The Ba In Baja

The “Ba” in “Baja”

Rise Ramblings #628

Mikey and Leo. Baja Blast. The Tide Pod Duo. Although this duo has limited dedicated screen time, they are an absolute joy to watch. First and foremost, you can’t help but notice how Leo does nothing but try to protect the little bean.

He’ll bend over backwards just to keep his baby brother safe.

Leo will also offer emotional support in very dire times.

It’s just so nice to see them together. Plus, you can tell that Leo loves Mikey to pieces.

Even when Leo’s being annoying.

All of these traits are expected from big brother Leo. However, it’s the other side of this relationship that I find intriguing.

Let’s discuss Mikey and how he interacts with the blue one.

I’ve summarized my thoughts about Mikey’s half of their relationship into two parts: “Emulate” & “Outdo.”

As the youngest of the four, it’s natural for Michelangelo to look up to his older brothers. Yet, throughout the show, I believe that Mikey seems to emulate Leo the most.

This thought leads directly into the “Outdo” portion of my hypothesis.

I've noticed that a competitive streak emerges in Mikey when Leo is in the picture, a streak that I cannot say I’ve seen him express with any of his other brothers, April, or even their rivals. It’s unique just to Leo.

It’s almost as if there is some driving force within Mikey that wants to prove something to Leon.

When it comes to Leo, Mikey is suddenly determined to see who’s the strongest, best, or fastest between them.

(I compiled all of the Air Hockey scenes from the episode, “Mrs. Cuddles”)

The most compelling aspect of their relationship is that this competitive streak seems to be one-sided, at least initially. It's almost as if Leo feels like he doesn't have to prove anything to Angelo.

Eventually, though, Mikey goads Leo into competing with him, and Leo gives in if not but to defend his title, satiate Orange, and give his antagonizer what he’s looking for. (It’s a “you mess with the bull, you get the horns” type of thing.)

Why does this dynamic exist? Who’s to say. But I believe that the dissonance between these two comes from Leo seeing their relationship as “Protector – Protectee” while Mikey sees Leo as a rival, or more specifically, Leo is the goalpost that Michelangelo has tasked himself with surpassing.

In my opinion, the concept of Mikey seeing Leo’s accomplishments as something he needs to “Emulate” & “Outdo” is a compliment in it’s simplest form. Mikey thinks that Leo is so great and awesome that he wants to be just as awesome, and even better than the brother he respects and looks up to so much.

…Or maybe Mikey just wants to knock Leo down a peg or two.

I can’t say that I’d blame him.

Also, do you know why Mikey is the “Ba” in “Baja?”

Because Leo is the "Jajajajajajaja" *laughs in Spanish*

All right. I’m done.

Caitlin and Cisco listen to this album together and you can’t change my fucking mind

They’re such dorks and I love them both dearly

I AM REWATCHING THE FLASH ON NETFLIX.

I FUCKING ADORE THIS SERIES AND I’M BEING REEEEALLY FUCKING CRINGE ON SPOTIFY SO HERE ARE SOME PLAYLISTS I’VE MADE OF THE CHARACTERS

!!!KINDA SPOILERS AHEAD PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!

I’M NORMAL ABOUT THEM I SWEAR I SWEAR

this is what happens when I go to school feeling upset and tired as fuuuuuuuck, I project onto Leo and doodle him and his silly ass boyfriend very poorly 💃

closeups and shit under the cut

just look who's back

I don’t know what’s going on at all. Never planned to develop this au, 'cause it was always just for fun, but I want to draw some cowboy cringe, so

And I'm not me if I don't draw Donnie 😼😼😼

Nom nom nom nom nom

I AM REWATCHING THE FLASH ON NETFLIX.

I FUCKING ADORE THIS SERIES AND I’M BEING REEEEALLY FUCKING CRINGE ON SPOTIFY SO HERE ARE SOME PLAYLISTS I’VE MADE OF THE CHARACTERS

!!!KINDA SPOILERS AHEAD PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!

I like the new username👾

thanks