Ep 9. Splinter No More

In this episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987), titled "Splinter No More", the turtles face a crisis when their beloved sensei, Splinter, decides to quit being their leader and father figure. Struggling with his own doubts and insecurities, Splinter announces that he can no longer guide the turtles on their dangerous missions and that they must learn to rely on themselves.

The turtles are devastated by this news, as they have always looked up to Splinter for guidance and wisdom. Raphael in particular takes the news hard, as he feels that Splinter is abandoning them in their time of need. Leonardo tries to reason with their master, pointing out that they are still young and need his guidance, but Splinter remains firm in his decision.

Meanwhile, the turtles must also deal with the sudden appearance of a new villain in town: the Rat King. This sinister figure has the ability to control rats and uses his power to wreak havoc on the city. The turtles are determined to stop him, but they are struggling without Splinter's guidance.

As they continue to fight the Rat King and his hoard of rats, the turtles begin to realize just how much they have relied on Splinter in the past. They struggle to work together and make decisions without his guidance, and their fights with the Rat King become increasingly dangerous.

Just when things seem bleakest, a mysterious woman appears and offers to help the turtles defeat the Rat King. She introduces herself as Lotus Blossom and reveals that she has knowledge of ancient martial arts and magic that can help them in their fight. The turtles are skeptical at first, but they soon realize that Lotus Blossom is a powerful ally and that they need all the help they can get.

Through their battles with the Rat King and their interactions with Lotus Blossom, the turtles begin to learn valuable lessons about independence, teamwork, and trust. They come to realize that they are capable of fighting on their own and making their own decisions, but that they can also benefit from the support and guidance of others.

As the episode comes to a close, Splinter returns to his role as the turtles' sensei and father figure. He explains that he needed to step back and let them grow on their own, but that he will always be there to guide them when they need it. The turtles are overjoyed and grateful to have him back in their lives, and they vow to work even harder to protect the city and each other.

Overall, "Splinter No More" is a touching and action-packed episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) that explores important themes of independence, maturity, and the power of mentorship. Fans of the series will love seeing the turtles face new challenges and grow as characters, and they will be thrilled to see their beloved sensei return to his rightful place by their side.