So Funny I Forgot to Laugh

Summary
Arthur thinks his jokes about Sue Ellen's new sweater are all in good fun but Sue Ellen's feelings are hurt. Has Arthur become…a bully?

Plot
Sue Ellen writes in her diary about the yak wool sweater that her Tibetian pen pal Tenzin recently sent her. And yet, she looks at the sweater differently now. Instead of pride, she now looks at it as a means for how mean people can be (foreshadowing what is to come).

So Funny I Forgot to Laugh

After the title card, Sue Ellen unveils her new sweater on a cold day at school for the first time. For some reason, Arthur cannot help joking about the sweater, saying that it makes Sue Ellen look like a giant sheepdog. Although it is simply slight, mild teasing at first, Arthur can't seem to let it go — he frequently continues picking on Sue Ellen over and over with one 'sheepdog' line after another, even after Buster, Francine, Muffy and the others have since stopped laughing. Arthur even draws a picture of Sue Ellen's head on a sheepdog's body (with the words "Happy Sheepdog Appreciation Day") and tapes it to her locker.

Later, as class is dismissed for the day, Arthur is surprised when Mr. Ratburn makes him stay behind. Mr. Ratburn tells Arthur that he is actually being a bully to Sue Ellen because he is continually teasing her even after she told him to stop. Then, he is forced to write Sue Ellen an apology letter, and is not happy about the situation at all. The letter turns out to be extremely backhanded and makes Sue Ellen look like it is her fault because Arthur mentioned he is sorry for her overreacting manner. After Francine, Muffy and Buster read Arthur's letter, they all agree to stop talking to Arthur until he gives Sue Ellen a real apology.

At lunch, Arthur is wondering why his friends are not speaking to him. Buster accidentally speaks to him, but then stays quiet again and writes on a piece of paper about Arthur's letter to Sue Ellen. Arthur doesn't understand it, thinking he did a good job with the letter. Muffy and Francine agree to go sit at another table because they think he has become a bully and leave. Arthur still doesn't get it until Buster finally says that his letter to Sue Ellen was terrible because Arthur sounded like he wasn't sorry at all and also leaves the table, which shocks Arthur.

Afterwards, Arthur tries explaining himself to Sue Ellen again, but he is unable to keep himself from thinking that she overreacted. Buster fails to keep from talking to Arthur, but he tries his hardest to not pay any attention to him, much to Arthur's frustration.

That night, Arthur photo-shops a picture of a sheepdog's head onto Sue Ellen's body and then e-mails it to her. However, he appears to feel a little pang of remorse after doing so.

When Sue Ellen sees the picture on her computer, she cries, and we go back to where the episode started, with her writing in the diary. Sue Ellen puts her sweater in a bag and goes to talk to her mother about something important.

The next day, Sue Ellen donates her yak sweater to the school's clothing drive. Arthur tries owing her an apology once again, but she knows that he still doesn't mean it and turns her back on him.

Later at lunch, Francine and Muffy angrily confront Arthur, telling him that Sue Ellen wants to switch classes, for very obvious reasons.

Unable to catch Sue Ellen before she goes home, Arthur sees and takes her sweater from the clothing bin, surprised it is still there. Arthur then starts reminiscing about all of his repeated teasing and finally realizes that he has been a bully, deliberately hurt Sue Ellen’s feelings, and that it isn’t funny anymore.

The next morning at the school entrance, Arthur is anxiously waiting for Sue Ellen. He finally makes a heartfelt and sincere apology, confessing that she didn't overreact and that he has been a bully. He begs her not to switch classes because, among other things, he doesn’t want to lose one of his best friends. Then, Arthur reveals that he is wearing Sue Ellen's yak sweater now and he vows to do so for the rest of the year, and never pick on her again if she forgives him. Sue Ellen accepts, but adds that she will take her sweater back. Arthur admits the sweater is "the warmest thing [he's] ever worn," Sue Ellen adds “And soft, right?” Sue Ellen then jokingly adds that it makes him look like a mouse. "Squeak, squeak!"

Major

 * Arthur Read
 * Sue Ellen Armstrong

Minor

 * Buster Baxter
 * Francine Frensky
 * Muffy Crosswire
 * Nigel Ratburn

Cameo

 * Alex
 * Binky Barnes
 * The Brain
 * Fern Walters
 * George Lundgren
 * Jenna Morgan
 * Ladonna Compson
 * Maria Pappas
 * Molly MacDonald
 * Mr. Armstrong
 * Nancy
 * Rafi
 * Rattles
 * Slink
 * Tenzin Wangdu

Mentioned

 * Bionic Bunny
 * Capri di Vapida
 * Mrs. Armstrong
 * Shrubman

Trivia

 * Arthur appears to be the only one at home all alone, and neither D.W., Jane, David, Kate, and Pal are seen at home.

Episode connections

 * Arthur mentions when he was teased for wearing glasses in "Arthur's Eyes".
 * Tenzin's last appearance, "Sue Ellen's Little Sister", was also a season finale.
 * The Tough Customers were living up to their new moniker ("Tough Consumers") from "The Last Tough Customer" at lunch, eating all their food savagely and Binky asking Arthur if he wanted his beans.
 * When Sue Ellen jokingly teases Arthur about looking like a mouse, it could be a reference to the character Alfred from the TV show "Alfred", a parody of the Arthur show itself. Alfred was seen in "The Contest" and "Baby Steps".

Production notes

 * A special preview broadcast of this episode and "The Last Tough Customer" was aired for North America on May 3, 2013 on Ovee.

Home Video
DVD:
 * Arthur Stands Up to Bullying