Sinister Sentry
today, instead of posting fanart, I go on an insane rant about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the 2003 version of the animated series. Because the whole super hero plothole of the show is one of the only things i dislike about the show- and it legitimately drives me insane the more and more I think about it…
Michelangelo craves attention. He feels insignificant and inadequate, like a freak amongst mutants. He wouldn’t feel so dysphoric or starved of attention if he could fit in somewhere.
He doesn’t feel equal to his own family or other mutants, and he obviously doesn’t fit into human society- but why not? Sure, he is a mutant, but that’s not a very good defense for why he and other mutants are not accepted. For one huge reason-
Michelangelo is best friends with Silver Sentry.
Ignoring the strange fact that super powered humans are accepted in a world where mutants are not… Silver Sentry is a hero. He’s famous and influential, he saves people and is credited for it because he is accepted as a hero in society because his differences are seen as something to be celebrated, Silver Sentry is everything Michelangelo wishes he could be.
Considering Michelangelo’s close relationship with Silver Sentry, and the fact Michelangelo had a justice force comic written about how he saved the day, one would assume something would be done about mutant prejudice.
Sure Michelangelo accepts that he- as a mutant and ninja, belongs to the shadows. But he isn’t happy about it- simply acquiescent about the unfair fact. He tries to be a hero to humanity with his Turtle Titan persona, and is immediately shot down by humans and super humans. He should stay in the darkness where he belongs, and not get the acceptance or recognition he deserves. That is the moral of “the unconvincing Turtle Titan”
At the end of said episode, Silver says he was helped by Michelangelo in an indirect way. And Michelangelo doesn’t bask in the glory despite his arrogance and thirst to be admired and famed. Why? Maybe it was supposed to show character growth, but it really just seems like Michelangelo is compliant to his insecurity and beaten self-esteem. The whole episode is him learning to accept his oppression from the universe instead of fighting for any form of acceptance that he desires and deserves.
Silver Sentry doesn’t further explain how the Turtle Titan helped him- neither does he put in a good word about mutants. With all his influence as a literal super hero, he never tries to have mutants accepted or the turtles seen as the heroes they really are, doesn’t even consider it or ask. Kinda crazy that someone who is praised for their differences to humans, wouldn’t try to help their friend who is shamed by humanity for their differences.
Silver Sentry could do so much if he even suggested that non-humans may not be all bad. Humanity knows aliens and mutants exist, they just don’t accept them. Thanks alot Silver, maybe say your besties with a mutant and not all of them are monsters and invaders of earth?? Just maybe hint at it?? But no, why would such a good heroic guy help a marginalized group of creatures forced to live in the sewers due to discrimination?
Why give the turtles rights or protection by law or government? The turtles wouldn’t be almost dissected by Bishop every other week of they were recognized as sentient citizens with rights, considering Bishop worked for the government- atleast at some point…
But do mutants have rights? No. Does Michelangelo ever feel worthy of acceptance? No.
Why? Because Silver Sentry never puts that into motion. I don’t have any idea why he wouldn’t, considering he’s supposed to be a good person and a hero… I can’t see any logical reason Mutant acceptance isn’t pushed by the most powerful and influential person in the show, especially considering how he and Michelangelo are friends, hero and sidekick, allies. What’s the motive?
There should be no possible reason for Mutants being treated the way they are. Unless Silver Sentry has some sinister, secret motive we don’t know about- that keeps his friend and that friend’s allies and family oppressed and seen as less than sub-human, there is no explanation for why mutants as a whole are treated the way they are.
I sure would love to know Silver Sentry’s super secret super motive for fucking over his bestie, but I will never get one considering tmnt 2003 has been over for years now.
