The gang ventures into the darkest (and silliest) corners Mikey’s noggin.
This week’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was certainly one of the most unique episodes we’ve seen this season — sort of 2016’s answer to the Dream Beavers episode last year. And much like that episode, the majority of “Journey to the Center of Mikey’s Mind” took place inside the brains of our heroes, specifically Michelangelo’s. While this episode was pretty fillery overall, it still offered some fun distractions.
Of course, the part that did advance the main plot this week was the team’s visit to Zaphod’s Cantina — a clever reference to everybody’s favorite two-headed scoundrel in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Indeed, this new setting felt a bit like a mashup of the Restaurant at the End of the Universe and Wuher’s Cantina in Star Wars, which was cool. We were also introduced to the Jabba the Hutt-esque schematics dealer Belly Bomb (Charlie Murphy), who first appeared in the Archie Comics.
The cantina shootout here also served as a nice action beat leading up to the Neutrinos, who in this version were microscopic enemies of the Turtles (sans their typical ’80s outfits). Granted, it took nearly half the episode to get to the “Mikey’s Mind” portion of the episode, but once we were there, it was nonstop ridiculousness. (“Remember, if the Neutrinos destroy you inside his mind, your body here will be reduced to a vegetative state!”)
One cool thing about this storyline was how the animators were able to incorporate so many callbacks to old environments and characters inside Mikey’s brain. For instance, the snippet of Turtles’ D&D adventure was fun to see again, as was the return of Bigfoot at the farmhouse. I think the highlight though was seeing all the different versions of Mikey’s subconscious and their own personal raps. Not only were the designs well-conceived, but it was nice to hear Greg Cipes let off his leash for pretty much this entire sequence.
Mikey’s imagination was also enjoyable, featuring cameos from the likes of Ice Cream Kitty, Mondo Gecko and the various cartoon characters from seasons past. The clashing visual elements and trippy imagery gave the scene a kind of “Through the Looking Glass” vibe. It was also a neat setting for the Turtles’ final showdown with the Neutrinos, via the adorable Little Mikey. (D’aww!) I especially got a kick out of the Turtles riding Leatherhead, Pigeon Pete and Tiger Claw in their mystic outfits.
It was also interesting to find out that Belly Bomb was working for Lord Dregg. It seems like he’s becoming the Shredder figure of deep space, ever looming in the shadows ready strike. Hopefully we’ll get to seem more of him soon, if only so we can get more time with Peter Stormare’s amazing voice.
“Journey to the Center of Mikey’s Mind” was by and large a filler episode, but it still had some enjoyable, nostalgic moments. The Turtles’ first encounter with Belly Bomb and their subsequent journey into Mikey’s mind were both standouts here, particularly the latter. While not as significant or epic as previous episodes (including last week’s), this episode was a fun diversion from this season’s ongoing outer space arc.
