What’s your opinion on the Leo and Raph dynamic and Raph and Donnie? If you don’t mind sharing with the class?
Wait since when did I become a Teacher ∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ?
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My first ramble goes to the Brains and the Brawns.
Emotionally they even out each other and are fun to watch together. However both Raphael and Donatello have this unwavering trust for each other unlike for the others, sure all of the bros trust each other but Raph's and Don's are special.
Raphael isn't as much thinking as his other brothers he rather be a brawler, the risk taker, being the first to land a punch to protect his siblings or just because he wants to and he says whatever he wants even if it would hurt the other.
Don is the thinker, he is the smart guy and the dreamer. He often loses himself in his own thoughts, hesitates and is physically not as good at fighting as his bros. He can fight formidably, we have seen it. He is just more defensive in his style.
That's why they work and trust each other so well. They have each other's back in areas they themselves lack. Just like in the episode H.A.T.E. Raph literally throws himself onto a high speeding truck to stop it and Don solves the problem that Raph can't. It would be impossible for him to un-detonate that bomb.
Now Leo and Raph the A - team, actually I don't really like that term to be honest. It's like saying Donnie and Mikey aren't as good as them.
I like Seesaw or sunrise better (not that anyone will use the first term) , that's just me.
At first glance we can see them bickering back and forth. It's like two ideologies clashing. One is idealistic while the other is realistic.
Raphael is the one to ground Leo and challenge him not because Raph thinks he is better he doesn't or question Leonardo leadership but because Leo is that trusting idealistic type.
In the episode where Leo meets Oroku saki but he doesn't know that he is the shredder he is tricked to believe he is a good guy due to Leonardo’s trusting nature and is given a sword forged by a master. Raph is instantly misstrusting and points out that the sword is messing with Leo's brain. The same thing happened when it came about Karai. Leo wants to see the good in people.
Leo in return is the one that is level headed, he keeps his impulsive red wearing brother in-check and apprehends Raph when doing something stupid and dangerous which is quite often. Leo is responsible for Raph and looks after him just as he does for all his bros.
Raph tends to forget that he too is a little bro and Leo reminds him that. That he doesn't have to burden himself.
Why I prefer to call the duo Seesaw is just what it sounds like, it goes up and down just like in their interactions when bringing the other down to earth after being up in the sky, however one can't play on it alone you have to be two people cause that makes it balanced and better.
They both make the other better.
Well, That's my take on their relationship