hey? hi? I am unexpectedly emotional about TMNT 2003 season 1 episode 9 Garbageman?
the boys are shown to be good friends with their local unhoused population, and they bring them supplies (an effort often repaid with interesting or useful things these folks have found on the streets and think the brothers might like) as well as watch out for their safety
so of course when unhoused people start going missing, the boys begin investigating
also, and this feels significant: there's a sort of leader figure amongst the unhoused population refered to only as 'Professor.' he's a very intelligent and well-spoken older black man, and his outfit includes a colourful kufi cap. he and Donnie talk about science and Donnie offers to lend him an interesting book; he's also later shown teaching his peers about the big bang around a fire
the Professor is also, notably, the character who responds to being kidnapped and told by the Weird Villain that they're all here to Do Labour with the firm proclamation: "I'd rather be a free man, living on the streets, than a slave in your stinking empire."
additionally, the aforementioned villain tells these people that they're "human garbage - no home, no purpose, no value." he claims to have given them new purpose (Doing Labour). the moral of the episode isn't stated outright, but very much argues that these people absolutely do have value and are completely deserving of dignity and respect, like the brothers have been showing them without question from the beginning
after the villain is defeated, the Professor and the other unhoused folks actually decide (by vote!) to stay where they are, because there's shelter and food freely available to them here now, with the Bad Guys out of the way. the 'here' in question is a large waste disposal site, and these folks are accustomed to making do with what others have thrown away, so they feel they can find everything they need right there. it's not perfect but it does reward them the dignity of a safe place to call home!
this is all couched in the corniness and the goofiness you would of course expect from a 2003 TMNT cartoon, but... I feel like there was some very genuine thought, and compassion, that went into writing this episode. I'm feeling Emotions I didn't expect
