TMNT Episode 49 Michelangelo's Birthday

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Episode 49 was titled Michelangelo’s Birthday. In this episode, the other Turtles seem to forget Michelangelo’s birthday, causing the fun loving turtle to go out on his own. Meanwhile Shredder and Krang develop a reverse mutagen which will turn the Turtles back into their previous states, providing they are in groups of at least three. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Episode 49 Michelangelo’s Birthday first aired in syndication on November 30th 1989.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Episode 49 Michelangelo’s Birthday Review

The following review contains spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 3 Episode 31 Michelangelo’s Birthday.

Episode Synopsis

Michelangelo is excited about his birthday but his excitement turns sour when his fellow turtles appear to not acknowledge the day. In truth, it is because they are planning a surprise party for him but Mike takes it the wrong way and departs right away.

Meanwhile down in the Earth's Core, Krang and Shredder stumble upon something sinister, an anti-mutagen that causes anything to revert back to their original states, turning the Rock Soldiers back into, well rocks. Krang sends Shredder, Bebop, and Rocksteady to the surface to take out the Turtles with it, but it needs to be used on groups of three for it to work properly.

The Turtles discover that Michelangelo is missing but also discovers, that Shredder, Bebop, and Rocksteady are causing a disturbance. They battle Shredder, but Shredder seems unable to spray them with the formula. However, Shredder manages to capture Michelangelo, strapping him to the Flush O Matic to drop some acid on him, burning him into nothingness, before using him for bait. Mike thankfully escapes, right as Shredder, Bebop, and Rocksteady go to the agreed point.

As it turns out, Mike is gone and Shredder uses the anti-mutagen on the Turtles who blow up to large heights. They are out of the picture, but Master Splinter and Michelangelo beat up the bad guys, causing Shredder to spill the rest of the anti-mutagen. The Turtles revert back to form, thanks to mothballs.

Michelangelo enjoys his surprise birthday party in the end.

Episode Review

So let me get this straight. A cleaning solution plus magma at the Earth's core equals anti mutagen. I'm sure that's something that you don't get taught in High School Chemistry.

Yeah, the old, pretend to forget about a guy's birthday party, so his surprise party would be a surprise. The standard birthday trope, but it really did cause a lot of the events to go down right on this episode of the Ninja Turtles.

Shredder strapping Michelangelo in the flush o matic and trying to burn him with acid was a particularly nasty fate. Very Bond Villain in his execution however as he walked off, assuming that it would finish the job. The Flush-O-Matic is another toy.

Shredder seems to be a rather accommodating super villain, letting the Turtles not allow Bebop and Rocksteady to ride in the Turtle Van. Then again, Shredder just likely wanted them to suffer due to the fact he is a sadist. And we wouldn't have them peddling on tricycles that they had to struggle to liberate from a pair of tough as nails four year olds.

The mothballs worked because Mike believed they would. If one's faith is strong enough, it makes it real enough to work. Symbolism in a Cartoon show.

Shredder casually asking the Turtles what they got Michelangelo for his birthday amused me.

Ah, Shredder and Krang are fighting again. Shredder just abruptly saying that he didn't need Krang, and then two seconds later saying that he needed him when things got rough, with Krang throwing Shredder's words back in his face was the things awesome is made of.

Final Thoughts and Rating

7.5/10 for a rather fun and amusing episode. You can watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Mutant Ninja Turtles Episode 49 Michelangelo's Birthday on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 5 DVD.

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