If the Turtles all had to change rolls for a day... - Page 2

*Bauer536* · 08-19-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnyTMNT

I'd agree with Powder, at least on the Leo - Don bit. Leo is smart enough to get into heavy tech, he would just have to put his mind to it really. It's just not his passion like it is Don's. Likewise, I'd wager Donny could be (and has shown himself to be) a great leader and he could rise to Leo's level in martial arts if he wanted to. What it comes down to is that they just want different things and their personalities just aren't wired that way - but since this is a "what if" type of thread, it's okay to speculate.

I'm not sure really where that would leave Mikey & Raph, though. I do not see Mike "switching" roles with Raph, simply for the fact that although they both have gigantic hearts in the emotional sense, Michelangelo far surpasses Raphael in both patience and mutability.

I love this analysis. You read my mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnyTMNT

I would agree that the other Turtles simply do not organically have what Donatello has in the realm of technology. They do not think the same way as he, therefore they would not be able to produce or think as he does concerning higher technology. I was talking about repairing random household gadgets, etc. which Donatello does the bulk of throughout Volume 1 & 4 (V1 #11, V4 #3, etc.)

I think we are all talking about different mediums of the Turtles. Herein lies the confusion. Andrew's probably talking comics, others perhaps the OT.

I'm hoping everyone is talking about all mediums. I wouldn't want to think Mikey, Leo, or Raph wouldn't be capable of doing something else. I don't think their characteristics change in other incarnations. They're the TMNT. They should never really change.

And yes, I agree with you that Don's brothers wouldn't be able to work with higher technology.

ANYWAY: My analysis . . .

I believe whatever role each turtle has only reflects on what they like to do the most. Leo likes to lead, Don likes to invent machines, Mikey likes to be a fun loving goofball, and Raph likes to be the courageous hothead. Those make them who they are. But things can tend to switch. Don, Raph and Mike are leaders, too, if you think about it. Don would lead the way with his brain power, while Raph can lead when Leo is captured (just not full time- he'll need practice). As for Mikey, I think he's a leader in making things comical when things are always not. Don is the brains of the group who comes up with the inventions. Leo invents, too. Not really gadgets, but tactics and strategies. Leo's got some brains, especially for leading a team and having the ninja experience. Raph's also an inventor, but at wisecraking or coming up with ways to pick on his brothers. Mikey of course has a brain, as a few don't tend to believe. He just a goofball. But not all goofballs are dumb. Besides, just like Leo, he's got a good memory, especially if it's derived from pop culture. As for being funny, I can see all of them being funny in their own way. They can all have a sense of humor. They just don't have to be silly or clown around to do it, though. As for losing their tempers, I could see Mikey losing his if he's having a bad day. I can even see Don beating the crap out of a Foot Ninja that's trying to hurt April. As for Leo, who may get really angry at Shredder if Splinter was killed.

Just to sum it up, they all have these characteristics. But when you're talking about who they are and what's their positions, you don't say "Leonardo is the leader, brains, rebel, and sometimes funny one of the group." That's too much. They may have these, but it's the strengths they use the most that makes them who they are. That's why Leo's the leader and Don's the brains and so on.

*Andrew NDB* · 08-19-2011, 03:23 PM

I think it's kind of a fallacy to look at any of the spinoff universes to define the Turtles. Whatever personality traits and such (like Don being smarter than an MIT graduate or Cowabunga Mikey) became grafted onto them in the children's spinoffs, any discussion about core character traits of the TMNT should pretty much begin and end with the TMNT as written by Kevin and Peter in the Mirage material.

OK, sermon over.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bauer536

Leo likes to lead

Does he, though? I can't recall much of anything to indicate he actually ever derived any pleasure from "leading." And did he ever even lead? He always struck me as sort of more of a "leader-in-training"... meaning, Splinter's understudy in case he passes away. The actual leadership came from one party alone -- Splinter.

*Bauer536* · 08-19-2011, 03:40 PM

Actually, Splinter is like the official leader since Leo's in training. I like to see Splinter as the captain and Leo as the first officer. You know, like Captain Picard and Commander Riker.

Herald7 · 08-19-2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

I think it's kind of a fallacy to look at any of the spinoff universes to define the Turtles. Whatever personality traits and such (like Don being smarter than an MIT graduate or Cowabunga Mikey) became grafted onto them in the children's spinoffs, any discussion about core character traits of the TMNT should pretty much begin and end with the TMNT as written by Kevin and Peter in the Mirage material.

Oh hey, I'm a big fan of purity too when it comes to entertainment. But at the same time, if I feel a different incarnation (such as OT or the movies) is also decent in its own right, in its own way, then I don't mind bringing them into the conversation.

OT for instance may have been technically a "children's show." But it was cleverly and skillfully written and performed. I'd like to see many of today's adult shows do better! That's what's most important for me.

*Powder* · 08-19-2011, 11:58 PM

Andrew, 90% of threads in this section of the board pertain to the Fred Wolf turtles, so it's only fair to use those personalities for example.
If this thread were in the comic section, your feelings would apply.

**Jester** · 08-20-2011, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder

Andrew, 90% of threads in this section of the board pertain to the Fred Wolf turtles, so it's only fair to use those personalities for example.
If this thread were in the comic section, your feelings would apply.

I've often wondered why Andrew ventures into the Non-Mirage sections of the Turtle forums, as we all know by now how he feels about the Rainbow-Brite Mutant Ninja Turtles.

*Bauer536* · 08-20-2011, 08:34 AM

So what do you guys think of my analysis? Do you agree? I'm curious to hear your viewpoints.

I know it was very long, but I got too excited typing it.

Just read the main point at the very end if you like.

08-20-2011, 08:34 AM	#27
Bauer536 Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2011 Location: United States Posts: 1,550	So what do you guys think of my analysis? Do you agree? I'm curious to hear your viewpoints. I know it was very long, but I got too excited typing it. Just read the main point at the very end if you like. Last edited by Bauer536; 08-20-2011 at 08:39 AM.

08-19-2011, 03:40 PM	#23
Bauer536 Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2011 Location: United States Posts: 1,550	Actually, Splinter is like the official leader since Leo's in training. I like to see Splinter as the captain and Leo as the first officer. You know, like Captain Picard and Commander Riker.

08-19-2011, 11:58 PM	#25
Powder 40 Years of TMNT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shell-Ri-La Posts: 26,954	Andrew, 90% of threads in this section of the board pertain to the Fred Wolf turtles, so it's only fair to use those personalities for example. If this thread were in the comic section, your feelings would apply.