TMNT 2012 “Turtle Temper” Analysis
TMNT S1E3 (#3): “Turtle Temper”
Until “The Frankenstein Experiment” and the “Raphael: Mutant Apocalypse” trilogy (and maybe “Slash and Destroy”), I never really bought Sean Astin as Raphael. He and Greg Abbey from the 2003 series may not have had a lot of range but Greg came to fit Raphael like a glove. In fact, I would go so far as to say that he was to Raphael what Cal Dodd was to Wolverine in the original X-Men animated series. Sean’s lack of a reputation for playing tough characters may also be a factor as most of his scenes in this series which involve him going into a fit of rage and complaining more often than not seem forced.
Of course, this is a character who’s known for his rage and while it is often a source of strength for him, it is also often a source of trouble as well. Trying to find balance is what has made Raphael such an intriguing character throughout this franchise. And of course that is the attempt made in this odd misfire. Vic (even though he’s only named in the credits) is the wronged man here since his involvement with the turtles early in the episode onwards is the result of Raphael unintentionally breaking his satellite dish in a fit of anger towards Mikey. The script at this point however takes a jaundiced eye towards his situation by not having the turtles accept responsibility (which ironically is a constant theme in this season) and fix his satellite as a barter for keeping quiet, but also taking time to portray Vic as a very unappealing character. In terms of the latter, it helps that Vic is portrayed by Lewis Black, a very outspoken and crass stand up comic. In fact, the whole conflict could have been avoided if the protagonists tried to smooth things over that way but then we’d have no story so the simple solution presented is tossed aside.
But while Vic and Raphael are meant to be seen as victims of their tempers, the script ultimately ends up pitting these two more at odds with each other than making a comparison between them. Both of them end up doing stupid things to compound their situations and (mostly in terms of Vic at least) fates, but it becomes pretty apparent how forceful this script is in its efforts to make a point. And while Leonardo berates Raph for his lack of self control throughout and Splinter spends all his time on screen endorsing said self control, this theme still can’t help but come off as arbitrary since it’s pretty clear that, at least by the beginning of the next episode, it will be forgotten by Raph. The trick instead is to get the audience in on the theme without coming across as talking down to the audience--one of the worst sins you can commit. But it’s ultimately presented so slackly that it barely registers. Vic is ultimately victimized the same way that Snake was done in the pilot—again reinforcing the established theme of actions and consequences from that episode—but with Vic’s portrayal up until (and even during) that point, how he ends up getting to that point also proves not to be as strong as it should have been. And by then all we’re hoping for is to have Raph show up to save his brothers, defeat the new mutant threat, and move on.
This entry still provides some laughs and good moments, but with its nearly forced effort to make a plot point and ultimately flat characterizations and themes, this is one early season entry that proves more forgettable than not.
“Turtle Temper” continues the theme of having New York appear so deserted that no one other than Vic got a glimpse of the titular quartet. I mean, this is practically cheating. They did spend a lot more time on the paved streets than on the rooftops after all.
Splinter did have some awful lines in the beginning and while the angry/vengeful side of Yoshi ultimately wasn’t really displayed in “Tale of the Yokai”, it’s still nice to see shades of it in the upcoming “Panic in the Sewers.” Sometimes you have to take what you can get…unfortunately.
Raph’s talk with Spike will come back near the end of “Slash and Destroy” next season. Good bit of continuity.
It’s actually pretty effective how Raph’s appearance near the end helps turn the tide despite his issues in this episode. I’ve always believed that the turtles were four sides of the same person/personality which makes their different quirks and strengths great fodder for not only the theme of family throughout this franchise but also unity. Whatever the situation, one of them will usually know how to get through it.
Outside of one more appearance next season, Vic AKA Spiderbytz will never be seen or heard from again. Stupid.
You’ve heard from me, The Mad Scientist. Now it’s your turn.
