Water and the BrainMuffy is hosting a party at the newest water park. Brain, however, declines an invitation and makes up an excuse. The gang talks about how the Brain must not like them since he shirks any activity related to the ocean or lakes. Arthur figures out that Brain has a water phobia, and Binky finds out at the same time thanks to nearly pelting Brain with water balloons. The boys decide to work together to cure Brain's phobia.
Tropes for this episode include:
- Bait-and-Switch: Zigzagged. Brain is afraid that if anyone knows about his fear of water, they will most likely treat it insensitively. When Arthur divulges this secret to Binky, the latter turns his back and seemingly starts laughing. Brain figures he's making fun of him like he feared. But Binky turns around to reveal he's crying Tears of Remorse for having almost done something as cruel as throw water balloons at a hydrophobe. ...then Binky petulantly adds he thinks Brain's fear of water is the stupidest thing he's ever heard of.
- Continuity Cavalcade: Arthur and Binky take Brain to the nearby lake, where D.W. had her octopus phobia. When that and a foray into the swimming pool fail, Arthur then thinks of the aquarium where D.W. developed her octopus phobia, reasoning that if Brain can envision himself in water without actually swimming, it may help.
- "Could Have Avoided This!" Plot: Muffy at the end of the episode says that Brain ought to have told them about his water phobia from the start. She notes that their solution—for him to chill outside the rides and provide towels— worked beautifully. Everyone agrees while shivering.
- Everyone Has Standards: Binky is about to pelt Brain with water balloons for the crime of being a "snob". Arthur stops him, saying that Brain isn't a snob; he has a water phobia. When Brain confirms that it's true, Binky starts crying Tears of Remorse. He drops the water balloons and apologizes to Brain for nearly soaking him.
- Foreshadowing: During a flashback that reflects how Brain is a "snob" who never partakes in any fun activities, all those activities Brain backed out of notably involved water. Not long after, Arthur pieces together that Brain actually has a fear of water.
- His Own Worst Enemy: Brain could have avoided everyone thinking he was a snob if he simply admitted he had a water phobia. Binky immediately cries Tears of Remorse about wanting to pelt him with water balloons and says that he and Arthur want to help. Muffy in the meantime finds a solution: have him wait outside with the towels.
- Hypocritical Humor: Muffy thinks that the Brain is being snobby when refusing to go to her party. Later, she says that Arthur's swimsuit at the water park is tacky. Everyone groans and rolls their eyes, even Binky.
- Sincerity Mode: While they don't cure his phobia, Brain thanks Arthur and Binky for trying to help when they save him from falling into the aquarium water fountain. He says they "saved his life" while crying tears of relief.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Arthur and Binky try to help Brain face his fear of water, first by having him jump in the local lake, then taking baby steps in a pool, and finally by visiting the aquarium. Each one fails. Brain for the first one logically points out he'll sink in deep water, the pool is taking too long, and in the aquarium he has to pretend holding his breath for the fantasy of being in the tank to be real.
- Take a Third Option: Brain finds a way to attend Muffy's pool party. He lounges in a deck chair outside with a drink and a book, as well as lots of towels.
Arthur the Unfunny
It's fundraising time for the library, and all of Elwood City is pitching in to raise money. Muffy comes up with the idea of a carnival in her backyard, but they need the main attraction. Arthur offhandedly suggests that if Buster were here, then he would say they should be clowns, and the group takes to the idea. There is just one problem: Arthur isn't funny! Muffy and the others worry if he should be in the show or not.
Tropes for this episode include:
- Actually a Good Idea: When brainstorming ideas for the main attraction at Muffy's carnival, Arthur offhandedly says that Buster would be better at it. He says Buster would suggest that they could all dress up as clowns. Muffy says that's a great idea!
- Actually Pretty Funny: D.W. admits that Arthur goofing around on the piano is pretty funny. Kate in the meantime can't stop giggling.
- Awesome, but Impractical: Brain suggests that maybe for the carnival they could create a ride that shrinks guests down to microscopic size and they could explore the quantum realm. Francine literally tears up that Imagine Spot by pointing out it's impossible. Even she knows that. Arthur, however, admits that it sounded cool.
- Blatant Lies: When Arthur finds out D.W. was using his pencil sharpener again to sharpen crayons, she denies it. Arthur then asks how it got gunked with crayon. She tries blaming Pal. Arthur points out that Pal doesn't have thumbs, and switches to a pen.
- Call-Back: Pickles recognizes Pal as the dog that stole his balloons back in season one while teaching Arthur how to mime, and quits the job on the spot. Ironically, Arthur has no idea about their previous enmity and says that Pickles had to leave for health reasons.
- Cannot Tell a Joke: The main conflict is that Arthur isn't very good at telling jokes, even though he and his friends are supposed to put on a clown act. In the end, he finds a different way to be funny by playing the piano in a silly manner.
- Chekhov's Skill: Arthur's goofing around on the piano makes Kate laugh, and even D.W. admits that it's pretty funny. Even though Arthur is relegated to piano player for the clown act since he Cannot Tell a Joke, his silly piano playing turns out to be a hit with the audience.
- Everyone Has Standards: Francine protests when Muffy says they can't let Arthur be a clown. She points that it was his idea.
- Exact Words: Muffy asks for "the best thing" as her main attraction. Brain suggests a quantum shrinking ride that would allow guests to bounce between electrons and neutrons. When Francine points out that's impossible, Brain says that Muffy didn't ask for "possible".
- Hidden Depths: It's revealed that Sue Ellen is a skilled juggler. While she failed to teach Arthur, evidently Muffy picked up the trick.
- Non-Ironic Clown: Arthur and his friends decide to put on a clown act for Muffy's fundraiser carnival. Aside from Arthur, they all dress up as clowns and play their act completely straight.
- Painting the Medium: Francine literally tears up Brain's Imagine Spot of a quantum shrinking ride, pointing out that it's impossible by scientific standatds.
- You Were Trying Too Hard: Arthur's problem with being funny is that he was trying too hard to be professional or imitate what other people did. When he lets loose and has fun on the piano, he makes an entire crowd laugh while performing shenanigans.
