Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles_(1987_TV_series)_(season_4)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series) season 4
Season of television series
The fourth season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is split into two main sub-sections that aired concurrently: fifteen episodes which aired daily in syndication, and twenty-six episodes that premiered in hour-long double-bills on Saturday Mornings on CBS, which would serve as its home for the remainder of the whole series. A brief "Turtle Tips" segment aired between the two episodes which served as a PSA about the environment or other issues. There were a total of 20 "Turtle Tips" segments produced and aired. The syndication episodes featured the original title sequence, while the CBS episodes debuted a new title sequence, and also did away with the show's title cards. In addition to these thirty-nine episodes, a two-part "Easter special" aired the following Spring.
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| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | |
|---|---|
| Season 4 | |
| No. of episodes | 41 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Syndication CBS |
| Original release | September 8, 1990 (1990-09-08) – March 29, 1991 (1991-03-29) |
| Season chronology | |
| List of episodes | |
During this season, the Technodrome is back in Dimension X, having been launched from Earth through a portal at the conclusion of season 3 .[1] The season premiere, "Plan 6 from Outer Space", aired in syndication, and detailed how the villains' battle fortress crash-landed on an asteroid; in the later episode, "The Dimension X Story" a volcano on the asteroid erupted, immobilizing the Technodrome by surrounding it with molten lava.[2] "The Dimension X Story" was evidently intended to be the first episode of the CBS run, as many other episodes which aired before it from both the syndication and CBS episodes refer to the Technodrome being trapped in lava, but wound up airing very late in the season.
Note that the Vacation in Europe episodes take place between the first two episodes of this season.[3]
- All forty-one fourth-season episodes were directed by Fred Wolf.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written by | Original air date | TV broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | 1 | "Plan Six from Outer Space" | David Wise | September 10, 1990 (1990-09-10) (Syndication) | S04E01 |
|
With the Technodrome in serious need for new equipment, Bebop and Rocksteady are sent to Earth, disguised in human form, to capture the Channel 6 building and take it to Dimension X. To keep the Turtles distracted, Rocksteady & Bebop also deploy a robot duplicate of Master Splinter, but it malfunctions and starts going gonzo. Title Reference: Plan 9 from Outer Space | |||||
| 67 | 2 | "Turtles of the Jungle" | Misty Taggart | September 11, 1990 (1990-09-11) (Syndication) | S04E02 |
| A professor's new ray-gun causes plants to go wild and his pet ape Jocko to become a giant rampaging monkey. By using the same ray-gun, Donatello is increased to Jocko's size so he can fight the giant ape and save April from him. | |||||
| 68 | 3 | "Michaelangelo Toys Around" | Ted Pedersen and Francis Moss | September 12, 1990 (1990-09-12) (Syndication) | S04E03 |
| While trying to see the new toys at the Toy Fair, Michaelangelo stumbles upon a plot to take over a noted toy company. | |||||
| 69 | 4 | "Peking Turtle" | Antonio Ortiz and Carmela Ortiz | September 13, 1990 (1990-09-13) (Syndication) | S04E04 |
| The Turtles must battle a reanimated Terracotta Army after The Shredder steals an energy device shaped like a giant pearl, which is held and guarded by a Jade Dragon. | |||||
| 70 | 5 | "Shredder's Mom" | Ted Pedersen and Francis Moss | September 14, 1990 (1990-09-14) (Syndication) | S04E05 |
| Krang frees Miyoko Saki, Shredder's mother from the retirement community. Shredder threatens the world's governments to surrender to Krang or he will gradually raise the world's heat, which causes New York to be in the middle of a massive heat wave. The Turtles get help from Colonel Yogurt, an air force officer to thwart Shredder, who is starting to get annoyed with his mother's success. | |||||
| 71 | 6 | "Son of Return of the Fly II" | David Wise | September 8, 1990 (1990-09-08) (CBS) | S04E16 |
| Vengeful Baxter Stockman and an A.I. computer return to Earth from a dimensional limbo and capture the Turtles while luring Shredder into their trap as well. | |||||
| 72 | 7 | "Bebop and Rocksteady Conquer the Universe" | David Wise | September 15, 1990 (1990-09-15) (CBS) | S04E18 |
|
On their latest trip to Earth, Bebop and Rocksteady steal a machine that makes everyone scared of everything. Title Reference: Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe | |||||
| 73 | 8 | "Raphael Meets His Match" | Charles M. Howell IV | September 15, 1990 (1990-09-15) (CBS) | S04E19 |
| Raphael wins a place at the owner of a fast food chain's party. When the yacht is taken hostage by Hi-Tech pirates he and the mysterious lizard-woman Mona Lisa work together to stop them. | |||||
| 74 | 9 | "Four Turtles and a Baby" | Misty Taggart | September 17, 1990 (1990-09-17) (Syndication) | S04E06 |
|
When General Tragg and his troops attack the Neutrino planet capital, the Neutrino leaders, King Zenter and Queen Gizzla, send their infant daughter Tribble through a portal to Earth, asking the Turtles to look after her, but Tribble causes big trouble for our heroes. Title Reference: Three Men and a Baby | |||||
| 75 | 10 | "Turtlemaniac" | Rowby Goren | September 18, 1990 (1990-09-18) (Syndication) | S04E07 |
|
An eccentric billionaire, Monroe Q. Flem, who is also a collector, wishes to collect every piece of TMNT memorabilia that he can get his evil hands on, including April O'Neil and the Turtles themselves. Title Reference: Lisztomania | |||||
| 76 | 11 | "Rondo in New York" | Francis Moss and Ted Pedersen | September 19, 1990 (1990-09-19) (Syndication) | S04E08 |
| A big-time Hollywood action movie star arrives in New York to promote his newest movie. Unfortunately, reality hits hard for Michaelangelo as he discovers that his movie idol is not all he's cracked up to be. Meanwhile, Shredder and Krang steal a substance that can bring inanimate objects to life. | |||||
| 77 | 12 | "Planet of the Turtles" | George Shea | September 20, 1990 (1990-09-20) (Syndication) | S04E09 |
| The Turtles must save the Earth from a massive energy drain and its Apocalyptic result by traveling to another planet where turtles are the dominant species. | |||||
| 78 | 13 | "Name That Toon" | Misty Taggart | September 21, 1990 (1990-09-21) (Syndication) | S04E10 |
| A Technodrome computer disguised as an electronic keyboard ends up on Earth, and in the most unlikely of hands. | |||||
| 79 | 14 | "Raphael Knocks 'Em Dead" | Jack Mendelsohn | September 8, 1990 (1990-09-08) (CBS) | S04E17 |
|
Raphael must contend with a mobster named Pinky McFingers when he is kidnapped from a local comedy club. (This is the only episode appearance of Baxter Stockman's twin brother Barney Stockman.) Note: First appearance of Pinky McFingers. | |||||
| 80 | 15 | "Slash – The Evil Turtle from Dimension X" | David Wise | September 22, 1990 (1990-09-22) (CBS) | S04E20 |
|
Bebop and Rocksteady use Krang's new Mutagen on Bebop's pet turtle Slash so he can do their housework for them. Slash runs away and is conned by an irritated entrepreneur into framing the TMNT. Note: First Appearance of Slash and Donald J. Lofty. | |||||
| 81 | 16 | "Leonardo Lightens Up" | Dan DiStefano | September 22, 1990 (1990-09-22) (CBS) | S04E21 |
| Frustrated with his bossy nature, Raphael and Michaelangelo accidentally shoot Leonardo with the personality modifying ray, turning him into a fun loving 'dude' who neglects his responsibilities. Donatello, Raphael and Michaelangelo must stop Maestro G. Cleff from destroying the city. | |||||
| 82 | 17 | "Menace Maestro, Please" | Martin Pasko | September 24, 1990 (1990-09-24) (Syndication) | S04E11 |
| The Turtles meet Irma's boyfriend Howie, who has bought an old opera house with the intent of turning it into a nightclub. The Turtles must contend with the "Phantom of the Floxy", as does Shredder, who is planning to get the Technodrome back to Earth. | |||||
| 83 | 18 | "Back to the Egg" | Dennis Marks | September 26, 1990 (1990-09-26) (Syndication) | S04E13 |
|
Krang hires a multi-dimensional ring-master who intends on making the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles part of his circus by using an anti-aging serum. Leonardo and Michaelangelo are turned into 5 Year olds. Title Reference: Back to the Egg | |||||
| 84 | 19 | "Were-Rats from Channel 6" | David Wise | September 29, 1990 (1990-09-29) (CBS) | S04E22 |
| After many failed attempts from his rodent subjects to find food, the Rat King learns of an abandoned canister of mutagen lost in the sewers and claims it for himself. Then, he kidnaps Irma and Vernon and uses the mutagen to transform them into his mutant slaves, for the sole purpose of raiding food warehouses. It is later discovered that the mutations are unstable and can only be active if the Rat King plays his hypnotic flute. | |||||
| 85 | 20 | "Funny, They Shrunk Michaelangelo" | Michael Edens | September 29, 1990 (1990-09-29) (CBS) | S04E23 |
|
When Michaelangelo decides to put one of Donatello's inventions on max power for his own entertainment, he ends in a—quite literally—little problem. April and Vernon get caught in the shrinking ray while getting footage of a military ship and join Michaelangelo on his wild adventure. Title reference: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids | |||||
| 86 | 21 | "The Big Zipp Attack" | David Wise | October 6, 1990 (1990-10-06) (CBS) | S04E24 |
| An alien called a "Zipp" is sent to Earth, but this little alien soon becomes a big problem. | |||||
| 87 | 22 | "Donatello Makes Time" | Dennis Marks | October 6, 1990 (1990-10-06) (CBS) | S04E25 |
| Donatello invents a machine that can freeze time, which a deranged professor steals as part of a plan to conquer the world. | |||||
| 88 | 23 | "Farewell, Lotus Blossom!" | David Wise | October 13, 1990 (1990-10-13) (CBS) | S04E26 |
| Ninja Lotus Blossom's nightmares draw her to a strange artifact in the Turtles' possession. The artifact contains an angry spirit, whose dearest wife's spirit/soul is lying deep within Lotus herself. | |||||
| 89 | 24 | "Rebel Without a Fin" | Michael Reaves | October 13, 1990 (1990-10-13) (CBS) | S04E27 |
|
Dr. Polidorius, a mad scientist plotting to mutate all humanity into aquatic-beings, creates Ray (not the similarly-named Mighty Mutanimals character), who possesses several abilities of different marine species. Ray kidnaps April O'Neil, and Polidorius mutates her into a fish-woman to be Ray's mate. Title reference: Rebel Without a Cause | |||||
| 90 | 25 | "Rhino-Man" | David Wise | October 20, 1990 (1990-10-20) (CBS) | S04E28 |
| Rich tycoon J. Gordon HungerDunger runs a contest for the best superhero, with a phony diamond as a prize, to cover up a scheme to hypnotize the world. Even the Foot Clan gets suckered into this contest, with Bebop and Rocksteady dressing up as superheroes so they can win the diamond, and use to power up a laser Krang has created. | |||||
| 91 | 26 | "Michaelangelo Meets Bugman" | Dennis Marks | October 20, 1990 (1990-10-20) (CBS) | S04E29 |
| Michaelangelo meets his favourite comic book hero after he saves a weakened Brick Bradley in the sewers, and then he and Bugman take on the evil Electrozapper together. | |||||
| 92 | 27 | "Poor Little Rich Turtle" | David Wise | October 27, 1990 (1990-10-27) (CBS) | S04E30 |
|
The Turtles must baby-sit and protect a young rich girl named Buffy Shellhammer from Shredder and Krang, as she knows of a formula for a super fuel needed for the Technodrome. Title reference: The Poor Little Rich Girl | |||||
| 93 | 28 | "What's Michaelangelo Good For?" | Ted Pedersen and Francis Moss | October 27, 1990 (1990-10-27) (CBS) | S04E31 |
| Michaelangelo must rescue the other Turtles when they are captured by an evil scientist. | |||||
| 94 | 29 | "The Dimension X Story" | David Wise | November 3, 1990 (1990-11-03) (CBS) | S04E32 |
|
Shredder has a plan to destroy the Turtles, but with the Technodrome's portal out of commission, he is unable to challenge them on Earth, so he uses the Dimensional Teleporter to bring his enemies to Dimension X. Note: This is the final episode in which Michaelangelo uses nunchaku as his main weapon rather than a grappling hook. | |||||
| 95 | 30 | "Donatello's Degree" | Jack Mendelsohn | November 3, 1990 (1990-11-03) (CBS) | S04E33 |
|
Donatello earns his degree from Sopho University, but discovers that he has been mistaken for a girl, so he asks Irma to masquerade as him. Meanwhile, the real Donatello discovers a plot by Professor Philo Sopho to destroy the Earth. Note: First appearance of Professor Sopho. | |||||
| 96 | 31 | "The Big Cufflink Caper!" | David Wise | September 14, 1990 (1990-09-14) (CBS primetime)[4] November 10, 1990 (CBS) | S04E34 |
|
The Turtles switch sides and discover that the Shredder is the main man behind a ring of cufflink thefts that has suddenly hit New York City. Title reference: The Big Caper | |||||
| 97 | 32 | "Leonardo Versus Tempestra" | Misty Taggart | November 10, 1990 (1990-11-10) (CBS) | S04E35 |
|
Leonardo becomes addicted to a new arcade game, Tempestra's Revenge, which ends up affecting his usual routine. But when a freak power surge releases Tempestra from the cabinet, Leonardo has to stop her digital wrath before she becomes dangerously powerful. Note: First appearance of Tempestra. | |||||
| 98 | 33 | "Splinter Vanishes" | Francis Moss and Ted Pedersen | November 17, 1990 (1990-11-17) (CBS) | S04E36 |
| Splinter has suddenly disappeared, and a note left behind from him forces the Turtles to go their separate ways, but one by one, they are captured by Leatherhead and the Rat King. | |||||
| 99 | 34 | "Raphael Drives 'em Wild" | Misty Taggart | November 17, 1990 (1990-11-17) (CBS) | S04E37 |
| A machine called the Transmogrifier causes Raphael and a cab driver to swap bodies, and it is later discovered that a defect in that same small device could do some very big damage to the city if activated. | |||||
| 100 | 35 | "Super Hero for a Day" | Francis Moss and Ted Pedersen | November 24, 1990 (1990-11-24) (Syndication) | S04E12 |
|
Gadget Man comes out of retirement after 50 years, but is tricked by Shredder into fighting against the Turtles. Title Reference: King for a Day | |||||
| 101 | 36 | "Beyond the Donatello Nebula" | Dennis O'Flaherty | November 24, 1990 (1990-11-24) (CBS) | S04E38 |
| While trying to contact the Turtle Nebula, Donatello meets an intelligent lizard alien named Algernon ("Algae" for short), who must help him and the other Turtles rescue April from a greedy man named Hostile Hiram Grelch. | |||||
| 102 | 37 | "Big Bug Blunder" | Michael Reeves | November 24, 1990 (1990-11-24) (CBS) | S04E39 |
| A failed mutagen experiment results in an invasion of giant insects and arachnids in New York City. | |||||
| 103 | 38 | "The Foot Soldiers Are Revolting" | Michael Reaves | December 1, 1990 (1990-12-01) (CBS) | S04E40 |
| A Foot Soldier named Alpha-1 has his intelligence increased, but it results in a Foot Soldier rebellion against Shredder and Krang and the duos exile from the Technodrome. | |||||
| 104 | 39 | "Unidentified Flying Leonardo" | Sean Roche | December 1, 1990 (1990-12-01) (CBS) | S04E41 |
| While helping April investigate a report of giant monsters attacking a superstitious farming village, Leonardo is mistaken for an alien from another planet. The lone Turtle must avoid being hunted down into extinction while also trying to rescue April from a mad scientist. | |||||
| 105 | 40 | "The Turtles and The Hare" | Misty Taggart | March 28, 1991 (1991-03-28) (Syndication) | S04E14 |
| The Turtles travel to a FairyTale Dimension in an attempt to save the city from Shredder's Docilizer, while also making friends with a local citizen of that dimension, Hokum Hare (based on the Hare character from "The Tortoise and the Hare"). | |||||
| 106 | 41 | "Once Upon a Time Machine" | Michael Maurer | March 29, 1991 (1991-03-29) (Syndication) | S04E15 |
|
Set up as a follow-up episode, Hokum Hare and the Turtles hitch a ride on a time-traveling train to 2036, where they discover that Shredder has plans for the future New York City. Ultimately, the Turtles of both the past and the future must team up to thwart Shredder before his actions cause all of time to be destroyed. Title Reference: Once upon a time Note: Final episode to be aired in Syndication. | |||||
- Mark Pellegrini (September 12, 2013). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season 4 Part 1 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- Mark Pellegrini (April 10, 2014). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season 4 Part 6 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- Mark Pellegrini (August 21, 2015). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season 7, Part 1 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- TV Guide, September 8–14, 1990