Garbageman (episode)

"Garbageman" is the ninth episode of the animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003), which originally aired on April 5, 2003.

Information
Major Characters:
 * Donatello (Sam Regal)
 * Leonardo (Michael Sinterniklaas)
 * Michelangelo (Wayne Grayson)
 * Raphael (Frank Frankson)

Secondary Characters:
 * Garbageman
 * The Professor

Main Locations, Vehicles and Accessories:
 * New Lair
 * Shanty Town
 * Sewer Tunnels
 * City streets and rooftops
 * River Docks
 * Island Landfill
 * Battle Shell
 * Shell Cycle
 * Garbage Truck

Plot summary
One night, a couple of homeless guys were going through the garbage looking for bottles to turn in for money as well as other valuables. They didn't realize a garbage truck was following them. They were cornered in an alley and grabbed by the truck's hydraulic tentacles.

The next day, the Turtles visited some of the homeless. They gave them some clothes and received a few things the homeless found in the garbage. When the Turtles mentioned there seemed to be fewer homeless, their friend, The Professor, said that a rumor says a guy called the Garbageman was responsible. The Turtles weren't convinced, but asked him to pass along anything he hears. However, the Prof was kidnapped along with everyone else that night.

Donatello returned the next day and found the ruins of the shantytown. He called the Turtles and they began their investigation. They discovered that all the kidnappings happened at the docks. Using Michelangelo as bait, they were able to attract the Garbageman's truck. The Battle Shell fought the garbage truck, but the garbage truck escaped. The Turtles saw it driving underwater to a landfill island.

The Turtles swam to the island. Once there, they found a bunch of enslaved homeless people sorting through garbage. The Garbageman started to give a speech and mistreated his slaves. When the Professor was threatened, the Turtles intervened. They battled the guards and the Garbageman while freeing the slaves.

At the end of the battle, the Garbageman fell into the water. When they tried to rescue him, all they could find was an empty wheelchair. The Turtles returned to the island where the Professor was arranging to transfer all of the homeless to the mainland.