The Turtles ended up struggling against the Foot, the Purple Dragons, and the mob as they continue to fight each other for control of the city. Even bigger troubles come up when the Shredder's successor, Karai, clashes with the Turtles.
This episode provides examples of:
- Asskicking Leads to Leadership: Dragon Face declares himself the leader of the Purple Dragons. However, he is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Hun. Dragon Face claims that Hun isn't in charge anymore. This causes Hun to leap down from the rafters and casually pummel Dragon Face.Dragon Face: Hun? We thought you weren't coming back... Look, things have changed around here. I'm in charge now. You can't come waltzing in here like you own the place or something.
Hun: Oh, but I do own the place, Dragon Face. Every inch of turf you rule, every kickback you've collected, every little crumb you've ever been handed, you owe to me, and you owe it to the Shredder.
[He looms over Dragon Face]Hun: And it is in his memory that I vow... [lifts Dragon Face up by his shoulders] to lead the Purple Dragons to the top of the food chain. We are going to rule this city!
[throws Dragon Face away]
Hun: Any other objections? [scans the now completely silent crowd] I didn't think so. - Blood Knight: The way Casey reacts when he finds out about the massive Mob War, you'd think Mike was talking about a party instead.April: What are you doing here?
Mike: Nothing. Just running from a bunch of Foot Ninja. My bros and I are in the middle of this big fight and I—
Casey: Big fight? How come I wasn't invited? - Bus Full of Innocents: Who inevitably get caught in the crossfire...
- Bystander Syndrome: Raph wants not to get involved in the Mob War because according to him, it is not their fight. Leo calls him out multiple times.Raph: If having them drop a building on our heads don't convince you we should stay out of this, I don't know what will.
Leo: Since when do you run from a fight?
Raph: First, I ain't running. Second, it wasn't our fight to begin with.
Leo: Yeah, well guess what? It’s our fight now, hothead! - Dragon Ascendant: Dragon Face attempts to assume leadership of the Purple Dragons, but Hun quickly muscles his way in and takes over himself.
- Enemy Civil War: the Foot Clan, the Purple Dragons and the Mob battle for control of New York following the Shredder's supposed demise.
- Enemy Mine: The Turtles briefly join hands with the Foot in order to fight the robots in the beginning.Raph: Fighting side by side with the Foot? Now you know this has gotta be wrong!
Foot Elite: Once the robot is defeated, we will destroy you all!
Don: Now that's the Foot we know and loathe! - Explain, Explain... Oh, Crap!: Michelangelo, after being chased by some foot ninjas, seeks shelter at April's shop.April: Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa WHOA! Michelangelo, you're telling me you ran into my shop— my new, just fixed up after it was blown to pieces and burned to the ground by a bunch of Foot Ninja shop— because you're being chased by a bunch of Foot Ninja?
Michelangelo: Yeah, I was running and... and... (Beat) Oh man! What a bonehead. - Failed a Spot Check: Leo and Raph get distracted by their argument, completely missing the robots rising behind them. Mike and Don notice and they try to draw their attention, but they continue to ignore the two for some time.
- Hypocritical Humor: In the beginning, Leo calls a Raph a hothead. Raph objects to being called a hothead by getting angry and yelling at him.Leo: It’s our fight now, hothead!
Raph: Who you callin' "hothead"? - Jerkass Has a Point / What the Hell, Hero?: Raph's attitude during the City at War trilogy. What the Hell, Hero? stems from the fact that he refuses to believe that the turtles were responsible for New York's gang war between the Foot Clan, Purple Dragons, and the Mob and he sounds like he doesn't care about the innocent people who have been caught in the crossfire. This stems from his statement that the turtles' involvement would only "add fuel to the fire", in other words, make the situation worse and to be honest, Raph wasn't wrong, apart from Leo saving a gang of mobsters from an exploding warehouse and evacuating a man trapped in a bus, the turtles weren't making much progress to ending the war until Karai showed up.
- Mob War
- Mythology Gag:
- The turtles and Casey hide in an empty water tower on a rooftop, much like the water tower the Turtles temporarily lived in during the City At War arc in the original Mirage comic.
- When Karai threatens to kill Leonardo, it is similar to when Shredder did the same thing in the first movie with having Leonardo pinned to the ground by their enemy.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Mikey's opening narration in eliminating the Shredder.
- Pet the Dog: The Mob boss previously stated that he hates Stockman and is only working with him to take down the Foot and the Purple Dragons. Upon seeing the results, he praises Stockman.Mob Boss: I got to admit, pal, when you deliver, you deliver! Not only do we take down the Foot, but those costumed freaks to boot!
- The Starscream: Dragon Face tries to rebel against Hun, but fails.
- Shout-Out: Mikey makes one to Captain America when he throws a garbage can lid at some foes
- Vapor Trail: A rare example of the heroes getting caught in one, when Stockman's robot ignites the fuel trail leading to the bus Leo and Raph are trapped in.
- Would Hit a Girl: The Turtles and Casey have no problem fighting Karai.
