I thought Leo always chose to make sacrifices for his brothers and protect them? Sorry I am trying to understand the must I always suffer in your place line. Like didn’t he always choose to do that? He didn’t have to do anything for them. Then again I am a middle child so I guess I don’t get it.
In the 2003 iteration, Leonardo’s role as the eldest and leader is deeply tied to self-sacrifice. Throughout the series, it’s shown and even outright stated that he carries a heavier burden than his brothers. He’s held to a higher standard by both his master and himself, pushing him to train harder, expect more from himself, and make decisions that prioritize his family above all else. In the series, this responsibility is something he accepts willingly—he views it as his duty and his way of protecting his clan.
For the story, however, I wanted to explore what happens when that unwavering sense of duty is pushed too far. Being resurrected as a flesh-eating monster by his own brother becomes a breaking point for him. It’s not just the horror of what he’s become, but the deeper betrayal of his own values—sacrificing his humanity to save his brother.
The line “But now, it seems like for so much of our lives, I must suffer in your place” reflects that shift. It’s Leonardo recognizing how often he’s had to endure pain, not just for the sake of his family but in place of them. This moment of clarity is not about resenting his brothers but realizing the toll of always being the one to bear the burden, the consequences, or the suffering so they don’t have to. In this particular context, it cuts even deeper because his younger brother’s decision to resurrect him—despite knowing there would be consequences—was ultimately driven by not wanting to endure his own suffering.
I hope this helps clarify the meaning behind the line and the emotions it’s meant to convey! Thank you so much for the ask—it’s always wonderful to dive deeper into these moments!
omg love the pfp 🤝
Oh my God, another babygirl Gi-hun enthusiast?! I absolutely love yours too! The way a middle-aged man can radiate that kind of energy in a single photograph is both baffling and utterly captivating.
Stoppp, I love this movie so much!!! But now all I can think about is who all lives and dies in this universe?! Because if both In-ho and Gi-hun do not make it I will shatter. And now I have a new draft document 📃
Zombie apocalypse inspired by Train to Busan with In-ho, who is still a police officer alongside Jun-ho and Gi-hun, who is a single divorced father. Gi-hun has been divorced from Sang-woo for months now; only during the proceedings did they find out Gi-hun was pregnant with their second child, complicating things. In-ho and Gi-hun are neighbors, and In-ho is down bad, though they remain friends because Gi-hun feels guilty saddling him with everything. Well, In-ho has to take the train to Busan with Jun-ho for a case and runs into Gi-hun (who is heavily pregnant at this point), who is taking Ga-yeong to be with Sang-woo for the weekend, though she objects heavily.
Gi-hun and In-ho sit together, third-wheeling poor Jun-ho (who is completely done with his love-struck older brother at this point). Then the zombie virus breaks out on the train, and In-ho and Jun-ho take charge, leading the uninfected survivors. Well, when the survivors have to change trains to get to Busan, Gi-hun is bitten protecting Ga-yeong. In-ho is DEVASTATED, as is Ga-yeong, who has to be dragged away by Jun-ho. In-ho cannot kill Gi-hun and instead handcuffs him to the sink in the back of the train and tearfully rejoins the other survivors at the front.
Well, later, In-ho, who has been receiving updates on the virus on his phone, learns that it has been discovered that pregnant people, because of their endorphins, are resistant to the zombie virus and only experience flu-like symptoms, meaning Gi-hun and his baby will likely not turn. In-ho, without hesitation, races to the back of the train to rescue Gi-hun, and when he reunites with him, looking at the man he loves terrified and teary-eyed, still handcuffed to the sink, he sobs and finally kisses him. Then he practically carries him back to the front of the train with the other survivors and is just like: I am your husband now. This is my child. 😤
ANON, U JUST DELIVERED AN OSCAR WINNING SCRIPT ON MY INBOX!!!
i love everything abt his!!!
protective inho, gihun defending his daughter, junho being tired of their asses.... i know gayeong accidently kills a zombie and the men around are proud and horrified in equal measures.
INHO CLAIMING GIHUN'S BABY AS HIS OMGGGGGGGG 😩🤧
@slady-ao3 Yeah, exactly! I think that’s what makes the moment so memorable—Leonardo’s usually the last turtle you’d expect to kill without hesitation.
Casey: [looking anxiously at the crates, where a distinct snapping noise was heard] Did you just... kill him?
Leonardo: Of course not! That would be inhumane. [He stands proudly, gesturing to the unconscious goon behind the crates.] l popped his medulla oblongata, paralyzing him for life. He can still breathe and feel Purple Dragon sadness.
Casey: [scratches his head, looking confused] ...I don't see how that's any better.
Context: During season four of the 2003 iteration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Leonardo drags a Purple Dragon goon behind some crates, where a distinct snapping noise is heard. This made a lot of fans theorize he actually snapped his neck, killing him. Video below:
Leonardo: Can someone give me an example of a mistake made on this mission?
[Raphael immediately raises his hand.]
Leonardo: Thank you, Raphael. That’s a very good example.
Raphael: Hey! I didn’t even say anything yet!
Leonardo: You didn’t have to.
Civilian: You in the lizard costume, I want to speak to your manager!
Raphael: Oh, you wanna talk to my manager? Sure, hold on.
[Raphael pulls out his shell cell, dials a number slowly, and holds it up dramatically.]
Raphael: [speaking into the phone] Leo, some bitch wants to talk to you.
[Raphael pauses, listening to muffled talking from Leonardo on the other end of the line. Turns back to the civilian with a smirk.]
Raphael: Yeah, he says you can take that complaint and shove it up your—
[Raphael cut off by loud yelling from Leonardo on the other line.]
I think a really underrated trope is "character gets shrunk to adorable size and hijinks ensue," and I especially want to see this used in the 2003 iteration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Picture this: Leonardo, either through some villain of the week, freak accident, or alien technology, gets shrunk down to roughly the size of a Barbie doll.
Donatello calls Raphael and Michelangelo into his laboratory, looking all grim and serious. The absence of their eldest brother has the younger two convinced that something horrible has happened.
Raphael: [bursts in, all worried] Donny, what the shell happened? Where's Leo?!
Michelangelo: [close on his heels, equally concerned] Yeah, where's Leo? Did something happen?
Donatello: [holding up his hands to calm them] Yes, but it’s not what you think! He’s fine. He's just... gone through a bit of a change.
Raphael: [squints] What kind of change?
Donatello: [sighs] Now, I’m going to bring him out, and you two better be on your best behavior. No laughing—this is serious.
Raphael: [crosses arms, suspicious] Serious how?
Donatello gives them a look that screams, "You'll see." He reaches under the table, carefully picks up something (or rather, someone), and gently sets Leonardo down on the table. Leonardo—now barely the height of a Barbie doll—straightens his gear and adjusts his mask, trying desperately to maintain his dignity.
Raphael: [silent, staring] ...
Michelangelo: [jaw drops] ...
Raphael: [deadpan, trying not to laugh] ...I’m not supposed to laugh, right?
Michelangelo: [slowly grins] He...is...so...AWESOME! Dude, he’s like the ultimate, super-realistic action figure! [jumps excitedly] Let me hold him! Let me hold him! Please, just for a minute!
Leonardo: [scrambles to climb up Donatello’s arm, in full panic mode] DO NOT let him hold me! DO NOT let him hold me!
In-ho | The Front Man: [coldly] What makes you think I will end these games, Player 456?
Gi-hun: [without hesitation] I'll sit on your face.
[The Front Man, caught completely off guard, makes a choked noise—somewhere between a gasp and a strangled cough.]
[The Front Man flashes back to watching Gi-hun during the dalgona game. The camera zooms in on Gi-hun, hunched over his candy, tongue out, licking furiously like his life depends on it (it does).]
I love the idea that the 2003 iteration of Leonardo is so intent on being a mother hen that he tries to take care of literally everyone around him—even grown-ass adults. I especially love the idea of fifteen-year-old Leonardo mother henning Casey and April, who are in their mid-twenties.
Leonardo: [hands an apple and a protein bar to Casey] Here. You might get hungry during patrol, and it’s important to keep your energy up. I also have dark chocolate or peanut butter if you finish those.
Casey: [staring at the snacks, confused] Uh… thanks, Leo?
Raphael: [snickering]
Casey: [frowning] Does he always do this?
Donatello: [with a straight face] You have no idea…
Michelangelo: [letting Leonardo peel an apple for him with his katana] Oh yeah, all the time. It’s kinda nice—he cuts the apple into perfect little pieces.
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