Unable to find Splinter on their own, the Turtles decide to investigate the mysterious Guardians.
This episode provides examples of:
- Air-Vent Passageway: Subverted when the Turtles try to enter the T.C.R.I. building this way, only to discover the ventilation shaft is a fake
- Crazy-Prepared: Lampshaded by Mikey when Don's method of fooling the security cameras is revealed:Mikey: I don't know what bothers me more, that this thing actually works, or that Don carries around a pigeon puppet...
- Didn't See That Coming: After seeing the sign in the building's lobby.Don: Uh, guys, here's a new wrinkle.
- Explain, Explain... Oh, Crap!:Don: Say the first letter in each word.
Mikey: What? T.C.R.I.? Sorry, it's not ringing any [realizing] bells. - Fun with Acronyms: Now here's an odd wrinkle: TCRI. Techno Cosmic Research Institute. The same initials as on the ooze that created the Turtles, cluing them in that whatever else is going on TCRI are responsible for their mutation.
- Lured into a Trap: The Turtles lure one of the Guardians to the Shredder's old base by reactivating the Foot signal and planting a decoy Shredder doll.
- Shout-Out: During Casey's distraction, he gets up on the security console and starts chanting "Attica! Attica!"
- The Smart Guy: Donatello is the only one of the Turtles to grasp the importance of the name "Techno Cosmic Research Institute."
- Tracking Device: The Turtles use one to follow the Guardian and find the T.C.R.I building
- We Need a Distraction: How the team gets April into the T.C.R.I. building.
