Over the 5 seasons of Alvinnn so far, Theodore’s characterization has been pretty inconsistent. Sometimes he’s youthfully humble and shows growth and maturity. Other times, he’s a spineless baby with no confidence to take on big challenges on his own and his lack of intelligence gets exploited for jokes. And on occasion like in Munk vs Machine or the end of Switcheroo, he just becomes a savage who attacks and solves whatever the plot needs him to.
I think it goes without saying which one is the correct portrayal of Theodore. It just really bothers me that after Janice Karman redefined Theodore in the 80s as someone the youngest viewers could relate to and learn from, he’s devolved into an overly emotional and incompetent fool. Theodore in Alvinnn has basically become what haters of Alvin and The Chipmunks think he was in the 80s and movies.