Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series, season 4)

*Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Season 4
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	41
Release
Original network	Syndication; CBS
Original release	September 8, 1990 –; March 29, 1991
Season chronology
	← Previous; Season 3 Next →; Season 5
	List of episodes

The fourth season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is split into two main sub-sections that aired concurrently: thirteen 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.

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]

Episodes[]

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	"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.
67	2	"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 Professor Barney Stockman's only episode.) Note: First appearance of Pinky McFingers.
68	3	"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
69	4	"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.
70	5	"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.
71	6	"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.
72	7	"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.
73	8	"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
74	9	"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.
75	10	"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
76	11	"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
77	12	"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.
78	13	"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.
79	14	"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.
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
Bebop and Rocksteady dress up as superheroes as part of a plot to steal a diamond that will power up a laser Krang has created. Meanwhile, the Turtles must deal with a wave of hypnotic slaves under the command of J. Gordon HungerDunger.
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
When a power surge causes an arcade machine to release Tempestra, It's up to Leonardo 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:
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.

References[]

^ Mark Pellegrini (12 September 2013). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season 4 Part 1 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
^ Mark Pellegrini (10 April 2014). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season 4 Part 6 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
^ Mark Pellegrini (21 August 2015). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season 7, Part 1 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
^ TV Guide, September 8–14, 1990

External links[]

TV Com
IMDB

[1] Mark Pellegrini (12 September 2013). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season 4 Part 1 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved 10 December 2015.

[2] Mark Pellegrini (10 April 2014). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season 4 Part 6 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved 13 December 2015.

[Part_1_Review-3] Mark Pellegrini (21 August 2015). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Season 7, Part 1 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved 13 December 2015.

[4] TV Guide, September 8–14, 1990

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