Expectations on the turtles

[Sage Ninja]

this might be a little early but since we've been given a glimse of what the turtles personalites are going to be like in the pilote I was womndering what is everyones expectations on the turtles are for this toon.

It seems the turtle's personalites aren't going to stray too far from their personalities from 2k3 and the CGI movie. Which is to be expected. I'm looking foward to seeing Don's crush on April. I thought April and Don's rapport in the 2k3 cartoon was cute and I missed that when the turtles came back from the future. His "crush" was handled subltely in 2k3 and I wonder how it will be handled in the nick toon. As far as his personality I wonder if he is going to be the sweet like he was in 2k3 or if he's going to be a bit of a smart ass like he was in CGI movie; with Rob paulsen voicing him that could be very likely. Or maybe they could go another direction.

Raph is going to be tough again in this series, which I know alot of people where worried about since nick was saying they wanted to follow the OT. I'm hoping he is tough but I hope he isn't going to be overly angsty and mean. I know many people love that, but I find it gets tired rather quickly and I never cared for how hateful and pissy he can become at time **dodges rotten fruit thrown by rabid Raph fans.** I hope he is tough but has some of OT Rapahel laid back disposition and sense of humor to tenper it.

Mike is the one I'm most worried about, because I know he is going to be a goofy little brother that creators have gotten so fond of portraying him as these last few years. He's even supposed to have freckles and be short. Ugh. I can deal with him being the yongest turtle I just don't want him to be so young and goofy he can't handle stuff on his own or he can't take anything seriously like he was in 2k3. I also don't want him to be just this filler character whos there just to laugh at and annoy his siblings. Stupid, annoying Mike I hope I don't see. Not holding my breath though. I hope that in the nick toon they at least make Mike "nice" and sweet and compassionate like he is supposed to be. Thats one thing I think 2k3 fumbled the ball on when it came to 2k3 Mike's portayal. He was too cocky and show off brash and I hope they don't do that to Nick Mike.

[CyberCubed]

From the people who saw the pilot with the voices and dialogue, I don't think we have anything to worry about. Mike won't become as stupid/annoying as the later 2k3 version of the character did.

[Jester]

I agree, but remember Mikey's annoying streak reared it's ugly head later in the series. Early on it wasn't so bad.

[Powder]

So...

I'm getting the impression you don't expect Leonardo to be a part of this series?

[FearlessLeader]

Originally Posted by Powder

So...

I'm getting the impression you don't expect Leonardo to be a part of this series?

I'm so glad I wasn't the only one that thought this while reading this thread!!

As for my expectation for Leonardo, well from what I have seen everyone that went to the event say on here, it sounds like he is going to be "Leonardo", honorable, a leader; but with a better sense of humor??

Also I think I recall someone saying that Splinter actually flat out name's Leonardo as the leader (versus just kind of being unspoken but acknowledged) so that could lead to an interesting character dynamic.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

I think I read somewhere that we should expect the turtles to act like teens more than ever.

That's what irks me when I see the early 2k3 episodes - the turtles (save, to an extent, Leo) all acted like mindless idiots until the Notes from the Underground story arc. I really hope the turtles don't become mindless idiots who always accidentally save the day.

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader

Also I think I recall someone saying that Splinter actually flat out name's Leonardo as the leader (versus just kind of being unspoken but acknowledged) so that could lead to an interesting character dynamic.

Yes, it's in the very first episode, and it's hilarious. Basically, Splinter decides he needs to declare someone as leader, so all four Turtles give him a reason that they should be the leader. Splinter goes into his room to contemplate his decision, then exits a split-second later saying, "It's Leonardo."

As for Mike, I campaigned for him SO much during the focus group part of the preview event. SO MUCH. So I'm really hoping that he turns out being awesome. Everything that we saw was fine, but as Jester mentioned, he started fine in 2K3, too.

[FearlessLeader]

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

Yes, it's in the very first episode, and it's hilarious. Basically, Splinter decides he needs to declare someone as leader, so all four Turtles give him a reason that they should be the leader. Splinter goes into his room to contemplate his decision, then exits a split-second later saying, "It's Leonardo."

This sounds REALLY funny and I now want to see it

I think it will make his brothers relate to him a little differently that Leonardo is actually declared the leader and it isn't a debatable topic. Course it could just make them tease him/ be annoyed by him more and listen to him even less *laughs*

Either way it's thus far the thing I am most interested in seeing what they do with the character with.

[BubblyShell22]

I don't mind Mikey being a little goofy, but I agree that he did get more annoying as the show went on, particularly after the Battle Nexus arc. That's where I really began to dislike the character.

[Donnie]

I love how kind and compassionate Donatello is in the 2k3, and I love how "second-in-command" he is in the CGI (as well as devoted son to Splinter, deleted cake scene anyone? ) so I hope we get a fine blend of both. If we get a Donny that's more in the favor of one, that's fine too. I prefer 2k3, but I welcome either. I would also very much welcome a movie 1 style Donatello, which I think (in retrospect) is a bit of a blend between both 2k3 and the CGI versions. I know somebody who saw the trailer at the event (I think it was either Rose or Vaughn?) stated that Donny is a sort of wiz-kid smartass. I would love that, too (and like has been said, Rob P. is that kind of voice actor as we all know...right, Jester?!) I have high hopes for Donatello in the Nick series, definitely. I'm a fan of the April crush, too. It was done so nicely in 2k3.

I have the same concerns as everyone with Michelangelo, although I think I'm part of the few that like 2k3 Mikey most of the time.

I would actually welcome a Raphael that isn't too much like the CGI. He's just too angry to even associate with in TMNT...a bit of OT Raphael would actually be welcome, at least in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, though...I still want the Raphael we all know and love...brooding and powerful...but I would welcome some OT Raph into the mix.

I'm not too sure what to expect from Leonardo. From the description of the trailer, it almost sounds like he will be returning to some OT roots...but that is only modest speculation that is untrue until proven.

[Jester]

I expect them to be their archetypes...and hopefully grow to more 3 dimensional characters.

[Sage Ninja]

Originally Posted by Powder

So...

I'm getting the impression you don't expect Leonardo to be a part of this series?

oh, damn...you got me powder. I was hoping he'd get killed by baxter in the first episode so that Raphael could take over...

Actually I was wondering if we are going to get the protective, "all the good qualities of a big brother without all the bad qualites" Leo from the 2k3 or maybe a more impatient and arrogant Leo like in the CGI film. Leo can go eighther way. I personly like it when he is more down to earth and protective of his family like he was in 2k3. I know some people would disagree, but even though he was an over achiever and wanted to be the best, I still found him pretty humble. And I think personaly that how Leo should be, because when he's shown as arrogant and full of himself, you kinda want to see the guy get taken down a few pegs.

As for Mike, I campaigned for him SO much during the focus group part of the preview event. SO MUCH. So I'm really hoping that he turns out being awesome. Everything that we saw was fine, but as Jester mentioned, he started fine in 2K3, too

ooh, could you fill us in on how exactly that went down? What sort of things did they ask you? I find it interesting that they would even bother asking what fans thought. What exactly did you end up saying for Mike?

Also I guess I am in the minority but I didn't care for Mikey's portrayal even at the start of the series. From the beginning he came off as insensitive and annoying. This is pretty obvious when April first sees the turtles and she passes out for a second time and Mikey just walks away to go listen some music and lets everyone else deal with her. So the fact that someone is practically having nervous break down doesn't concern him? Nice. I know he wasn't nessacarily needed at that time when the other turtles where on it, but it always buged me that the writers made it seem like serious stuff didn't effect him by having him act silly or make a dumb joke, or worse, make him go play. Kinda like in the second episode of BTTS where for all the turtles knew, Splinter was dead and Don was blaming himself for it, and he was off skate boarding having a party. WTF?

My dearst wish is that Nick treat Mike respectfully and write him as an equal memeber of the team with a consistant personality with appropiate reactions to what goes on around him. He shouldn't be just the tension breaker.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by Sage Ninja

oh, damn...you got me powder. I was hoping he'd get killed by baxter in the first episode so that Raphael could take over...

Actually I was wondering if we are going to get the protective, "all the good qualities of a big brother without all the bad qualites" Leo from the 2k3 or maybe a more impatient and arrogant Leo like in the CGI film. Leo can go eighther way. I personly like it when he is more down to earth and protective of his family like he was in 2k3. I know some people would disagree, but even though he was an over achiever and wanted to be the best, I still found him pretty humble. And I think personaly that how Leo should be, because when he's shown as arrogant and full of himself, you kinda want to see the guy get taken down a few pegs.

I want Leo to be the same Leo you do, definitely. I totally agree with how you described him in 2k3/TMNT.
I'm a Leo fan tried & true so & if they make him arrogant like that, I'll be quite unhappy.

[ChetTurtle]

I think it would be cool if all the turtles kind of related to splinter in a different way, for example:

-Leo, training and responsibility.

-Raph, over-protectiveness maybe?

-Mikey, Humor and not being too stressed (maybe some kind of partnership, like in the deleted cake scene from 2007 tmnt that DonnyTMNT mentioned)

-Donatello, the need for things to work well, like having a good home and so on, reflection and him helping splinter with technology. (I was going to say something else too, but I really don't want to have the pacifist argument again)

I also think Mikey should still act immature sometimes, but still be self-conscious, as in he's not going to be insensitive or counter-productive.

And Raph needs to angry, but still funny in a sarcastic way.

[Bauer536]

Hi, I’m new here. You can call me Bauer 536. I am a fan of the TMNT franchise. The first comic book issues were really good, and the 2007 CGI film was awesome. In case you’re wondering, Leonardo is my #1 favorite turtle of the franchise, making Donatello my 2nd favorite.
I’m just curious to ask about this new Nickelodeon series. Based on what you have seen at the event in California, are the turtles going to be a lot smarter now? I must say, I am happy for the success of the original 80s cartoon. However, I didn’t like the 2k3 series. Each character (including Donnie the “genius”) was portrayed as a whining, screeching idiot. I was not happy with that. So what’s the status?

[Sage Ninja]

Welcome to the boards but I gotta say I comfused by this here:

Based on what you have seen at the event in California, are the turtles going to be a lot smarter now?

what do you mean by "smarter" now? The turtles where never shown as stupid in any medium I can think of...except maybe the potrayal of the fred wolf turtles in Turtles Forever....

[Bauer536]

I remember reading Joe Gro’s review about the Nickelodeon TMNT event in California, and he said that Mikey was “dumber” and that Leo was “goofy.” I hope this is not entirely the truth, even when I think he was being too dramatic over the material he saw. I just wanted to ask. In the dictionary, the term “goofy” leads to the synonym “stupid.” There’s no way a leader like Leo, who has keen abilities, should/will become stupid. I just don’t want any of them to be idiots. Their mutants: they should be strong, smart, and very skilled. That’s all I’m trying to look for.

[Jester]

Originally Posted by Bauer536

I remember reading Joe Gro’s review about the Nickelodeon TMNT event in California, and he said that Mikey was “dumber” and that Leo was “goofy.” I hope this is not entirely the truth, even when I think he was being too dramatic over the material he saw. I just wanted to ask. In the dictionary, the term “goofy” leads to the synonym “stupid.” There’s no way a leader like Leo, who has keen abilities, should/will become stupid. I just don’t want any of them to be idiots. Their mutants: they should be strong, smart, and very skilled. That’s all I’m trying to look for.

yeah, I'm pretty sure we've come to the conclusion that Joe Gro's review was highly exaggerated.

[Bauer536]

Thank you so much, Jester. I appreciate your answer.

[Redeemer]

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader

As for my expectation for Leonardo, well from what I have seen everyone that went to the event say on here, it sounds like he is going to be "Leonardo", honorable, a leader; but with a better sense of humor??

This concerns me bc I think that it is very delicate line, bc a leader needs to be serious at times, but it could allow him more room to grow as a leader as well