Arthur's Knee

"Arthur's Knee" is the second half of the fourteenth episode of Season 2 of the animated children's series Arthur. Together with Sue Ellen's Lost Diary, it first aired on February 14th, 1998.

Summary
Arthur doesn't want to tell Mom he hurt his knee because then she'd know he was playing down at the dump—where he's not allowed to go.

Plot
For a school project about ancient Rome, Arthur and the Brain are constructing a life-sized chariot. When Arthur conducts a test run of the vehicle, a bad wheel causes the chariot to malfunction. Brain says they need to find a better wheel to fit the axle.

Arthur volunteers to get one, and the Brain goes home for lunch. When D.W. asks Arthur where he's going, he tells her he intends to find a spare wheel at the dump. Arthur isn't allowed to go to the dump, so D.W. threatens to tell on him unless he agrees to let her come along. With little other option, Arthur reluctantly agrees.

At the dump, Arthur finagles his way into the area where the trash is held while D.W. watches from safe ground above. Clawing through the dirt, Arthur finds a wheel from a broken bicycle, and climbs back up out of the garbage area. During the climb, however, his sweater is torn and he cuts his knee on a lima beans can, leaving a painful wound. Arthur reflexively tosses the bike wheel away and he and D.W. return home, avoiding their dad in the kitchen so he won't find out what happened. Arthur cleans the wound himself, and tells D.W. not to say anything to their parents.

D.W. makes a get-well card for Arthur, and feels unsure what to do because of the promise she made not to tell on him. Nadine suggests that maybe she should tell, anyway. When D.W. reminds Nadine that she promised not to reveal Arthur's secret, Nadine tells her that regardless of her promise, this is a case in which she should confess to her parents about the trip to the dump and the fact that Arthur cut his knee, just as D.W. once bravely admitted to climbing and geting stranded in a tall tree.

Brain returns to the house, whereupon D.W. immediately asks him to go take a look at Arthur's knee, which is still throbbing. D.W. starts crying when she sees how much worse Arthur's cut looks, saying Arthur is really hurt and it could become even worse if he doesn't accept grownup help. The Brain agrees with D.W., explaining to Arthur that by cutting his knee on a dirty can, he put himself at risk of a myriad of illnesses, and could develop a fever as his body tries to kill off the infection. D.W. reminds Arthur about the time she bravely confessed to climbing the tree, and tells him he should be brave and tell on himself now, too. Arthur finally decides that D.W. and Brain are right, and asks for his mom.

At the doctor's, Arthur's wound is properly cleaned and he is given a tetanus booster to avoid infection. On the way home, his mom explains that she is proud of Arthur for coming forth with the truth, but still has unfinished business with him as he tries to leave the car. Later, Francine and Sue Ellen ask if Arthur wants to play ball, but Arthur says he decided to stay home to think about what he did at the dump.

They admire his decision until D.W. arrives and blurts out that Arthur was actually grounded by his parents, and his friends leave laughing. D.W. leads Arthur inside, promising to keep him company until he's no longer punished.

Cast
Characters' Voice Actors
 * D.W.  Michael Caloz
 * *Arthur Michael Yarmush
 * Brain Luke Reid
 * David Read Bruce Dinsmore
 * Jane Read Sonja Ball
 * Nadine Hayley Reynolds

Trivia

 * In this episode D.W. mentions to Arthur climbing up a tree in D.W. Blows the Whistle but the episode D.W. Blows the Whistle aired after this episode.
 * Arthur and the Brain could've just used the wheel that broke off, since there was no sign of damage on that one.

Home Video
DVD: VHS:
 * Arthur Goes to the Doctor
 * Arthur Goes to the Doctor