Having settled into a new life at Seaside by the Seashore, Arlo finds it lonely living alone, but tries to make the best of it.
Tropes:
- An Aesop: Living on your own has its drawbacks; don't say yes unless you're trained enough.
- Bishie Sparkle: Arlo looks at Bertie this way at one point during "The Way", complete with an Animesque face.
- BSoD Song: "The Way" starts out on a sad note as Arlo finally admits living on his own is horrible, before it turns into a beautiful Friendship Song between he and Bertie.
- Cool House: Arlo and Bertie's house, which gains a merged living room thanks to Bertie busting down the shared wall.
- Establishing Character Moment: The first minute or two shows the personalities of Arlo and his gang one at a time:
- Arlo skips across the boardwalk, praising Seaside as his new home.
- Furlecia comes out of her salon and her fur gets mussed by seagulls.
- Tony hosts the grand opening of his pizzeria.
- Marcellus coldly tells Arlo to leave the fountain at once.
- Bertie comes out of the house, protecting Arlo.
- Alia drives up in her bus.
- Establishing Series Moment: The very first scene shows Arlo happily praising Seaside by the Seashore as his new home.
- Expressive Accessory: Bertie's lotus flower curls up when she is grossed out by the couch. It also falls limp following the three-day long housewarming.
- Mama Bear: Bertie to Arlo at the beginning, showing how protective she's become of him.Bertie: What is it? Who's after you? The seagulls? I'LL END THEM.
- Minor Living Alone: Played straight and then subverted. Both Arlo and Bertie are living in their own side-by-side apartments, as he agreed it would be good for him. But Arlo doesn't find the prospect of living alone that fun, as he's constantly bored with no one to play with, feeling something is missing. In the end, Bertie decides to break the shared wall and combine the apartments into one big home, so they live together as housemates.
- Not Helping Your Case: Right after Arlo says he's independent now, he adds that he brushes his teeth at least once a month.
- Tears of Joy: Arlo sheds them when thanking Bertie for the photo she gave him.
- Tears of Remorse:
- Arlo has tears in his eyes when pouring out his independent issues to Furlecia.
- Arlo cries again when he realizes being alone is the worst thing ever, leading into the song "The Way".
- Time-Passes Montage: The outside of the house during the housewarming skips over THREE DAYS, counting a rainstorm, before cutting back inside and showing all but Arlo worn out.
- Tranquil Fury: When Arlo says hi to Marcellus in the beginning, the reverse merman coldly tells him to leave the fountain at once in a low voice.
