Ep 5. Shredder's Mom

In the season 4 episode 5 of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987), titled "Shredder's Mom," the Turtles find themselves facing off against an unexpected foe: the mother of their arch-nemesis, Shredder. The episode opens with the Turtles and their friend, April O'Neil, investigating a disturbance at a local art museum. When they arrive, they discover that the museum is being robbed by a gang of disguised thieves. The Turtles spring into action, but they're quickly taken by surprise when the leader of the gang reveals herself to be none other than Oroku Saki's mother.

Shredder's mom, who goes by the name Mama Shredder, is a tough-as-nails matriarch who seems to have inherited her son's penchant for evil schemes. She's accompanied by her own group of thugs, and it quickly becomes apparent that she's been behind a spate of recent robberies in the city. The Turtles are understandably taken aback by Mama Shredder's appearance, as they had no idea that the fearsome ninja warrior had a mother, let alone one who was also a criminal mastermind.

Despite their surprise, the Turtles are determined to bring Mama Shredder to justice. However, their task is made all the more difficult by her uncanny ability to anticipate their every move. Mama Shredder seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to the Turtles' tactics, and she's always one step ahead of them. As they try to track her down, the Turtles are forced to contend with a series of escalating challenges, from booby-trapped hideouts to elaborate traps that seem designed just for them.

As the Turtles navigate this treacherous landscape, they get some unexpected help from an unlikely source. One of Mama Shredder's minions, a hulking brute named Hritchka, decides to betray his boss and help the Turtles out. Hritchka is tired of taking orders from Mama Shredder and sees an opportunity to gain favor with the Turtles by turning on her. The Turtles are skeptical at first, but Hritchka proves to be a valuable ally in their fight against Mama Shredder.

The Turtles eventually succeed in tracking Mama Shredder down to her secret hideout, where they engage in an epic battle with her and her minions. The fight is intense and goes back and forth, with Mama Shredder proving to be an even more formidable opponent than her son. Just when it seems like the Turtles might be outmatched, they catch a lucky break. Mama Shredder accidentally triggers one of her own traps, which creates a distraction that allows the Turtles to gain the upper hand.

In the end, the Turtles emerge victorious, and Mama Shredder is taken into custody by the authorities. The episode ends with the Turtles reflecting on the strange turn of events that led them to face off against Shredder's mom. They're left wondering what other surprises the future might hold, and whether there are any other unlikely villains waiting in the wings to challenge them.