Master Splinter sends Leonardo to Japan to train with The Ancient One. Along the way Leo encounters many challenges, and a strange old man...
First appearance of The Ancient One
This episode provides examples of:
- Actually, I Am Him: The plot of this episode.
- Armor-Piercing Question: "If there was nothing more you could have done, why do you punish yourself so?"
- Call-Back: Leo taking things too far while sparring with Splinter, forcing the brothers to intervene, and particularly Raph grabbing him and asking "what the shell his problem is", is reminiscent of Season 1's "Meet Casey Jones" when Leo intervened on Raph when he was similarly about to go too far in a sparring bout with Mikey and asked Raph what he was thinking.
- This also shows just how bad Leo's Heroic BSoD has become: his behaviour is on par with a pre-Character Development Raphael, or actually worse, as Raph at his very worst probably still would never have injured Splinter.
- Flashback: Four brief ones interspersed throughout Leo's final fight. They're set during "Exodus Part 2" when the Shredder is locked outside the core room.
- Foreshadowing:
- The Ancient One offers to tell Leonardo a story about Master Yoshi.
- The rock monster tells Leonardo he knows him better than he knows himself. He's actually a manifestation of his anger and guilt.
- Gass Hole: Leonardo's traveling companion, in this episode at least.
- Gate Guardian: A pair of Yeti who fight/test Leonardo on his journey.
- Heel Realization: The entire point of this episode is for Leonardo to see what he's become and to heal. The final fight (where he realizes he's fighting his own rage and guilt) is the moment where it finally dawns on him.
- Hypocritical Humor: Raph calling Leo a hothead. It's lampshaded."I hate it when Leo reminds me of me."
- Ironic Echo: When calling out Leonardo for injuring Master Splinter, Raphael says the exact same thing Leonardo said to him when he tried to hurt Michelangelo in Casey Jones. This shows that Leonardo has completely hit rock bottom with his anger.
- Jerkass Has a Point: During a heated training session, Leo says Splinter only teaches him things he already knows. Afterwards, Splinter admits this is somewhat true—believing Leo needs a new master to help him through his inner rage.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Leonardo has an example of this when he loses control and injures Master Splinter. Although he doesn't actually say the line, the look on his face after it happens and his subsequent remorse show he was clearly shocked, and deeply ashamed of letting his rage consume him at his sensei's expense.
- The Only One: Played for Drama. Flashbacks show the others (reeling from fighting with Shredder) barraging Leo with pleas for help and to come up with a plan.Donatello: Help me. I'm hurt.
Michelangelo: We're not gonna make it. Leo, help me!
Raphael: Leo, the Shredder's comin' for us! You gotta do somethin'!
Splinter: Save us, Leonardo! We are all counting on you, my son. - "The Reason You Suck" Speech:
- During some training, Leo mouths off to Splinter."I've already mastered this lesson! And yesterday's lesson! And the lesson before that! WHEN are you going to teach me something I don't already know?!"
- The rock monster to Leo."I smell your fear and your failure. You are not worthy. You are doomed to fail, as you have failed yourself and others."
- During some training, Leo mouths off to Splinter.
- Scenery Porn: The Hidden Land, whose background features an art shift, to boot.
- Sheathe Your Sword: The lesson taken from facing the ice giants and the ghosts.
- Trickster Mentor: The Ancient One, initially.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Raph calls Leo out for injuring Master Splinter when Leo loses control in a fit of rage.Raphael: Leo, what the shell is your problem?!
- You Did Everything You Could: The key realization that shakes Leo from his season long funk.Leonardo: I'm sorry. I did the best I could. I did the best I could! There wasn't any more I could've done!Ancient One: If there was nothing more you could have done, why do you punish yourself so?
