- This article is about the episode "April Fool". For the VHS, go to April Fool (home media release).
“April Fool” | |||||||
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 Cartoon) episode | |||||||
Season Code: | 03 | ||||||
Episode: | 11 | ||||||
Original airdate | October 9, 1989 | ||||||
Written by | Michael Reaves Brynne Stephens | ||||||
Producers: | – | ||||||
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April Fool is a season 3 episode of the 1987 TV series.
Appearing in April Fool[]
Major characters[]
- Leonardo (Cam Clarke )
- Donatello (Barry Gordon )
- Michelangelo (Townsend Coleman)
- Raphael (Rob Paulsen)
- Splinter (Peter Renaday)
- April O'Neil (Renae Jacobs)
- Irma (Jennifer Darling)
- Shredder (James Avery)
- Bebop (Barry Gordon)
- Rocksteady (Cam Clarke)
- Krang (Pat Fraley)
Minor characters[]
- Emperor Aleister (Pat Fraley )
- Princess Mallory (Renae Jacobs )
- First Malacurian Guard (Peter Renaday)
- Second Malacurian Guard (Rob Paulsen)
Species[]
- Human
- Mutant rat
- Mutant rhinoceros
- Mutant turtle
- Mutant warthog
Objects and vehicles[]
- Comlink
- Malacurian Embassy Helicopter
- Transport Module
- Turtle Blimp
- Turtlecom
Locations[]
- Malacurian Embassy
- New York City streets
- Technodrome
- Turtle Lair
Plot[]
April O'Neil reports live from the Malacurian Embassy, telling the tale of the Malacurian Emperor's decision to sell mining rights to the vast deposit of Lydiam 90 that was recently discovered in his country. Later, Ms. O'Neil prepares herself for the big party that is being held at the embassy later that night. Irma, however, convinces her friend that she will not get in a party with that usual attire, and gets her done up in an evening gown to better disguise herself (and possibly snag herself a bachelor).
Meanwhile, far below the Earth's surface, Shredder complains to Krang that the Technodrome is falling apart and that they need more power to properly maintain life support systems. Krang suggests that a piece of Lydium 90 would supply more than enough power to bring the Technodrome back up to speed.
Back at the Turtles' lair, April arrives dressed to the nines. The Turtles, and even Splinter, go ga-ga over her new look. April leaves for the Malacurian Embassy and the Turtles decide to follow her and keep an eye out for her.
At the embassy, Emperor Aleister forbids his daughter, Princess Mallory, to leave the embassy unescorted and orders her to prepare herself for the costume party downstairs. Princess Mallory pouts, turns to the camera to reveal that she looks just like the new April O'Neil, and complains of how her father always makes her dress like a Princess.
Outside, at the entrance to the embassy, April is annoyed to find this ball being held is actually a masquerade ball and her formal attire is all for naught. However, she is stopped by guards who think she is gatecrashing, only to be mistaken for Princess Mallory. April gets a chance to go along with this (and enjoying royal pampering).
No sooner is April escorted inside the embassy when Shredder, Bebop and Rocksteady crash through the surface bent on kidnapping the Princess and holding her for ransom. The villains plan to exchange the Princess for the Lydium 90 specimen the emperor brought with him from Malacuria. Upon their arrival at the embassy, Shredder, Bebop and Rocksteady are mistaken for costumed party guests and are also escorted inside.
None of this escapes the notice of the Turtles who decide to get a closer look and swing into action.
In her bedroom, the real Princess still laments over her situation and decides to run away. When April is unable to find the Princess, she dons the "Princess" costume in an effort to get a story.
The Turtles, via their Turtlecom, contact April to warn her about Shredder and company, but it's too late - Shredder bursts into the bedroom, and thinking that April is the Princess, abducts her. The Turtles decide to crash the party to find April. Moments later, while searching for the princess, the emperor discovers the ransom note and orders all exits closed off.
Princess Mallory, out in the streets of New York City, sees a news report of her kidnapping. Knowing that it is a mistake and that her father must be worried, she hails a taxi and heads back to the embassy.
While trying to find a way out of the palace, Shredder learns of his error of mistaken identity, but when the emperor announces over the embassy's internal P.A. system that he will pay the ransom, Shredder realizes that they don't know of his mistake and he decides to continue the hoax. The brief distraction, however, buys April time to escape Shredder's clutches.
Meanwhile, the Turtles are lost inside the labyrinthine maze of halls that make up the embassy and are about to be turned into turtle soup by the guards when Princess Mallory arrives in time to rescue them and aid them in their search for April.
Meanwhile, April has been recaptured by Shredder, who gags her and takes her to the roof of the embassy where the emperor awaits with the Lydium 90 sample and a fully fueled helicopter. Shredder takes the sample but refuses to turn over April, whom the emperor still believes to be his daughter. As soon as the helicopter lifts off, the Turtles and the real Princess arrive.
The Turtles pursue Shredder and company and rescue April, but Shredder manages to escape with the Lydium 90. However, Donatello explains that where Shredder is going the sample will do him no good - it seems that Lydium 90 is unstable and the pressure 10 miles under the earth will cause the crystal to disintegrate and explode. In the meantime, Emperor Aleister awards the Turtles first prize for their "costumes," though unfortunately, the award was for "ridiculousness."
Down in the Technodrome, Shredder presents the Lydium 90 to Krang. However, it immediately begins glowing, sending Shredder, Bebop, and Rocksteady diving for cover. Just as Donatello predicted, the Lydium 90 explodes, damaging Krang's body and the Technodrome.
Back in the Turtle's Lair, the Turtles have told Splinter the whole story. Splinter hopes this has taught April a lesson, which she admits it has: A disguise is a great way to get a story. Since a Bald People's convention is in town next week, April puts on a "bald wig" to try to pass off as one of them. Raphael, however, jokes that "paint that thing green, and you could pass off as one of us!", in which the Turtles and Splinter laugh, much to April’s annoyance.
See also[]
Notes and errors[]
- First episode to be animated by MWS's Dublin studio.
- Donatello's Turtlecom is animated like April's when he contacts her at the Embassy.
- When Donatello receives the costume trophy, his "D" is the same color as the buckle.
- When Shredder, Bebop, and Rocksteady capture April, Shredder knocks her out with a Vulcan nerve pinch from Star Trek, as famously performed by Spock.
Home media releases[]
VHS[]
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: April Foolish (Burger King Promotional Videos)
- Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles: April Fool
DVD[]
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Volume 3
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 3
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Complete Classic Series Collection