#sad turts

[seagull-scribbles]

Kiss the Cook 🍑

[deepwater-abyss]

I AM SO HYPE FOR MUTANT MAYHEM ROTATING THEM ALREADY AAAAAA

[notjustdragonspages]

Donnie cuddle headcanons

There are SO MANY headcanons where Donnie despises touch. Even with Y/N. And I don't like it. Rewatch the show, Donnie likes touch, just not when he's overwhelmed or not prepared at all. Even then, if his brothers hug him without warning, he doesn't mind. I'm the same way, and just because Donnie's autistic doesn't mean he falls in the same categories. Autism is like anxiety, it's different for everyone. DONNIE LIKES TOUCH PEOPLE.

So, I'm making my own because you all suck/j

• Donnie likes touch as long as he's not overstimulated

• Or upset. Then it's a definite no.

• however if he asks for touch when he's sad or crying, then the previous point may be dismissed

• Donnie really likes shell rubs, despite common opinion

• It's very relaxing to him, especially after a mission.

• If you massage his shell, oh boy, be prepared to stay there for a few hours X3

• His shoulders half a few scars from his battle shell chaffing the skin,

• And the skin there is usually dry, so scritches there are appreciated.

• Speaking of scritches, a soft spot for him is the top of his thigh, around the markings

• First time you scratch there he screeches like a cat

• Once his brain registers what's happening though, it's all churrs and happy rumbles

• Fair warning, don't do this in his lab.

• Chin scritches are okay, avoid his snout

• run your nails over his head, he'll melt.

• In the colder months, he WILL steal all your body heat

• No use in fighting this tired turt

• Headaches usually rest in his temples and the base of his skull (tension headache)

• If he seems irritated or grumpy and is holding his head a lot

• it's probably why

• Rub these areas to relax and calm the terrapin

• So he doesn't bite you💀

• Other areas to rub/massage:

• Neck, Shoulders, Jaw, Hands

• He's got shrimp posture like an artist, the boy needs help

• Often gets hand cramps, so I don't really gotta explain that one.

• Jaw just goes with the headache hc

• Snuggles and cuddles please

• Sit in his lap while he works

•Or in his loft bed, he doesn't mind

• Likes being the little spoon but prefers big spoon

• Kisses. All the kisses. Especially after the Krang

• this turtle is so romantically touch starved it's not even funny

[bonefall]

Ok all the other shit aside, can we acknowledge how Gray is talking to Turtle?

@crazy-as-a-jaybird

I think something critics often miss about media analysis is that it's not JUST about when characters are acting "badly" to each other. They are not people, they are tools. So, in the discussion of how WC portrays relationships, it's equally important to look at what the narrative thinks is healthy.

Gray Wing is quite controlling of Turtle Tail even when they get together officially in Book 2, after he spends all of Book 1 with the energy of a toxic friend who is oblivious to her needs and interests. She's supportive of him, but when it comes to supporting HER, conversations will eventually warp into being about himself.

HIS happiness as her husband (when she's mourning Bumble), HIS bond to his brother (when she's concerned about the violence), HIS love of her kits (when they seem to drop him as a dad when Tom's Sleeper Genes awaken in them)...

(On one hand as the King of Autism, I can understand this not coming easy. But if this is the case, you can LEARN how to center the emotions of other people! The narrative doesn't address it as an issue if this is supposed to be a problem of Gray having low empathy.)

And like, that's how he TREATS her. As narrative tools, Turtle Tail's character gets lost in service of the male arcs around her.

She only leaves The Settlers when Gray Wing is at a low point being rejected by Storm, for extra pain and loneliness for his arc.

Tom the Wifebeater appears to force her back to Gray Wing

She's not allowed to retain any bad feelings about HOW BADLY Gray Wing treates her in Book 1

Her feelings towards Bumble are suddenly harsh during the exile

Then emotional when the story needs an example character to represent "the angry crowd"

But then she's a person Gray Wing can convince into accepting his brother's innocence

Tom the Wifebeater gets to beat her up one last time in Book 3 so Gray Wing can have a coolboy protector moment defending her

Aaaaaaaaand then she dies. So Gray Wing can have his own dead wife to be sad about and oogle at at the end of his brother's Murder Party

And then she is replaced by Slate. So Gray Wing can move on.

Turts is a perfect broad example of WC's misogyny, from introduction to grave. It's not JUST the suffering a character goes through; it's how their personalities and motivations are downplayed in service of the men around them. She hits every trope EXCEPT Bad Mom. It's incredible.

[topsyturvy-turtely]

turtely's OTP challenge!

now on AO3! (tumblr link)

read the (slightly improved) 7th part here:

summary: When Mrs. Hudson passes away, the unusual family of three is devastated. Sherlock shuts off, Rosie cries every day and John is desperately trying to keep it together for their sake.

Until one day, Rosie asks for "Lock", and the great detective shows a talent John wasn't aware of yet.

General Audience, 2112 Words. Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Pre-Slash, Parent!lock, Minor Character Death, it's sad i am sorry, but it is REEEEAAALLLLY sweet, i promise you won't regret reading this. (i mean you never know but i tried my best to make this rude prompt into something wholesome still)

tag list! (tell me if you wanna be added or removed please 💚) @justanobsessedpan @helloliriels @catlock-holmes @fluffbyday-smutbynight @inevitably-johnlocked @hisfavouritejumper @rhasima @forfucksakejohn @ohlooktheresabee @turbulenttrouble @so-youre-unattached-like-me @totallysilvergirl @peanitbear @train-mossman @loki-lock @smulderscobie @timberva @grace-in-the-wilderness @chinike @jawnn-watson @whatnext2020 @escapingthereality @missdeliadili @kettykika78 @musingsofmyown @7-percent @speedymoviesbyscience @astudyin221b @francj15 @ladylindaaa @we-r-loonies @mxster-jocale @sherlockcorner @noahspector @our-stars-graveside @jobooksncoffee @baker-street-blog @macgyvershe @myladylyssa @battledress @a-victorian-girl @dreamerofthemeadow @oetkb12 @ohnoesnotagain @mutedsilence @jawnscoffee @raenchaosandcozyadashofmurder @lisbeth-kk @quickslvxrr @compact-and-beautiful @kabubsmagga @sunshineinyourmind

[a-victorian-girl]

While listening to 'The Moment I Knew' (by Taylor Swift) -and feeling all the sadness and disappointment in her song-, I thought about John.

Because I'm sure he must have felt very similar to Taylor when Sherlock didn't show up to his birthday dinner.

You should've been there Should've burst through the door With that "Baby, I'm right here" smile And it would've felt like A million little shining stars had just aligned And I would've been so happy Christmas lights glisten I've got my eye on the door Just waiting for you to walk in But the time is ticking... (...) And what do you do when the one who means the most to you Is the one who didn't show? You should've been here And I would've been so happy (...) And they're all standing around me singing "Happy birthday to you" But there was one thing missing (...)

@safedistancefrombeingsmart @topsyturvy-turtely @gregorovitchworld @totallysilvergirl @sabsi221b @jawnscoffee @jobooksncoffee @helloliriels @calaisreno @windyspring @meetinginsamarra @kettykika78 @asherloki @gaylilsherlock @catlock-holmes @sarahthecoat @inevitably-johnlocked @peanitbear @toccata-i-voir @221beloved @chocolate1elise @whatnext2020 @happydistraction @ben-locked @jameshavinganxiety

[luckycharms1701]

Ok. I wanna ask something. It’s ok you don’t have to answer this but I wanna ask how would the Turtles be like when they are in season? Like way before their s/o came into the picture? Like their emotions and how to handle it? You can make it SFW or NSFW or both.

sorry this took so long anon-chan! not gonna lie, i hadn't really thought about how they would be in mating season, so i had to think a Lot 🤕

you didn't specify, so i did bay because they were easier for me- i can try my hand at rise if you want though

i imagine that going through a mating season without a mate is very, uh, distressing. so these might be a liiiiiittle on the angsty side

i think this is pretty sfw, just mentions of jerking off and the like

Mating Season Headcanons- Bayverse Turts

Leo:

tries to meditate his way through it every time, even though it Never Works

but maybe this year he'll be good enough, enough of a ninja, to do this...

everyone in the lair knows when he gives up on the meditation because for once the banging isn't coming from Raph's room

he doesn't handle the loss of control very well, so he tends to be super cranky- constantly complains about smells and noises

he does, however, learn from his mistakes sometimes, so he uses plenty of lube when it comes to dealing with the physical aspect

Raph:

he's just kind of resigned to it- they're turtles, it is what it is

that doesn't mean that he doesn't get emotional though- man of passion right here

he isolates himself, for two reasons: because he's a little more volatile than normal and he doesn't want to take it out on his brothers and because he tends to get sad and he doesn't want them to know that

he jerks off a little roughly whenever he gets the urge to go out and beat some baddies up- he would never forgive himself if he really lost control

sometimes, when he's taking care of yet another erection, he'll imagine....... what if...... but when it's over he shuts those thoughts down harshly (dashing away tears that no one will ever see)

Donnie:

oh he's so annoyed- he has too much to do to deal with this

Everyone steers clear of the lab during the day, because he will just take care of the urge whenever it comes (no matter how visible he is) and then continue what he's doing

at night, though- he indulges at night

he's invented a number of toys, and he'll take his time at night to play with every one of them

like the only time he gets any sleep, because his body can't deal with his normal schedule and all the hormones at the same time so he just passes out all the time

Mikey:

man yearns

he's able to ignore the desire for a s/o most of the time, he's too busy having fun- but when it's thrown in his face that he doesn't have one and likely never will....

avoids jerking off until he's literally crying from the urge, because he really doesn't want to do this alone again

Donnie gives him some toys, and they help a little

near the end of it he's mostly enjoying himself- he can never coax such powerful and heady orgasms out of himself any other time

[phoebepheebsphibs]

Ok so

Earlier this last year (right around when I posted the Raph carrying Mikey art) I got into a jokey angst battle with someone on TikTok. They said it was so sad. He was correct in that observation. They said they'd strike me with lightning, I retaliated with the threat to draw angst of his favourite turt. He threatened to sick Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades on me. Hahah, so much fun! So silly!

Only issue is…. I took it seriously. Aaaand drew some heart-wrenching angst for the guy. Aaaaaaaaaaand only after I finished it did I realize I misread the situation, and he was only joking and thought I was only joking and prolly would see my friendly fire of art as something not so friendly. So. Uh. I didn’t post it on TikTok.

Anyways have a sketch...

CW major injury, blood (black and white cuz it’s a sketch), and death

Why do I hurt the ones I love the most…?

[lisbeth-kk]

Sherlock fandom. The significance of Molly Hooper.

Of the utmost importance

Molly knew she was doomed the day she fell in love with Sherlock Holmes. He was gay and gorgeous; she was straight and unremarkable. Once Molly Hooper gave her heart, she did so fully. She’d do anything for the person in question and endure whatever cruelty they may send her way. A quick smile of gratefulness or the slightest touch made her swoon for days. It was always worth it. Until it wasn’t. 

When Sherlock Holmes entered her morgue for the first time, she knew after mere minutes that she’d die for the man if that’s what he’d ask of her. It was a kind of madness, and she was helpless once it got a hold of her. 

And then, John Watson walked into the lab with Mike and the world Molly knew changed. Sherlock became less brusque with her, at least in John’s presence. After the disastrous Christmas party at 221B, when Sherlock had analysed her gift and her feelings for the recipient, she’d finally snapped, and to her utter surprise Sherlock had apologised to her; even kissed her cheek. A shame she was too agitated to enjoy it fully. 

Molly admitted her defeat when she caught Sherlock’s glances in John’s direction. To her knowledge he’d never looked at anyone like that. The glances were brief, but Molly was always so tuned to Sherlock when he was around, and it wasn’t difficult to see if you knew where to look. 

“You look sad when he can’t see,” she told Sherlock in a bold moment. 

He hadn’t responded, but she saw his jaw tighten, and he’d left the lab shortly after without saying goodbye. That was answer enough.

***

Molly had cried and begged Sherlock not to go through with his plan, when Moriarty threatened John, Mrs. Hudson and Greg, but he was relentless. 

“It’s the only way to save them, Molly. I’m not doing this to hurt them, but it’s crucial that they’re left oblivious and John in particular. They’ll go after him if they for one second think he’s faking his grief,” Sherlock explained frantically while making a mess of his curls. 

“But it will destroy him, Sherlock! He loves you,” Molly tried to reason.  

“Don’t be ridiculous, Molly! Nobody loves me,” Sherlock huffed but he didn’t meet her eyes.

When she opened her mouth to protest further, Sherlock moved into her personal space. He cradled her face softly in his hands and looked her in the eyes without blinking.

“Please, Molly. There’s no other I’d trust with this. Moriarty thinks you’re insignificant and won’t suspect your involvement. Despite his shrewdness, he too has failed to observe all factors. If this shall work, I need your assistance.”

All of this were delivered in the softest tone she’d ever heard Sherlock use. He finished by kissing her temple. She bowed her head and whispered her acquiescence and to her astonishment his “thank you” had sounded choked, but when she looked up, he was his normal self again.

*** 

The goodbye kiss a few weeks later took her by surprise. It was fierce and dramatic like the man himself, but also a heartfelt thank you Sherlock couldn’t express in his hurry to get away to hunt down Moriarty’s network. 

She cried herself to sleep for months, and she had no difficulty mourning Sherlock at his funeral. Only one glance over at John convinced her that he loved Sherlock just the way Sherlock loved him. Her father had looked just the same at her mother’s funeral. A grieving husband, a widower. It had taken all her willpower not to spill the beans to John, to tell him that it was just a magic trick, that Sherlock was alive, but she’d promised. Sherlock had even made her say the words – “I can’t tell.”

@flashfictionfridayofficial @totallysilvergirl @keirgreeneyes @phoenix27884 @safedistancefrombeingsmart @calaisreno @a-victorian-girl @topsyturvy-turtely @gregorovitchworld @helloliriels @peanitbear @meetinginsamarra

[knotsoangelic]

bunch of mixed stuff ft classic bbg, genderfluid mikey, sad bbg and my version of the turts

[sherlockig]

tag your mutuals as stuff from the ofmd teaser

@ella-doe as stede saying that ed is a good person

@blakbonnet as eds very smooth fighting move on the beach

@gayfail as stedes twirl in his new pretty outfit

@bizarrelittlemew as stedes romantic forehead curl because i know you appreciate it as much as i do

@flightoftheconnie and @davidhole as the cake toppers ed is manifesting his marriage with

@dickfuckk and @emoteach as the zooming in on eds pretty eyes

@aha-my-villainous-thoughts as wee john in his mermaid outfit because you are my drag queen

@youshouldseemeinadeerstalker and @darkinerry as frenchie, fang and jim being extreme badasses and gorgeous with knifes

@born-on-a-beach-teach and @cononeillbreastingboobily as izzy with his tits out!!

@not-nervous-jester as blackbeards wanted poster that stede holds very tenderly

@skysofrey as stedes "dear ed i love everything about you"

@follovver and @forestofsprites as stedes "i think of you often i hope youare thinking of me as well"

@tabbystardust and @turtles-on-turts as stede kissing the bottle

@saltpepperbeard as stede screaming from either getting hurt or fucked

@vonlipwig and @funforahermit as stede throwing a punch

@treesofgreen as "objection"

@rainbowcrowley as anne on stedes lap looking hot

@snake-snack-stede and @asiraphale as ed throwing the barrel

@blackbeardskneebrace as ed looking moopy and sad behind the wedding cake

[gregorovitch-adler]

Chair

This is it. It is John's wedding day. After tonight, things would change for good. Not that they ever were the same as soon as I came back after my fake death, but society says a wedding makes everything official.

I would never see him wake up and come down from the bedroom upstairs as I play my violin by the window. Never hear his voice around me in this house, never get to laugh at his whimsical typing habit. Never get to find an excuse to invade his personal space.

How would I? He no longer lives here, and he would never visit as often as he was able to when I was planning his wedding.

The thought is unbearable. I exhale and shake my head as I try to think of something else - though Mrs Hudson being here, sitting on John's chair out of all places, and rambling about her married life when no one even asked doesn't help.

"My best friend, Margaret – she was my chief bridesmaid."

I roll my eyes and put my cup and saucer on the side table.

"We were going to be best friends forever, we always said that; but I hardly saw her after that."

For God's sake, stop rubbing it in! "Aren’t there usually biscuits?" I ask instead.

"I’ve run out."

"Have the shops?" I stand up and glance at the door pointedly. Anything to be away from human contact in any way, shape, or form for a few minutes.

But she continues her sob story anyway. "She cried the whole day, saying, 'Ooh, it’s the end of an era.'"

"I’m sure the shop on the corner is open," I say with a tight smile.

"She was probably right, really."

I close my eyes and wish I could be invisible.

"I remember she left early. I mean, who leaves a wedding early?" She shakes her head. "So sad."

Probably she was in love with you like I am with John. Ever considered that? I obviously don't say it out loud.

Though I've always thought marrying the head of an incredibly famous cartel in America was a rather stupid thing to do on Mrs Hudson's part.

Not that it matters now.

"Anyway, you’ve got things to do." So much filtering I have to do for every damn human interaction. Would rather be alone.

No, that's not quite true: would rather be alone with John, but he doesn't want the same thing. Certainly not. Gotta distract my mind again.

"No, not really. I’ve got plenty of time to -"

"Biscuits," I cut her off. She finally gets up from that chair and walks to the door of the flat.

"I really am going to have a word with your mother."

"You can if you like. She understands very little." Positively nothing about my sentiments.

I close the door on her - John would've given me an earful if he were here (not again!) - and turn around. I let out a sigh and turn to look at the chair Mrs Hudson just emptied.

John's armchair. My John - at least in my mind.

Once upon a time, I'd had a feeling that there was a slight probability that he felt the same way. Clearly, I was proven wrong when I saw him with Mary that night.

Even more so when he continued to be engaged to her, after having forgiven me for faking my death - at least on the surface.

Perhaps it was a miscalculation on my part. He never felt the same and never will. He's in love with Mary.

I can do nothing but be civil with her and respect John's choice.

However, as I stare at John's chair in this flat, I feel as if a piece of John himself is still here with me.

I have to be at the wedding hall in an hour, being the best man of the wedding, so I force myself to not become one with that chair.

I turn around to make my way to my bedroom to get dressed.

Into Battle.

***

Prompt Chair by @onesmallfamily

Tags: @helloliriels @topsyturvy-turtely @keirgreeneyes @lisbeth-kk @gaylilsherlock @lookingforlifeoutthere @peanitbear @a-victorian-girl @calaisreno @curlyjohnlock @missdeliadili @kettykika78 .

[biographydivider]

Rise HC that just popped into my head while I was walking to work.

So we know Splinter's Rat Flu affects the turtles just the same, right? Because Leo gets obsessed with giving Raph-a-doodle a hug.

But Donnie doesn't like hugs. Even when sick. So instead he just...leans. Like, lets his weight give out and puts his head on his brothers' shoulders, being a sad sick lil' turt. You know he's really feeling bad when you go to move away and he just whines at you.

Except for Mikey. We LOO0VE Mikey. With him, Donnie follows him around, giving him rapid-fire pets on the head, squeezing his cheeks and cooing "just a beby...he just a bebeeee!" like that one meme. It's the only time Mikey hates his brother being affectionate - especially because it guarantees he'll get sick too.

[helloliriels]

"What's your name?" The radio host asked, encouragingly, "you sound younger than our usual callers?"

"Rosie," She managed to whisper ...

The static of hearing her own voice on the radio was a little jarring ... but she was determined to be brave. Looking at her dad's silhouette on the balcony watching the London fireworks display ...

"Sorry?"

"ROSIE WA-*BLEEP* and I'm SEVEN!" She spoke loud and clear this time, but the radio beeped out her last name and she was afraid she had done something wrong ... ?

"No last names, Rosie," the radio host was laughing a gentle, tinkling, nevermind kind-of laugh as she explained their security rules, "you must be a first-time listener! Lovely to have you on our program! And what is your New Year's wish, then, little Rosie?"

"It's not for me - is's for my daddy!" She grinned.

"Oh?! And what wish did you want to make for your father, this New Years Eve?"

.

"I think he needs a new wife."

.

She whispered, conspiratorially. Knowing ... If anyone could make it happen, it was her - The Woman!

"A new wife??!" The Woman, as she was called simply, by her followers, laughed that tinkling laughter again ... "and what's wrong with his old one?" She asked, teasingly.

"He doesn't have one!" Rosie answered, frustrated, "mummy died last year in a' accident ... an' he looks sad when he thinks I'm not looking ...

. ... I think maybe daddies need mummies to be happy?" She explained.

The hosts voice got serious and co-conspiratorial, leaning in to the mic ... "A new wife, hmmm? ..."

Rosie knew she had her hooked!

"Can you help me?" She asked The Woman, waiting breathlessly for her verdict.

"Oh, I'm sure we can, little one! But listen - to help your father, I'm going to need a minute or two to talk with him - is he there, Rosie? Right now? Can you go get him?"

"Ummm ..." Rosie glanced around the counter again to see John Watson's silhouette through the glass. Alone and hunched over the railing. His shoulders slumped like they had been of late ... ever since her mum died.

.

"He's here," she answered catching his sadness ... but ... how to get him to come to the phone?? "Hold your ears, please," she asked politely, seeing the receiver down, she stepped back, "imma scream like I see a 'pider. Daddy always saves me from 'piders!"

The Woman laughed again at Rosie's ingenuity and gave her show announcement to fill time ... As Rosie screamed, and John came running!

. "... This is Dr. Irene Adler and tonight we're talking about your wishes and dreams ... What's YOUR wish this New Years? Maybe the best gift you can give yourself - is a call to me! We're on the air live with a young listener who wants her father to once again find true love ..."

- Sleepless in London -

// AO3 // NEXT POST // MOVIE COVER //

(To be continued ...)

Tagging @johnlocky @fluffbyday-smutbynight @chinike @rhasima @luciangenic @masterofhounds @missdeliadili @janetm74 @totallysilvergirl @chriscalledmesweetie @mutedsilence @meetinginsamarra @musingsofmyown @hedgehoglovesotter @whatnext2020 @egregiously-chuffed @safedistancefrombeingsmart @pocketwatchofmycroft @kabubsmagga @arabbitjohn @bisexualmindcabin @sgam76 @scrub456 @peanitbear @peageetibbs @khorazir @kettykika78 @nitaelwyart @bluebellofbakerstreet @raina-at @7-percent @discordantwords @copperplatebeech @justanobsessedpan @topsyturvy-turtely @janiesprings @im-erin @k2ntwo @teamkidman @inevitably-johnlocked @ohnoesnotagain @john-smiths-jawline @loki-lock @turbulenttrouble @momma2boys @2smach @hp-nv-221b-3000 let me know if want added/removed any time!

[screaming-cicada]

Rise of the TMNT with a transmasc friend

Platonic \ male (gendered pronouns not used) \ headcanons \ multi \ second person

Fandom: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

a/n: a little thing to get me into the tmnt writing world hehe. planning on making a nb version in the future

---------------------------------------------------------

Raphael:

-He's super supportive -If someone misgenders you or deadnames you he corrects them -But if they keep doing it? Raph won't be happy. no way is he letting someone be a jerk to his friend! -If you're dysphoric he gives the best hugs -He tries to get you to train with him so you get strong to beat up transphobes

Leonardo:

-Ah yes, the fruity brother -Also supportive but in the most extravagant way possible -Makes you do fashion shows with Mikey to try on different outfits and styles if you don't already have one -Passive aggressive when someone misgenders you -When you're feeling dysphoric he makes the worst and corniest jokes ever to cheer you up (it always works somehow)

Donatello:

-Literally offers to do some high tech mod but you say no, as cool as it sounds. -Instead helps with your research in transitioning socially and medically (if you want to) -Donnie is a lil bit trans too. he/him agender fr -Also passive aggressive when someone misgenders you but is more aggressive than passive... -If you had a bad day lets you chill in his lab and explains his recent project to you for hours so you have no choice but to not be sad -You two also listen to Hatsune Miku bc shes a trans AND autistic icon

Michelangelo:

-HES NON-BINARY BC YES. -You talk for hours about your experiences being trans (also donnie listens) -Brings out Doctor Feelings when you're sad or dysphoric -He's just fun to hang around -If someone is being transphobic in Mikey's vicinity they better pray.

April O'Neil:

-Coolest ever. Shes really supportive -This one can ACTUALLY go to pride with you (sorry turt bros) -Bought you a binder/packer/pride flag -Like Mikey she will go feral if someone is being transphobic and bothering you -When you're bummed or dysphoric she demands you to come over to her house so you can have her mom's soup. works every time

-------------------------------------------------------

ending a/n: yeaaahhh first of my own writing posts wooo

[soursugxr]

Raphael Deserves so Much More Love from the Fandom

(This is about Rise of the TMNT specifically, ALSO MOVIE SPOILERS)

This is going to be my insane ramblings about Rise!Raph, because I love him. It’s also going to contain a lot of my personal experiences to further my point.

Welcome to my TED Talk

Raph deserves a LOT more love. I understand the appeal of the other turts, I love all of them a lot, but Raph is my all-time favorite, and for good reason. He’s the oldest and therefore feels responsible for his brothers, but he’s still 15-16. He’s still a kid. And he’s constantly stressed out! It gets treated as kind of a joke in the show and the movie, but he’s always dealing with the responsibility of being the oldest.

Being the oldest sibling is insanely stressful, I should know, I’m the oldest of three! My little siblings are a pre-teen boy and a baby, it’s a constant stressor. I’m 15, the same age as Raph (for the most part), and constantly put in charge of my little siblings. My brother never listens to me, and it’s incredibly frustrating. Raphael has three brothers who almost never listen to him. There’s even an entire episode dedicated to them both not listening to him and also relying on him for a plan, and it’s not really resolved my the end, they still just shrug it off and say “Raph’ll fix it”.

Raph loves his brothers, he’d do anything for them, hell, he risks his life to save Leo in the movie and not only gets his shell broken, but gets captured my the Kraang, too.

In the beginning of the movie, he’s constantly frustrated with Leo’s leadership because he’s being reckless and risking everyone’s life just to “seem cool” or something. His frustration is a direct result of his worry for his brothers’ safety, and it’s played as a joke!

He’s the voice of reason, shown the most (imo) in the Jupiter Jim Ahoy!, Mystic Library, and Pizza Puffs episodes, where he’s trying to have fun/get the mission done while also keeping his brothers in check. He’s always balancing that, and that’s one of the most stressful things you can pile on a literal teenager.

Apart from that, he’s just a genuinely good character. He’s a sweetheart, he likes teddy bears and wrestling, he’s insanely good at DDR, he’s scared of puppets, he’s just an all-around interesting character! But it’s like the show never wants to focus on him. There’s more focus on his brothers overall, and I can’t help but notice that.

His character is arguably the biggest departure from his previous incarnations in the whole show (apart from Casey) that you’d think the writers would want to focus on him more, but no. Half the time he’s just kinda there. But when they do focus on him, you get some of the most impactful moments in the series. In the finale, he has to make difficult decisions. He has to leave Splinter behind, he watches what he assumes is Karai’s death, and you finally see the stress break him. He cries. He’s the one who takes that final step to unlock the Ninpo the turtles need to defeat Shredder.

Raph is genuinely the most interesting and relatable turtle to me, and I think it’s just sad that he doesn’t get as much love and attention from the fandom as his brothers do.