"Water and the Brain" | |
Season/Series: | 2 |
---|---|
Number in season: | 13A |
Original Airdate: | April 8, 1998[1] September 9, 1998[2] February 11, 2002[3] |
Credits | |
Written by: | Peter K. Hirsch |
Storyboard by: | Robert Yap |
Episodes | |
Previous "Arthur and the Square Dance" |
Next "Arthur the Unfunny" |
Read transcript |
"Water and the Brain" is the first half of the thirteenth episode in the second season of Arthur.
Summary[]
Is Brain a snob? That seems to be the only explanation for why he won't go to Waterworld with the rest of his friends. Arthur tries to discover what's really bugging Brain.[4]
Plot[]
The episode begins with Arthur wondering what life would be like if everyone would be just like him. No one would call anyone "Four-Eyes," his birthday would be a national holiday, and everyone would be super nice, even bank robbers. But Arthur then realizes that if there were a million Arthurs, there would also be a million D.W.s.
Muffy announces that she's having a party at Waterworld, and everyone's invited. However, Brain says he's unable to go, much to everyone's disappointment. He says that Waterworld is for little kids, however Binky points out that one must be a certain height in order to go on the rides.
The kids wonder why Brain won't go. Muffy believes it's because Brain hates her, and remembers when he accompanied her on a sailing trip and would not stand on deck with her, even when a dolphin swam right next to the boat. Francine then points out that Brain hates all girls, not just Muffy, and remembers when he wouldn't bob for apples at her Halloween party after she went first, saying that there were parasites and bacteria in the water. Francine thinks that he was really afraid of cooties. Binky then says Brain hates everyone, and remembers when he and Brain went to the pond to catch frogs and Brain let one get away after it went in the water, saying that catching frogs is cruel and he refused to be a part of it. Binky also claims that Brain said that he thinks he's smarter than everyone. Now the group thinks Brain is a snob, and treats him differently. Arthur, however, refuses to believe it.
That night, after D.W. gets upset because she doesn't want to take a bath, Arthur makes the connection that Brain probably is scared of water, and hence why he refused to participate in all those activities, as they involved water. Arthur goes over to Brain's house, and explains why everyone is treating him differently. Brain denies thinking that he is better than everyone, as they are his friends. However, when Arthur asks why Brain refuses to go to Muffy's party, Brain says that he wouldn't understand. Arthur then asks Brain if he is scared of something, and Brain then says that he is being called for dinner and must get home (despite being in his own house).
The next day Arthur catches Binky preparing to throw water balloons at Brain and stops him. Arthur then reveals that Brain is not a snob, and is just afraid to go swimming. This causes Binky to break down in tears, saying he can't believe he was being so insensitive. Brain admits that his fear of water has prevented him from enjoying activities with his friends. Binky, after retaining his composure, announces that he's going to cure Brain of his fear.
They go to Bear Lake, where Binky tells Brain to jump in the water. But Brain is afraid of sinking, even though Binky says they will save him if he does. Arthur suggests they try something easier.
They then go to the public swimming pool, and give Brain an inner tube and a pair of water wings. Arthur encourages Brain to gradually take steps into the water. But Binky says that Muffy's party will be over by the time Brain gets up to his neck in the water. This causes Brain to panic, and run out of the pool.
They then take Brain to the aquarium. Arthur believes that making Brain feel like he's in water without actually getting him wet will cure him. Brain likes being at the aquarium as it's an educational environment, which he enjoys. Arthur and Binky make Brain stare into the large fish tank and imagine he's in there. At first it appears to be working, but then Brain runs outside, gasping for air. He says he can't hold his breath forever, and Arthur tells him he wasn't supposed to do that, to which Brain replies that he can't breathe underwater as he doesn't have gills. Arthur and Binky begin arguing, and Brain points out there are worse things to be afraid of than water. As he is talking, Brain starts walking backwards, not looking where he is going, and almost falls into the fountain, but Arthur and Binky catch him before he does. Arthur and Binky then realize that not only was Brain scared, but they were, too, after watching him almost fall.
At Muffy's party, Francine wishes Brain could accompany them, but Binky says that just because Brain doesn't like to swim doesn't mean he isn't their friend. Francine tells Binky that she wasn't the one who tried to make him like swimming. Arthur points out that it would be boring if everyone was just like everyone else, as there would be nothing to argue about. Muffy says that she is glad Brain isn't a snob, as she doesn't like snobby people, then proceeds to criticize Arthur's bathing suit.
Binky says he's glad Brain is the way he is, because if he wasn't, the towels would be wet. Brain ultimately did accompany the group to Waterworld- he just didn't get in the water. Instead, he looks after the towels.
Characters[]
Major[]
Minor[]
Cameo[]
- George Lundgren
- Timmy and Tommy Tibble
- Bailey
- Ed Crosswire (flashback)
- Buster Baxter (flashback)
- Marie-Hélène
- Ms. Albright
- 3rd Grade Male Rat
- Jenna Morgan (color error)
- Alex Davidson
- 3rd Grade Male Dog
- 3rd Grade Male Dog (Number 2)
Trivia[]
- At the end of the 2000 rerun intro on PBS Kids before this episode, Arthur’s crashing sound changes to the Season 5 version.
- This is one of the few episodes to show Binky crying.
- Muffy mentions in this episode that she doesn't like snobby people, although she sometimes can be snobby herself.
Episode connections[]
- In the Halloween flashback, Arthur and Buster are wearing the same costumes (Bionic Bunny and pirate) as in the flashback in “Buster and the Daredevils”.
- D.W. and Arthur got millions of clones in this episode. D.W. has multiple bossy clones of herself in "D.W., Bossy Boots".
Cultural references[]
- D.W. calls Arthur "Eggs Benedict Arnold". Eggs Benedict is an American breakfast dish. Benedict Arnold was an American officer during the Revolutionary War who infamously tried to hand over West Point to the British, and whose name is often used to call someone a traitor, which is what D.W. meant.
- The episode's title could be a possible reference to Pinky and the Brain.
- Waterworld is an obvious parody of SeaWorld. It is also a reference to the 1995 movie, made by future WGBH partner Universal Pictures.
- In the opening, D.W.'s clones saying "Come play with us, Arthur!" is a reference to a scene in the movie The Shining.
- In the bath scene where Arthur says: "No one has ever died in a bath" could be a reference to the book "It".
Errors[]
- The fear of water is actually called aquaphobia, not hydrophobia, as Brain calls it. "Hydrophobia" is a historic name for the disease rabies, which is notorious for making its victims afraid of water.
Home Video[]
DVD:
Gallery[]
Modelsheets[]
Screenshots
Screenshots[]
References[]
External links[]
- Transcript on Livedash (archived page)