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 sweater made of yak wool that her pen pal Tenzin sent her. However, she looks at the sweater differently now. Instead of pride, she looks at it as a means for how mean people can be (foreshadowing the episode).

Sue Ellen unveils her new sweater at school on a cold day. For some reason, Arthur cannot help joking about the sweater, saying it makes Sue Ellen look like a giant sheepdog. Although it is simply mild teasing at first, Arthur continues on with it, even when Buster and Francine have stopped laughing. Arthur then 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. Sue Ellen then tells Mr. Ratburn about what Arthur is doing, and Ratburn tells Arthur he is being a bully, because he is continually teasing Sue Ellen even after she told him to stop. Arthur is forced to write Sue Ellen an apology letter, and he is not happy about the situation. The letter is extremely backhanded and makes Sue Ellen look like the one to blame. Francine, Muffy, and Buster all agree to stop talking to Arthur until he gives Sue Ellen a real apology.

Arthur apologizes to Sue Ellen a second time, but cannot keep himself from thinking she overreacted. Buster fails to keep from speaking to Arthur, but does his best to ignore him. That night, Arthur photoshops a picture of a sheepdog's head on Sue Ellen's body, and e-mails it to her. However, he appears to feel remorse. When Sue Ellen sees it, she cries and we go back to where the episode started, with her writing in the diary. She has to talk to her mother about something.

Sue Ellen donates her sweater to the clothing drive, and Arthur apologizes to her a third time, but she knows he doesn't mean it and walks away. Later that day, Francine and Muffy inform Arthur that Sue Ellen is switching classes, for obvious reasons. Unable to catch Sue Ellen before she heads home, Arthur takes her sweater from the clothing drive and starts reminiscing about the repeated teasing. Arthur finally realizes that he has been a bully.

Arthur apologizes to Sue Ellen the next day for the fourth and final time, admitting that he has been bullying her. Arthur reveals that he is wearing Sue Ellen's sweater and vows to wear it for the rest of the year. Sue Ellen accepts and the two resume their friendship. Sue Ellen gets a bit of retribution by jokingly stating the sweater makes Arthur look like a mouse.

Major characters

 * Arthur
 * Sue Ellen

Minor characters

 * Buster
 * Francine
 * Muffy
 * Mr. Ratburn

Background characters

 * Alex
 * Binky
 * Brain
 * Fern
 * George
 * Jenna
 * Ladonna
 * Maria
 * Molly
 * Mr. Armstrong
 * Nancy
 * Rafi
 * Rattles
 * Slink
 * Tenzin Wangdu

Mentioned characters

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

Trivia

 * This episode is significant because for the first time, it showcases Arthur as the antagonist.
 * The Tough Customers were living up to their new moniker ("Tough Consumers") at lunch, eating all their food savagely and Binky asking Arthur if he wanted his beans.

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.

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