In isolation the characterization of the 1987 turtles in season 1 is so funny. Because later seasons would changes things or develop certain aspects, however if you leave season 1 by itself it's kinda crazy.
Leonardo barely speaks in season one outside of action scenes and or prepping for action scenes. My guy does not want to speak unless it's for battle. His first up in the surface a guy tries to pull him into a magic card trick and or street gambling by telling Leo to cut the deck. Leonardo draws his swords, cuts the cards with it, and says nothing the whole interaction as he destroys this man's deck. He asks Donatello to add an extra six inches to the roof of their van so he can practice while they drive. I gotta know what does he plan on practicing? Man's maxing his 'tism card
Michelangelo is hyper aggressive almost, he is the first down to throw hands in any situation and only sometimes pretends he doesn't want to, even when it's his idea in the first place. Master Splinter verbalizes his weakness as being too impatient, which considering every animated iteration afterwards the Mikey's have habits of long-cons is very ironic.
Also unrelated but it's insane he almost dies becuase a building collapses on him, someone help my man, his plastron got cracked everywhere.
Then there's Donatello, who instead of filling the role of information specialist, seemingly does all of the leading outside of battles, have them go to do this and that. Having a bit of an airheadedness mixed with a temper for an odd combo, which leads him to often hilariously enough having the least thought out plans out of all of them.
Everyone and their mother knows about the soft spoken Raphael who rather than fighting will just tell you to go suck it. He is here for the ride and because his brother's dragged him along. Like when push comes to shove his pesky morals will kick in and he'll do the right thing, but he'll complain the whole way while doing so.
And then April is just outright insane. Normal people are not excited to almost be killed, but April is. She's having a great time being hunted down, becuase that means there's a great story. Not that she's doing the right thing and exposing people, but she specifically says it means it's going to be a great story. Insane. The only time she's not thriving in chaos is when it comes to her doorstep
Lastly Master Splinter who refers to Hamato Yoshi as an entirely different person despite that being him. Pretty sure his mutation messed with him. Canonically a quite, nerdly, art loving guy who seemingly lived at the dojo he was learning at???? Got framed, and decided to just, leave for the sewers in New York. Which did he spend all of his money on air travel, what happened here??? I have more questions than answers. Loves his turtles dearly, but never installed any human customs into them, making them like grabby toddlers when they're staying at Aprils. Like congrats little dudes, that's the worst anyone has ever done. Also he has far too much sushi for a rat in the sewers, where is he getting it from???
Like yeah season 1 of 87 sure a show of all time lol
