Leo kinda did put those expectations on himself didn’t he? Because I don’t recall his family ever demanding it it’s almost like a choice. If that makes sense
yes exactly!!!
as far as I can tell from what I've watched, there actually hasn't been a moment where Splinter really lays down expectations on Leo to the degree he's feeling it. I think the closest we get is in Return to New York Part 3, and in Secret Origins Part 2. In both cases, Splinter gets too injured to fight, and Leo manages to get him out of there and Splinter gives him some advice and direction. in Return to New York, he says "You must return to the battle. Protect your brothers. Defeat the Shredder. I will be there with you in spirit. Now go. Leave me." and in Secret Origins he tells Leo "Leonardo, listen, there is little time. This virtual reality is an illusion within an illusion. An illusion of the mind. Control your mind and you will control the illusion." both occasions, i see it as him, yes, giving Leo responsibilities but 1) it's for this specific moment, and 2) I honestly think it could have been any of the turtles, and Splinter would have given similar sort of speeches to them. It's just bad luck that BOTH times were Leo, so likely the expectations he's been putting on himself got reinforced a little here. Splinter does also say, in Return to New York, "I know you will lead your brothers well, my son." but that was very much intended as Splinter showing his faith in Leo and an expression of him being proud of who Leo has become so far imo. How Leo took it, was probably a little different, unfortunately. The way I think it happened is that the repeated stress of him and his family almost dying intersected terribly with his natural inclination to look out for his brothers and his drive to perfect his ninjutsu, so that it warped it from a "want" to a "must". Excelling at ninjutsu stopped being something he did because he wanted it, and instead became something he HAD to be to keep his family safe.
If i had to pinpoint a moment where the change happened, I think it would be due to the Shredder Strikes Back arc. He fought for his life, completely unable to escape the Shredder's forces. And the Shredder was more or less toying with him, by running him down until he couldn't fight anymore, and could use him to send a message to the rest of his family. After that, I think Leo is excruciatingly aware of the sheer difference in ability, that his skills mean nothing in the face of such overwhelming odds, and that the Shredder could have killed him long before he got thrown through that window. That if they're not careful, he could kill all of them.
And then there's the Tales of Leo episode, which, i'll admit, I do have some mixed feelings about. Because, again, it's very clear that this is an outpouring of love and support for Leo, showing their appreciation for him and who he is. But, I did, and i still do, feel a little uneasy over how at least half of the stories showcase Leo helping or saving a family member. And then Don says stuff like "You have to. I mean, you know what kind of trouble we’d get in without you." and Raph is like "who needs ya?" before then telling his story, almost as if saying that they do in fact need him.
So that combined with what just happened with the Shredder along with the tidbit of personality we get from Splinter's story where Leo will push past his fear if it means saving his family, I really would not be surprised at all if this is where Leo starts putting pressure on himself to be perfect because he thinks his family needs him to be. And of course, since Leo doesn't talk at all about what's going on his head, his family has no idea at all that he's doing this to himself, using them to demand perfection of himself, and thus can't do anything to stop it until it's too late.
As a side note, I was looking through the transcript of Return to New York Part 1 while writing this because I remembered there was a moment here where Leo doubted himself and I wanted to refresh my memory, and boy oh boy did I find an interesting moment!! Leonardo: "I—I was just remembering the last time I tangled with Shredder’s elite ninja. I—I don’t want to let my brothers down."
I might be wrong, but I think that's the first time Leo expresses that sentiment, this worry of letting down his brothers, the implication that his brothers might be expecting something of him, and this is almost right after the Shredders Strikes Back and Tales of Leo. I might actually be right about this, that's wild actually
Anyway, I actually find the fact that all this pressure and expectations are self-inflicted by Leo to be a refreshing change of pace when it comes to these kinds of narratives. Mostly because I find it relatable lol. Usually there is someone or something setting these expectations which does happen obviously, but my own experiences were more similar to what I think is going on here: circumstances, repeated stressors, and words of praise meshing badly together with a personality that already doesn't handle failure well and desperately wants to protect.
Sorry if this a stupid question but was there an issue with raph saying that I mean the fact they need him part before he’s shown crying? The rest makes sense that half of it seemed like it was what Leo did for them. To be honest if it weren’t for Leo they would all be dead lol
oh sorry, what i meant was that since Raph said they didnt need him and then went on to tell a story about Leo saving him so they do need him, there could also be an implication there that they need him just so he can be there to help them and not necessarily in the sense that they need him just because he's their brother and they love him.
it's like, because they focused a bit too hard on what Leo does for them, Leo also ended up focusing too hard on that part if that makes sense? and ended up internalizing this idea that his brothers need him to protect and save them, hence those visions he has of them during the Ancient One.
and yeah ngl it is true that Leo really saved their butts numerous times lol and like, none of that is wrong!!!! Them appreciating it or leaning on him, it's not wrong of them!! it just shows how much they trust Leo imo, and how they feel safe with him. But since Leo doesn't lean back on them or tries talking about what's in his head, a lot of the stress and pressure Leo's feeling just keeps slowly accumulating until he cracks.
Oooh okay yeah that makes sense now! Thank you for clarifying. I respect your analysis a lot and you gave me more Leo angst material for my fic XD















