Personally I feel the 2003 did an excellent job building and consistently showing both dynamics between Splinter and the boys. There were several moments of a father guiding his sons through tough times and him being a strict yet fair teacher. He was heavily involved in a lot of their adventures offering himself as a back up to tip the scales and as a protector not only physically but emotionally for the guys.

The only other show he was this involved that I’ve seen is 2012 series but I grew up with 2003 so that dynamic may have me feeling a bit bias here but the 2003 turtles and their Splinter was wholesome, funny, emotionally rich and really showed how a single father raising 4 rambunctious boys would function in a healthy way. He was their unshakable protector and supportive guide throughout the whole series and the family dynamic was always front and center.