Origin Conspiracy Theory

[Foot Soldier Clang]

Hey guys,

So I love the new Nick show, and most of that love comes from the foreshadowing in the story and characterizations of all the leading characters. All my worries are gone about what I thought the show as going to be like, and I really love where this series is heading. I honestly have no complaints about it. I do however, have a conspiracy theory. I have nothing to really back this up, but thinking about it gave me a sort of cold chill.

Splinter already talked about the origin of his mutation, and the turtle’s mutation, and how the Kraang were involved in the process thereof. I think the flashback was in the first or second episode. What this show does right (for me anyway) is how it can be dark and even a bit eerie at times (like during the Pulverizer's mutation where he's screaming "it burns").

Since we know the show isn't afraid of being dark, eerie, and does foreshadow a lot of what will happen in future episodes, where we can even guess the fate of certain characters, we can still go back and look at stuff we missed for certain clues.

So, my conspiracy theory is mostly how the flashback Splinter gives doesn't really fit with the opening title sequence. It's a stretch I know, but hear me out. Where, I do believe Splinter was mutated by a confrontation with the Kraang (is he even aware it was them?), I believe Splinter himself chose to mutate the turtles, and chose to train them to suit his own means. What I mean is, Splinter's intentions for training the turtles has the same motivation as the Splinter in the original comics had; for revenge against the Shredder.

In the opening title sequence you see Splinter, red eyes glowing, putting the unmutated turtles in the ooze, then they mutate, and you presume from that point he raises them to be ninjas. If I'm not mistaken, in the story Splinter gives, the turtles were just dropped into the ooze during his mutation (caused by a rat touching his shoe before being exposed to the mutagen).

Splinter is a complex character on the show; a loving father, a harsh and strict martial arts instructor, quick witted, but also quick to anger. Splinter’s a difficult character to read in this series because of his complex origins. Losing his wife and daughter because of a conflict with the Shredder, which also caused him to lose leadership of the clan, then after arriving and building a new life in New York City, he was mutated because he followed the Kraang (seemingly for no reason at all).

That's the gist of my theory. I think Splinter keeps the truth of his intentions away from the turtles because I feel they helped heal some of his past emotional pains. As his new family they replaced his own family, and that might have helped him ease his broken heart. Of course Splinter is still in mourning, but maybe his need for revenge is gone. Even with the Shredder hunting for the turtles, and the Kraang Splinter chooses to sit in the sidelines because he is still coming to terms with his own emotions.

Eventually Splinter and Shredder will have a showdown I'm sure, and I can't wait to see how that plays out. We've seen a bit of Splinter's power against both Leatherhead (where Splinter used Aikido to subdue him) and the Rat King (where Splinter used a sort of Dim Mak style poke and sent him flying into a wall), so I wonder what sort of strength we'll see when he means business.

The short version is: I think Splinter mutated the turtles after his own mutation because of the emotional grief of his life before his mutation, and he planned to use the mutated turtles to seek out revenge (like in the Mirage comic), but over time his new life with his turtle sons softened his heart leaving him to mourn and love again rather than seeking out and quenching his own blood lust, so he hides the truth from his new family because the truth would cause them nothing but pain and confusion to their own origins.


But I might be thinking too much about this :trazz:

[Davin]

Isn't there another thread where the jist is Splinter is an a-hole. I love the over thinking in both that one and this. Conspiracy on guys.

[CyberCubed]

Most openings of cartoons have scenes that have nothing to do with the actual episodes.

Look at the openings for the original cartoon for example, none of the stuff shown in the first or second opening happened in any of the episodes.

[Foot Soldier Clang]

Most openings of cartoons have scenes that have nothing to do with the actual episodes.

Look at the openings for the original cartoon for example, none of the stuff shown in the first or second opening happened in any of the episodes.

Yeah I know, that's what I said it was a stretch and is only a theory with no real solid base to it. I'm just thought this up mostly because the origin story told in the show seems a bit sketchy to me.

[Shark_Blade]

I thought it's odd too that Splinter was moving something in the opening title. But it could just be camera angle, the turtles could be behind him and the camera just changed. He could be removing a broken glass shard from his sons after all.

I believe he didn't train the turtles for revenge. It's purely for defense purpose - after all, they are "freaks" of nature, that no normal humans may understand them. So it's only natural to safeguard his family with martial art. He only found out about Shredder still alive much later.


------------

Anyway, just by reading the title I thought the OP was thinking "Ooh, the ooze incident wasn't an accident. It was a plan by the Kraang all along! It all happened for a reason!"

http://i.imgur.com/UADt8qV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/v4rUuaZ.png

[RaphAndDonnie]

Hmm...it does make you think. I don't think Splinter trained the Turtles for revenge against Shredder or the Kraang...if he did then sheesh what a jerk ass. But as long as we're throwing out conspiracy theories and going off what you said Foot Soldier Clang, maybe it's possible that Splinter was mutated and he saw the unmutated turtles and decided to mutate them so he could try to have some sort of human companions? Maybe he figured "Hmm...I touched that rat and became a rat...those turtles touched me as a human so maybe they'll become humans?" I mean, at this point Splinter had lost his wife and daughter so maybe he was feeling lonely and wanted friends?

It's a pretty big stretch but, hey, food for thought.

[Foot Soldier Clang]

Hmm...it does make you think. I don't think Splinter trained the Turtles for revenge against Shredder or the Kraang...if he did then sheesh what a jerk ass. But as long as we're throwing out conspiracy theories and going off what you said Foot Soldier Clang, maybe it's possible that Splinter was mutated and he saw the unmutated turtles and decided to mutate them so he could try to have some sort of human companions? Maybe he figured "Hmm...I touched that rat and became a rat...those turtles touched me as a human so maybe they'll become humans?" I mean, at this point Splinter had lost his wife and daughter so maybe he was feeling lonely and wanted friends?

It's a pretty big stretch but, hey, food for thought.

The Nick Splinter is definitely a much darker mainstream take on the character than we've seen previously. Although very much a calm and zen like sensei, he still has his rough edges to him. His glowing red eyes in the opening intro, and during the Rat King episode really show his darker side.

But you have a point, he could just thought mutating the turtles and hiding in the sewers was his best chance at companionship for the long run.

[BubblyShell22]

Hmm, this theory isn't too far off base. Splinter may have been thinking along those lines at the time and maybe decided that his lust for revenge didn't help at all. You have now given me an idea for a fan fic exploring this idea.

[Foot Soldier Clang]

Hmm, this theory isn't too far off base. Splinter may have been thinking along those lines at the time and maybe decided that his lust for revenge didn't help at all. You have now given me an idea for a fan fic exploring this idea.

Well that's good. If nothing else my conspiracy theory has served a purpose :D

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Hmm, this theory isn't too far off base. Splinter may have been thinking along those lines at the time and maybe decided that his lust for revenge didn't help at all. You have now given me an idea for a fan fic exploring this idea.

Let me know when/if you write it- I'd love to see your ideas!

[AnarkyLantern]

I do see a potential conflict in Leo aiming for something closer to heroism while Splinter has been training them to be ninjas.

[marcelangelo]

hey the foot clan guy!;)
I love your theory!in fact a dear friend of mine and I have been wondering about that moment in the intro, too...the moment where he seems to placing the turtles into the ooze as opposed to take them away from it...and the red eyes? havent even gotten to my attention so far.good observation!Id loved for your thoughts to play out for real in the show as it would be another sweet marriage of mirage and the new show.also it would make their realtionship even more interesting to me.

[BubblyShell22]

Well that's good. If nothing else my conspiracy theory has served a purpose :D

Yes, it has for sure. I won't use the fact that he put them in the mutagen though. I'm just going to use the idea that he trained them for revenge but had a change of heart down the line.

Let me know when/if you write it- I'd love to see your ideas!

Oh, I'll let you know. It'll be a one-shot though.

[bridgegrn]

I don't agree, I feel like he just taught them everything he knew, including how to fight. I don't think it had anything to do with revenge. Up until the first episode he wouldn't even let them go out out of fear that something might happen to them. He even pointed out a flaw in the way he trained them because he didn't teach them how to fight as a team, just how to fight as individuals which to me shows that he was teaching them but not teaching them to be ready for war, for lack of a better phrase.
The opening credits was more than likely just a style choice.

[Foot Soldier Clang]

I don't agree, I feel like he just taught them everything he knew, including how to fight. I don't think it had anything to do with revenge. Up until the first episode he wouldn't even let them go out out of fear that something might happen to them. He even pointed out a flaw in the way he trained them because he didn't teach them how to fight as a team, just how to fight as individuals which to me shows that he was teaching them but not teaching them to be ready for war, for lack of a better phrase.
The opening credits was more than likely just a style choice.

Well it is just a theory so it's okay to disagree. I suppose given the circumstances surrounding the events of their mutation, Splinter could have just decided to make do and teach his new family what he knows about the martial arts.

[kelligrafie]

Well, it explains why Splinter never gets involved with missions.

"In chess the pawns move first."

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/wolverine-magneto-431.jpg

[The Sewer Lord]

Well, it explains why Splinter never gets involved with missions.



http://www.virginmedia.com/images/wolverine-magneto-431.jpg

Hahaha. No seriously, there's was no other way for me to express laughter, cause "LOL" is too short. :D

[bridgegrn]

I remember either a producer or a writer saying in an interview that there is a reason why Splinter doesn't get involved that's going to be revealed at some point

[kelligrafie]

Hahaha. No seriously, there's was no other way for me to express laughter, cause "LOL" is too short. :D
That's why nobody's ever allowed in Splinter's bedroom, it's packed out with maps where he has little figurines of the turtles and Shredder in battle positions and he records out their little 'reconnaissance trips' to the surface. :toops:

[snake]

That's why nobody's ever allowed in Splinter's bedroom, it's packed out with maps where he has little figurines of the turtles and Shredder in battle positions and he records out their little 'reconnaissance trips' to the surface. :toops:

An in-universe tmnt Rpg-er? I like it!

[Dudette]

I don't think your theory is that far fetched. We know this Splinter is much more humane personality wise: he makes mistakes, doubts his decisions and he's not represented as wise, all-knowing and peaceful as in some other incarnations.

Although, I don't really see why his thirst for revenge would rise at that exact moment for him to think about raising mutant turtles to kick Shredder's ass.:tlol:

[Foot Soldier Clang]

I don't think your theory is that far fetched. We know this Splinter is much more humane personality wise: he makes mistakes, doubts his decisions and he's not represented as wise, all-knowing and peaceful as in some other incarnations.

Although, I don't really see why his thirst for revenge would rise at that exact moment for him to think about raising mutant turtles to kick Shredder's ass.:tlol:

Well, if Splinter survived the fire, I'm sure he assumed there was a strong chance that Shredder survived as well. They are both masters after all. I think of the mutation as the proverbial "last straw" for Splinter. Just consider how he recounted his mutation in the Rat King episode; "I lost my family, my clan, and my humanity" (or something along those lines). It could be he trained the turtles to be his own personal army in case he ever had a another chance to go up against the Shredder and the Foot.

[Dudette]

Well, if Splinter survived the fire, I'm sure he assumed there was a strong chance that Shredder survived as well. They are both masters after all. I think of the mutation as the proverbial "last straw" for Splinter. Just consider how he recounted his mutation in the Rat King episode; "I lost my family, my clan, and my humanity" (or something along those lines). It could be he trained the turtles to be his own personal army in case he ever had a another chance to go up against the Shredder and the Foot.

I think he didn't realize it was the Kraang that made him like that, but I don't think he was blaming Shredder either. That's why I thought he wouldn't be thinking about revenge.

But I guess he would be pondering his life at that moment, thinking of Shredder and why did all the horrible things happen to him. That might push him to do what he did, but we can't say for certain if he even was the one who put the turtles in mutagen.

What I'm saying is, after Splinter realized he had been turned into a mutant, revenge wouldn't be the first thing on his mind. If he really did want to mutate the turtles, I'd say it would be because of family motives, so he wouldn't have to be alone. Why would he put the turtles in mutagen, though? For all he knows it could be highly dangerous or even poisonous in certain doses. Just because he mutated into a rat doesn't mean he suddenly knows how 'the strange ooze' works or what it could do. I guess he might take his chances at killing or harming the turtles for his own purposes, but I really don'know about his character enough to say anything.

That's how I view things, but I honestly don't think your theory is impossible either.

[kelligrafie]

Plus as well, I don't really see how Splinter can lecture Raphael about his temper and then think about revenge, which is basically derived from anger and hatred.

Unless he doesn't see it like that. In the West we're led to believe that in the East a lot of the culture and local traditions are based around 'honour'. Therefore it could be quite easy to reason revenge as the right thing to do because you can claim you're just defending yourself and/or your family.

[Shreddhead]

Plus as well, I don't really see how Splinter can lecture Raphael about his temper and then think about revenge, which is basically derived from anger and hatred.

A hot temper doesn't really equal revenge, after all it is a dish best served cold. Temper leads to rash, unplanned decisions. Maybe splinter would be totally fine if Raphael was a cold, calculating turtle bent on revenge.


But great find Foot Soldier Clan, its a very interesting idea and one I never thought of putting together (even after noticing him seemingly placing the turtles in the ooze). I kinda hope youre right about it.

[kelligrafie]

A hot temper doesn't really equal revenge, after all it is a dish best served cold. Temper leads to rash, unplanned decisions. Maybe splinter would be totally fine if Raphael was a cold, calculating turtle bent on revenge.

Either way, Conspiracy-Theory Splinter does not care. He isn't risking his neck, he has minions to do it for him. Mwahahaha.

[bridgegrn]

I feel Splinter suspected Shredder may have survived but he was more concerned with just protecting his new family. Watching the end of New Friend, Old Enemy he seemed more concerned knowing that Shredder knew he was alive and that the turtles existed. That was a guarantee that Shredder would come looking for them because of their past so it instantly compromises their family which until recent events were safely hidden in the sewers.

[Foot Soldier Clang]

I feel Splinter suspected Shredder may have survived but he was more concerned with just protecting his new family. Watching the end of New Friend, Old Enemy he seemed more concerned knowing that Shredder knew he was alive and that the turtles existed. That was a guarantee that Shredder would come looking for them because of their past so it instantly compromises their family which until recent events were safely hidden in the sewers.

That might be true, but my theory states that Splinter didn't see the turtles as family at first, and that only over time did he even begin to feel like the turtles were his family. The theory isn't so much about how they are now, but more about how they were at the point they were first mutated. Would you feel emotionally obligated to align yourself with strange humanoid creatures if you were still coping with your own mutation?

[Foot Soldier Clang]

I still believe in my initial post. I'm hoping now that everyone is back on earth we can finally have a story-arc that delves more into the Foot Clan and the relationship between Splinter and the turtles.

:fshifty:

[Panda_Kahn_fan]

My only problem with this theory is Nick Splinter never actively sought shredder out. If Saki hadn't come looking for revenge on splinter and restarted the conflict, splinter had no intentions of going after him in Japan. He had moved to America to start a new life with the pets he had just bought, and had put Tang Shen and Miwa's deaths behind him. As he flat out told Karai, he rejected revenge as evil, and was willing to literally let shredder get away with murder. He even partially blamed himself for saki's actions because he did not control his tamper the last time his former friend came to talk to him. Nick's Hamato Yoshi is basically a reactive pacifist who only fights to defend, he literally walks away from the man who killed his wife again and again after defeating him, sparing Saki when he's had multiple chances to kill him (such as in the season one finale, and many more times after that).

[victory_angel]

My only problem with this theory is Nick Splinter never actively sought shredder out. If Saki hadn't come looking for revenge on splinter and restarted the conflict, splinter had no intentions of going after him in Japan. He had moved to America to start a new life with the pets he had just bought, and had put Tang Shen and Miwa's deaths behind him. As he flat out told Karai, he rejected revenge as evil, and was willing to literally let shredder get away with murder. He even partially blamed himself for saki's actions because he did not control his tamper the last time his former friend came to talk to him. Nick's Hamato Yoshi is basically a reactive pacifist who only fights to defend, he literally walks away from the man who killed his wife again and again after defeating him, sparing Saki when he's had multiple chances to kill him (such as in the season one finale, and many more times after that).

He didn't outright reject revenge as evil, he rejected vengeance because it caused more problems then it fixed. As he says "After all this time, I have have learned that revenge only leads to more pain."

Splinter is more what is known as a Martial Pacifist.

The Martial Pacifist: Here is somebody who is extremely good at fighting, but unlike the Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy, they use martial arts as a means of enhancing their life as opposed to destroying others. They are very big fans of discipline and typically will only fight if there is absolutely no other option available. If you do manage to force one of them into fighting you, though, prepare to get owned. They will clean the floor with anybody foolish enough to corner them.

Oroku Saki in his mind or Saki as he knew him is dead, and there is little point in killing something that is already dead. So he walks away so Karma can take its course.

[Foot Soldier Clang]

I just wonder what secrets we will learn about Splinter before this series ends. We don't know too much about his intentions before his mutation.

[thundermaster612]

I just wonder what secrets we will learn about Splinter before this series ends. We don't know too much about his intentions before his mutation.

He just wanted some pets cause he was lonely.
Or are those not his only intentions?

[TMNTInsighter]

There's nothing wrong with looking under the microscope...even a bit much.

While I don't necessarily think your version of the origin is the case, I still do believe those feelings of revenge are there and it would be very fitting if they came out in Season 4B now that Splinter at least has an idea about what happened at the end of "Annihilation Earth." We've heard him talk about how he believes he could've been a better person in episodes such as "Turtle Temper", we got a bit of that person in "Panic in the Sewers", and we saw a touch of the envy he has towards the O'Neils having their own father/daughter relationship in tact during "The Deadly Venom".
I'm not saying it will happen, but it would be quite fitting that, after all this time, we'll see the kind of person Splinter used to be (it would also be good to show how there's really not that much that separates Splinter and Shredder) and someone will have to step up to pull him back.

Don't forget, with episodes such as "Vengeance is Mine", "Annihilation Earth", etc. one of the things this show really likes to delve into sometimes is revenge tragedy, and that sort of thing is always fun to explore.