Buster's Second Chance

Summary
Buster turns back the clock to see what life would be like if he were a genius.

Plot
The episode begins with Arthur telling the audience how he and Buster were friends since the day they met. He also remembers all they did together. He says it’s always been that way until this week, when he turns back to a now empty desk.

Buster’s Second Chance

Mr. Ratburn tells the class that The Brain won the science competition. He happil says he stands on the shoulders of giants after the class cheers for him. After school, Arthur doesn’t understand why Buster is complaining about the award. Buster explains that he understood something was off about the water fountain in park. Apparently bacteria made it taste like feet and fish. Arthur tells his friend everyone knew the taste, but Brain did research to compare it. Buster then says theres a reason he didn’t. D.W. enters and asks if he never studies ever. He then explains that is not the full reason.

When he was younger, he and his mom went to a preschool for smart kids. They wanted to know how smart he was. While being asked about where a marble should be, he sticks it in his nose, which horrifies everyone there.

A shocked Arthur asks Buster why he did it. Buster says he thought it was a trick question. Buster, now regretting his choice, wishes he could have answered the question. Later, at the sugar bowl, Buster says he would be smart had he gone to the preschool. Suddenly he gets an idea to go back in time. After hearing from his friends its impossible, he plans to get a third option.

Later, in bed, he reads comics about time travel. As he is about to doze off, a vortex comes by and sucks him in. When he opens his eyes, hes scared to see hes back to the preschool. Only this time, he knows what he’s doing and does a magic trick. This impresses them this time. Hes then sucked in to another vortex.

When he wakes up, he sees his room has changed. He cheers now that hes smart. He shows his mom a ribbon and wants to show Arthur. His mom remin him he takes a different school in the morning. After that, he and his fellow geniuses are riding the bus when Buster notices Arthur. He tries to say hi and show him but he just stares. They pass it off as the sun being in his eyes. He then gets dropped off at Lakewood. He goes to Ratburn’s class only to remember he is not in it. He remembers of being one grade ahead. He shows Arthur again but again he doesn’t seem to realize it.

Later, feeling confused, he heads to the Sugar Bowl,only it is run down. As he approaches, he’s stopped by Binky and rattles, who act as bouncers. He says to be looking for Arthur and is told that the parlor is now a tough customer only hangout. He realizes he needs to go to a class when he sees Arthur going towards it and says somebody must warn him about the sugar bowl. However, he fails to notice of wearing different clothes. Arthur enters and after a few awkward moments, he breaks the silence by shouting wazup. As the rest of the tough customers cheer, he asks for a soda. Binky asks what happened. Arthur, called specks, says he has been trying to avoid Buster as he’s been waving all day, freaking him out.

Later, on a Saturday, Buster’s told he needs to work on project. Buster say that he will get it done but needs to go by Arthur’s house, only to learn the Reads are not there. After a few unsuccessful attempts to find him, he gives up and goes to the comic shop. He sees a love ducks comic and reaches for it. When he does, he sees Arthur reaching for it as well. After being told he can have it, he tries to tell Arthur he loves them, which backfires. Arthur then tells Buster to keep it a secret from the other tough customers or he will be sorry. Buster realizes this Arthur is a tough customer, and wonders how long. Arthur says since he was 4. Because Buster was going to that preschool, Arthur never met him, and sees Binky who tells him to get out of the sandbox or else. Arthur instead toughly stands up for himsel, which impresses Binky. Buster is devastated to hear this. Arthur later wishes he had known someone who loves the stuff he secretly likes, but because he’s a tough customer, he storms out. Buster realizes being smart isn’t worth it anymore as a vortex sucks him in.

He wakes up from his crazy dream and realizes he is great the way he is. He goes to Arthur's house and sees he’s normal as well. After breakfast, they choose to do a study of their own, comparing his locker to goats. D.W., after hearing this, claims it is moments like those she is glad of not being a genius.

Main

 * Buster Baxter
 * Arthur Read

Minor

 * Binky Barnes
 * The Brain
 * Nigel Ratburn
 * Bitzi Baxter
 * D.W. Read

Cameo

 * Maria Pappas
 * Alex
 * Jenna Morgan
 * George Lundgren
 * Ladonna Compson
 * Francine Frensky
 * Sue Ellen Armstrong
 * Muffy Crosswire
 * Molly MacDonald
 * Rattles
 * Steve
 * Helen
 * 3rd Grade Female Aardvark
 * Brian
 * Jessica
 * John
 * Lisa
 * Kyle
 * Liam
 * Maryann
 * Lucy
 * Big Kid 2
 * Los Dedos
 * Big Kid 1
 * Fletcher
 * 4th Grade Male Rabbit
 * Amanda Hulser
 * Kiefer

Trivia

 * This is the first episode to air that was produced at Oasis Animation.
 * The flashback of Arthur and Buster meeting for the first time was originally seen in "Team Trouble" and again in "The Ballad of Buster Baxter."
 * This is the first time in the show proper that Kate is referred to as "Baby Kate."
 * This is the first episode to depict the class in fourth grade.