leahsincelejo

[leahsincelejo]

I forgot how much of a flirt McQueen was

i rewatched the cars trilogy and it was an absolute fever dream. anyways here's lightning mctwink insta || bluesky || patreon || shop

[leahsincelejo]

Daily

(S3E11 'The Lesson') the bros are judging your life-choices 🤣

[leahsincelejo]

Raph is very fatherly with his children Chompy and Spike

I hate when people say that chompy is raph's pet, CAN'T YOU SEE THAT HE IS HIS FATHER!!!???

[leahsincelejo]

Don and Raph really were closer than producers cared to show

We could've had epic Don/Raph bromancing in "Nightmares Recycled"...

Raph: Hey, that oversized noggin of yours sure came in handy when you climbed on up and fried those robo blade arms.

Don: Thanks for getting “mean and green” on Garbageman when he had me in his claw. I thought he as going to drop me in that acid for sure. You really raised some shell, Raph.

Raph: Aw…that was nothing…compared to your idea to tip over the acid. Hey…who needs Leo and Mikey…we are the Teenage Mutant Dream Team. Gimme’ some green!

[leahsincelejo]

Typical Alvin response ever.

PSYCHIATRIST: Alvin, does anyone else in your family struggle with an anxiety disorder?

ALVIN 2.0: My brothers and I are literal prey animals. What do you think?

[leahsincelejo]

Very true about these two. Leo also has anger issues but worse like Raph whenever Leo gets angry.

for the tmnt ask thing 10 and 11

10.) Which version of Leonardo is your favorite?

11.) Which version of Raphael is your favorite?

I've got the same answer for both of these: 2003! That series did a good job with the emotional depth and well-roundedness of both of them; they weren't watered down into just the "leader one" and the "angry one".

Leo is the leader, yes, but he still respects the input of his brothers. He still leans on them for their opinions, expertise and support. There have been moments in other iterations where Leo has been (in my opinion) a bit insufferably bossy or lords his position over them but '03 doesn't make a habit of that. He's very self-aware about how much he needs them. Leadership doesn't go so far to his head that he's all aloof and detached and above them all and loses relationship with his family. He can still banter with them, be roped into their shenanigans; he can still have fun with them! He can be both.

Raph has his anger, yes, but he cares so, so, so much and makes sure his brothers know it. There are moments in other iterations where he couldn't swallow his pride enough to be real and do so but '03 does. He genuinely apologizes when he needs to, he speaks softly when he needs to and doesn't get all awkward and stiff and hem and haw (or scream) about it. He owns up to his emotions. He cries when he needs to, even if he doesn't want to. I can always see his heart in addition to his tough guy reputation, not in spite of it. He's not just hotheaded, he's warm. He can be both.

They're just so well balanced, not to mention how well they compliment each other as essentially the sword and shield of the family. I'll say it every time, two sides of the same coin! And it's a very nice, shiny coin I admire <3

[leahsincelejo]

To be fair Don felt the same way Raph felt when he lost before any of his brothers. I think Raph and Mikey definitely went through a lot but experienced it differently than Leo or Don.

2k3: the Battle Nexus arc shows that petty egoism/rivalry is not a core motivation for any of the brothers

(because i woke up and chose violence)

(building on some earlier thoughts on the 2k3 portrayal of the Leo&Raph dynamic https://www.tumblr.com/shadows-shells/776163987958185984/normally-i-would-ask-ya-who-your-fav-is-but)

If "competing to be 'better'" is a core motivation for either Leo or Raph, or if it is the emotional core of the Leo&Raph dynamic...the literal BATTLE TOURNAMENT arc would be ENTIRELY about them fighting it out and obsessing abt beating the other. It would be a completely different arc (and series).

If 2k3 Leo&Raph truly are bitter rivals/frenemies: The bros wouldn't find the Battle Nexus out of innocent curiosity abt where their dad is going; it would have been a tense, deliberate public showdown between Leo and Raph.

instead? The biggest emotional beats are Splinter conceding to Mikey without a fight, Raph saving his dad from being framed, and Don viciously defending a downed Leo (boi can flunk out of a battle tournament but also take on the whole world to defend his family!!)

In this whole competition/battle arc, Leo and Raph don't even have a match, nor do either even dream about humiliating each other. They spar everyday at home; they are far more interested in beating up threats to their family. 'Winning/defeating' the other just did not even cross their minds. It would read as egoistic and childish and trivial, compared to all the life-and-death threats of the series and what they all sacrifice for the family. Don worries for Leo and Raph worries for Splinter - NOBODY is thinking about looking better than their brothers.

the only conflict about 'winning' that any of the four has, is hilariously understandable and ultimately played off for laughs: their united common horror at the idea that their insufferable baby bro will NEVER shut up about being BATTLE NEXUS CHAMPION 🤣

notably, when Raph first realises that Mikey might actually win - he fears (correctly) only that Mikey will never let him hear the end of it and will brag for all eternity. There is NOTHING abt 'who is better than whom'. That's just not who Raph is as a person and not what 2k3 is about. If it were truly abt 'beating' one another as martial artists - Raph would've either won/lost because of actual physical conflict and not because Mikey got to him MENTALLY. Raph fully realises he basically lost to HIS OWN TEMPER and in typical teenage melodrama declares he won't be able to live with himself. (He obviously does; he survives the whole series 😂 and in arguably better mental health than Leo and Don)

the 'Leo&Raph as rivals/frenemies' thing is just as FAR as it can get for 2k3 (and i am thankful everyday for that)!

[leahsincelejo]

Except 2012 Mikey is actually not stupid. He’s smart visually

That one stupid ass mikey render

erm.. literally me.. is this me..

[leahsincelejo]

Raph was definitely the kicker, spin kicks in the first episode, but he also did salto skills, handsprings, punching, and lifting. Raph is the strongest one. Leo is the more graceful with technique but Raph’s strength and durability makes both Leo and Raph match their level of difficulty. They are on the same level. Meanwhile Mikey is the fastest and has raw talent than any of his brothers. Donatello isn’t a strong fighter like his brothers but is good at the Bo. His intelligence is what makes up for his level of ninjitsu. Mikey doesn’t try and Don does try when it comes to training. Leo and Raph would workout on their skill sets without being asked with Leo practicing the sword skill set and Raph lifting weights and punching his practice dummy and punch bag.

I want to talk about the guys fighting I mean fighting the bad guys. In 03 I can’t really recall if Raph had any moments of where he and one his brothers combined their attacks like Mikey and Leo did during “nobody’s fool” in fact if I remember correctly most of the fighting Raph did was block and kick then again I haven’t had the most reliable memory these days.

[leahsincelejo]

I love the bond between them

You know that lackluster Don & Leo reunion handshake? I fixed it.

[leahsincelejo]

That’s Raph and Donnie on the road. Leo can’t drive and Mikey ain’t trusted to drive

oops

[leahsincelejo]

Accurate

So, @nightwatcherraph and I were just talking about the scene in The Ancient One where Leo says what food he has packed for his trip:

And something stuck out to us.

Trail mix. Dried fruit. Peanut butter. They're all practical choices for someone going on a long hike. Very Leo.

But then there's the chocolate.

Still a practical choice - good in moderation for a quick energy boost.

But this is also the tail end of Leo's super serious arc. Chocolate seems like a treat he wouldn't see himself 'deserving'. I struggle to see Leo packing something so indulgent for himself.

So, that begs the question: who did pack it? Maybe one of his family snuck the chocolate in to his bag?

Just imagine:

Leo's just been told by Splinter that he's sending him away to another Sensei in Japan. His brothers were eavesdropping on the conversation, so they know too. Leo's in his room packing his bags.

His family are all on edge and unsure what to do or say. Leo's been "brooding, surly, and stubborn" as Splinter pointed out. And he just lashed out and wounded their father! No one knows what to do or say to him anymore.

They all gather in the main area of the lair as Leo emerges.

Don tries to hug him. Leo doesn't shrug him off, but he isn't receptive to the hug, either. It's cold and stiff, and Don withdraws self consciously.

Raph is crossing his arms and glaring at the wall. He's still mad at Leo for losing control and hurting Splinter. Anger and fear and confusion are churning silently within him.

Splinter puts a hand on Leo's arm. For a moment, Leo almost softens. But then they blink, and it's gone. They're both hurting too much to say anything.

Mikey doesn't know what to do. He can't talk to Leo. He can't hug him. All he wants is his oldest brother to put a reassuring hand on his shell and tell him everything will be OK.

But that's not going to happen.

As Leo makes for the exit to go to the docks, Mikey stealthily slips a small sweet treat into Leo's bag. Something that says "We still love you. Come home safe."

Bonus:

Leo's successfully snuck onto a cargo ship to Japan. As he's tucked away in the storage area, he begins to unpack the few things he brought for the multiple days he'll be at sea.

Something catches his eye. He pauses. He definitely didn't pack that. He reaches in and draws out a small bar of chocolate.

Mikey.

The tiniest flicker of warmth ignites in Leo's icy chest. He's not yet ready to smile again, but something familiar stirs deep within his gut

[leahsincelejo]

Accurate

[leahsincelejo]

Add a shirt and Don is ready to go. They do suit him

overalls

[leahsincelejo]

Love these Leos

leo the wink-ster back at it again

[leahsincelejo]

Oh god

[leahsincelejo]

They’re so cute

like they say, representation matters