Shredder kidnaps the Mighty Mutanimals to test his mind control formula.
- Bear Hug: The episode ends with Raph unexpectedly giving Leo one.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Happens to Slash, Rockwell, and Raph courtesy of Shredder's mind control chemical.
- The Bus Came Back: The Shellraiser makes its return.
- Chekhov's Gun: Donnie finishes repairing the Shellraiser just in time for the brainwashed Slash and Rockwell to steal the Party Wagon, meaning they still have something with which to give chase.
- Also, as seen from the episode prior to last, we see what Shredder's mind control plan unfold.
- Continuity Nod: Despite accepting him as an ally, Leo still isn't fond of Slash.
- Curbstomp Battle: Tiger Claw is more than a match for the combined might of the Mutanimals. Later, in an aversion of this trope, the Turtles and Mutanimals actually manage to fight Shredder to a draw.
- David Versus Goliath: Mikey ends up fighting Tiger Claw solo, though he seems to mostly just dodge Tiger Claw's attacks in an attempt to outlast the fight rather than trying to engage him directly.
- "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: Several over the course of the episode.
- Lampshade Hanging: Mikey notices that every in-universe cartoon they watch reflects their missions. Leo thinks Mikey's reading too much into it.
- The Mole: Slash and Rockwell's mind control doesn't immediately take effect, so they can convincingly be placed as sleeper agents within the Turtles.
- Mythology Gag: Once Shredder has Raph under his control, he has him don gauntlets identical to his own. In the Image comics, Raph becomes the new Shredder.
- Orifice Invasion: The mind serum is administered via worms the test subjects are forced to swallow.
- People Puppets: Rockwell utilizes his telekinetic abilities to force Donnie to beat himself up.
- Shout-Out: Resistance Is Futile!
- The worms that Baxter forces Slash, Dr. Rockwell and Raphael to swallow, so that Shredder can control their minds is most likely a reference to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Khan Noonien Singh did something very similar to some of Captain Kirk's crew.
- Wimp Fight: Pigeon Pete and Baxter Stockman engage in this, slapping each other ineffectually (with Stockman yelling "Watch the mandibles, jerk!").
- Zerg Rush: All four Turtles and all four Mutanimals attack Shredder en masse, and Shredder is just able to repel the massive assault.
