i need to talk about this cuz omfg it means so much to me vfvcfc-
this scene kinda make it clear to me that raph respects the hell out of mike. in this entire episode raph only ever gets anywhere by talking. the one time he tries to fight back he just makes everything worse. it's only now that he purposefully listens to him
i'm about to do a big ol reach, but i think the first three episodes do an absolutely great job explaining why raph and mike are best friends just through subtext.
so for one thing, i'm gonna ignore how don ties into this because he's his whole other can of worms. he's THE middle child. he's kinda purposefully separate from his brothers.
ok back to it. leo's episode kind of perfectly sets up mike's. his entire episode relies really heavily on their relationship i think. hell, the episode's cold open is quite literally introduced by leo. mike mentions him a lot, about how he doesn't know what to do, that he's not good at planning, when we see multiple times throughout the episode that mike CAN plan. the entire zoo plot was clearly his idea. him 'improvising' IS planning, even if it's just in the moment.
in contrast, leo's episode kinda... disregards his bros entirely. his account is the meanest out of all of them, especially how he portrays mike. as for mike, based on his account he's under the impression that he just flat out can't do anything unless leo says it first, and that leo blames him for everything going wrong. like i've talked about it before but like- it genuinely really upsets me lol. anyway their relationship is very obviously strained. hell, they don't even hug when they reunite in 'the pearl,' and it's immediately contrasted with mike running to hug raph once he spots him. it just really says a lot i think.
but whatever this ain't about them! so far, raph is the only one of mike's brothers whose taken him seriously. even in mutant mayhem, the way leo talks to mike is demeaning at BEST, and just plain mean at worst. even when raph is teasing mike, he's listening to him. like i genuinely think that flashback is so important because it doesn't cut out anything mike said. even if raph teased him about it, raph still listened. he remembers what mike said, and it's literally the only reason he was able to survive.
i feel like mike realizes this, and that's why he's so damn attached to raph. like i just noticed this super recently, but mike is noticeably unemotive when you compare him to his older brothers, and pretty much the only times his voice breaks, or his face becomes more expressive is when raph teases him, or when he's actually being hurt. like if i remember correctly, he barely reacted to leo saying he's not funny. but raph telling mike that he screwed up (and that it was fine), made him visibly pout.
and imo, it's totally because raph treats him with some sense of autonomy. raph's not constantly ignoring him, he's not constantly telling mike what to do.
anyway. 'the relationships between the mutant mayhem boys aren't developed,' my ass.
Ok, first, excuse my delay, I'm so soooo sorry😭 I'm really ashamed of this whole situation, but now, finally is here
THE TURTLES BEING AUTISTIC AND WHIMSICAL :D
THIS WHOLE SCENE😭
Mikey stimming🙌
Donnie's so fascinated lol.
Raph btw don't try to even hide it lol
DUDE SHE'S A CRIMINAL WHO HURT YOU WAKE UP
Dude, he's trying to kill you, HE WON'T LISTEN TO YOU MAN
"You're not Batman"
-Donatello Splinterson
PIZZA-FLAVORED ICE CREAM :D
I think this could be better, but I hope you like it :3. I swear I will post better posts about this, you deserve good content like anyone who like my blog :3
IS THIS FANART FOR MY FAVORITE FANART BY ONE OF MY FRIENDS CITRINE_CUTIE? (Seriously check them out he's like the best writer ever and he's even writing a book and he feels really bad about not posting)
Little habits whumpee may not realise is a result of trauma
-Always knowing where every exit is. And always being near an exit.
-Always keeping their back to the wall, never wanting to be caught in an open space.
-Obsessively locking every door, every window, even their own bedroom. They won't relax otherwise.
-Brushing off compliments.
-Being overly defensive.
-Extreme independence. Never relying on anyone, they are fully capable of doing things alone and they are determined to
-Walking quickly. Never lingering, not even for a moment.
-Standing hunched, head down, making themselves as small and inconspicuous as possible. They wear loose, basic clothing, trying to both hide themselves and not stand out
-Lapses in memory. Especially not remembering childhood memories
-Never expressing excitement or want for anything. Never hoping for anything.
-In the same vein, never admit to enjoying anything. They fear they will be mocked, or it will be taken away. Anything can be used against them in some way.
-Being excellent in a crisis, even if they panic in minor situations.