Poor Michelangelo

[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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Warhorse

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by BubblyShell22

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.













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. I love it.

[Technogeek29]

Originally Posted by Shark_Blade

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



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. I love it.

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.

Spoiler:

[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]

Originally Posted by Shark_Blade

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



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. I love it.

I still feel that Mikey in Wrath of Tigerclaw

Spoiler:

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.

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".