History TearJerker / TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012

-->'''Leo:''' [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech You killed him! He was your brother, and you ''killed him!'' He was your ''brother,'' Saki! Your best friend! How could you ''do that?!'']]

-->'''Leo:''' You killed him! He was your brother, and you ''killed him!'' He was your ''brother,'' Saki! Your best friend! How could you ''do that?!''

'''Contains unmarked spoilers. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned!'''

* "Enemy of my Enemy": Karai looks genuinely upset and betrayed [[spoiler: when the Turtles go back on their word and attack Shredder.]]

* A FreezeFrameBonus below the battle arena shows [[spoiler:Mutagen Man's empty canister, heavily implying that he is dead and thus, Timothy is gone forever. One can only imagine how this impacted Donnie.]]

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S4E16BrokenFoot Broken Foot]]"]]

[[/folder]]

!!Meta

''https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11611482/1/It-Wasn-t-Your-Fault''

This short story about Karai comforting Leo because he blames himself for her mutation. However, ''she'' doesn't (which, in canon, is probably true.)

[[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S5E8OsoroshiNoTabi]]"]]

* Splinter's back-story from [[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S1E1RiseOfTheTurtlesPart1 the first]] [[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S1E2RiseOfTheTurtlesPart2 episode]]. People familiar with previous versions would know the details, but to make it worse, in this universe, Splinter also had a daughter.
** To make things [[FromBadToWorse even sadder for poor Splinter]], it turns out that Shredder has a hold of her. She never really ''died'', per se- Shredder just raised her into a fighting machine that ''hates'' Splinter with her very core. Folks, say hello to this universe's version of Karai.
** When Donatello pleads his case, Splinter looks at a picture of him and his previous family and suddenly we hear a fire, wooding creaking and falling and finally Splinter screaming in pain, all while he's thinking in the present. Splinter's first DarkestHour has never truly left his mind.
* In "Turtle Temper", we have Splinter's fear of [[LikeFatherLikeSon Raphael ending up walking down Splinter's path if he doesn't watch his temper.]] The fact that this has to do with the aforementioned incident with Oroku Saki doesn't help.
--> '''Raphael''': But it wasn't your fault. Shredder insulted you. You had no choice.
--> '''Splinter''': No choice? I could have chosen to ignore him. I could have chosen to let his words wash over me, like a river over stone. But I let him anger me. It was I who made his words into weapons. (''walks over to Raph'') That was the choice ''I'' made. (''puts a hand on his shoulder'') What choice will ''you'' make?
* Michelangelo sounded so hurt when he found out that [[BrokenPedestal he was being used by Bradford]] in "New Friend, Old Enemy". He so badly wanted to prove he could be friends with a human, but instead ends up captured by the Foot for all it's worth. "Rad Brad..."
** From the same episode, Shredder looking at a picture of Splinter and himself in their younger years. [[WeUsedToBeFriends They didn't hate each other back then...]]
* In "Monkey Brains", we have Rockwell; he didn't ask to be mutated and have Falco take away his life.
** Even though he was absolutely ''right'' in saying it, Falco telling Donatello that [[BrutalHonesty he will]] ''[[BrutalHonesty never]]'' [[BrutalHonesty get a chance with April]] in the same episode still hurts to watch.

* In "New Girl in Town", there's something sad about Leonardo feeling weighed down by TheChainsOfCommanding, and the only people who give him any kind of real sympathy are Mikey and Karai. Even his father says that leadership is about responsibility and that he should just tough it out.

* In "TCRI", Leatherhead's HeroicSacrifice. To say the Turtles did not take it well would be an understatement.
* In "Enemy of my Enemy", Karai looks genuinely upset and betrayed [[spoiler: when the Turtles go back on their word and attack Shredder.]]

** Leonardo's HeroicSacrifice to stop Kraang Prime. The way Raph calls Leonardo's ''full'' name as the escape pod he's in drifts away is just heartbreaking.

* Raphael's [[ItsAllMyFault reaction]] to Leo getting captured.

* You want to know how this can be even sadder? Some owners see their pets as their kids. In a way Raph lost his child when he lost Spike.
* The fact that he lost Spike by having him turn against him parallel to Splinter with Karai.
* Splinter's advice to Raphael reveals that he still feels the pain of losing his family.
* Most of this episode is also a tearjerker if one looks at it from Slash's perspective. It's clear that his actions make him come off more as a WellIntentionedExtremist. However, after Raph calls him out on what he did to Donnie and Mikey, there is a slight pause before he lets out a monstrous roar signifying a prime of example of ThenLetMeBeEvil as Slash only did what he did for Raph's sake and is hurt that the person that treated him as a friend for so many years essentially called him a monster.

* Metalhead's ShootTheShaggyDog-ness in the episode overall. Metalhead has finally been upgraded with intelligence in order to work alongside the Turtles, only for them to not trust him due to how much of a 3rd wheel he winds up becoming. Realizing this, Metalhead leaves on his own to take care of the mission by himself to show the turtles he was on their side the whole time, not only rescuing ALL the mutants and the turtles, but also [[HeroicSacrifice destroying himself in order to ensure the Kraang would not find another way to get back to Earth]]. The ending implies that Donatello will fix him again, but it really makes the viewers feel for Metalhead's loyalty to his team and creator.
** Leo's constant raging on Metalhead sure didn't help, by the time Metalhead leaves the lair. It seemed like Leo had been waiting for a chance to force Donnie to dismantle him.

* Also in the turtles' fight with the dragon, when Mikey thought that Leatherhead was actually back... His attempts to make "Leatherhead" snap out of his rage is just heartbreaking.

-->'''Baxter''': What am I? I'm nothing anymore. I'm a freak. I'll never be taken seriously as scientist.

* The beginning of it where Shredder reminisces about Karai as well as TheReveal in the conversation with Tiger Claw afterwards that he didn't care for the human race.
* The destruction of the Lair.
* The scene where everyone except Leo and Splinter head back to the lair to take one meaningful thing with them fits here. There's no music for awhile and seeing April flash back to memories of her with the turtles and Splinter over the past year or two was pretty sad to watch as well.

* Raphael's UnstoppableRage when Shredder wounds and [[DisneyDeath seemingly kills]] Splinter.

-->'''Leo''': *to himself* Stop whining, and just do it!

** Him [[DisneyDeath getting absorbed]] was pretty hard to watch.

* April's journal includes a drawing of Donny, Raph, and Mikey sadly watching over a catatonic Leo.
* When April gets captured by the Creep Leo tries to save her and can barely move enough to hobble near her.

* Big Foot overhearing the comments Leo and Casey make at its expense. The following scene with [[WhatTheHellHero Mikey calling them out on it]] is mildly heartwarming.
* Donnie in this episode. After chasing after April since Episode 1, he realizes that she doesn't feel the same way. In particular, the scene where Raph tells him that Donnie "chases after April like a lovestruck puppy" (inexact words), Donnie is angrily about to snap back...before quietly deciding not to.
** Worse: Donnie was just complaining about how BIG FOOT was chasing after HIM and then Raph pointed out that Donnie was the same way with April. [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone Donnie's reaction]] was one of sad realization that Raph was right.

* Near the end of the episode, Donnie more or less admits to April that being on the wrong end of Big Foot's AbhorrentAdmirer qualities has made him realize he's no better when it comes to him and April. You can really sense the despondency and bitterness in Donnie's word as he resigns himself to believe he and April could never be...
-->'''Donnie''': I get it now… Donnie is to April as Big Foot was to Donnie. I'm just… ''a mutant.''

--->'''April''': You're ''not'' just a mutant, Donnie… you're ''my'' mutant. *kiss*

* After Mikey trashes the living room, the others, (minis April) start yelling at him, especially Raph, who then yells at him, "You're just a big screw-up!". Mikey is so hurt at this that he decides to run away. Poor guy.

* Leonardo's frustration over his injuries.

* Splinter having lost his mind and reverting to acting like a feral rat due to the events of the season finale, especially when his sons try to calm him down and remind him that they're his sons. Thankfully, he got better by the end.

* The BittersweetEnding and the revelation of this episode is a heavy one: The Turtles have been left in Japan after the events of the prior episode, right when Hamato Yoshi and Oroku Saki were friends and with Tang Shen alive. It's pretty much revealed the Turtles were partly responsible in causing the violent feud between Splinter and Shredder. The worst part was that they pretty much ''had to.'' It was something inevitable, as part of a StableTimeLoop (the Time Scepter sent them there to ensure Yoshi would go to New York, become Splinter and raise the turtles). However, the turtles look utterly devastated as they realize their part in it all.
** Yoshi screaming and sobbing over Tang Shen upon regaining consciousness and realizing that he has lost her, as well as everything else in his life. His wife is dead, his daughter stolen from him, his clansman have betrayed him and said betrayal was led by his brother, effectively ending the Hamato Clan until he adopted the turtles.
** Learning that Oroku Saki actually killed Tang Shen on accident and was visibly remorseful for it.
---> '''Leonardo''': Why? Why did we have to come here? Of all times, of all places.

* The episode starts off with a recap of what happened in the previous episode, with the events drawn in "comic" style. When Leo mentions how they lost everything, including Master Splinter, a shot of the turtles mourning their father appears. It's much more emotional than what happened in Annihilation Earth, with Leo, Donnie, and Mikey hugging his body while Raph is shown screaming in sorrow. While Mikey was the only one who cried in the actual episode, it now shows all four turtles ''[[ManlyTears bawling.]]'' Thankfully, Fugitoid takes the team six months in the past, so everyone on Earth is safe- for now.

* Leonardo talking to a psychic simulation of Master Splinter is this. Beyond showing the effect of TheChainsOfCommanding, especially when there is one opportunity to save the Earth, it shows how much the team misses Splinter, especially on Leo, who's has always been pretty close to his father and considered to be the oldest of his brothers. Makes you wanna give him a hug.

* Fugitoid's [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifice]]
---> '''Fugitoid''': It has to be this way, my friends. If you knew my intent, you would have surely tried to stop me, and for that I thank you. Let it be known that you are my friends...and I love you all.

* In the scene where Leo gives Karai CPR, all the others, even April, look genuinely worried for Karai., meaning they all consider her family and want her to be alright. Which also makes this heartwarming as thanks to Leo, she is ok. Well, she's alive, but badly hurt.
* Splinter's death. Since they don't have Fugitoid or Renet around anymore to help them, it's unlikely he'll be coming back to life.
** When Shredder lands the finishing blow, Raphael and April cry out "Father!" and "Splinter!" in anguish.
** The turtles' final moments with their father is heartbreaking, especially for Nickelodeon standards. Leonardo holds Splinter's body while saying "No! Please!", Michelangelo only says a meek "Papa...", and [[EverybodyCries all the turtles weep]] while [[ReallyDeadMontage memories with Splinter flash on the screen]]. They then carry the body like pallbearers and drive away.

* Splinter's funeral, The turtles, along with Shinigami, April, Casey, the Mighty Mutanimals, Chompy, Ice Cream Kitty, and even Kirby O' Neil and Dr. Cluckingsworth (Who had never even met Splinter before). All attending, and since Karai was injured in the hospital, she couldn't be there. April can also be seen crying next to Casey.
** Made all the more powerful by the fact that there's no spoken dialogue. No sobbing, no eulogies - just a montage of the Hamato Clan and its allies gathering around Splinter's grave. Then, one by one, everyone but the turtles walks away, with the four brothers being the last to go.
* Leonardo off alone by himself after the funeral, questioning whether he's ready to step into Splinter's role as the BigGood. You can tell the poor guy's got some big shoes to fill, and he doubts he can measure up.

* Throughout the climactic final battle, Leonardo vents out his frustration, grief and anger at Splinter's murder with a scathing tirade. As he berates Shredder throughout their duel, you can ''hear'' the vengeful fury in his choked up voice.
-->'''Leonardo:''' You killed him! He was your brother, and you ''killed him!'' (Between exchanged blows) He was your ''brother,'' Saki! Your best friend! How could you ''do that?!''

* Maybe a minor one, but seeing Splinter in the opening credits after his death and funeral reminds you how important he was to the turtles, April, and everyone else. The scene of the turtles' mutation is shown, then Splinter giving the turtles their masks, with the following lyrics taking on a whole new meaning...

* The fate of Leo in this [[AlternateUniverse reality]]: He became Maximus Kong, a ShoutOut to Lord Humongous. It's a shock to see the most noble turtle having gone completely mad from his second mutation and becoming a tyrant. Though it's mitigated when Raph snaps him back to himself.

This short story about Karai comforting Leo because he blames himself for her mutation, however, she doesn't. (Which in canon, is probably true.)

** Not just that, but what sends Splinter over the edge--what makes him ''really'' lose it-- [[AdultFear is the thought of his children no longer needing him.]] He's watched his wife die, and lost his daughter, but the idea of losing his sons is what makes him give up hope. And the worst part is, the boys ARE going to grow up. Them not needing Splinter could very well become a reality one day. You can hear the crack and despair in his voice as he says this soliloquy.

** The turtles' final moments with their father is heartbreaking, especially for Nickelodeon standards. Leonardo holds Splinter's body while saying "No! Please!", Michelangelo only says a meek "Papa...", and [[EverybodyCries all the turtles weep]] while [[RealyDeadMontage memories with Splinter flash on the screen]]. They then carry the body like pallbearers and drive away.

* Mikey subtly admitting that he had no faith that the retro-mutagen would work before Raph gave him a DopeSlap.

* Karai accepting that her mind is going in her mutated form, and that she only told the Turtles where to find her so that she can say goodbye to them, April, and Casey. As the jumps into the sea, the gang just watch in despair, with Leo vowing to figure out a way to help her
->Mikey's reaction is easily the saddest. The poor guy just ''cries'' when Karai leaves, and solemly says, "Come on, team. Let's go home." Raph's expression to Mikey saying this line says volumes.

* In the scene where Leo gives Karai CPR, all the others, even April look genuinely worried for Karai. Meaning they all consider her family and want her to be alright. Which also makes this heartwarming as thanks to Leo, she is ok. Well, she's alive, but badly hurt.

** The turtles' final moments with their father is heartbreaking, especially for Nickelodeon standards. Leonardo holds Splinter's body while saying "No! Please!", Michelangelo only says a meek "Papa...", and all four turtles sob while memories with Splinter flash on the screen. They then carry the body like pallbearers and drive away...

* After Mikey trashes the living room, the others, (minis April) start yelling at him, especially Raph, who then yells at him "Some ninja. You're just a big screw-up!". Mikey is so hurt that he decides to run away.

* Karai accepting that her mind is going in her mutated form, and that she only told the Turtles where to find her so that she can say goodbye to them, April, and Casey. She leaves them, and even Mikey starts to cry.
* Raph's shock when Mikey solemnly tells the team that they're heading home after the retro-mutagen fails and Karai leaves them. He just sounds so defeated.

* Karai continues to lose her humanity and Donnie tries to cure her and the retro-mutagen does not work on her, forcing her to leave the turtles.

* During the scene where Leo gives Karai CPR, all the others, even April look genuinely worried for Karai. Meaning they all consider her family and want her to be alright. Which also makes this heartwarming as thanks to Leo, she is ok. Well, she's alive, but badly hurt.

* During the final battle, Leonardo lets out his grief and anger at Splinter's murder. As he condemns Shredder throughout their duel, his voice is equal parts vengeful fury and verge-of-tears sorrow.

* Leonardo talking to a psychic simulation of Master Splinter is this. Beyond showing the effect of the ChainsOfCommanding, especially when there is one opportunity to save the Earth, it shows how much the team misses Splinter, especially on Leo, who's has always been pretty close to his father and considered to be the oldest of his brothers. Makes you wanna give him a hug.

[[quoteright:341:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tmnt_tearjerker_9119.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:341:*sniff* Leo...]]

Warning. Spoilers will be unmarked.

* The BittersweetEnding. After enduring the lost of their world ''twice'', the death of all of their loved ones, and the past fifty years seperated, the Turtles and their remaining allies find the Oasis and live out the rest of their lives in peace.

* A FreezeFrameBonus below the battle arena shows [[spoiler:Mutagen Man's empty canister, heavily implying that he is dead and thus, Timothy is gone forever.]]

* Sure everyone makes it out okay, but the Turtles having to see Splinter have an unfair rematch against the Shredder in his weakest state was hard to watch. For this troper, he had no idea if Splinter was going to actually make it through this episode.

** Even though he was absolutely ''right'' in saying it, Falco telling Donatello that [[BrutalHonesty he will]] [[BrutalHonesty never]]'' [[BrutalHonesty get a chance with April]] in the same episode still hurts to watch.

[[AC: 4x25 "[[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S4E25Requiem Requeim]]"]]

[[AC: 5x17 "[[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S5E18RaphaelMutantApocalypse Rapahel Mutant Apocalypse]]"]]

** ...then it turns into a SugarWiki/{{Heartwarming Moment|s}} when April surprises Donnie with [[BigDamnKiss a tender kiss on the lips]].

* You want to know how this can be even sadder some owners see their pets as their kids. In a way Raph lost his child when he lost Spike.

* The season finale was ''full'' of this:

[[AC: 2X1 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E1TheMutationSituation The Mutation Situation]]'']]

[[AC: 2x3 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E3FollowTheLeader Follow The Leader]]'']]

[[AC: 2x4 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E4MutagenManUnleashed Mutagen Man Unleashed]]'']]

[[AC: 2x6 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E6TargetAprilONeil Target: April O'Neil]]'']]

[[AC: 2x7 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E7SlashAndDestroy Slash and Destroy]]'']]

[[AC: 2x11 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E11MetalheadRewired Metalhead Rewired]]'']]

[[AC: 2x13 & 14 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E1314TheManhattanProject The Manhattan Project]]'']]

[[AC: 2x15 ''[[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E15MazesAndMutants Mazes and Mutants ]]'']]

[[AC: 2x16 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E16LonelyMutationOfBaxterStockman The Lonely Mutation of Baxter Stockman]]'']]

[[AC: 2x19 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S2E19TheWrathOfTigerClaw The Wrath of Tiger Claw]]'']]

* Mikey really wants to rescue Leatherhead and is eager to go to Dimension X, but Leo tells him he can't come along because "he's been messing up too much lately". With a really sad expression he calls his name and remembers how they became friends, one of the flashbacks even showing them sleeping cuddled up together.

[[AC: 3x5 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaturtles2012S3E5DreamBeavers Dream Beavers]]'']]

[[AC: 3x9 ''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S3E9ReturnToNewYork Return to New York]] '']]

[[AC: 3x11 ''The Pig and the Rhino'']]

[[AC: 3x12 & 13 "''[[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S3E1213BattleForNewYork Battle For]] [[Recap/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012S3E1213BattleForNewYork New York]]"'']]

*** On the other hand, it can also be seen as a CrowningMomentOfAwesome. Instead of fearing the rat, he's achieved synthesis. See [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars Tigatron]].

** ...then it turns into a HeartwarmingMoment when April surprises Donnie with [[BigDamnKiss a tender kiss on the lips]].

* The broken artifacts all around symbolizing what's left of the Turtles' dearest allies. April's tassen, Casey's mask and skull, and Karai's motorcycle and helmet. It's clear that they're no longer with them, but in spirit.

* The fate of Leo: He became Maximus Kong, a ShoutOut to Lord Humongous. It's a shock to see the most noble turtle having gone completely mad from his second mutation and becoming a tyrant. Though it's mitigated when Raph snaps him back to himself.

* The fact that this is the series finale. Non-canonicity aside, it means the show has finished its good run.