Do you think Splinter should be revived?

[Powder]

OT aside, TMNT's theme has always been "Life at best is bittersweet", & the Nick series has not pulled many punches. While it may not be terribly likely, I could definitely see them going that route. Ciro's original plan was for Splinter to have died either in or just prior to the first episode anyway, with his role being a solely flashback/spiritual appearance one. That could potentially happen from this point forward, assuming the suits are okay with it.

[myconius]

i guess we won't really know till the end of April?

the month that is!!! OH GEEZ!!! can you imagine???

[myconius]

hows that for a poll?

would the tv series ever kill off April O'Neil?

[Powder]

Nooooo, they'd get lynched for axing their female lead.

[Vicky82]

Originally Posted by myconius

i just don't see a kiddie network like Nickelodeon playing that card.

is it possible? .....maybe?

but it really doesn't seem like their style.

their ultimate goal - 'Sell Toys' 'Make Large Profits'

parents are more likely to spend money buying toys and merchandice for their kids on a tv show that lifts their spirits, not one that ultimately depresses them.

It wouldn't be depressing if we still see Splinter in the turtles memories, visions and dreams.

Before the series started, there were plans to have Splinter killed off but we still see him in the turtles memories ect.

It could still happen.

[Vicky82]

Originally Posted by myconius

i guess we won't really know till the end of April?

the month that is!!! OH GEEZ!!! can you imagine???

It probably won't happen at the end of April, Splinter will be alive but later he probably end up dieing in season 4 final.

[TMNTInsighter]

I told you all it would have had to happen afterwards if it was ever going to.

...Or that everyone else would've stayed dead as well.

[myconius]

Originally Posted by Powder

Nooooo, they'd get lynched for axing their female lead.

that would be a HUUUUUUUGE risk!!!!
what with all the riots it'd cause!

but i don't think they'd ever do it?
though it would be pretty ballsy!

[Vicky82]

Originally Posted by myconius

that would be a HUUUUUUUGE risk!!!!
what with all the riots it'd cause!

but i don't think they'd ever do it?
though it would be pretty ballsy!

They probably could do it but her death has to be temporary or in a episode like SAINW.

What if they kill off a turtle but again it has to be temporary or in a episode like SAINW.

[myconius]

Originally Posted by Vicky82

They probably could do it but her death has to be temporary or in a episode like SAINW.

What if they kill off a turtle but again it has to be temporary or in a episode like SAINW.

that would make for a pretty compelling story actually!

[GoldMutant]

Let the thread die already, there's literally nothing to discuss at this point until the space arc ends. It's the same pattern: the OP will gives us info we're clearly aware of and it'll be called out. At this point, there's really no new discussion; I'm tired of repeating myself but for the sake of argument, I'll say it one more time:

In most TMNT media, again the primary theme is family. These creatures (not withstanding Splinter being a rat in specific iterations) are alone in the world to fend for themselves. Then add in Casey Jones, the everyman brother and April O'Neil, a surrogate sister. The bond is what makes the TMNT an enduring franchise outside the wacky adventures, merchandise, and subtlety. However, the bond for the Turtles is turning nonexistent with the exception of Riddles of the Ancient Aeons despite it's rather forced premise. Essentially the Turtles are less like brothers and more of roommates ala the Fred Wolf series personally. Sure, there's some goofing around especially with the crushes, but aside from comedy it doesn't feel balanced. Due to the structure, this is where Splinter comes into play.

Ever since the third season, Splinter's role is diminishing to the point of cameos. In the entirety of season 3, his only relevant roles were Return to New York and both Karai episodes; if you want to argue on filler, then one more point because of The Noxious Avenger. Other than that, Splinter doesn't play any significant role in the season before his death. Judging by season 4, it's nearly the same: little to no mentioning and slight cameos at best from Leonardo's point of view. Even though Michelangelo mourns over Splinter's untimely demise in Annihilation: Earth!, we don't see what goes on in Donatello or Raphael's minds, let alone grow as a team. Let's compare this to seasons 1 and 2:

In season 1, Splinter behaved as a strict father at certain intervals; case in point, I Think His Name is Baxter Stockman, Turtle Temper, The Pulverizer Returns! and Panic in the Sewers. Besides the family theme, Splinter also fought the Rat King's manipulation in I, Monster, warned the team during The Gauntlet and finally clashed with Shredder in Showdown. Add in teachings once more and you have Splinter as a strong role: a father with immense wisdom who's not afraid to punish his family. While the family theme declined in season 2, Splinter's role increased.

On the other hand with season 2, Splinter was more involved with the overarching plotlines. Specifically, the Karai arc grew from The Manhattan Project with Karai learning of the bombshell and questioning her faith. This then plays into the role of The Wrath of Tiger Claw, Legend of the Kuro Kabuto Vengeance is Mine, and a brief mention in A Chinatown Ghost Story. Besides the pain of loss prior to the Kraang's invasion, Splinter once more combated the Rat King in Of Rats and Men, gave powerful wisdom in Mutagen Man Unleashed and Slash and Destroy and finally questioned returning to humanity in Lonely Mutation of Baxter Stockman. To sum up, Splinter went through a lot before The Invasion had Shredder toss him away; that look at the photo is one of the series' beautiful moments due to the music and animation.

When I compare season 3 to the first two seasons, besides the lack of a coherent narrative Splinter's decline in appearances is rather jarring. Tragedies Splinter faces prior to it made me invest because of his tenderness in his "methods" (randori anyone? ). As a result of the family dynamic not as prominent and instead raising the stakes without a thought out resolution, it hurts my investment in the show's plots. Although I have fun despite that, I do get frustrated of the world building being minimal.

Now I'm getting ahead of myself, but if the Turtles aren't going to grow even with a second chance of saving Splinter, then why should I invest in them or the dilemma? Leo is practically the only Turtle I can feel sympathy for as he wants to right the wrong that occurred. Putting aside Ciro's idea of keeping Splinter dead prior to the story's beginning, if Leo's guilt is the only thing being done, the series isn't doing a good job with character death. I wish it could be like the second season of Arthur personally; might as well explain briefly and wrap it up.

Arthur's second season had Buster Baxter move away with his father, writing him out of the series until Buster's Back and The Ballad of Buster Baxter which together opened season 3. Despite being written out, Baxter did make appearances across season 2; whether a small cameo or helping Arthur in the latter's mindset, they made sure not to forget him. Granted, Arthur doesn't have the biggest main cast animation wise, but rather close to the Nickelodeon TMNT. Why can't the show go for a dialogue mentioning or do what Arthur did with Baxter?

With all that said, reviving Splinter or not isn't going to serve a purpose at all as it'll be back to square one. If using Splinter's death as development isn't happening right now, it's not going to change matters nor will bringing him back. He'll be brought back no matter what happens even if the Triceraton invasion is made moot to change history (hereby contradicting Tale of the Yokai if that happens). I like this Splinter, but either they're reviving him and made this for shock value or will go through with it, hopefully making better use of it compared to now. That's my two cents on the matter once more.

[myconius]

only the creator's know for sure.

all anyone can do for now is just speculate.

and one side or the other gets to say "see? told ya so!"

but the truth is - nobody watching really knows what's going to happen.

[myconius]

Spoiler:

i knew there was no way they were going to kill off Splinter in this series.

people seem to forget that this is a kid's cartoon show.

[Vicky82]

Originally Posted by myconius

Spoiler:

i knew there was no way they were going to kill off Splinter in this series.

people seem to forget that this is a kid's cartoon show.

They do kill off characters in kids cartoons though, not just villains either.

[myconius]

Originally Posted by Vicky82

They do kill off characters in kids cartoons though, not just villains either.

true, but i just can't see this series killing off such a salable character as Splinter.

Spoiler:

heck! even Fugitoid's sacrifice showed that he didn't really die at the very end.

when a series is as built around merchandising as much as this one is, i just can't imagine kids wanting to own and play with a figure of a dead character.

not saying it would never happen, but at this stage i just don't see it happening.