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[[caption-width-right:1000:''"He's wrong. We're not wearing costumes."'']]

->''"You see, my sons, change is good."''
-->--'''Master Splinter'''

When mysterious robots attack the Turtles' lair in the sewer, they lose contact with their master, Splinter, and decide to go topside to meet up with him. However, the quartet run afoul of a group of street thugs known as the Purple Dragons and a swarm of ninjas.

''First appearance of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Splinter, The Shredder/Oroku Saki, the Purple Dragons, and the Foot Clan''
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!!This episode provides examples of:

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: After beating up the Purple Dragons, Raphael says he's still getting warmed up and hopes for more fighting. When the Foot Ninja arrive immediately afterwards, Mikey lampshades this:
-->'''Raph:''' I hope there are more of those guys, I’m just getting warmed up.\\
'''Mike:''' ''(Shadows from above draws his attention)'' Uh, well, looks like you got your wish, Raphie boy...
* BigNo: Leo when it looks like Splinter was crushed in the cave-in.
* BloodKnight: Just as they're about to throw down with the Foot Ninja, Raphael says he's going to enjoy this.
* BullyingADragon: With Raphael locked in the truck, Michelangelo actively tries to annoy him. The second Donatello unlocks the door, Raph tackles Mikey.
* ChallengeSeeker: Donatello enjoys the prospect of working past the truck's sophisticated lock, saying it'll be way more fun than getting past a system padlock.
* CurbStompBattle: The Turtles have no trouble with the Purple Dragons, winning so handily that the thugs run away in a panic. The fight with the Foot proves far tougher for the Turtles.
* DopeSlap: When Michelangelo tries a WalkThisWay joke, Donatello uses his bo staff for this effect.
* DoubleMeaningTitle: The title "Things Change" refers to the Turtles being forced to leave their old home, as well as meeting the Foot Clan, their enemies for much of the series. In a meta sense, the title can also refer to the fact that this is a [[ContinuityReboot completely different series]] from the 1987 cartoon, and will have significant differences than what came before.
* DrivesLikeCrazy: Donatello, as to be expected from someone who's never driven a vehicle before. He concedes it's not a smooth ride, but it did get them away from the Foot.
* EstablishingCharacterMoment:
** The Turtles show off their personalities and methods of fighting by the first quarter of the episode.
** The Shredder's very first on-screen action in the series is to [[BadBoss personally murder a Purple Dragon]] who failed him.
* {{Foreshadowing}}:
** The Turtles' old lair is destroyed by Mouser robots. In the next episode, they will try to learn where these things came from and meet April O'Neil while saving her from them.
** The origins of the new lair will be explored in the "Notes from the Underground" three-parter.
* FromBadToWorse: The Turtles make short work of the Purple Dragons, only to be confronted by bonafide ninjas.
* GratuitousNinja: The Turtles encounter another group of Ninja in New York.
-->'''Mike:''' And... what's with all those ninjas? Ninjas in New York City, besides us? It's just not right!
* ICantHearYou: Mikey taunts Raph this way while he's locked inside a truck.
* InvoluntaryGroupSplit: The Lair caves in on the Turtles, separating them from Master Splinter.
* MythologyGag: Leonardo's narration in the cold open describing him and his brothers impending fight with a gang, the description of their location, and clarifying they're not wearing costumes, is the exact same monologue used to start the original Mirage comic books.
* {{Narrator}}: Leonardo [[TheLeader appropriately]] provides the first of the series.
* RankScalesWithAsskicking: Leo is the only one to pass Splinter's candle exercise.
* RecurringExtra: The Turtles drop the stolen money off with two cops that resemble creators Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. The cops will recur throughout the series.
* ScreamDiscretionShot: When the Purple Dragon member reports to his master about his failure at the episode's end. Said master is Oroku Saki, AKA the Shredder.
* SeenItAll: After the Turtles drop off the money, the younger cop freaks over what they just saw. The elder cop just rolls his eyes and says, "Rookie."
* ShoutOut: When Raph finds the stolen money in the truck, Mikey shouts, "[[Film/JerryMaguire Show me the money]], baby!"
* TacticalWithdrawal: With the Foot having greater numbers, Leonardo has Donatello hotwire the truck for a speedy retreat.
* TechnologicallyBlindElders: When Splinter is separated from the Turtles in the cave-in he struggles with his t-phone, having to be told by Leo that he doesn't need to press any buttons.
* TemptingFate: After chasing off the Purple Dragons, Donatello comments how easy that was, and Raphael says he hopes there's more. Cue the arrival of the Foot Ninja.
* ThisIsGonnaSuck: When the rumbling starts getting closer and closer.
-->'''Splinter''': What is that noise?
* WalkThisWay: Splinter says this to the Turtles. Mike begins to imitate his walk before Don whacks him.
* YouHaveFailedMe:
-->'''Purple Dragon''': I promise, sir, I won't fail you again.\\
'''Saki''': [[PreMortemOneLiner I know. You won't fail me again. Ever!]]
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