Have a Cow

"Have a Cow" is the first episode of the third season of TMNT: Family Issues. It was directed by Bosook "Bo" Cuborn and written by Rie Koga and Kevin Eastman.

Synopsis
Physically and emotionally shaken, the Turtkes travel to Aoril's famiky farm to recover.

Plot
After the events of "Silent Night – Part 2", the Turtles establish a new home at April's family farm. They leave an unconscious Mei in the bath tube, until she wakes ip a few days later. However, her demeanor has changed, for she is depressed after losing Splinter, this after her father passed away. The fact that Mei spends all the time in depression makes the other Turtles feel worried over her mental state. Leonardo, meanwhile, is angry and dissapointed at himself for failing to protect them both, and vows to never let that happen again.

A few days after Mei's awakening, Mikey tries to talk with her, but she ignores him. Meanwhile, April receives a call from her adoptive sister, Robyn. She asks her if she can go to her apartment to pick up a few things. April explains her about the fire, althrougth leaving out the Turtles and the Foot Clan, and that she's at the farm. Robyn then reveals she's headed to the farm, which she takes care of each summer. April is quick to inform the Turtles about this, and they agree to pack everything and leave for the woods.

Main cast

 * Chloe Bennet as Mei Peih Chi / Diana
 * Zeno Robinson as Leonardo
 * Nolan North as Raphael
 * Phil LaMarr as Donatello
 * Greg Cipes as Michaelangelo
 * Ally Maki as April O'Neil
 * Jeremy Renner as Casey Jones

Guest cast

 * Mae Whitman as Robyn
 * Cree Summer as Newsporter
 * Rob Paulsen as John McDonald
 * Fred Tatasciore as Additional Voices

Writing
According to Kevin Eastman, the producers agreed early in development to avoid "any high-stakes" action for the episode and instead "focus only on the characters" in order to avoid similarities with the season 3 premiere of the 2012 TMNT series, which similarly adapted the Mirage comics' Northampton arc. The idea of includimg April's sister, Robyn, in the series was because the creators wanted Mae Whitman, who voiced April in the 2012 series, a role in the series, "and her voicing her sister just seemed natural" according to creator Ciro Nieli. The producers choose to have this episode as Robyn's debut because "including her gave [them] the perfect chance to show how depressed Mei is" by having her not caring about bring discovered "without just retreading familiar ground".

Trivia

 * The scene where Leonardo beats a boxing bag is inspired by a deleted scene from the 1990 film.
 * Casey at one suggests he and April could settle down at the farm, admitting being fond of the place. This is a reference to Renner's role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Hawkeye, who's family lives in a farm.