History HeyArnold / TropesQToZ

* SummonBiggerFish: In "Mud Bowl", the fourth graders have to play football against Wolfgang and the other fifth graders. They decide to ask Torvald, who is older and much bigger than the fifth graders (including Wolfgang!). He effortlessly plows through the fifth graders and seems pretty unstoppable... until he trips and sprains his ankle.

* SuperstitionEpisode: In the episode "Friday the Thirteenth", it's [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Friday the thirteenth]] and Arnold's and Gerald's families insist they carry around good luck charms and avoid unlucky things. Arnold and Gerald try to prove superstitions are false, but end up with bad luck. [[spoiler: Because Wolfgang gave it to them.]]

* ThatPoorCat: Practically [[OncePerEpisode once per episode]], there will be the sound of a cat yowling off-screen or when Arnold's door opens, letting out various cats, dogs and Abner.

** In "New Bully On The Block" Eugene himself of all people managed to score a touchdown.
** In ''"Helga's Love Potion"'' Brainy, after countless OffhandBackhand from Helga, is kissed by her (in his forehead). He faints... of happiness!

** Also present in the line "life was a gas but that gas has passed" in Dino Spumoni's depressing, pathetic attempt at a swan song "My Last Bow."

** '''Chocolate Boy'''. [[MeaningfulName It's his freaking name]]! Though [[spoiler: his addiction switches from chocolate to radishes]].

* UnimpressiveProgressReveal: In the episode "Veterans Day", Phil was recounting about a mission he had in World War II. He had to transport some food elsewhere and after some time driving he decided to camp up and started thinking if any of his enemies might have already have noticed him...only for one of his comrades to ask him to join a poker game with the rest of his regiment, showing he was barely a few meters away.
* UnknownRival: At no point in any episode involving her does Lila ever learn about Helga's animosity for her or Arnold-related jealousy. Ironically, if she did know she would probably have no problem helping Helga--and during the school play and masquerade episodes, does help--since she doesn't have feelings for Arnold anyway, but Helga insists on being antagonistic instead. WordOfGod is that in "The Patakis" spin-off that never was, Helga finally would have gotten the hint and become friends with Lila. The fact that Arnold would be PutOnABus probably helped matters between them.

** Gerald, Stinky and Helga (post-VocalEvolution; see below) have voices that are way too deep for nine-year-olds.

** Gerald's voice changing becomes a plot point; in reality, Jamil W. Smith's voice had broken in season 3, so an episode in which Gerald has his tonsils removed, thus bringing on a change in his voice, was written. ''The Jungle Movie'' seems to have retconned this change, since Gerald's new voice actor sounds like the pre-pubescent Jamil Smith's voice from the old series.

** Phoebe's voice was a bit lower in season 1. It's especially true in "Operation Ruthless".

** In "Helga's Show," the comedic imitations Helga performs showcasing her friends' idiosyncrasies cause them to shun her. Taking Phoebe's advice, she tries a kinder approach to her humor, which falls flat. Ironically, it's Arnold who suggests that she go back to the edgier material she used before, which works.
** "Big Bob's Crisis" has the head of the Pataki clan take a kinder, simpler, less-stressful approach to life after a gas attack scare (previously thought to be a heart attack). [[spoiler: When he begins to give up all of their modern conveniences (and she sees how others start to walk all over him), Helga tells him that she relies on him being the tough, take-charge man she knows he is.]] After some soul-searching, Bob decides that he can be that man and still take time away to unwind.

** The episode ''False Alarm'' is this to Theatre/TwelveAngryMen.

*** In the movie Phil claims that his father won the boarding house in a card game during the 1890s. Assuming he was at least in his 20s when he won said card game, this would make him in his early forties (if not older) when he had Phil who was born in the mid-late 1910s. We see Phil's father in multiple flashbacks of when Phil was Arnold's age and frankly he looks no older than 45 or so.

** In "Deconstructing Arnold" Harold calls Arnold a "Kibitzer": Yiddish for a non-participant person, offering (often unwanted) advice or commentary. Or as he defines it: a "big fat buttinski!"

* YourTelevisionHatesYou: In "Arnold's Hat," Arnold is depressed because he lost his hat. To take his mind off how he feels, he turns on the TV only to discover that it's Hat Day at the local ballpark and everyone is wearing one. It doesn't help.

** Subverted in "Old Iron Man" when Grandpa is trying to get in shape. He is shown cracking raw eggs into a glass...and then pours them from the glass into a frying pan to cook them.

--> '''Helga''': Well, you've done a great job so far, Miriam. You lost the map, you ran us off the road, you left your purse on top of the car again and we're stuck in the middle of nowhere. I'm nine years old, mom. You're the parent. You're supposed to take care of me, but you couldn't even do that. Face it, Miriam. You're a lousy mom.

---> '''Helga''': Everything that happened today is your fault! You can't do ANYTHING right. Take the bus for example. Why do you think we missed it, Harold? Oh, let's see. Hmmm...maybe was it because you were too busy eating twice your body weight in chocolate num nums! Oh, how about this one? "Let's take the subway! I think it goes to Lincoln." Oh, wait! No, it doesn't! It goes straight to the bowels of the underworld. Population? Homicidal, toothless midget clowns! I know, "Let's steal their bike. They won't mind!" Now you'd think that would be enough to fill any moron's day, but you're not just any moron, are you, Harold? You're the KING, your day's just getting started. So, because of your AMAZING curiosity about the world around us, YOU PULLED THE PLUG OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF OUR GETAWAY BOAT! (sighs) You idiot...

---> '''Susie''': You're a grown man. When are you going to grow up and act responsible?\\
'''Oskar''': I'll do it tomorrow.\\
'''Susie''': Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow! That's all I ever hear from you!\\
'''Oskar''': What's wrong with tomorrow? It's a good day.\\
'''Susie''': Tomorrow's a good day for you! Tomorrow's a grand day, because tomorrow's the day you'll get a good job! Tomorrow's the day you'll pay the bills! Tomorrow's the day you'll grow up and start acting responsible. But tomorrow never comes for you, because it's always so conveniently a day away. \\
'''Oskar''': That's right, it's only a day away [[ComicStrip/LittleOrphanAnnie just like that song the little orphan girl sings!]]\\
'''Susie''': What about today Oskar, and what about yesterday? When I needed your help you just loafed around the house! When I had to take care of the cleaning, the bills, and the baby all you could do was whine and moan, and ask me to make you a sandwich!\\
'''Oskar''': That's right and you never did!\\
'''Susie''': Because I was busy! You expect everyone else to take care of you!\\
'''Oskar''': [[ItsAllAboutMe Susie I don't expect everyone else to take care of me.]] [[ComicallyMissingThePoint Just you!]]

---> '''Arnold''': That's it. I'm tired of all your excuses.\\
'''Oskar''': Arnold, you seem a little cranky. Maybe you should take a nap.\\
'''Arnold''': Look, I only helped you because you said you were desperate. You said you wanted to change. I guess I was wrong. Mr. Kokoshka, I'm sorry but you're a huge loser!\\
'''Ernie''': I told ya, that Kokoshka is a Class-A bum. A Class-A bum!\\
'''Mr. Hyunh''': He just no good! \\
'''Ernie''': I'm telling you Hyunh, that bum will never work a single day in his life.\\
'''Mr. Hyunh''': No!\\
'''Susie''': I'm sorry about Oskar, Arnold. I just wish for once he'd do what he says he's going to do. But I guess that just won't ever happen.\\
'''Arnold''': I know. I thought he really wanted to change. But he was just fooling us all, just like he always does.

-->'''Eugene''': You're a fake!
-->'''Maurice''': I'm just an actor.
-->'''Eugene''': Yeah, well to millions of kids you're a hero. We looked up to you. [[BrokenPedestal But now I know the truth: You're nothing but a fake.]]
-->'''Maurice''': [[BrutalHonesty Look, kid it's just a role I play.]]
-->'''Eugene''': Come on. You're a wimp.

** While Helga fawns over Arnold and recites her poetry about him, Brainy will interrupt her with his heavy breathing, resulting in Helga hitting him with an OffhandBackhand. Also, Brainy appears in some of the...weirdest locations. They even lampshade this, and he doesn't even know what he was doing there with them in the first place.
--> '''Helga:''' Look, Brainy, this is just ''weird.'' How is it that you're standing behind me again? How'd you get in this little arch? Were you waiting for me to come to this alley? ''What's your deal?''

* SadlyMythtaken: “The Pig War” has Arnold using a [[TrojanHorse giant wooden pig]] to try and rescue Abner, even referencing the myth. However, Arnold and his grandfather say that the Trojans are the ones who made the horse, when they were the ones the trick was used on.

* ScantronPicture: In "Apptitude Test," Harold fills in the bubbles to resemble a large letter 'H'.

* ScrewPolitenessImASenior: Grandpa Phil and Grandma Gertie will sometimes use their age as an excuse to do whatever they want...Not to Arnold, though.

* TheSimpleGestureWins: In "Arnold as Cupid," Arnold is trying very hard to get Oscar and Suzie back together. Shame Oscar is... kind of terrible, and completely ruins every (manufactured by Arnold) Grand Romantic Gesture. However, at the end of the episode, he actually does something unselfish and refuses money from Suzie and she's so moved by this that she takes him back.

* SlidingScaleOfContinuity: Level 3. While most episodes are stand-alone, there are callbacks and nods to previous episodes every so often. Plus, there are some episodes that are mandatory watch, since they introduce a new characters that become regulars. ("New Teacher", "Ms. Perfect")

** Arnold's in rather good hands; although his grandma is a CloudCuckooLander and his grandpa has...done some things to Arnold that is child endangerment or negligence, but it's PlayedForLaughs. In ''Biosquare'', when Helga starts to flood the greenhouse after breaking the sink, Grandpa mistakes their banging for help as a sign to ''turn the water flow up'' and make the greenhouse flood faster. In ''On the Lam'', Arnold is clearly tied up and Grandpa just assumes he's playing secret agent.

** In "Love and Cheese," Arnold's ImagineSpot of romancing Lila at the Cheese Festival contains one of these, but with string cheese instead of spaghetti.

* SpotlightStealingSquad: Helga. She received more [[ADayInTheLimelight day in the limelight]] episodes than any other supporting character (even Gerald, who's supposed to be Arnold's best friend), and was the most developed character on the show. By seasons 4 and 5, she more or less became the series' true protagonist. It even extends to this very wiki. Her list of tropes on the Characters page [[JustForFun/TropeOverdosed was so long]] (it took up at least a quarter of the page and was twice the length of Arnold's) it was split off into a page of its own (Arnold eventually got one as well). Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad, since she's arguably the series' most popular character.

* SummonBiggerFish: In "Mudbowl", the fourth graders have to play football against Wolfgang and the other fifth graders. They decide to ask Torvald, who is older and much bigger than the fifth graders (including Wolfgang!). He effortlessly plows through the fifth graders and seems pretty unstoppable...until he trips and sprains his ankle.

--> '''Arnold:''' "This doesn't by any chance have anything to do with Helga, does it? Because of the way she treats you?"
--> '''Phoebe:''' (increasingly frazzled) "That's completely ridiculous! Just because Helga's been waiting on me hand and foot ever since the bus accident - that was essentially her fault - doesn't mean that I'd falsely prolong my injury in some kind of passive aggressive attempt to reap the benefits of her guilty conscience and simultaneously give her a taste of her own bossy medicine!"

* SuperstitionEpisode: In the episode "Friday the Thirteenth" it's [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Friday the thirteenth]] and Arnold's and Gerald's families insist they carry around good luck charms and avoid unlucky things. Arnold and Gerald try to prove superstitions are false, but end up with bad luck. [[spoiler: Because Wolfgang gave it to them.]]

* StupidStatementDanceMix: An actual in show example, played over "Teacher's Strike"'s credits. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcVW6Me7y0o Slippage. Slippage. Slippage.]]

** The very last line of "The Journal" gives us one in the form of a {{Cliffhanger}}.

-->'''Big Bob:''' (''to Helga'') We're not gonna let some ''[[KickTheDog orphan boy]]'' and [[RaisedByGrandparents his ancestors]] beat us!

-->'''Willie:''' (''seething with hatred'') I can't reason with [my boss]. I never could ever since I was a kid.\\

** The plot of "Phoebe's Little Problem" revolves around Phoebe being the [[IncrediblyLamePun Butt]] [[ButtMonkey Monkey]] of the school after accidentally breaking wind into a microphone on stage.

* * WorkOffTheDebt: The end of "Dinner for Four", where Arnold, Phoebe, Helga, and Gerald have to wash dishes to pay the bill they've racked up.

* SettleForSibling: The Ghost Bride's ex-fianceè left her at the altar to marry her blonde sister.

** In "Ghost Bride", the kids hear the tale of a bride-to-be who's fiancee ran off with her sister. As revenge, the woman kills the couple with an axe while still wearing her wedding gown. When the police arrive, the bride was still in the room calmly humming the wedding march before jumping out the window to her death. It's believed that on the anniversary of the killing, the ghost bride wanders the cemetery she was buried in humming the wedding march and carrying her axe. Arnold and a group of kids go to the cemetery to prove the story isn't real only for them to be scared by Curly and Helga who dressed as the ghost bride. The episode ends with Curly still trapped in the cemetery and can hear the humming.

* TwoTimerDate: "Arnold's Valentine" consists of Arnold trying to ask Ruth for a dinner date while at the same time having one with his pen pal Cecille, who is actually Helga pretending to be her.

** Harold alternates between being friendly (if kind of obnoxious) towards Arnold, Gerald, Sid, and Stinky, and making fun of or bullying them. Though in Sid and Stinky's case, they often antagonize him first.* WorkOffTheDebt: The end of "Dinner for Four", where Arnold, Phoebe, Helga, and Gerald have to wash dishes to pay the bill they've racked up.

(Transitions to Mr. Hyunh and Ernie talking about Oskar)

* WorkOffTheDebt: The end of "Dinner for Four", where Arnold, Phoebe, Helga, and Gerald have to wash dishes to pay the bill they've racked up.

* WereStillRelevantDammit: In an InUniverse example, Dino Spumoni's backstory shows us that he was trying way too hard to roll with the times, such as creating a disco album in the '70s and a rap album in the '80s. He fared better when he went back to singing his '50s tunes.

* TheUnreveal: A recurring gag was Arnold's surname never being revealed even when we think it will be. It was finally revealed as "Shortman" in ''The Jungle Movie''.