2003 Mikey's unexplored emotional intelligence
ft. The Unconvincing Turtle Titan
Life the past few years has been been chockablock hectic for me, and re-watching some of my fav standalone eps of 03 recently has sparked so much damn joy. Feels a lil like coming home after (during?) a long hard battle.
It's been pretty interesting picking apart my initial understanding/impressions from childhood and comparing it with my deeper comprehension and experience as an adult... especially since the last time I watched some of these eps was a decade or more ago, lol.
Now, I love to go on and on and on about the things I love, and tmnt 2k3 is probably about as close to my heart as we're gonna get. And Michelangelo of 2003 is closer yet. This show and him were both officially my "baby’s first hyper-fixation" and my longest-running true love. And as I'm finally getting a wee bit of my free time back, my need to get my geeky thoughts out and splode somewhere old-fashioned style like the feral lil gremlin I am has simply become too much to ignore.
So. If you like big wordy introspection deep-dives about above said topics then strap yourself in my friend :D
So I most recently watched S01E12: The Unconvincing Turtle Titan.
Basic premise: Mikey idolises superheros, and reckons he and he brothers could do so much good as a superhero team. It's adorable, and he basically has stars in his eyes as tries to convince his bros while watching the trademark superhero of their world, Silver Sentry, rescue civilians from a fire. It’s clear he also wants to do good - he is a deeply empathetic character, and has gone out of his way more than once to specifically do so (Christmas episode you will live in my heart forever).
He's sadly but understandably brushed off and laughed out, so he rightfully says screw you ahole's and later sneaks off to give being a superhero a shot all by himself as the one and only Turtle Titan!
It highly amuses me that my reaction as a kid was:
"Mikey you're still my forever fav, but your bros are right, man. That's kinda cringe. Stahp. Erk :/ "
while my reaction as an adult was:
*teary eyed* "YoU aRe CrInGe but you are FREE!! FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS TURTLE TITAN!!"
....Yeah, I enjoyed this episode far more as grown up than I did as the target audience 😂
Its so clear Mikey dearly wants to be out there in the limelight, doing good and being admired and cheered on openly by people. To simply exist, and receive validation for work she believes they're fully capable of, having noted how much "quieter" the streets seemed after they supposedly killed Shredder.
Aka. Michelangelo is a bright sunny spirit powered by love and attention, and meant to shine, baby, but how can you do that when your only audience ever are the same four people every day?
And it's a little heartbreaking when you remember that their entire existence is intricately tied to their pathos as ninjas living in the shadows. It’s one of the best things about this incarnation, and in my opinion, a huge reason why its a cut above many others. It’s not about being the best ninja or upholding the “honour” of the clan or chasing vendettas… it’s about surviving, sticking together, having each other’s backs… it’s about family, first and foremost. Before they are ninjas, they are family. (It still makes me emotional as that’s the core philosophy of the show, and also why I love Rise so much, as it shares the same general priorities in family and character dynamics).
Now, I am an eternal "Mikey was severely unexplored & maybe a bit unappreciated in 03" truther. Like, the writing overall was generally great (for the first seasons) and I adore the way he was written, but there was just.
-to him, his role in the family, his philosophy, and most of all, his emotional intelligence that was just never really explored.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to read emotion. Your own emotions - identifying what you are feeling and why - and by extension, being able to do the exact detective work to identify the what and why of other people’s emotions. Sometimes (or often) one might be able to tell what someone else is feeling and why before they even do. Some people are just naturally intuitive at this, some learn from watching closely and working with themselves/others.
It follows that if you are good at investigating and understanding yourself, your emotions and your needs, then you are usually prettttttty good at controlling them. Choosing what the world sees, and what it doesn't. Hiding what you're really feeling, or showing something you're not actually feeling to get a desired outcome.
I find it all very fascinating - we are such complex and emotional beings. There are so very many ways one can be intelligent, but emotional intelligence is a deeply unsung and overlooked but an incredibly, incredibly important one.
Now, even if he wasn't explicitly written to be (I think he was, even if unconsciously) 03 Michelangelo is exceptionally emotionally intelligent for someone his age.
(and tbh so are most Mikey's in general... I'm really delighted that it seems to have become a more acknowledged core trait of his… instead of just “party guy." Not sure if it was all 03" where this base formed or if he had such characteristics in any of the og mirage comics, or if 87" had elements that carried over... I only caught the tail end of 87" and watched the same couple of vhs I would hire every Friday at Blockbuster... Good times! :D ... but am very curious to find out one day. Esp the og comics!).
Now, in 03 I remember there being so many examples of this emotional intelligence in canon through little moments, behaviors, lines, etc. that were never huge or really noticeable, but together make a really cohesive picture. However, you've almost got to be looking for them, otherwise.... they can go right over your head, or mistaken for a comedic moment/ shenanigans/ the sillies... hidden in plain sight. Like I said; by nature, this kind of intelligence is very subtle, and as a result, often unnoticed or unsung.
(keeping in mind it's been a hot fuckin minute since I watched most of 03, and I expect when I eventually re-watch it in full sometime this year, I'll find countless more...).
One interesting one that does comes to mind is and that cute little introspective spiel he had while his bros were fighting off actual monsters (lol) during Notes from the Underground.
It was such a small exchange that used to vex me so much as a kid as it was played off as just a funny, quirky Mikey thing when it wasn’t really that "funny"? Now I know why; it was funny in an endearing and “ha ha he’s just a lil goody oddball” that most would see as but-!
--BUT it was ALSO such good character moment of exactly what I was talking about because he was also actively giving himself a mini-therapy session - talking himself through what he was feeling - identifying what he felt and why in a humorous way that also delightfully highlighted his relationships with some of his brothers.
Raph (genuine concern, pretty sure he just rescued Mikey from something): "Watch out, you oddball!!"
Mike: ”You just called me odd, didn't you?? ...I'm not odd... I'm eccentric.
(Don falls near him, and Mikey helps him up)
Mike: ...Don, Raph thinks I'm odd."
Don: (calm, kind voice of reason, as he pats Mikey on the shoulder before running back into the fray)
“You're just being too sensitive."
Mike: (time to be a drama queen as the fight rages on around him) "Sensitive?? SeNsItIvE??? If there's one thing I hate, it's when people call me SENsITive--"
*cue Leo surfing on a table to crash-tackle Quarry as Mikey presumably continues in the background lol*
It was so fascinating! Illuminating! And as an adult who has had many similar rants, it struck a deep chord with me before I even had the skills to puzzle out why!
Maybe I’m reaching or projecting too much (I am under no illusions as to why Mikey was and will always be my top turt) but I feel this small exchange reveals a multitude of Mikey's inner thoughts and feelings, and I don't feel it's too unreasonable to infer that some of them are:
Being called odd bothers me because I disagree! Odd means weird and that I don’t fit in. I’m not that weird and I do fit in. I do!
I’m just a little different, yeah, but- not in a bad way! I’m eccentric, which means different in a fun, cool way!
(weird/different in a negative way)
I think it's safe to also infer that he views being called sensitive as a huge insult (even though we know Don didn’t mean it like that), as he dosen’t think he should be considered sensitive (even if it is technically true).
Because, again, to him, it's just him being him, and also: he's not being sensitive, he's just being a realist! He's calling it out as it is! And he doesn’t have any issues with that or how he is; it’s the world that’s weird!!
It also plays into his insecurities as the "odd turtle out" without a clear role (which is a phrase used once or twice in nearby eps, but the exact details are escaping me rn) and the classic "Leo's the leader, Don's the smart one, Raph's the muscle... what am I? The weird one?" that is hinted at throughout the series but never addressed directly :( (to my knowledge rn...)
But, as most would immediately point out, the most clear (and memorable) example of Mikey's emotional intelligence was during Samurai Tourist when he was telling everyone to back off Leo during his angsty emo phase and did his best to explain, with his very limited teenage vernacular, that while Leo's behaviour/state of mind wasn't okay, there were clearly many justifiable reasons for it, and Leo was doing his best to deal with it at the time in the only ways he knew how (and he did such a good job, okay???).
Mikey understood and saw Leo's burdens, and pain, and knew it wasn't just some kind of prolonged broody temper tantrum like the others were implying like it was.
Lastly, on my recent watch of S01E12 Turtle Titan, one scene and one teeny weeny line in particular scene really struck me as a perfect example of everything I've been harping on about.
Really, reallllllly struck me.
Because I didn't expect it so early - I would expect that from S3/S4 Mikey, but so early in S1? Like holy shit, he didn't even develop his emotional intuition on screen during the canon events, he really just had it from the get-go...
And it sent the ball rolling for what would become this entire post 😂😭
What scene and what line, you ask?
Settle in and let me eventually get there, my dear.
We finally get to the main point of this deep dive:
S01E12: The Unconvincing Turtle Titan!
After Mikey first introduces the idea to them and he's shrugged off, the next scene is them all at home training. When it's his turn, he's too busy caught up in his shiny new idea; literally sketching a cute pic of them as superheros while he’s supposed to be practising a new move.
Upon discovery, Splinter is not pleased. The guys all continue their loving sibling relationship by stealing his sketchbook and throwing it around like a couple of disney bullies.
like, guys. Guys. Stop being so mean to the baby TAT
(Ahhhh if I wasn’t so time-poor I’d happily gif all this bc it was so cute but alas)
(ha, DENIED)
A brutal intercept from Leonardo (whom I hilariously thought was coming to the rescue fucking lol... Mikey sounded so betrayed at him when he calls him out a few moments later) and more teasing eventually shows us what Mikey was working on inside.
(look at them, its so adorable i can't)
It's eventually intervened by dear ol' dad, who seems to be somewhat content to let the bro-teasing be punishment enough for his lack of focus during training.
But, regarding Mikey's insistence on this, who passionately doubles down amongst the insults, he isn't impressed. Mikey delivers a heartfelt lil' spiel about the good they could do if they never had to hold back from being seen.
“wouldnt it be nice to get a little credit for the good we do?”
Splinter’s opinion is pretty much the exact same as his other sons. The difference is he's very kind and understanding, but firm; it’s a good idea with the best of intentions, but it’s not realistic or smart considering their whole situation. He kind of hints it's not the right "path" for their safety, and gently encourages him to let it go.
“You must never forget who you are. You are ninja. You operate in the shadows.”
“But cant we accomplish so much more out in the open?”
“There are many paths, my son. You must choose the one true to yourself.”
It’s clear the conversation is over for Splinter then; it’s time to get back to training.
It’s also clear the answer to the Superhero thing is still a big fat, firm no, even though it was never explicitly stated.
The above phrases he uses are interesting, and how the word "ninja" is used.
Being a ninja is something that is specifically touched on in many similar character moments in the show, and clearly holds a lot of social, emotional and personal weight for all of them. It is a word that deeply means a lot to all of them, and also has many layers to it. A single word can have incredibly different meanings to every single individual on this planet based on their culture, past, experiences, and specific family culture.
To them, it dosen't just mean being a trained fighter in the art of ninjitsu. It means much, much more.
For them, the words "family" and "ninja" are almost interchangeable. To them, to be ninja is to be family - to be part of this family. It is their way of life.
Remain unseen; stick to the shadows. Fight with honour; fight for one another. Protect one another. Live for one another.
To reject that is to threaten their survival. To reject that is to reject one another. To reject that is to reject their family. Because they are ninja - practitioners of ninjitsu - but first and foremost they are a family.
This core theme is present throughout the show, interwoven through and baked deep within the ethos. It keeps it grounded and provides the entire emotional core that powers it. Keeps it together, connected, coherent. This show is always powered by people, not plot!
It's no coincidence that despite the awesome the adventures/action/drama/fights/time-travel/shenanigans every very single major or important arc in this show has a major over-arcing goal that is driven by and deeply echos this theme of family, love and survival/protection.
Of course one of my fav interpretations of this philosophy is Leo's "In this this life, we only have one another. If one falls, we all fall."
...which he told Mikey right before his battle nexus rematch with Kluh in S3.
Look, this show will never not get to me, y'kno??
Anyhoo. Back to the Turtle Titan.
So, they're ninja, and that means to be part of their family, whom live as they are to protect themselves and survive. And they work better/do more good within the shadows anyway (should they choose to).
Splinter’s definitely leaving it open for Mikey to figure out himself (which he does eventually after his fun lil superhero teamup), but it’s clear what he’s implying, and that running off to try superhero-ing does NOT have his blessing.
But, Mikey’s just not feeling it. This is not just an idea to him, this is a grand and glorious opportunity with such promise and a new, much more desired way of life as a reward… there is absolutely no way he could ever just accept it like that without even giving it a chance.
But, it's also clear he's feeling very let down from his family's complete refusal to entertain his idea.
As Splinter orders training to begin again and turns back to his other boys, Mikey says the line:
"Sorry Sensei... I gotta get out and clear my head," in a sad little voice before heading out for some alone time, seemingly defeated.
Now, it has a while since I last watched this particular ep, so while I could remember the basic episode beats, I couldn’t remember the specifics.
I remember him ending up at April's soon after this scene to have a sulk and vent, and her being the support and validation he needed to officially get him going as a fledgling superhero. She even gave him his costume! (So cute.)
Thus, I fully expected Mikey to do exactly as he said: go for a sulky sad run on the rooftops for a bit, maybe whine to a pigeon, then flop pathetically into April’s looking for a hug, pity and a hot chocolate …where she would instead invigorate him and help set the plot in motion!
I assumed Mikey 100% wholeheartedly meant that dejected “I give up” line…
When he said "Sorry Sensei... I gotta get out and clear my head," in a contrite, defeated sad little voice that indicated he was going to go for a brood and think about his behaviour and repent...
...He was completely lying.
It was a complete and utter lie tailored to get sympathy, pity and a get-out-of-training free card.
So that he could go and do exactly what he it was just heavily implied he should absolutely not do.
BECAUSE guess what he does immediately after this line???
This clever little bastard walks like five metres to the elevator-
-gets out in the garage, plops his ass right down--
-and CONTINUES RIGHT WHERE HE LEFT OFF.
BITCH DOESN'T EVEN LEAVE THEIR PROPERTY.
Something about the clear relaxed confidence he pulls this off with tells me it’s not the first time he’s pulled the subtle genuine-pity card to get the hell outta dodge and do whatever the fuck he wants.
Because if anyone happened to follow him, he would’ve been fucked? He would have been caught red-handed immediately.
He was completely and utterly unbothered. Completely confident no one would call bullshit or follow him.
Because he knew exactly what he needed to say, how he needed to act and what he needed to do to get the freedom he desired. And all it took was one line and a bit of serious acting.
It was such a small moment, but it spoke volumes, and I was downright flabbergasted, fam. Absolutely hornswaggled, mates.
Because he pulls the big, loud, whiny dramatic pity card a lot. And when he does, it's always quite obvious, loud and almost playful. These ones are never meant to work, they're meant to release frustration, or lighten the mood, or bring a valid complaint forward (but in the most drama queen way possible, bc he's an extra like that and lives for the drama, baby). But this was not that: it was subtle, tactful and believable.
(But also he is absolutely an undiagnosed neurodivergent ADHD-er who severely struggles with motivation and dopamine levels, but that is a whole other post...)
It got even more interesting when I slowed it down to examine his body language and expression throughout the 10 second exchange to make sure I'd read the scene right.
Both the animation and writing were brilliant, and packed full of nuanced detail!!
Right after finishing his last heartfelt plead to Master Splinter:
despondent no-one is understanding, or willing to at least give it a go but still hopeful, with open, pleading body language
Within a few seconds, right after Splinter has begun speaking and it’s clear he is not agreeing (even though he's being very kind and reasonable about it), Mikey kinda shuts down with disappointment and frustration.
His eyes almost narrow, his body goes into an “Im annoyed and done with this because you’re not even trying to see my point of view” defeated limp stand.
He’s not even really taking in what Splinter said: he slipped into this pose at the beginning of the sentence, almost the exact same time Splinter started speaking - so I believe he’s not even really listening to what Splinter’s actually saying - in his burning disappointment and indignation he switched off instantly at Splinter’s obvious nonverbal refusal: his tone/expression/body language, all of which scream: “gentle admonishment with kind and helpful wisdom.”
To Mikey, that doesn't matter for shit, because the answer is still a big fat no without any effort to meet him halfway, and, from his expression/stance, can be argued that this is the most frustrating aspect to him.
To be dismissed completely straightaway.
… and tbh, holy crap, I just realised that this probably feeds into already-present insecurities about his worth and place in the family, as well as not being taken seriously just because he likes to play the fool and is seen as the youngest (moreso in dynamic than canon age in 03) or immature one. I myself have witnessed and experienced infantilization due to playful child-like behaviour, which. My dudes. Is never not something that supremely sucks, and can feel very insulting.
Like... just because playing the fool is fun does absolutely not mean someone is actually a fool, and the fool who believes the act to be absolute is the real fool here.
"You must chose the path that is true to yourself,” Splinter finishes his line and begins to walk away.
Splinter hasn’t even turned away and the frustration burns, turning into proper anger; his posture completely changes, even though the changes are small... together they form a big window to his thoughts.
His shoulders hunch slightly, his frown deepens, his posture noticeably tenses and straightens (you can even see some of his muscles tighten), and he looks down and clenches both fists tightly.
There’s even a few in-between frames just before this screenshot of him flaring his arms out almost dramatically like he's about to yell or stomp his foot before squeezing them tight to his body and clenching his fists.
His body language screams “Look at me!! I’m pissed! I’m mad!” and his tiny flare-up indicates he was feeling and quickly suppressing an intense burst of anger/frustration... :")
And with the situational context and other canon events we can also assume: “I want to be listened to! My opinions are valid! I have good ideas! If you’d just give them a chance!”
AND we can also assume from previous eps, context and family dynamics that he knows its not worth arguing more, as the result with be the same or worse (consequences, even if that consequence is only painful disappointment from dad and burning brotherly judgement).
Closer on his angry look. It‘s shifted to looking a bit more upset, and gives me upset “betrayed” vibes. His arms are so tense they've come forward a bit, subtly highlighting his still-clenched fists.
He knows he personally can’t just let this go but he also knows that it’s not worth pushing it anymore right now despite how much he needs to.
This is the moment I believe he realises he needs to switch tactics to get the chance to prove himself… to both himself and his fam.
And this is also the moment he comes up with a lil' plan to do so. Time to get the hell outta dodge and live out his dreams!
Now its determination and dare I say spite with his angry frown that's also kinda a pout and slightly narrowed eyes. He’s made his decision, fuck all the non-believers!
He even looks at his drawing to reassure and centre himself; is it really worth it? Should he just listen to his family and forsake his dreams??
…Does he really want to do this???
The answer is: of fucking course!!!
His decision is 100% made: it’s time to lock in.
Cue complete and deliberate tonal shift.
His shoulders are now dropped miserably. He’s looking at the ground. His mouth is drooping down. He’s clutching the sketchbook with both hands - one across his middle as if protecting himself/curling in slightly, projecting submission and defeat.
He now looks remorseful, sad, beaten - really channeling those kicked puppy vibes 🥺
He is an actor at peak performance and the world is his stage. 😇
He begins his one key line: “I’m sorry Sensei, but I’ve gotta get my head on straight.”
And within a few seconds, he’s outta there, his shoulders slumped and his head down, looking sad and kinda pathetic. Like he’s scurrying off to lick his wounds.
They all watch silently and let him go.
Him in the garage less than a minute later, happily planning his first superhero escapade.
Within the span of 20 seconds, Michelangelo played them all like the cheap kazoos they are.
Our master manipulator. My clever boy. The king of the underestimated. He who notices, but not noticed himself. Genuinely fun-loving and playful, but happily seen as not as capable, as that means less responsibility and boring work.
(However, I must say...
...it should be noted its probably a 50-50 flip on whether Splinter was genuinely fooled and compassionately wanting to give him some space or probably suspected he would still try something but was willing and trusting enough to let him learn his lesson on his own.
Especially because when Mikey comes home, having learnt his lesson and all the more confident and self-assured in his own place in the shadows for it, look at Master Splinter's face!! Awww, look.
It's so very soft, fond...
(he is such a good dad, i can't)
Ok tbh don't tell me he didn't already know that Mikey would come home enlightened and on the same page, even if he might not have approved of the ways his son had to go through to learn it... And after raising four boys for fifteen years there's no way I can believe he didn't know Mikey was gonna go out and do what he was exactly told not to™ anyways...
But then again, he was genuinely shocked and pearl-clutchingly scandalised when they followed him to the battle nexus.... he clearly trusted them (or poor Leo) to not follow, so idk.
Jury's out on that one, folks!
Behold Michelangelo and his incredible, subtle emotional intelligence and incredible people skills, ladies, gents and all in-between!
Thank you for coming to my ted-talk!
Oh, lastly, I also recently watched Nobody's first ep as well and... um...
dededos
romaincrisis
kianamaiart
blakekathryn
stormborns
