The relationship between the Turtles and humans

[victory_angel]

I sort of see where you're coming from. The turtles being mutants can't afford to be seen by humans. All it takes is one person to say they are monsters and they are suddenly labeled Public Enemy #1.

Take other shows that have similar premises. X-Men the main characters are able to blend in with human society but are forced to use restraint and extream caution with their powers so as to not draw attention to themselves. And then when they are exposed it takes only one government official to start a campaign to have them all rounded up and imprisoned as threats and in some cases terrorists.

Gargoyle's much like the TMNT these are creatures that only come out at night (They don't have the option to come out during the day even if they wanted to because they turn to stone) and for a time they are able to avoid the general public. Unfortunately the time they spent living in New York they are seen by humans and at the end of the series, their existence is well known. Which leads to the city dividing itself between those who act out of fear as to what these creatures could potentially do if left unchecked. Others who feel the Gargoyles may not be the threat people think they are. And others who only want to use their gargoyles for their own personal gain.

With the 87 series, even when the Turtles were in disguise the general public still knew it was them. Much of the time the humans of the city could be described as sheep. In that, they were generally okay with the Turtles walking around, but when someone like Bern Thomson or someone started calling out the Turtles as a threat, all the humans get aboard the hate train.

People like Casey and April are proof that there are some people in human society that could learn to welcome and understand them. But regardless humans should still be approached with caution.

Take the 2k3 series where the Turtles have that partnership with that homeless camp. The Professor's not known if he is aware the Turtles are mutants, but regardless of whether he is aware of that or not he still welcomes them as fellow outcasts. But there are those two guys that are shown commenting about how they think the Turtles are just guys in costumes.

And in the 2012 series, there was that one episode where they were nearly exposed by Joan Grody. With Muckman there was already a group of people saying he was a hero so that was the only direction she could go. The Turtles she had more freedom to trash talk about how they were a threat to the city. Fortunately, that was covered up by Muckman saying they were just a bunch of kids dressing up and playing vigilante. But if that plotline could have been revisited it would have been revisited it could have led to some serious events for the turtles from people who believe Grody that the Turtles are a threat that needs to be rounded up and imprisoned or otherwise disposed of. While others will point out there is no proof these Turtle creatures are doing what Grody claims they are doing. And of course, those who only want to use mutants for their own personal gain.