“Tales of the TMNT” Season 1 Review

Tales of the TMNT Season 1

After the events of Mutant Mayhem, our four heroes are back for more action and

heartfelt moments. But there is one problem: each one has to go solo, and find their way

back. But how is it possible when villains are riding on their heels?

Positive Elements: Similar to Mutant Mayhem, the turtles risk everything to protect New

York. While it’s easy to walk away, they ultimately choose the self-sacrificial route. Each one

displays determination, bravery, and courage in the midst of perilous moments.

But on their solo missions, each turtle is challenged to think outside the box. Leo, for

instance, learns to control his anxiety, and listen instead of insisting his way all the time.

Mikey decides to spare Rod’s life by not mutating him. Raph tries to joke with villains and

bond with other mutants. Donnie rewires a robot to protect mutants, and does his best to

help Wingnut through her panic attacks.

While it is scary to watch our four heroes battle alone at times, the show makes a valid

point: teams are stronger together, but when torn apart, you can choose to live in fear or

rise above it. Leo, Donnie, Mikey, and Raph keep going despite the challenges. When they

are reunited, the moments include hugs and smiles.

April plays a role in their lives too. She encourages Leo to have faith, and states he is

not “nothing” without his brothers. Her vigilant attitude remains strong throughout the

season. April helps Splinter out of a jam when menacing Goldfin threatens him. Splinter

returns the favor, calling her “part of [my family].” April alerts the turtles when danger is

coming. Even the Mutianimals play a role in bringing down Goldfin’s plan.

(Spoiler Warning): A few villains redeem themselves, even if it’s for a brief time. For

example, Bishop realizes the robots she created have more harmful intentions. She helps

the turtles shut down the robots at personal risk. Leo saves Bishop from them, and the

other members follow his lead.

Even Mustang Sally and Lee the Eel team up with the turtles to stop Goldfin. Both are

misunderstood mutants who lost their home. But they do save the day, and enjoy life trying

to find a new home. Sally and Lee also express discomfort at stealing a valuable item.

Spiritual Elements: Bishop created the robots with AI codes that rewrite themselves

much to her shock. An item glimmers with character’s facial reflections.

Sensual Content: Leo still has a crush on April, though she thinks of him as a friend.

They share lingering looks, and hold hands a few times. After a video call ends, Leo

dreamily states “Isn’t she the best?” Some characters wear revealing outfits, including one

male character in a baby costume. One character has multiple suitcases outside a door,

implying that he was living with a woman. Splinter and Scumbug kiss, grossing the turtles

out.

Violence: Parents and TMNT fans, buckle up, because this section requires some

caution. Our four heroes (along with April and Splinter) are punched, pummeled, and

thrown repeatedly in all 12 episodes. Bishop’s robots (called Mechazoids) attack the turtles

(separately and together). Raph has a few ribs broken after a fight, and is knocked

unconscious by a brick twice. Mikey thwacks his head with nunchucks, is electrocuted,

and shoved by a Mechazoid.

The East River Three’s leader is a deadly goldfish named Goldfin. He uses his fins as

knives which cut ropes, and other items. He ties up our heroes along with Lee and Sally,

then cast them into the ocean in an attempt to drown them. Explosives blow up a yacht,

and destroy a few other buildings.

April throws books at a Mechazoid, knocks Goldfin out with a tank, and is tied up by

sea mutants. A building is flooded after chemical tanks explode. Pigeon Pete is nearly

captured before being rescued by Leo. Donnie and Wingnut end up trapped in the lower

levels of the sewer after Lee crashes through brick walls. Both fight alligators in the sewer

waters.

Mikey is almost electrocuted when fighting Lee. Her electric powers cause mass

destruction in a grocery store. Genghis Frog eats a cat a couple times which upsets the

Purple Dragons (a criminal group). Raph faces off against Hun after being chained to the

floor in a chicken factory.

Silverware and a table take a massive beating during a yacht fight. Wingnut breaks a

pipe when panicked, and freaks out when walking through a narrow pathway. Donnie

unleashes anger on a Mechazoid using his ninja moves. Leo slashes crane wires holding a

firework container. Raph punches Bad Bernie in the face, knocking him out for a time.

Language: Several misuses of God’s name along with a few uses of “crud,” and

“crap.” Name-calling words include multiple uses of “idiot,” “shut up,” and one use of

“imbecile.”

Drugs/Alcohol: The mutagen has effects on animals, transforming their abilities. Wine

glasses are seen on a yacht. Mikey uses mutagen to create Pigeon Pete.

Other Negative Elements: Our heroes engage in some lying, stealing, and breaking in.

Rod is a lazy kid who often relies on his dad’s money to solve problems. He’s not aware of

his surroundings either. Bishop ignores calls from Rod’s father, lies to him, and engages in

a revenge plot against our heroes. Pigeon Pete spreads his excrement over people and

animals several times.

(Spoiler Warning): It’s revealed Goldfin planned on selling the Pearl to Bad Bernie in

exchange for riches. He lies to Lee and Sally in the process, saying the Pearl was their

chance to return underwater. When Lee and Sally find out, they are sincerely hurt by

Goldfin’s betrayal. As mentioned, Goldfin attempts to drown them and our heroes to cover

his tracks. This plan backfires when dynamite drops on the yacht, destroying it.

Scumbug spreads her saliva over other mutants a few times. Ray Fillet plays in the

sewer water unaware of the gross content in it.

Conclusion: The first season of Tales of the TMNT has a lot to like. The four voice

actors who voiced our turtle heroes in Mutant Mayhem return. They bring plenty of

humorous banter, teamwork moments, and pop culture references that viewers will love.

The supporting voice actors provide solid dialogue as well. The animation has a Rise of the

TMNT vibe to it, and smoothly transitions in each episode, never once lagging behind.

However, beware of a few content snags. There’s a bit of language and name-calling,

along with somewhat intense violence in the mix. Some unethical methods (lying,

deception, and betrayal) are seen here too. These content concerns might have parents

pressing pause on having their kids view the show.

Despite the problems, this first season has tons of positive lessons. Each turtle is

given their moment to shine, and do their best to think through tough moments. A few

characters are vilified for their negative behavior. Even New York is safe again, thanks to

the turtles. Themes of courage, self-sacrifice, bravery, and facing your fears show up

incessantly as well.

What I wasn’t expecting in this season was some moments of anxiety. For instance,

Leo slightly freaks out when being separated from his brothers. But April reminds him that

his brothers and her have faith in him. Similarly, Wingnut is scared of the sewers and what

monsters await there. Donnie helps her see a positive side to the scary situation through

pop culture references. He even takes her robotic hand, stating “We’ll handle it together.”

When watching these moments, it lifted my heart knowing the show’s producers put

them in there. I’m glad that recent kids’ movies and shows like this one are representing

anxiety. It helps viewers like me relate to the characters even more. But it also manifests

that we are not meant to live life alone. When we have trustworthy friends by our side, it

makes life more bearable.

Those anxiety scenes remind me of Galatians 6:2 (NCV): “By helping each other with

your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ.” Both April and Donnie show calm attitudes

when talking with Leo and Wingnut. They put aside their own desires to help someone in

need. That is what true friendship means; talking through your ups and downs, and

listening to other’s troubles too.

Another aspect I noticed was the brotherly love. When the turtles reunite with one

another, they hug each other. In previous media versions of TMNT, the brothers did hug,

but not as often. This version showcased their dynamic in such a wholesome way that I

almost cried. The turtles have squabbles like regular siblings do, but their love is evident.

This brotherly love aspect brings to mind 1 Peter 3:8 (NCV): “Finally, all of you should

be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and

humble.” Tales of the TMNT Season 1 has no shortage of family moments and I love it. It

reminds us all that family, whether it’d be biological or the body of Christ matters more than

fame and riches. Family isn’t perfect, but keeps us safe from harm.

As for Goldfin’s betrayal, there’s something to be said about that too. After he, Lee and

Sally are mutated, their families desert them. Goldfin desires riches and material things as

a way to fill his empty heart. He still holds a grudge against the underwater creatures who

shoved him, Lee, and Sally out. Though Lee and Sally are hurt, Goldfin refuses to care for

them. “I’ll buy myself some new friends,” he proudly intones.

In a way, all of us are like Goldfin. We are swayed by the lure of fame and money,

tempted to cast friends aside in our pursuit. Grudges against people are excuses to justify

our self-serving actions. We want to live like kings or queens in order to give others a taste

of their own medicine. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) states “For the love of money is a root of all

kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced

themselves with many griefs.”

However, there’s another route we can choose. Instead of pushing people aside and

holding bitterness in out hearts, we can forgive others, reconciling with them. Forgiving

others doesn’t condone the person’s sin, but it heals you from bitterness. Matthew 6:14-15

(NLT) declares “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive

you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Tales of the TMNT Season 1 is fun, heartwarming and nostalgia-packed. Some content

concerns lightly mar the positives, but the lessons shine through. For fans who enjoyed

Mutant Mayhem, the first season is full of delectation.