Almost thirty years ago from this day, most children were introduced to a brand new show on TV with the strange but cool-sounding name of 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'. Few could have imagined the enduring popularity of this franchise at that time. As someone who loved the series when just a little kid, I want to track the history of this beloved show from the very first episode.
We all know about this show now, or at least heard about it. The four turtles, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello, have all become household names. But what is the first episode of this beloved series all about? Is it any good? Written by David Wise and Patti Howeth, the first episode manages to do more than just introduce all the main characters like the turtles, Splinter, the Shredder, his ninjas and thugs, April O'Neil, and so on. It also manages to give a very good introduction to the humour and style of the show which made it the success it is today. There are all the pizza jokes and puns, for example, almost one after the other. Who can remember all of the different (and disgusting one might add) varieties of pizza that this show mentions? With all of this humour and its cartoonish style, it is obvious that this show doesn't take itself too seriously. This was essentially its secret and the formula to its enduring charm.
What also impressed me is how quotable this first episode is. Like when the turtles say they have learnt everything about humans and humanity from TV. Or how memorable some scenes are, like when the old woman tries to shoot the turtles when they emerge from the sewers into the city for the first time. There is only one big mistake, which may or may not have been intentional. At one point the Shredder floods a building where the turtles and April are in pursuit. Obviously, turtles can swim (a fact which they also acknowledge), which kind of negates this plan. But one can argue that what the Shredder really wanted to do was to block the entrance to the Technodrome so he can run away unnoticed.
Taking everything into consideration, the first episode in this franchise established the formula for the series we all know and love today. It is worthy of the name of the mighty Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the heroes in a half shell (turtle power!).
