Poor Michelangelo

[RaphaelinSTL]

I'll admit, I'm fairly new to the Nick Toon series. I caught a couple random episodes here and there and really wasn't digging on it for the first year or so. I decided to give it a better chance and I started watching them from the beginning and now I've been excited for the series and how they're bringing in the characters I know and love.

However, the more I watch it...the more frustrating it is with how they're handling Michelangelo and sadly...I know based on things I've read and how popular the show is with kids that Mikey's character doesn't really go through any big changes.

I get it that he's the youngest, I know he's there to make the kids laugh...I know this IS a show for children, but as a fan of Michelangelo I really don't like the way they write him as inferior and much more of a comic relief role. I don't get why so many people here harp on 2K3 Mike as besides the Mirage and 1990 versions...that was up there as my favorite interpretation of the character. I just don't like how he's played for gags and it just takes me out of the show the entire time.

Any other Michelangelo fans feel this way?

[CyberCubed]

No, he's fine.

[RaphaelinSTL]

I don't know man, I just prefer Michelangelo as someone who isn't a klutz or the "idiot" butt of the jokes.

With a third season on the way, it's not like my gripe with Mikey is going to get any better...but alas.

[plastroncafe]

If you think he's bad now...and I agree with you, he's often times face-palmingly bad, just imagine what he'd be like without the Michaelangelo Test that Ciro assured us was in place.

Apparently what we see is heavily toned down.

[RaphaelinSTL]

If you think he's bad now...and I agree with you, he's often times face-palmingly bad, just imagine what he'd be like without the Michaelangelo Test that Ciro assured us was in place.

Apparently what we see is heavily toned down.

Heavily toned down? Wow, I wasn't aware of this...please explain!

Glad you agree. He's just clumsy and silly...which I just can't find myself enjoying. Especially my brother whose favorite growing up was Mikey now just rolls his eyes like I do since we started watching the series.

He shines in some moments and he does have funny quips (I was laughing out loud during the Rat King episode where a rat bites his head and he yells "THEY'VE GOT A TASTE FOR TURTLE" with a straight face) but overall, I don't like his little kid writing style. As I mentioned, I just get taken right out of the show.

[Shark_Blade]

2k7 Mikey got it worse if we're being entirely honest.

[Leo656]

One of the things that bugs me with this series is, when the characterization is good, it's good, but when it's bad, like some of Mikey and Donnie's "lesser" moments, it's baaaaaaaaad.

I don't think we're ever going to get another portrayal of Mikey that's elevated beyond "Team Idiot", sadly. He's not a character anymore, he's a "type". :ohwell:

[RaphaelinSTL]

2k7 Mikey got it worse if we're being entirely honest.

That whole movie got it worse IMO.

It wouldn't be so outside of the 2012 realm for Mikey to make a "HUH HUH LOOKS LIKE YOUR MOM" kind of joke though really either. =(

One of the things that bugs me with this series is, when the characterization is good, it's good, but when it's bad, like some of Mikey and Donnie's "lesser" moments, it's baaaaaaaaad.

I don't think we're ever going to get another portrayal of Mikey that's elevated beyond "Team Idiot", sadly. He's not a character anymore, he's a "type". :ohwell:


And that's a damn shame. I'd love for kids to see the more mellow, writer aspect of Michelangelo as opposed to the ADHD version. =/

[BabyTurtles]

I feel your pain:cry:

I'm also a Mikey fan...he's always been my favorite turtle...he always WILL be.

I just wish they developed him more in the show...I know they can do it..and I know it won't detour kids from him.

[Leo656]

Mikey's only ever been at best my second-favorite (first movie version), generally third-favorite (not a big Donnie guy, definitely not the Nick version), but the only thing I ever really disliked about him was how in so many versions he's less a "character" than a walking punchline. The Nick show really amplifies all the traits I don't care for, for the sake of being the one that overly-caffeinated little nose-pickers can "relate" to, and that's a shame. It bothers me when people defend it by saying "The guys act like teenagers in this show!" because to me, he acts more like he's 10. Even as a high school freshman, literally the only kids I knew who acted like Nick Mikey were the ones who smoked way, waaaaaay too much pot.

First movie Mikey is always the "real" one, in my eyes. He had so much more depth than any other film or cartoon portrayal of the character. Still had the familiar "jokester" elements without being a complete imbecile or man-child. I guess the OT version is my second-favorite, but even then, those pizza jokes got old soooooooo fast.

[RaphaelinSTL]

Mikey's only ever been at best my second-favorite (first movie version), generally third-favorite (not a big Donnie guy, definitely not the Nick version), but the only thing I ever really disliked about him was how in so many versions he's less a "character" than a walking punchline. The Nick show really amplifies all the traits I don't care for, for the sake of being the one that overly-caffeinated little nose-pickers can "relate" to, and that's a shame. It bothers me when people defend it by saying "The guys act like teenagers in this show!" because to me, he acts more like he's 10. Even as a high school freshman, literally the only kids I knew who acted like Nick Mikey were the ones who smoked way, waaaaaay too much pot.

First movie Mikey is always the "real" one, in my eyes. He had so much more depth than any other film or cartoon portrayal of the character. Still had the familiar "jokester" elements without being a complete imbecile or man-child. I guess the OT version is my second-favorite, but even then, those pizza jokes got old soooooooo fast.

Gotta agree with everything you say man. The original film's version of Mike was a perfect combination of the original cartoon and the Mirage elements. He just was so real.

The Nick show really DOES over amplify Mike's more "jokey" elements to the point to where it's like nails on a chalkboard to me.

[BabyTurtles]

Mikey's only ever been at best my second-favorite (first movie version), generally third-favorite (not a big Donnie guy, definitely not the Nick version), but the only thing I ever really disliked about him was how in so many versions he's less a "character" than a walking punchline. The Nick show really amplifies all the traits I don't care for, for the sake of being the one that overly-caffeinated little nose-pickers can "relate" to, and that's a shame. It bothers me when people defend it by saying "The guys act like teenagers in this show!" because to me, he acts more like he's 10. Even as a high school freshman, literally the only kids I knew who acted like Nick Mikey were the ones who smoked way, waaaaaay too much pot.

First movie Mikey is always the "real" one, in my eyes. He had so much more depth than any other film or cartoon portrayal of the character. Still had the familiar "jokester" elements without being a complete imbecile or man-child. I guess the OT version is my second-favorite, but even then, those pizza jokes got old soooooooo fast.

The main reason 2012 Mikey is still my favorite version is because he's so darn cute XD (the way they designed him!)

.....I know....that's not a good reason......

[Leo656]

Well, to be fair, it's not an entirely irrelevant reason, either. :) Some of the animation and how they hyper-exaggerate some things for effect is kind of neat, sometimes. It's just that the words coming out of the character's mouth sometimes makes me want to smack him... or the writers who really ought to know better. :lol:

It's just more symptomatic of the larger problem, that being that the TMNT franchise has been around for so long now that the characters are devolving into archetypes defined by only one or two dominant traits. Now, granted, it's kind of always been that way, to a point... but at times, like in the movies, we got to see some extra layers to each of them, beyond being "the Jokester", "The Nerd", "The Angry One", etc. And the show doesn't exactly avoid showing depth, but rather, it leans too heavily on some of those simplistic traits at times for comedic effect. They're cheap jokes, and they can do better (and have). They can have Mikey be "funny" without having him act like he's hopped up on Ritalin half the time, y'know? :P

[MsMarvelDuckie]

YES!!! Agreed, Leo. I keep wishing they would treat him more like he was in the 90 movies (more-so the first and third, since he was more developed in those two) than he is now. I actually liked the new movie for that aspect, in that even though some of his jokes were bad, he KNEW they were bad, and it was part of his "schtick". He was funny, but not dumb. Much closer to the "real" Mikey, as you put it, than any version I've seen since possibly the early seasons of 2K3. He felt like an actual character again- April crush and all.

[IndigoErth]

Even as a high school freshman...
Hmm.. that's a good reference point right there.

Looking at them from the age I am at this point, I've just seen it as, well, they're kids.. they act like kids... And I like that this set actually feels like they're young compared to the other versions who's ages seem pretty vague.

But taking into consideration that they're high school age, yeah... Mikey acts more like he's emotionally stuck back in the 6th grade.

I hope maybe the Nick show will grow them in maturity over time a bit, esp Mikey, assuming the series is hopefully around for a long time. (Would be incredible if a series like this aged them as well visually.) Can't lose him being the jokester, but perhaps morph him into a bit more of a somewhat sophisticated smartass (in a good way)... rather than a dumbass or jackass...

[Leo656]

I think it also bothers me that I've seen SO many shows fall into the "Characters As Types" trap over the years that I've gotten kind of cynical about it (I know, I know, perish the thought. :P). Especially when they have a character go far against their established portrayal, simply to fit one of those predetermined "roles" that makes them easier to market.

One of the ones that bothered me the most, despite it being a really good show, was Young Justice, and the way they handled Superboy. They turned him into a "Raph Type", despite that being almost nothing like his established character, and they did it because Kid Flash was already in the "Mikey" role and they figured you don't need two of those. Superboy was always the jokester type in the comics, though, except for a few brief exceptions, and his relationship with Superman was always, always solid. I get that it's "just a different take", but it never really paid off in anything satisfactory, and flew SO far against the grain of the character's established personality, that it was pretty jarring at times. Don't get me wrong, by far one of the better DCU cartoons, but completely changing a major character's personality just because "We already have a clown and we don't need two" rubbed me the wrong way.

It's the same with Mikey, they've decided he's "the village idiot" and structure his role in the stories entirely around that, rather than giving him an actual personality and letting the humor come through more naturally.

[Werecat]

Mikey was always written as comic relief. It is Mikey's character to be silly and lovable. Nick is portraying his character accurately.

[RaphaelinSTL]

Mikey was always written as comic relief. It is Mikey's character to be silly and lovable. Nick is portraying his character accurately.

I think there's a huge difference between silly and lovable and incompetent and borderline idiotic.

Sure, it's lovable...but in the way Rocksteady and Bebop were lovable. Nick is just playing him up for laughs in wrong ways at time.

[Leo656]

Yeah, it's not that the role of being the jokester is bad, just that at times this show overdoes it for the worse. 2K3 was guilty of it at times, too, but not as consistently or noticeably. That show had its own issues with over-playing Raphael as the "angry one" with little to no deeper motivation than that.

Like, in this show, Mikey sometimes doesn't come off as "goofy" as much as just, like, plain stupid. As in unintelligent, which I don't agree with for his portrayal in any media. Now, that's not the case all the time, but sometimes it definitely is, and while I have no problem with him having a little bit of a "relaxed brain", as Rocky would say, I don't like how sometimes they write him as though he's incapable of actual meaningful thought. They do it just often enough so that the rest of the time his goofiness is less funny and more frustrating.

I think overall they're just a step too far left of center, and they wouldn't lose any of the humor if they dialed it down a little bit.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I know exactly what you mean. One example that really stands out for me is a scene where they were searching in the sewers for something (I forget what, but it was way back early in season 1) and he commented on the smell, and when told what it was, he had no idea what was IN the sewers- even though he'd lived there for 15 years!! That's not humor, that's just stupidity or ignorance- take your pick. He's said things on several occasions that clearly show his lack of intelligence or even basic knowledge that the others all know. It's almost sad.

[Candy Kappa]

I really do hope Mikey have grown in season 3. I do like most of his jokes, one of the best is still how he reacts to the hand/eye neon sign, but. After so long he should have less dumb moments

[Leofan26]

Yah, this is one of my few pet peeves I have with the show myself, say what you will be about the 2003 Mikey but at least he had moments that showed him being bad ass without any stupidity added in. I hope they fix this stuff in season three, mature him more folks please.

I swear, no new shows these days just don't know how to write his character :(

[ssjup81]

I felt the same when I finally came into this series this year. Episode 2 had me scratching my head over Mikey's stupidity, but I've noticed how they've heavily cut down on that and the "oooh, shiny" mentality of his. Ciro mentioned that he is being purposely written this way so you can see how much he changes throughout the duration of the show, and imo, he definitely has. If he was still as dense as he was in like ep 2, for example, I would definitely be frustrated with the character. Some people seem to overlook the fact that he has changed and will still complain about him.

I personally like most of the Mikey-centered eps, like Parasitica and Attack of the Squirrelnoids and Mikey Gets Shellacne. Too an extent, I even really liked Pizzaface because it seemed to show, imo, that he has a potential dark side...and because my interpretation of the ep is that it's a dream, and if it is, boy does Mikey have a wild imaginative, creative side. I kinda hope it leads somewhere. I'm also curious as to what his vision quest will be.I know exactly what you mean. One example that really stands out for me is a scene where they were searching in the sewers for something (I forget what, but it was way back early in season 1) and he commented on the smell, and when told what it was, he had no idea what was IN the sewers- even though he'd lived there for 15 years!! That's not humor, that's just stupidity or ignorance- take your pick. He's said things on several occasions that clearly show his lack of intelligence or even basic knowledge that the others all know. It's almost sad.Ironically, that same season, Panic in the Sewers, the other three were grossed out over the fact Mikey got the pizza April tossed from the dumpster and he pointed out that they lived in a sewer and shouldn't be so picky. lol. At times, I feel that Mikey is literally playing dumb.

[RaphaelinSTL]

I'm really glad that people seem to be on the same level when it comes to how they're writing Michelangelo. Like most of you are saying, the constant burying of him being "dumb" is growing tiresome and I'm only on the 14th or so episode so far. I really haven't seen as much growth in the density of Mikey since then actually, but maybe there's something I'm missing. From what I'm seeing he's still throwing water balloons for some reason, making jokes about boogers at Splinter's expense, Splinter and Raphael make fun of his lack of intelligence....it may not be as "derrrr, shiny!" but I truly haven't seen anything that has shown growth as a character so far. Noted, I still am on the first season and have quite the catching up to do.

I think what's also frustrating is his lack of skill as a ninja. Sure he can come in at times with chucks swinging and knock guys out, but when it comes to a majority of the fights so far...I've noticed Mikey is always the one that's either being chased as he runs away scared or when it comes to a big boss battle, Mikey doesn't even get a chance to hit someone as his attacks are always blocked immediately. Either Michelangelo needs to focus more or Splinter needs to have a better training day with Mikey.

[BubblyShell22]

I definitely get what you guys are saying, and even I cringed at the fact that Mikey didn't know about the sewers even though he's lived there all his life. However, I do agree that he's definitely changed and perhaps with him being stuck in Dimension X for a while, it'll give his character some definite growth. The fact that he's shown wearing a Kraang on his head shows that he's definitely got a dark side in there somewhere.

[Warhorse]

I know exactly what you mean. One example that really stands out for me is a scene where they were searching in the sewers for something (I forget what, but it was way back early in season 1) and he commented on the smell, and when told what it was, he had no idea what was IN the sewers- even though he'd lived there for 15 years!! That's not humor, that's just stupidity or ignorance- take your pick. He's said things on several occasions that clearly show his lack of intelligence or even basic knowledge that the others all know. It's almost sad.

The show was like this in the beginning for a lot of things. I'm sorry, but I just think it's stupid that here they are, 15 years old and I am to believe they never went out to the surface in all that time? And yet, they have video games, and comic books that Raphael has said took him years to collect (something that might be kind of hard to do if he doesn't visit the surface once in a while) and Donnie has his computers and other technologies, and yet, I am expected to accept that they have lived off of worms and algae, and don't know what pizza is? Or how to pronounce it? Yeah, right!

[DarkLightDragon]

I think what kind of disappoints me the most about 2012 Mikey aside from the writing, is that he is voiced by Greg Cipes. I knew him best as Beast Boy from Teen Titans and I remember being so impressed by Cipes making BB sound like a fun jokester as well as selling the more emotional moments the character was given that made him more than just the funny guy of the group. And he wasn't even my favorite TT character. So I thought he was perfect for Mikey upon hearing he was cast for the role.

But well, just goes to show me that just because something has an actor you liked or liked that actor's previous work, doesn't mean the script or writing will hold up to said actor/talent.

[IndigoErth]

and don't know what pizza is? Or how to pronounce it? Yeah, right!
That's the one that prob gets me the most. (And bleeds over into the movie with them having to show a reason why the Turtles like pizza.) I mean...you have tv, therefore you see commercials?

If they supposedly couldn't go above ground before then (and likewise with the movie), I really want to see Splinter's shopping trips... lol

[TMNT is cooler than MOTU]

He has his moments and he's pretty damn cute, but I do wish they would stop treating him like Lenny from "Of Mice and Men" with a penchant for pizza.

[Technogeek29]

I think the punch in the gut for me was when he was compared to the brain power that of Patrick Star and Cosmo.

[OrangeNinja1987]

I don't think Mikey is as bad as those on this forum are making him out to be. Sure, he's the worst-written turtle and they went too over-the-top with the jokey side of his personality, but I have noticed a pretty big improvement in him and some traits that he's had from the beginning.
Does no one remember in the Wrath of Tigerclaw where Mikey comes up with a brilliant plan (twice) to find Casey and then another one to go to the meat locker? I think he actually has the potential to be smart but hasn't educated himself, and I think that's what the writers are trying to show. I'd bet anything he will get at least a little smarter by the end of the show (oh, I don't want to think about this show ending!) He is no where near as dumb as he was in the first few episodes (I almost found it insulting to see the Nick ads comparing his stupidity to Patrick's - Mikey has never been Patrick-level stupid).
I'm all for maturing Mikey or making him smarter, as long as the goofy, jokey aspect of him is still there and prominent. It's always been a big part of his character to be a jokester, but that's not all his is, and neither is his dumbness. He has natural talent for martial arts and is more caring than all the other turtles combined. He is the one who nurtures and befriends Leatherhead and has something smart to say to him ("Maybe you only think you're a monster because everyone treats you like one"). He also makes a mistake with ICK and takes responsibility and tries to care for her. I don't find any version of Mikey unbearable (at least versions I've seen) but this is the one that needs the most improvement, at least with smarts and maturity. I still find his caring and optimism very cute. Mikey is still a little bit above the "jokester" archetype.

[ssjup81]

I think the punch in the gut for me was when he was compared to the brain power that of Patrick Star and Cosmo.Two characters who didn't start off disturbingly dumb and became that way as the show went on. In this case, Mikey started off that way, but improving as the show goes on. Season 2 Mikey isn't as dumb or as scatterbrained or as ADHD as season 1 Mikey.

This is why it bothers me when people complain about Mikey. He has changed quite a bit. Look at Wrath of Tigerclaw. Even Wormquake was a step up. He told Leo and Raph that they had to get to higher ground (maybe he felt they would have the advantage), and neither objected nor did Leo get all, "That's stupid, blah blah my way."

The Slash ep was nice in the sense that he was acting as Raph and Donnie's protector and he was taking it very seriously.

He is capable. Give me season 2 Mikey over season 1, we have to explain the plan because you're too dumb to get it" Mikey anyday. Ironically I still find it funny that it's Mikey who figured out what the Kraang uses the Mutagen for. lol

The change may be small, but it's still a change, which is why I can't and won't complain.

[RiseAbove873]

I totally agree that this show has crapped all over how Michelangelo should have been portrayed. This show got it all wrong. His 1990 movie portrayal is perfect. And I'm not a fan of his high pitched voice either.

[IndigoErth]

Patrick? o.O Come on now... Mikey maybe have trouble keeping focus and get easily distracted at times, but he clearly wins far over Patrick who's about as close to comatose as you can get without being a vegetable.

[Shark_Blade]

The fact that he's shown wearing a Kraang on his head shows that he's definitely got a dark side in there somewhere.
Mikey always has a dark side imo, he's not all all light and fluff.

Beneath that sweet, innocent exterior, there's twisted cruelty and malice inside of him.

http://i.imgur.com/UUS9WE0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fzhE2zd.gif

http://i.imgur.com/Lrvva27.gif

http://i.imgur.com/KGoFLnN.gif

http://i.imgur.com/P6q0aHa.gif

oMG8IRJ1XZk

And that submarine scene - "HEY, WE'RE NOT THAT KIND OF SUB!" - he's not oblivious or innocent about sex either. No, no, Mikey has knowledge about the pleasure of the flesh. :twink: I love it. :tlove:

[Technogeek29]

Mikey always has a dark side imo, he's not all all light and fluff.

Beneath that sweet, innocent exterior, there's twisted cruelty and malice inside of him.

http://i.imgur.com/UUS9WE0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fzhE2zd.gif

http://i.imgur.com/Lrvva27.gif

http://i.imgur.com/KGoFLnN.gif

http://i.imgur.com/P6q0aHa.gif

oMG8IRJ1XZk

And that submarine scene - "HEY, WE'RE NOT THAT KIND OF SUB!" - he's not oblivious or innocent about sex either. No, no, Mikey has knowledge about the pleasure of the flesh. :twink: I love it. :tlove:


While I agree I wish we had more moments like these.

[IndigoErth]

Well, just randomly throwing it in, but at least at NASCAR he got the Mustang. ;)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10612842_757042327668034_5765685870224200583_n.jpg ?oh=c543880d36725ce3c1fac9b806222b38&oe=54764CEB&__gda__=1415716407_947cb0a57e09a073c1fa30cefbcf222 7

[Donatello19]

Eh, I think he's fine. It wouldn't hurt if they made him a little less "dumb", but he doesn't bother me as he is.

[ssjup81]

Mikey always has a dark side imo, he's not all all light and fluff.

Beneath that sweet, innocent exterior, there's twisted cruelty and malice inside of him.

http://i.imgur.com/UUS9WE0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fzhE2zd.gif

http://i.imgur.com/Lrvva27.gif

http://i.imgur.com/KGoFLnN.gif

http://i.imgur.com/P6q0aHa.gif

oMG8IRJ1XZk

And that submarine scene - "HEY, WE'RE NOT THAT KIND OF SUB!" - he's not oblivious or innocent about sex either. No, no, Mikey has knowledge about the pleasure of the flesh. :twink: I love it. :tlove:I still feel that Mikey in Wrath of Tigerclaw was trying to kill him, and Pizzaface showed that there is a dark side to him. TBH, Nick Mikey is an enigma to me. I truly feel there's way more to him than joking around and being goofy.

As for the submarine thing, I will always be surprised over how they got that joke in there. lol. I was thinking the same, he's not naive or oblivious on that subject.

I remember my surprise when that line was said, but not because it was Mikey who said it, but because it was said. :lol:

Hm, just can't imagine this Mikey enjoying pleasures of the flesh. Mirage Mikey of course. OT Mikey, sure...to an extent... 2k3 Mikey (you tell me)....but not this one.

[JTH]

I don't think people totally understand how hard it is to make a "funny" character evolve into a more serious character without destroying the essence of the what makes the character "that character".

[Warhorse]

Mikey always has a dark side imo, he's not all all light and fluff.

Beneath that sweet, innocent exterior, there's twisted cruelty and malice inside of him.

http://i.imgur.com/UUS9WE0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fzhE2zd.gif

http://i.imgur.com/Lrvva27.gif

http://i.imgur.com/KGoFLnN.gif

http://i.imgur.com/P6q0aHa.gif

oMG8IRJ1XZk

And that submarine scene - "HEY, WE'RE NOT THAT KIND OF SUB!" - he's not oblivious or innocent about sex either. No, no, Mikey has knowledge about the pleasure of the flesh. :twink: I love it. :tlove:

Funny, I thought in the original comics, Mikey was the one Turtle that was an expert on pleasures of the flesh. It carried on in the OT with his crush on Kaylee, and in the movies with his statements on April, and his model poster. In this, it's strange that he hasn't had a comment on any of the ladies we have met yet. And he seems totally oblivious to Leo's and Donnie's crushes. Mikey acts more like a 10 year old kid than he does a 15 year old. I think that is the biggest gripe with this show.

[ssjup81]

Funny, I thought in the original comics, Mikey was the one Turtle that was an expert on pleasures of the flesh. It carried on in the OT with his crush on Kaylee, and in the movies with his statements on April, and his model poster. In this, it's strange that he hasn't had a comment on any of the ladies we have met yet. And he seems totally oblivious to Leo's and Donnie's crushes. Mikey acts more like a 10 year old kid than he does a 15 year old. I think that is the biggest gripe with this show.Nah, I feel that Mikey is very aware of Donnie's crush. In the ep where Leo admitted that he liked Karai and Splinter pointed out that Leo wasn't the first to make a fool of himself because of a girl and Mikey was like, "What about Donnie?"

[Warhorse]

Nah, I feel that Mikey is very aware of Donnie's crush. In the ep where Leo admitted that he liked Karai and Splinter pointed out that Leo wasn't the first to make a fool of himself because of a girl and Mikey was like, "What about Donnie?"

He's aware, but oblivious at the same time, unlike Raph who seems to be worried that his brothers are going to get hurt real bad in the end. Mikey could care less. He might still be in that stage where girls are "ick". Either way, it's not typical teenage behavior, he is acting more like a 10 year old.

[ssjup81]

He's aware, but oblivious at the same time, unlike Raph who seems to be worried that his brothers are going to get hurt real bad in the end. Mikey could care less. He might still be in that stage where girls are "ick". Either way, it's not typical teenage behavior, he is acting more like a 10 year old.When I was a teen I didn't have much interest in guys so much until my 20s. What's "normal" for one isn't for others and vice-versa.

That aside, I think he's on the same page as Leo as far as Donnie is concerned. Mikey seems to let them deal with it themselves. Getting down to it, it's not really his business, is it?

[darthwahl56]

Hmm.. that's a good reference point right there.

Looking at them from the age I am at this point, I've just seen it as, well, they're kids.. they act like kids... And I like that this set actually feels like they're young compared to the other versions who's ages seem pretty vague.

But taking into consideration that they're high school age, yeah... Mikey acts more like he's emotionally stuck back in the 6th grade.

I hope maybe the Nick show will grow them in maturity over time a bit, esp Mikey, assuming the series is hopefully around for a long time. (Would be incredible if a series like this aged them as well visually.) Can't lose him being the jokester, but perhaps morph him into a bit more of a somewhat sophisticated smartass (in a good way)... rather than a dumbass or jackass...

I hope for this as well it would make the intended audience feel like they are growing with them, plus it could make for a better show.

[Warhorse]

When I was a teen I didn't have much interest in guys so much until my 20s. What's "normal" for one isn't for others and vice-versa.

That aside, I think he's on the same page as Leo as far as Donnie is concerned. Mikey seems to let them deal with it themselves. Getting down to it, it's not really his business, is it?

So, Mikey feels no responsiblity for his brothers, at all, in your opinion? And yes, someone who doesn't have their hormones going wild by the time they are at least 15, I think is abnormal. Or, they are outright lying!

[ssjup81]

So, Mikey feels no responsiblity for his brothers, at all, in your opinion? And yes, someone who doesn't have their hormones going wild by the time they are at least 15, I think is abnormal. Or, they are outright lying!Of course he's concerned, if in danger, but a harmless crush? What can he actually say or do? Same with Leo. He's never said or done much pertaining to Donnie's crush either. Only Raph has, and as the natural "protector" of the four with the trust issues it's not surprising.

And like I said, not all teens are walking bags of hormones. Some are late bloomers or either those around them don't catch their eye. Personally, I felt the guys around me were immature idiots, hence the lack of interest romantically. They were great as friends, though.

As a teen, the things on my mind were reading, video games, movies, TV, and getting out of high school with halfway decent grades. It was rare for a boy to ever be on it. It was more like, "Oh, he's cute. Back to my book."

[BabyTurtles]

Is it so bad to have this Mikey pop up now and then??

https://38.media.tumblr.com/e969b42f88db623305e54c7a5d02059e/tumblr_nbf6bnv7BH1sji5hio1_400.gif

[ssjup81]

Is it so bad to have this Mikey pop up now and then??

https://38.media.tumblr.com/e969b42f88db623305e54c7a5d02059e/tumblr_nbf6bnv7BH1sji5hio1_400.gifNope, but we all know he's like that in general, like how he explained Donnie's heart to Raph or how he hates not being taken seriously.

[kolaida]

I felt the same when I finally came into this series this year. Episode 2 had me scratching my head over Mikey's stupidity, but I've noticed how they've heavily cut down on that and the "oooh, shiny" mentality of his. Ciro mentioned that he is being purposely written this way so you can see how much he changes throughout the duration of the show, and imo, he definitely has. If he was still as dense as he was in like ep 2, for example, I would definitely be frustrated with the character. Some people seem to overlook the fact that he has changed and will still complain about him.

I personally like most of the Mikey-centered eps, like Parasitica and Attack of the Squirrelnoids and Mikey Gets Shellacne. Too an extent, I even really liked Pizzaface because it seemed to show, imo, that he has a potential dark side...and because my interpretation of the ep is that it's a dream, and if it is, boy does Mikey have a wild imaginative, creative side. I kinda hope it leads somewhere. I'm also curious as to what his vision quest will be.Ironically, that same season, Panic in the Sewers, the other three were grossed out over the fact Mikey got the pizza April tossed from the dumpster and he pointed out that they lived in a sewer and shouldn't be so picky. lol. At times, I feel that Mikey is literally playing dumb.

I agree. People are saying they don't see it, but the first few episodes I started muting (or simply ignoring if I couldn't mute it fast enough) when Mikey opened his mouth. Episode 2 was bad, I remember that well as I considered not watching anymore based on how Mikey was. Now I don't mute it and even enjoy what he says sometimes. So to me, he's come quite aways. He can still go a lot further and will, I believe. We just saw him in a pretty great light! :)

[Donnieangelo]

Funny, I thought in the original comics, Mikey was the one Turtle that was an expert on pleasures of the flesh. It carried on in the OT with his crush on Kaylee, and in the movies with his statements on April, and his model poster. In this, it's strange that he hasn't had a comment on any of the ladies we have met yet. And he seems totally oblivious to Leo's and Donnie's crushes. Mikey acts more like a 10 year old kid than he does a 15 year old. I think that is the biggest gripe with this show.
Actually, it's Kala; not Kaylee.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Darn- you beat me to it. I was going to point that out, too. And there was Buffy Shellhammer, too. (I still chuckle over that last name!)

If we want to get technical, he's ALWAYS been the one most "into" girls and the idea of relationships and such to begin with. The only time I recall him NOT having a crush was in 2K3, where they never gave him an opportunity for one. I feel like the closest he ever came in that series was a couple of moments with Angel, when she seemed to bond more with him than the others. The 2K7 movie was sort of the same way- not characters available to interact with on that level.

I'm wondering if Irma might be intended to bring that aspect of his character into play, and maybe even mature him a bit in the process. At least, that's what I'm HOPING for.

[Donnieangelo]

Darn- you beat me to it. I was going to point that out, too. And there was Buffy Shellhammer, too. (I still chuckle over that last name!)

If we want to get technical, he's ALWAYS been the one most "into" girls and the idea of relationships and such to begin with. The only time I recall him NOT having a crush was in 2K3, where they never gave him an opportunity for one. I feel like the closest he ever came in that series was a couple of moments with Angel, when she seemed to bond more with him than the others. The 2K7 movie was sort of the same way- not characters available to interact with on that level.

I'm wondering if Irma might be intended to bring that aspect of his character into play, and maybe even mature him a bit in the process. At least, that's what I'm HOPING for.
Mikey sure is a ladies' man!


(And just a little refresher, the original Irma looked too much like Jeanette from the Chipettes. I'm glad she looks much better now.)

[Shark_Blade]

OT Irma = looks like Jeanette (Alvin & the Chipmunks)
2k12 Irma = looks like Velma (Scooby Doo)

[IndigoErth]

Velma I easily caught, Jeanette however I never noticed... Will never unsee this now.

[ssjup81]

Velma I easily caught, Jeanette however I never noticed... Will never unsee this now.I didn't think of Velma, but Jeanette, yeah. During the original run if both series, and a huge fan of both back then, it was easy to see the Jeanette look with OT Irma.

[Donnieangelo]

I didn't think of Velma, but Jeanette, yeah. During the original run if both series, and a huge fan of both back then, it was easy to see the Jeanette look with OT Irma.
The same studio that made the OT (Murakami-Wolf-Swenson) animated a couple of episodes for the Chipmunks, too.

[Warhorse]

I didn't think of Velma, but Jeanette, yeah. During the original run if both series, and a huge fan of both back then, it was easy to see the Jeanette look with OT Irma.

She may look like Jeanette, but her personality in the new show comes across like Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) from Reality Bites.

[IndigoErth]

So far not caring for her personality all that much. I hope it lightens up a little once she's finally let in on the secrets, that she seems to know she's being kept from.

[Gunpowder]

I personally love 2012 Irma. I hope they have bigger plans for her.

As for Mikey, his 2003 and 1990 versions will always be my favorite. Maybe I'm just partial to that "surfs up brah" vibe. I don't mind him in the Nick show but I have to agree they go a little too far with his stupidity at times. Although, a lot of the same people who worked on Teen Titans are now working on this. So maybe he'll go the route of Beast Boy and take a serious turn in later seasons.

[Donnieangelo]

I personally love 2012 Irma. I hope they have bigger plans for her.

As for Mikey, his 2003 and 1990 versions will always be my favorite. Maybe I'm just partial to that "surfs up brah" vibe. I don't mind him in the Nick show but I have to agree they go a little too far with his stupidity at times. Although, a lot of the same people who worked on Teen Titans are now working on this. So maybe he'll go the route of Beast Boy and take a serious turn in later seasons.
Those are my favorite versions, too!

[IndigoErth]

I hope they have bigger plans for her.
Likewise. What little we've seen already has more depth than the old series Irma, it's nice to see a version who isn't 99% about trying to find a man.

[ShelleyQuick]

As someone who has 3 older siblings myself, I completely understand why Mikey acts the way he does. I wasn't strong like my sister, or mean and hot tempered like one of my brothers. I had to over exaggerate every thing just to get noticed(or at least that's what I thought when I was a kid). I was married for 5 years before my parents stopped treating me like a baby. I acted just like Michelangelo(and still do sometimes, my first defense for stress is always making jokes).

*sidenote: It was really cool for me when I noticed that the eye colors they chose for the 2012 turtles are exactly the same as my brothers, sister and me. Oldest brother(brown), my other brother and sister(blue) and me green. I'm the only green eyed person in my whole family.

[Warhorse]

I personally love 2012 Irma. I hope they have bigger plans for her.

As for Mikey, his 2003 and 1990 versions will always be my favorite. Maybe I'm just partial to that "surfs up brah" vibe. I don't mind him in the Nick show but I have to agree they go a little too far with his stupidity at times. Although, a lot of the same people who worked on Teen Titans are now working on this. So maybe he'll go the route of Beast Boy and take a serious turn in later seasons.

My favorite Mikey's were the 1990 movie and the old toon. And I agree, I like the Mikey that is funny, quick witted, jokes, prankster, annoys the hell out of Raphale and always trying to lighten the mood, but is not dumb in anyway. And I wish for the love of pete, that one of these toon/movie incarnations would touch up on his writing. It's one of my favorite things about him from the Mirage part that I have heard about.

Likewise. What little we've seen already has more depth than the old series Irma, it's nice to see a version who isn't 99% about trying to find a man.

You know what I think is kind of funny, Irma in the old show was a bit boy crazy, and then we have Donnie in this new show who can be a bit girl crazy. I wonder if it's coincidence or on purpose.:lol: