Arthur's Dummy Disaster
George surprises the class when during crafts class he reveals a ventriloquist dummy, Wally. Everyone is inspired to make their dummies, but quickly get tired of them. They also get tired of Wally, and how George uses him as a crutch.
Tropes for this episode include:
- Broken Record: Muffy's doll starts repeating on loop when it breaks.
- Here We Go Again!: George gives Wally to D.W., who immediately starts bugging Arthur.
- Hidden Depths: Everyone is surprised George made Wally and can do ventriloquism. He's also a fairly decent poet.
- Least Rhymable Word: While George is painting with Wally, he tries to rhyme with "orange." Arthur tells him that there is no rhyme for "orange." George moves on to yellow — "Thank you, my good fellow!"
- Screw the Rules, I Have Money!: Muffy gets a doll with a voice recording that can move its lips.
- Self-Deprecation: An In-Universe example - George, through Wally quips that "mooses are not funny".
- Show, Don't Tell: Pal really hates Arthur's teddy bear Arnie, and buries him. The scene where he makes the theft is entirely silent.
- Shrinking Violet: This episode highlights George's shyness, and how he relies on Wally to communicate with other people rather than talk to anyone as himself. Arthur eventually encourages him to stop using Wally as a crutch.
- Unreliable Expositor: Muffy recalls George in kindergarten giving her his juice box when she spilled her thermos. She didn't move to Elwood City until second grade.
- Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Everyone's dummy either breaks, gets shrunk in the wash, or is buried. George eventually gives away a damaged Wally to D.W., though in a later episode he gets him back.
Francine and the Feline
Mr. Frensky rescues a stray cat from the dump that eats his lunch. Francine and Catherine are enamored, but Arthur says cats are icky. He and Francine bicker as Nemo adjusts to life with the Frenskys.
Tropes for this episode include:
- Cats Are Mean: Subverted for this episode at least. Nemo is a perfectly sweet if rambunctious kitten.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: This is the only episode where Nemo and Pal get along. In the Kate and Pal episodes, they're antagonistic.
- Got Me Doing It: Catherine wants to call the kitten Rose Petal. Francine nearly calls the cat Rose Petal before choosing the name Nemo.
- Here We Go Again!: Despite Arthur finally liking Nemo by the end of the episode, he ends up getting into an argument with Francine all over again over whether cats or dogs are better, to which Pal and Nemo, much to the amusement of Pal and Nemo.
- Imagine Spot: Arthur imagines that Francine will become a crazy cat person, to the point she becomes an anthropomorphic cat.
- Irony: Catherine was interested in taking care of Nemo, while Francine was rather indifferent. But ultimately, Nemo takes an instant liking to Francine (who reciprocates his affection) while snubbing Catherine. Justified, as Catherine did dress Nemo up in baby clothes like a doll.
- Kindhearted Cat Lover: The Frenskys are this as a family. Mr. Frensky shares his lunch with the kitten, while Catherine pampers him and Francine takes him on walks.
- Ridiculously Cute Critter: Rose Petal/Nemo is an adorable black and white kitten. No wonder the girls fall for him.
