TMNT 2012: Father Splinter 4 - Michelangelo
(I had completely forgot I was doing this! lol. I was looking through my old posts and realized I never finished why Splinter 2012 is the best father! Sorry :( )
Ok, finally, after so long, I am going to explain Splinter's relationship with Mikey.
I believe the two are a lot closer than a lot of people think. Though their relationship does not show much on the show, the little signs are what you have to look for.
I am so sick and tired of hearing "Oh, Mikey's is abused." "He's being mistreated." "Splinter doesn't care about him."
WRONG!
People trying to make out Mikey as being abused and unloved, is crazy!
Mikey is spoiled rotten if anything! He does not get into half as much trouble as his older brothers do. Splinter is always easy on him and though others may say otherwise, Splinter does defend Mikey when his older brothers pick on him.
"Raphael! You should know better than to make fun of one's appearance. After all, how would the people above react to yours?"
"Michelangelo, why did you give up so easily?" (Proceeds to use Raphael as a demonstration)
Mikey gets away with a lot of stuff. He is so sassy and cheeky toward Splinter, and he allows it! Mikey even dared to try to throw a water balloon at him!
I mean, come on guys, this turtle is not abused. Brothers fight, brothers pick on each other and you know damn well that Mikey is almost always the provoker.
The thing is Mikey gets easily underestimated by his brothers. They do not take him seriously and always feel they have to watch out for him because they still see him as their silly little brother who always gets into trouble.
However, Splinter does not underestimate Mikey. I know he has said things like-
"So you could have chosen any of us?"
"Yes."
"Even Mikey?!"
"No. That would be wrong."
"You made a very wise decision, Michelangelo"
"Huh?"
"Yes, I did not think I would say that either"
I don't think he means it in a cruel or hurtful way. Splinter does believe Mikey has a lot of potential and has faith he will grow to be a great ninja someday but at that point in time, he knew his son was still struggling and was nowhere near ready to handle any kind of responsibility.
It showed when he used Mikey as a demonstration to Donnie. Splinter was confident in Mikey's abilities. Though his mind may be unable to focus, his body and instincts never fail him, and he is often impressed by that.
However...
"Yes, well, Michelangelo has his challenges too."
Splinter had acknowledged Mikey's struggles. Though his brothers may get annoyed with him, Splinter never loses patience or gives up on him. He knew that one day Mikey would take control of his wondering mind, he would just take time.
Mikey is always so affectionate toward his father. If you look closely at all the hug scenes, Mikey is always the first one who hugs their father.
Also, in the scenes when they are together, Mikey is always nearby or close to Splinter. He never strays too far from his father side and whenever Splinter comes in to save them, Mikey relief is always in Mikey's expression, feeling safe whenever his father is around.
And when his father side, Mikey broke down and called him "Papa"
If that does not prove the two are close, I don't know what will. I think next to Leo, Mikey is a full on Papa's boy. He dearly loves his father and often shows it, and Splinter does in return.
I think the two are also very attuned with each other. Mikey seems to know what is father is feeling, what everyone is feeling really and Splinter always seems to know what something is troubling Mikey, though he hides it well.
One of the other reasons I believe Splinter and Mikey are close, I have a headcanon that Mikey, next to Karai, often remind him of his late wife Tang Shen.
Mikey is a kindhearted soul and free-spirited. He values family and friendships which are things Shen valued as well.
He loves to cook and so does Shen. It shows in the scene where she invites the turtles into her home and makes them food.
He loves seeing new things and meeting new people, making friends wherever he goes, and that is what Shen wanted to do. She wanted to go to New York and meet new people, new friends.
I believe that is part of the reason why Splinter spoils Mikey. Not because he is the youngest and the baby but because he reminds him of his wife.
I think that some people think that Splinter did not care that Mikey got taken by Triceraton because when Raphael had wanted to go and save him, Splinter had at first turned it down.
But guys think of the logic!
Splinter was not saying that they wouldn't save Mikey! He would never abandon any of his sons but there is no point in going to save Mikey, if he had no home to return to!
Splinter thought they did not have time to save Mikey and stop the black hole generator at once. Though he clearly wanted to go save his son, he thought the world would be destroyed long before they could return. Like, what's the point in saving Mikey then if he would die later?
Make no mistake, there is nothing that would have stopped Splinter from getting Mikey back.
It was only when Donnie said that he believed Slash did enough damage to stall time, that Splinter ordered his three older sons to go get their brother back while he tries to get help from Shredder to make sure the Triceraton do not fix the generator before they return.
Overall, these two have a very loving relationship and those who disagree well...you are blind as hell. Look at the little signs, stop worrying about the big scenes!
Thank you and goodnight!
Stay tune for Karai! :)
DONATELLO
RAPHAEL
LEONARDO
