Is a Good Gene's Arc like event going to happen in series?
 

A lot of this season has carried an out break arc vibe. With the falling mutagen around the city, and the random mutations cropping up because of it. Also we see one of the Squirrelanoid's attacking that maintenance worker. Which is a nod to the start of the Outbreak Arc (Even though the Outbreak Arc in essence starts with the fake Alien invasion by Bishop. The actual event starts when a maintenance worker is attacked by a bunch of mutated creatures in the sewers.)

There are also hints that a Good Genes's like arc will also take place. One of these hints is as early as Rise of the Turtles part one in which Mikey says "If you mutate a mutant, you get a super mutant." And we have seen this to be the case when Dogpound was given a second mutation as Rahzar.

Why would they introduce the concept of second mutation's if one (if not all) of the Turtles was to undergo this further down the road? It is possible this could in fact be an explanation to have all the Turtles undergo a nick version of their unstable mutations from the Red Sky season. But something tells me this is not the case.

In Follow the Leader there was one moment where Leo is explaining that they need to find the mutagen because it was their responsibility. The entire shot where he says "Some 'Random Joe' gets mutated." is focused on Donnie which is possible foreshadowing the Purple Masked terrapin will have a similar fate to his 2003 counter part. Particularly since 2003 Donatello was one of the most random people you could choose for an unfortunate mutation. Making his transformation from "Gentle-Natured Genius" to "Feral Minded Beast" all the more tragic.

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Like a lot of people, I don't think Nick should rehash plots from the other incarnations. But at the same time we have seen more then a few nods and references to the Fred Wolf, 4Kids, Mirage, and the live action film incarnations. And we have seen Nick adapt it's own spin on plot lines from previous incarnations.

A Good Genes arc situations may have it's benefits for character development and building dynamics between characters.

For the Turtles...They would learn to what it would be like if they didn't have Donatello.

In the last season the Turtles did frequently take advantage of Donatello's technical know how. But they on the whole they never really appreciated what role he holds on the team.

To be fair yes they sort of learn to appreciate Donatello's position of being the brains of the team in Operation:Breakout. Particularly where all the other Turtles were trying to figure out how to do things the way Donnie would have done them, and discover it's really not all that easy to be the smart guy. However that episode is was more of a "Our brother is storming the stronghold, we must go help." situation and not an actual "What will we do without Donnie?" event.

But this series has shown the Turtles are flawed and at times have to learn the same lesson more then once before they actually get it.

In the 2003 version, yes there were moments where the Turtles were very reliant on Donatello's expertise. But often the case if something technical did come up they would verify with Donnie as to what could be done, and assist where they can. The only times they would pressure him about something if he is cutting the situation a little to close for their comfort. But by and large did appreciate majority of what their brother does for them.

In the 2012 version however, it feels more like they dependent on Donnie to have all the solutions when it comes to the technical stuff. And get on his case when he isn't able to do fix a problem in the speed they would like. They have gained a better appreciation for his technical know how then they did in season 1. And Leo has started to rely on Donnie more since the Season Finally. But still there is a vibe that says "This is Donnie's department, not our problem." This isn't all together unexpected since in this same attitude was also used in the FW version. But in this incarnation the Turtles are learning to appreciate each others strengths and adapting that into cohesive team we know and love.

So lets say for the sake of probability Donnie was given a second mutation, the Turtles will find themselves at a loss for what to do. They know Donnie has been trying to develop retromutagen, but have not discovered it as of yet. So they can't be certain that whatever attempt Donnie had been working on last will indeed be the cure their brother had been trying to develop.

I doubt their will be heavy talk about having to come to heavier decisions (I.E. Putting Donnie out of his misery so he's no longer a threat to their family and innocent people) but there could be implied conversations hint this possible option.



For April it could add development for her character with the others. She will of course try to be comforting and encouraging to the Turtles about how they shouldn't give up hope on Donnie and that there has to be a way to return him to normal. But of the Turtle's, Donnie has had the closest relationship with her, so she will rely on Casey for her own personal comfort. Driving the Casey/April relationship foreword.



As for the bad guys... I can seen the Shredder or maybe Karai capturing Donnie with the intention of using him against the Turtles and Splinter. I.E. Having Donnie attack and kill his brothers and father, and then either killing him themselves once he serves no further purpose. Or cruelly letting him live out the rest of his days trapped in the feral mind of a beast. And/Or forcing the Turtles or Splinter to kill Donnie in self-defense and letting them live with the shame that their loved one died by their hand.

Baxter Stockman may be the one who comes up with the retromutagen In "Mikey gets shellacne" it was shown that Stockman is experimenting with mutagen and possibly is trying develop a way to reverse mutations for his own selfish intentions.

In the 2003 series the Turtles did reluctantly turn to Bishop and by that default Baxter Stockman to find away to restore Donatello to normal.

Perhaps having no one they can truly turn to, the Turtle's are forced to seek Stockman's help in restoring Donnie to normal. And as a result Stockman is able to create the retromutagen by combining Donatello's attempts with his own research of the mutagen. And naturally of course plans on double-crossing the Turtles and use the completed retromutagen for his own ends.

I don't want to see this as it was done in the 2K3 series. If any Turtle should mutate it should be Mikey. Sure, he sort of did have a weird mutation with the zits, but I think him undergoing a secondary mutation would be different and something not done before. And I don't see Donnie or anybody dying too soon anyway. They won't allow that in the Nick show.

I don't think the Nick series should copy what other incarnations have done either, but they have done their own spin on some plot lines from previous incarnations.

And while in respect is should be Mikey who under goes a transformation. There are things pointing to Donnie being the one to undergo a second mutation.

Example 1-This whole season thus far has a vibe that is reminiscent of the outbreak arc. Only instead of Bishop and Stockman, it's the Kraang and Shredder who start it.

Example 2-The squirrelnoid episode ended with a utility worker getting nabbed. In the 4kids in carnation it begins with a utility worker getting attacked and mutated. Odds are if we see this guys again, he will have likely become a mutant via the Squirrelnoid's.

Example 3- As I have pointed out, there is a shot in follow the leader that sort of foreshadows Donnie may undergo a second mutation.

Example 4-Why introduce second mutations if a Turtle wasn't going to under go one sometime later?

Evidence that could benefit from this event.

1. Donnie is trying to create a retromutagen. In the 4kids version a cure for the outbreak was found through combining research done by Stockman with Research done by both Leatherhead and Donatello. It appears as though Stockman is trying to develop a retromutagen himself, but for his own personal reasons. So maybe finding a way to restore Donatello may come from combining Donnie's research with Stockman's.

2. It will lean April towards Casey even more, because Casey will be the one comforting and consoling April through all this.

3. The others will learn to respect Donnie a little more as the brains of the family.


Situations where this can arise.

Yet another Turtles are over confident situation: I don't want this plot line rehashed a fourth time.
The first time they nearly lost their lives to a strong opponent.
The second time they lost their weapons and an ally of theirs was mutated
third time and ally associated with their closest human friend was mutated.
so by this pattern, if they are over confident again they will lose one of their own.

I hated the red sky version, I hated the 2k3 version. The only time I'll allow further turtle mutation is the silly SUPER Mutation done in that goofy oscure anime ova.

I guess we kinda had that with Shellacne as is?

Honestly, I really hope they don't. The Good Genes arc is my all time favorite story arc in the 2k3 series, and quite possibly favorite story arc of all that I've read and watched of the entire TMNT franchise (unless the 1990 film counts as its own 'arc' but I don't really think so). Everything about it was set up so perfectly-how Don was infected wasn't a stupid, silly reason, and it was set within the context of a (currently) much greater problem. His growing sick didn't happen immediately either, his bandaged leg was shown in a couple more episodes after he was initially stung and that's the kind of continuity I just love about the 2k3 series. And then ultimately how he mutated and how it seriously effected his family was just perfect. My only real gripe would be how the aftermath was handled given that Don wasn't given any real time to process it all nor do we ever hear again from Casey or April, but everything about the actual process until he was finally cured was just fantastic.

And to put it simply, I don't think 2k12 could handle the same type of situation as maturely or as heartfelt. We've already seen Mikey and his experience with the mutagen, so it's being treated as a joke when it comes to the turtles. That's not to say I don't think 2k12 could set this up and execute it their own way, it's certainly plausible, I just personally really HOPE that they don't.

But in Mikey's case he has put a rejected batch of Retromutagen on himself. He wasn't hit with mutagen itself.

Well that's exactly my point. Despite everything that has happened with Mutagen Man, not to mention just the plain and simple fact that Mikey (as well as all the turtles) KNEW that mutagen is dangerous and unstable, for the sake of a silly gag the writers decided to have Mikey do something as stupid as rub that stuff on himself on purpose. It's not taken seriously, at least not in this sort of way it was handled in 2k3 which is what made it so much more heart-breaking when Don was transformed. Even when April's dad was mutated it was just-don't worry, we'll take care of this somehow. Again, mostly from Mikey, yet the other turtles likewise don't really some to care TOO much. Now, mostly I am still on the side with the turtles in that situation since Mikey spoke up before the rest of them could really react, but then we have the situation with the squirrels that got infected. Are they trying to reverse the mistake? No. Basically for the squirrels, it was out of sight, out of mind. And I feel like that's just how these turtles are going to continue handling things, whereas, as I mentioned, the 2k3 arcs were very good about connecting throughout various episodes which is what made it so powerful.

I was thinking if each of them got a secondary mutation how it would affect the group.


if Donnie got mutated: the turtles would have to figure out how to cure him without having their genius to help....this could be bad (or they can get leatherhead again..like the 2003 did)....either way..it'd be hard to figure out.

if Leo got mutated:.....IDK....the team would be confused without a leader for a while....but I'm sure one of them would step up and take command and figure out a way to cure leo. (Raph or Don most likely). Someone could show some leader skillz~

if Mikey got mutated: I'm sure everyone would be heartbroken (cause Mike's their little bro) Mikey doesn't necessarily take away anything from the group when he's gone.....but it would cause for some heavy scenes..(cause really who wants to see Mikey mutated..that's like kicking a puppy). not saying that the others wouldn't be sad if say Raph or Don got mutated....but Mikey's the baby.

if Raph got mutated:.....he'd be crazy violent XD I'd seriously hate to be the turtles....he's already a shell of rage, if he turned into a monster....yeesh that'd be bad!

I don't know about Leatherhead, because in the 2003 version Leatherhead was a a genius like Donnie was. If they were going to have a second highly intelligence to help with this, they should maybe have a form of the Retromutagen that doesn't quite return people like Kirby or Dr. Rockwell back to human, but it does restore their sentience. I.E. Keep them in their mutant form, but able to restore human intellect enough for them to talk.

The others know Donnie is trying to develop retromutagen, so if Donnie had any recent batches out the others wouldn't know if that is the finished product. Or just another reject. Considering this is Nick were talking about, yeah they might have a cop out result of having one of the Turtles lob the most recent batch of retromutagen that Donnie had been experimenting with and have that Surprise Surprise effectively be the Retromutagen.

However there had to be a reason behind Stockman also supposedly trying to develop retromutagen. And I mean what he was doing before Dogpound had forced him to find a way to turn him back into a human. So I can see the turtles reluctantly turning to Stockman to see what he can do to restore their brother. Naturally Stockman would try to double cross them by using the retromutagen to restore his humanity.

But of course you have people like Karai or the Shredder who will steal the Retromutagen simply because it's something that gives the Turtles hope. The Shredder would more likely want to destroy it simply so the Turtles don't get their hands on it. And Karai would either destroy it out of spite or tell the Turtles she knows other mutants who might be interested in getting their humanity back. If they use the retromutagen at all it would be intended to turn the Turtles back into normal pet Turtles. And of course other mutants who would want the retromutagen for themselves to they can return to being human.


However with the second mutation it can go one of two ways.

If they want that arc over with quickly-

one they can go the over confident plot line again which I hope it doesn't have to be repeated.

The first time they nearly lost their lives to a stronger opponent.
The second time they lost their weapons and an ally of theirs was mutated
third time and ally associated with their closest human friend was mutated and temporarily lost said human friend.
so by this pattern, if they are over confident again it could result in them losing one of their own.

A second option if Donnie is given a second mutation quickly is to have him push someone like April, Casey, maybe one of his bro's out of the way and ends up getting hit with mutagen himself. So think Donnie protecting April in the same manner Dr. O'Neil did in Mutation Situation.

If they want the situation drawn out

If they want the situation drawn out, have Donnie get bitten or scratched by a mutation carrying mutant. At some point before the season finally. Since nothing happens other then a little irritation now and again they think nothing of it.

Then in season three Donnie starts getting these cold and flu like symptoms. They are minor enough to be ignored and not prevent Donnie from undergoing patrol. But gradually begin so like episode seven or so things become so bad that April begins to wonder if Donnie should be taken to a doctor because this has got to be more serious then just a cold or flu. That's when Donnie transforms. He isn't restored to normal until late in the season.

1) If Donnie does have a secondary mutation I don't want it to be because of him protecting April.....(get dat romance fluff outta mah face) XD no but seriously.......I rather it be because he's protecting his brothers...( then that certain brother would feel bad......)

2) if April did have to be saved again....let another turtle try saving her and get mutated (let it actually be a surprise XD Don's too obvious)

3) you know what? scratch that...I don't want April to be saved.....her dad already protected her from mutagen....how many times does she need to be saved? (let her be safe from harm for once XD)

4) it would be cool to see one of the turtles getting scratched and later get sick (like in the 2003 version) whether it should be Don or not.........IDK.(any turtle would work actually)

I guess I just don't wanna see Donnie get mutated again...it happened already in 2003....(it could still work though)

I could honestly see that happening during the ep where leo gets nearly killed, would certainly make 4 a more interesting plot line

If Donnie got mutated, that would effect the D/A/C Triangle and effectively end it. Because who would be there for April the entire time Donnie is in that second mutation. Casey. And when Donnie is miraculously brought back to normal, he will see that April has become closer to and more then likely chosen Casey as her boyfriend.


The other turtles and Splinter will have to deal with the serious loss of one of their own. With the finally there were people who felt that it should have ended dramatically with everyone believing Leo died sacrificing himself so they could escape. And then beginning season two with them dealing with the loss of their older brother before Leo is able to return alive and whole again. But as drama like that is more for a later season so Leo's survival wasn't entirely unexpected. And we have seen how quickly the Turtles have forgotten this event.

Splinter has also stated the four of them are all he has left, so losing any of his sons be in an actual physical death or in death in concept (i.e. The Turtle they once knew no longer exists) would be hard for him to deal with. And the Turtles would have to deal with life as they would if they have indeed lost a brother forever. As well as deal with options they may not like coming to such as putting said brother out of his misery, even if that option is only brought up as a passing conversation.

Had to dig out this thread because of something I've been wondering. I could see an arc like this happen in the show, but only after Donnie finds the cure. Cause i can't think of anyone else making the retro-mutagen. So let's say he finds the cure, and then gets double-mutated. Other would had to figure out can they use the retro-mutagen on him, because it could possibly turn him back to normal pet turtle, not to his first mutated form. And without Donnies brain there to help, it could be a hard choice to make. Though they could test it with Rahzar. I could see an episode, where they would have to chase down their double-mutated brother, while trying to get Rahzar help them test the retro-mutagens effect on double-mutants. But i think it would only be about one episode.

I actually think that an arc like this would be good, but not for Donnie.

I think that, as someone said above, is should be Mikey who is Mutated.

well Mikey is licking ICKitty alot.........and that doesn't seem safe....XD

probably tastes good though.

Maybe he can turn into half ice cream, too, and keep ICK company in the freezer xD

Oh no! Now I'm gonna have nightmares about Teenage Mutant Ice cream Monster Ninja Turtle, living in my freezer :lol:
Or maybe it would make a great spin-off series...

Either this or they would have to turn to Stockman. Stockman in turn would agree to help Donnie but in reality he plans to cure his own mutation, and then mutate a bunch of people and offer the retromutagen as a means cure other mutations...for a large price.

I'm bringing this topic back up again.
So now that Retromutagen does exist and Donnie is the only person who has successfully made it, does anyone see a this event happening?

We know Chris Yost has been involved in the Nick Writing team and Good Genes parts 1 & 2 was some of the episodes he has worked on with the 2k3 story line.


An event like this would have a lot of emotional content both for the story and for the characters since Donnie is the only person who knows how to make Retro-Mutagen and the Turtles would be at a loss for what to do since they have been more content to leave the all the Sciencey Techno stuff to Donnie. And this would make it difficult to find the cure since Donnie is the only one who can successfully make retromutagen? And then there is the question would it reverse him one mutation and or will it turn him back to a normal turtle?

Also what sort of aftermath to the event happen next such as:
Leo being protective/overly protective big brother.

Raph maybe saying Donnie shouldn't know the truth of what happened because of how damaging it could be.

Donnie being confused with no memory of what happened maybe still able to sense that feral side of himself.

Mikey having a hard time coming near his older brother because of the monster transformation. (2k3 Donnie did try to rip off Mikey's leg after all) Maybe due to an injury Donnie gives him as a monster.

The characterization is a bit screwed up in your suggestions. First of all, why would Leo suggest killing Don first instead of Raph. Even when Raph does have an urge to kill. Secondly, the Donny mutating into a monster is too cliche and really doesn't offer that much. Originally it was Raph who mutated into a monster.

One of the many reasons why I disliked the 2k3 versions is because they forced characters into the berserker role instead of using that role to flesh out Raphael. For example; The 2k3 made Leo and Donny full of rage and hatred. Their reasons didn't seem logical or believable instead it seemed forced. I am just saying it makes no sense for other characters to have the rage characteristic forced upon them. Without paying much needed attention to Raphael's rage.

If one of the turtles do mutate or all of them, it might have the same effect that Karai has which is having the option to shapeshift. I doubt a second mutation will happen though. We don't know if the retromutagen will reverse all the mutations or just the recent one yet. If the retromutagen only reverses the recent mutation then I think the chance of a second mutation to the turtles will increase.