History TearJerker / Arthur

* In "Mom and Dad have a Great Big Fight", Arthur and D.W. spend most of the episode worrying that their family will break apart. While most of the [[ImagineSpot Imagine Spots]] are PlayedForLaughs, the last one is actually pretty sad, with Arthur and D.W., along with Kate and Pal, living alone and trying to take care of themselves. Arthur and D.W. eventually realize they miss their parents, and they both share a sad hug. Pal even starts howling after Arthur attempts to sing a lullaby to Kate. This line from D.W. really sells it:

** Poor Binky was so traumatized after seeing the fire in the teacher's lounge and Mr. Morris got injured, he starts seeing fires everywhere he goes. Watching ''Bionic Bunny'' becomes downright stressful with the villain Fireball, and Binky deliberately sets off the Mighty Mountain school alarms to see how fast the firefighters come. When their regular school reopens, he has a FreakOut when looking at the renovated teacher's lounge, [[NightmareFuel imagining the flames burning Mr. Haney alive]], and runs out screaming. Mr. Frensky finds him putting away litter in the trash and asks why he's not in class; Binky [[ManlyCrying breaks down crying]] and admits that he's scared of going back to school after seeing the fire.

* At the end of "Draw!" Mrs. [=MacGrady=] concocts a XanatosGambit while fortunetelling at the carnival: she asks Fern and her friends to dump green goop on Francine just to take the humiliation further. Francine comes to the fortunetelling tent for advice, while everyone waits. The kids are willing to go through with it, until Mrs. [=MacGrady=] coaxes out of Francine that she's really upset about the cartoons. Francine starts to CryCute and admits she's sorry she called Fern a mouse, wanting the mean jokes to stop. Arthur and his friends can't pour the gloop on her when Mrs. [=MacGrady=] gives the signal, and go to Francine to help her cheer up. Mrs. [=MacGrady=], after the kids leave, reveals that the "gloop" was actually party balloons and streamers, meaning that if it had been pulled, Francine would have gotten a pleasant surprise.
* In "Lost!" Arthur goes on a bus for a swimming lesson, but sleeps through it and misses his stop. Depressed how he is broke and doesn't know the way back home, he lets out a tear. Also heartbreaking for older viewers as his parents and sister are understandably ''terrified'' when he doesn't show up for class. Any wonder his mother [[AdultFear burst into tears just recounting it]]?

** The above DreamSequence also shows another consequence of Buster never befriending Arthur - the Tough Customers themselves. Without the positive influence of Buster on Arthur and Arthur's subsequent positive influence on his other friends, the Tough Customers, especially [[GentleGiant Binky]] and [[CoolBigSis Molly]], would never have their own {{Heel Realization}}s and CharacterDevelopment, or abandoned their bullying ways like they did in "The Last Tough Customer". Instead, they become full-time delinquents who trash the beloved Sugar Bowl after making it their local hangout. The Tough Customers [[HeelFaceTurn becoming]] [[TookALevelInKindness good]] all depended on Buster and Arthur becoming best friends.
[[AC:Meta]]
* It was announced that Season 25 will be the last season of Arthur, after over 26 years of airing. Fans will be able to find some comfort in the fact that reruns will continue to air for years to come.

* Meta Example: It was announced that Season 25 will be the last season of Arthur, after over 26 years of airing. Fans will be able to find some comfort in the fact that reruns will continue to air for years to come.

* Meta Example: It was announced that Season 25 will be the last season of Arthur, after over 26 years of airing.

* Meta Example: It was announced that Season 25 will be the last season of Arthur, after 25 years of airing.

** The above DreamSequence also shows another consequence of Buster never befriending Arthur - the Tough Customers themselves. Without the positive influence of Buster on Arthur and Arthur's subsequent positive influence on his other friends, the Tough Customers, especially [[GentleGiant Binky]] and [[CoolBigSis Molly]], would never have their own {{Heel Realization}}s and CharacterDevelopment, or abandoned their bullying ways like they did in "The Last Tough Customer". Instead, they become full-time delinquents who trash the beloved Sugar Bowl after making it their local hangout. The Tough Customers [[HeelFaceTurn becoming]] [[TookALevelInKindness good]] all depended on Buster and Arthur becoming best friends.

** Just before that, we see Fern come out of her shell while she's playing with her detective dolls and making up a story. Her mother comes into her room and asks her what she's always wanted. Fern asks for a detective kit, only for her mother to casually dismiss her interests and "put away that silly detective stuff" as she forces her to have a slumber party.

** In "Fern's Slumber Party", Fern writes her invitation in a secret code because she's convinced that she's boring and that no one will come to her slumber party.

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-->'''James:''' [[LittleBrotherIsWatching I don't know. It's what you'd do.]]

-->'''James:''' [[LittleBrotherIsWatching I don't know. I guess cause it's something you'd do.]]

Who knew [[WesternAnimation/Arthur a PBS cartoon]] could have some [[TearJerker really sad moments]]?

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/250px-Lost_001_Arthur_Crying_8658.png]]
[[caption-width-right:250:You [[TheWoobie wouldn't be happy if you were lost too]], would you?]]

Who knew a PBS cartoon could have some really sad moments?

[[caption-width-right:250:You wouldn't be happy if you were lost too, would you?]]

* In "Arthur's Pet Business," when Perky is even grumpier than usual (possibly due to being pregnant with Pal), Arthur thinks it's his fault and mopes about having "wrecked" her.

** Muffy also gives Francine a balloon to apologize that says, "From your friend Muffy". Francine just ''pops'' it without giving it any second thought.

** After a humorous ColdOpening, Buster [[MoodWhiplash has to visit the principal's office]], where his mother is ''crying'' because he might have to repeat third grade. TruthInTelevision, this is a serious issue.