Ep 1. Rise of the Turtles (1)

In the episode "Rise of the Turtles (1)," we are introduced to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, four anthropomorphic turtles who were mutated by a mysterious substance and trained in the way of ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Master Splinter. The turtles, named Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, have spent their lives hidden away in the sewers of New York City. However, when an unexplained alien invasion hits the city, the turtles are forced to venture out into the open for the first time.

As the episode begins, we meet the turtles individually as they carry out their daily routine. Leonardo is practicing his sword skills, Donatello is working on some high-tech gadgets, Michelangelo is dancing to pop music, and Raphael is honing his ninja moves. We also get a glimpse of their dynamic as a group, with Leonardo serving as the confident leader, Donatello as the tech genius, Michelangelo as the fun-loving party dude, and Raphael as the hot-tempered fighter.

Their lives are soon disrupted when they witness a group of Kraang, alien beings with advanced technology, abducting a mysterious canister from a lab. The turtles decide to investigate and find themselves in the middle of a battle between the Kraang and the human soldiers sent to stop them. In the chaos, the turtles accidentally reveal themselves to human teenager April O'Neil, who is also caught up in the fight.

After a narrow escape, the turtles retreat to their sewer home and reveal their existence to April. They also discover that the canister the Kraang stole contains the mutagen that transformed them into turtles, as well as Splinter from his previous life as a human. Realizing that the Kraang are after the mutagen, the turtles and April team up to stop their plans.

Throughout the episode, we see the turtles face their fears and work together as a team to save the city. Leonardo struggles with self-doubt and the pressure of being the leader, while Raphael learns the importance of teamwork and trusting his brothers. Donatello's gadgets come in handy in a fight against the Kraang, but he also learns that sometimes a simpler solution is more effective. Michelangelo shows off his skills as a party planner, but also proves to be a valuable member of the team with his quick thinking and agility.

The episode ends with the turtles and April successfully stopping the Kraang's plans, but with the knowledge that there are more battles to come. It sets up the premise for the rest of the series, with the turtles navigating life as both heroes and outcasts in a world where their existence is still a secret.

Overall, "Rise of the Turtles (1)" is a great introduction to the world of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It sets up the characters and their dynamic, while also providing plenty of action and humor. Whether you're a fan of the original comics or new to the franchise, this episode is a fun and exciting start to the series.