely miss Leo and they crash into the wall. Leonardo also kicks the exercise machine straight into LH.


Indeed, and I thought that bit where April got chased by the rats up the ladder was more intense than usual for the show.

[CyberCubed]

To be honest I think all of Rat Kings episodes in the series are almost consistently excellent. He even made cameos in eps like Pizza by the Shred and Great Boldini.

Rat King seemed to be the writers favorite villain outside of Shredder/Krang. I only wish Leatherhead got as many eps as he did.

[Jephael]

Every time I see this episode I can't help but think of that rant by the Nostalgia Critic where he tries to make sense out of Don and Mike having jobs in the CGI film, and he finally bursts out with "TURTLES CAN'T HAVE JOBS!!!"

[oldmanwinters]

Every time I see this episode I can't help but think of that rant by the Nostalgia Critic where he tries to make sense out of Don and Mike having jobs in the CGI film, and he finally bursts out with "TURTLES CAN'T HAVE JOBS!!!"

I always thought the NC was a little high-strung, myself.

[CyberCubed]

All of NYC was aware of the Turtles existance by the end of Season 1. Throughout Seasons 2, 3 and 4 we constantly see the Turtles recognized by random people on the street, and April talks about them on the news.

Hell, there are many episodes where some business tycoon is drilling through the sewers and they were aware the Turtles lived down there.

The Turtles holding jobs in a city that is aware of them isn't that odd.

[Icebot]

I almost didn't recognize the Rat King in that scene where he pretended to be a woman.

[Jephael]

The Turtles holding jobs in a city that is aware of them isn't that odd.

Yea, but the jobs they got were so mediocre. Why would Donatello get a job at a fix-it shop when he could be hired by MIT? Leonardo should've been employed by a karate dojo, not an average gym. I liked the idea of Raphael being a birthday party entertainer, but they should've given him some kind of snazzy costume. Michaelangelo's TV gig was pretty funny, but we really didn't get to see him in action.

[pannoni1]

April had a large role in this episode since she becomes the only person who remains fully loyal to Splinter/Turtles and still appreciates the Turtles being solo and tells them to keep in touch. April first suspects the Rat King is disguised right as she enters the Fix-it shop. She also sees Leatherhead spray Donatello with gas and understands that both villains work together in the sewer.

In a way this is the sister episode of "Splinter no more", except that instead of Splinter feeling that he can be human, he feels that simply doesn't need the Turtles. The Turtles aren't as wacko this time around. But even in the lighter view by the public of the Turtles in Season 4, the lack of teamwork still shows the Turtles' weaknesses of being alone, and that results in all of them getting kidnapped and captured alone. Leonardo loses against Leatherhead, Donatello gets tricked by Leatherhead, Raphael gets defeated by the Rat King, and Michelangelo simply gets captured by the Rat King before he knows what's wrong. Thankfully Splinter sensed trouble, saved April from being crushed, and saved the Turtles from the forces of Leatherhead and the Rat King.

I have a couple animation cels/backgrounds from this episode, along with a copy of the script. According to the script, the events of April meeting the Turtles individually occur weeks after the Turtles split up. Overall, a good lesson that tells us that "togetherness" is the most beneficial for the Turtles.

[Refractive Reflections]

One thing that I found interesting was when Leonardo was working as a fitness instructor at "Roseanne's Fitness Center", and all of the participants were overweight.

I'm sure that was a humorous pop culture reference at Roseanne Barr and her comedy show since it was the #1 show during the 1989-1990 TV season (tied with "The Bill Cosby Show").

[Lisardo]

April had a large role in this episode since she becomes the only person who remains fully loyal to Splinter/Turtles and still appreciates the Turtles being solo and tells them to keep in touch. April first suspects the Rat King is disguised right as she enters the Fix-it shop. She also sees Leatherhead spray Donatello with gas and understands that both villains work together in the sewer.

Sorry I'm late in this discussion. Watching the new TMNT movie got me revved up to rewatch some of the OS, ;)

I loved April's role in this episode. She does remain very faithful to them all. Plus it's interesting to see her interact with each one individually too.

I didn't understand how all of the sudden Leatherhead and Rat King were now "friends". They were fighting last I saw, in the episode "Leatherhead Meets the Rat King".

In a way this is the sister episode of "Splinter no more", except that instead of Splinter feeling that he can be human, he feels that simply doesn't need the Turtles. The Turtles aren't as wacko this time around. But even in the lighter view by the public of the Turtles in Season 4, the lack of teamwork still shows the Turtles' weaknesses of being alone, and that results in all of them getting kidnapped and captured alone. Leonardo loses against Leatherhead, Donatello gets tricked by Leatherhead, Raphael gets defeated by the Rat King, and Michelangelo simply gets captured by the Rat King before he knows what's wrong. Thankfully Splinter sensed trouble, saved April from being crushed, and saved the Turtles from the forces of Leatherhead and the Rat King.

I thought Leonardo held his own pretty well. He only pretend-died and then came and freed the others later. I really liked him in this episode because he shows how he's able to actually function on his own. The 2k3 series had a lot of "loner Leo" too I noticed.

I have a couple animation cels/backgrounds from this episode, along with a copy of the script. According to the script, the events of April meeting the Turtles individually occur weeks after the Turtles split up. Overall, a good lesson that tells us that "togetherness" is the most beneficial for the Turtles.

I think I have a cel from this episode too, at my folks' house still. If memory serves, it's where Donatello's in the fix-it shop. I'll know for sure next time I'm home visiting, cuz it's still on my bedroom wall lol!

[cryan]

The Rat King and Leatherhead thing is the old saying: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. It was a great episode. The scene were Raph has to say the name of the singing telegram serves was hilarious.

[Prowler]

It was indeed odd for the turtles to get jobs easily without anyone batting an eye. Other than that, it was a pretty good episode with some tense moments. The Rat King always gave the Turtles some hard trouble.

[Lisardo]

The Rat King and Leatherhead thing is the old saying: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. It was a great episode. The scene were Raph has to say the name of the singing telegram serves was hilarious.

Yeah his singing there always made me laugh. "Hey I just sing 'em, I don't write 'em!"

What gets me about them holding jobs is how they don't wear disguises. Rather they just go as Ninja Turtles.

[Jephael]

What gets me about them holding jobs is how they don't wear disguises. Rather they just go as Ninja Turtles.

You would think people would be worried about the dangers of having them around in public considering the number of enemies they had.

[cammy85]

Meh, the public was used to them by now... at least for a few more seasons. :P

Anyways, I loved this episode!! The season finales were pretty good, for the most part; and this one was no exception. You get the prospect of the Turtles splitting up for good and a major threat from Shre - huh??? Leatherhead and the Rat King?? Waitasec!! Those two hated each other last time!! Oh well, they made good villains here. The Rat King always had great plots and the explosive in the radio was a nice touch even if Leonardo losing his fighting edge was stupid. The ending rocked and also included a throwback to the first encounter with the Rat King. Well done!!!

[ranger_scout]

Since this is my 2,500th post here on Technodrome, I'd like to share why I really enjoyed this episode. First of all, I could really feel the emotion coming from the leads when our heroes had to go their separate ways. It also had some good humor when they show each turtle trying to make a living. Although Donatello's job was more serious than the other three's. Leatherhead and the Rat King working so well together was a pleasant surprise since their last encounter didn't go well at all. Leonardo coming to save the day is always a highlight for me whenever he does it. The message of how important it is to stay with individuals who are so close to you is very important. Overall, it's one of my favorite episodes.

[Coola Yagami]

One thing I always found funny was the fact that just because someone leaves, suddenly everyone has to have jobs.

Like Splinter wasn't exactly the breadwinner of the family... why did the Turtles suddenly need to 'part ways' and get jobs just because he left?

Similar in 2007. There was no indication that they had jobs before Splinter sent Leo off on his quest. Why did they suddenly need to get jobs now that Leo was gone? And how did Raph get away from NOT getting a job? I'm sure Don and Mike would eventually get sick of the two of them having to work while Raph 'slept all day'.

EDIT- I only posted here because the thought came to me and I didn't think it was worth opening a whole other thread.

[IMJ]

One thing I always found funny was the fact that just because someone leaves, suddenly everyone has to have jobs.

Like Splinter wasn't exactly the breadwinner of the family... why did the Turtles suddenly need to 'part ways' and get jobs just because he left?

Similar in 2007. There was no indication that they had jobs before Splinter sent Leo off on his quest. Why did they suddenly need to get jobs now that Leo was gone? And how did Raph get away from NOT getting a job? I'm sure Don and Mike would eventually get sick of the two of them having to work while Raph 'slept all day'.

EDIT- I only posted here because the thought came to me and I didn't think it was worth opening a whole other thread.

:lol: The money situation in TMNT canon is always a headscratching "see it and don't question it moment".

[ToTheNines]

I know it’s explicitly stated in most versions that Yoshi was broke, but I always liked the idea the Yoshi had family and other sympathizers within the Foot that didn’t necessarily think he was wrong in killing Nagi, so they set him up with a nice allowance. Then after his death, Splinter was able to access his hidden stash of cash and weapons.

I guess the money would run out eventually, but their monthly budget wouldn’t be too outrageous.

[TheLabRat]

I always thought Splinter and the Turtles took the money from the downed thugs or from their corpses.

[Andrew NDB]

Why would they need to get jobs? The amount of money the TMNT and/or Splinter need in the sewers is precisely $0*.

*: I know, this shatters the idea of them sitting in a sewer ordering pizza all the time, or whatever stupid tropes the children's cartoon created.

[cammy85]

One thing I always found funny was the fact that just because someone leaves, suddenly everyone has to have jobs.

Like Splinter wasn't exactly the breadwinner of the family... why did the Turtles suddenly need to 'part ways' and get jobs just because he left?

Similar in 2007. There was no indication that they had jobs before Splinter sent Leo off on his quest. Why did they suddenly need to get jobs now that Leo was gone? And how did Raph get away from NOT getting a job? I'm sure Don and Mike would eventually get sick of the two of them having to work while Raph 'slept all day'.

EDIT- I only posted here because the thought came to me and I didn't think it was worth opening a whole other thread.

The actual reason itself (other than the lesson) was weird enough. And at least they got away with it by that time. Imagine trying that in the Red Sky seasons.Moving to other sewers wpuld have made it a little easier for Shredder or the Rat King to find where they are. But in the end, they did end up together away and the Rat King and Leatherhead were fouled.

But the sudden friendship between Leatherhead and the Rat King was extremely weird since they were trying to destroy each other in theor first pairup.