#I have so many thoughts about Donatello and I can't STAND how people talk about him sometimes

[espighty]

I am far more forgiving about 2012 Donnie's more obsessive moments simply because he respects April's physical boundaries. As someone who has watched the first 3 seasons about 6 separate times, I've had plenty of time to pay attention to Donnie and April's interactions. And you know, outside of life-or-death situations where he has to pull her away from attacks, he generally just... lets her be the one to initiate contact.

I'm sure there are a few times where it's the opposite that I just can't remember too well, but overall he's actually respectful. The only real exception I can think of is the entirety of Chinatown Ghost Story, but that episode is regarded as super shitty anyway. God knows I've already made a post about how much I hate it. I looked up the writer for that episode, Randolph Heard, and it was the first episode he had ever written. So obviously he didn't have much grasp on the characters.

Ah anyway the point of this post is that I love Donatello. I love that he lets April be the one to initiate physical contact. It's not only a good writing decision, but it's a good character decision too! I don't know how to explain it well but like. It shows off his insecurity, his lack of confidence, but it also shows that he's like... he's nice, yknow? He tries his very best to Not make April uncomfortable. He cares about her and he likes having her around and UGH