Casey and April take the Turtles and Master Splinter to the old Jones farm to recuperate after their big fight with the Shredder. But they can get no peace, as Casey's lowlife cousin Sid shows up, quickly followed by a gang of Purple Dragons...
This episode provides examples of
- Adaptational Achilles Heel: In the original Mirage story, the Turtles weren't at any disadvantage whatsoever against the thugs who raided the farm. In this episode, the Turtles and Splinter are severely injured after a battle against the Utrom Shredder hot off the heels of the third season finale and have to exercise more precaution and stealth in fending off the home invaders.
- Adaptational Heroism: Sid. He's a desperate antagonist, but in the comic this episode is based on, he was the ringleader for a gang of thugs in his quest to find the treasure. Here, he's just a guy who owes a lot of money to the Purple Dragons, who show up at the farm to check on his progress. The episode also ends with Sid on fairly good terms with Casey, whereas he was a real mess in the comic.
- All for Nothing: Sid spent years looking for the money his grandfather stole in a train job, only to learn that his grandmother not only found the money a long time ago, she donated it to charity to make up for her husband's crime.
- Battle Couple: April and Casey fight the Purple Dragons and Sid together in the farm house.
- Benched Hero: Leo and Donnie literally lock Raph in a closet to prevent him from fighting the Purple Dragons - partially just to razz him, but in all seriousness he was so injured he could barely stand up on his own, let alone fight. Raph, who had half-joked about "fighting them on my back", was not impressed.Raph: You'd better hope I never heal!
- Black Sheep: Cousin Sid, and to a degree, Casey's grandfather. It's implied Casey's vigilante history hasn't exactly endeared him to the larger family, either. In fact, April remarks that Casey's grandmother is the only white sheep of the family.
- Blatant Lies: "I'm fine."
- Breather Episode: Big time. The show has been on an adrenaline rush since the Ultimate Drako arc and has seen its darkest episodes to date since then, particularly the dramatic third season finale where the Turtles and Splinter attempted a murder-suicide out of desperation to stop the Shredder. This episode still has a rather solemn undertone due to everyone suffering from their wounds, but it’s a big comedown from the dark, epic scope of the last several episodes. The Purple Dragons and Sid are similarly far less dangerous or depraved threats to handle than Shredder, Bishop, or Ultimate Drako.
- Brought Down to Badass: Even badly injured and one turtle down (as Raphael was barely capable of standing, let alone fighting), the Turtles and Splinter were able to easily dispatch the Purple Dragon goons who showed up to the farm.
- *Crack!* "Oh, My Back!": After the Turtles lock Raph in a closet, Raph tries threatening Mike after the latter mocks him, but is unable to complete his threat due to his injuries.Mike: Don't worry, Raph, we'll come back for you. Maybe.
Raph: Mikey, you better hope I never heal. I'll—ow, ow! - Dope Slap: In their final fight, Casey briefly smacks Sid over the head and reminds him that he has never won a fought against Casey since they were kids.
- Dude, Not Funny!: Both Mike and Raph notice that Leo has started to behave more and more like Raph, however, Raph's joke is quite insensitive and it angers Leo even more.Leo: Enough talk. Let's take them down.
Mike: Leo, you're stealing Raph's line.
Raph: Hey, I don't mind. I love it when Leo talks tough. We should get Karai to stab him more often!
(Leo spins around and growls at him) - Evolving Credits: This season notably features the first time the intro has been significantly edited to reflect the status-quo changing defeat of the Shredder.
- The "Turtles count it off" portion of the theme song is now a Theme Tune Roll Call, in which the Turtles are also seen alongside supporting allies Usagi (in Leo's part), Leatherhead (in Don's part), Gen (in Raph's part), and Silver Sentry (in Mikey's part).
- Bishop, Baxter Stockman, and Hun all get their own establishing shots, followed by a shot of Casey, April, and Splinter fighting off a group of ninjas.
- The Turtles' defeat of the Shredder in the previous season's finale is acknowledged by changing the line "Watch out for Shredder" to Michelangelo saying "We shredded Shredder!"
- The intro has a lot more color in the shots of the city with the show's logo now projected into the water.
- Foreshadowing:
- The Purple Dragon thugs note that things are changing for the organization.
- Leonardo is rather quiet and somber during an early scene—setting up the anger he'll be struggling with for half the season. Splinter's opening narration also hints at this, saying he suspects his sons are dealing with more then just physical wounds.
- Genius Ditz: Casey figures out that his grandfather's clue "Spot marks the X" refers to where the old man buried his beloved dog, Spot.
- Groin Attack: Implied. The goon Splinter takes out from behind’s voice becomes very high-pitched after the sound of impact.
- Handicapped Badass: Literally. The Turtles and Splinter are still reeling from their injuries during their fight with Shredder, so they can't do their usual moves this time.
- Hollywood Healing: Averted. The turtles are broken, battered and in a lot of pain following their fight with the Shredder. But none is more broken than Leo.
- It's All About Me: Casey accused Sid of this and he isn't wrong.
- Pet the Dog: Literally. Casey and Sid's grandfather took in a stray dog and adored him.
- Promotion to Opening Titles: Stockman and Bishop are added to the intro credits to reflect how Bishop will take a larger role this season now that his competitor for Big Bad, Shredder, is out of the picture. The intro also adds cameos from supporting allies Silver Sentry, Usagi, Gen, and Leatherhead.
- Waif-Fu: April manages to throw a Purple Dragon over her head, despite being noticeably smaller and slimmer than him
- Worthless Treasure Twist: Sid is desperately seeking a treasure that he and Casey's grandfather supposedly hid after robbing a train. When they finally find an old lockbox, all they find inside is a bunch of receipts. Apparently Casey's grandmother found the money first, a long time ago, and to make up for her husband's sins, she gave all of it to various charities.
