D.W. Goes to Washington

"D.W. Goes to Washington" is the first half of the 10th episode of season 2 of the animated children's series Arthur. Together with Arthur's Mystery Envelope, it first aired on December 15th, 1997.

Premise
The Reads go to Washington, D.C. over a holiday vacation. They tour the popular landmarks and at the White House, but D.W. separates from the tour group and meets the President.

Plot
The episode starts with Arthur on a swing ranting about D.W. Arthur then has a flashback of his family having a picnic. Arthur is flying a kite and D.W. insists of not playing. What Arthur insists on saying is that D.W. always whines even if the activity is very exciting. Arthur goes back to reality and him and D.W. are in a box, imaging the box as a submarine. D.W. steps out, knocking the box over. Arthur falls over and D.W. whines once more. (Intertitle Shows) David and Jane Read are reading two books. David says that he does not have to cater any parties this weekend, revealing that they have the time to travel somewhere for the weekend. Arthur suggests Washington DC and David makes a pun saying "That's a capital idea!" and chuckles. The family takes a vote on where to go. D.W. thinks that they should go to Ponyland. Everybody tries to convince D.W. that Washington DC is a good place to visit. The next day they start to drive and driving past the countryside D.W. comments "Pony," whenever she sees a pony. When Arthur spots the White House he has a dream sequence where he meets the president of the United States of America, Bill Clinton. He enters reality again and D.W. comments "Yeah, maybe if we walk long enough we'll be so tired we won't notice how BORED we are." They park the car and visit the Pentagon. And of course, D.W. whines. Arthur then enters another dream sequence where he meets the president, is the head of a construction project, and is walking with President Bill Clinton. They go to the Lincoln Memorial and D.W. states "Boy, look at the size of those feet. Where did he ever buy his shoes?" and "Was he the only giant president?"

They leave the memorial and spot the White House, visiting it. Arthur says "What if we meet him [the president] and become friends?" For the 3rd time, he has a dream sequence where he plays mini golf with the president, and drinks soda at The Sugar Bowl. He wakes up from his father saying "Arthur!"

They enter the white house and D.W. starts wandering off saying "I'm just trying to find the government." Arthur gets her thinking if he doesn't the president will become mad at him and getting kicked out of the white house. Not obeying by her brother, D.W. wanders off once again and attempts to open a door, but it his locked. Secret servicemen then attempts to find her, in a stealth way, hiding behind plants, using binoculars, looking out windows, etc. D.W. looks at a painting and is awed by it. Bill Clinton shows up behind her and says "Beautiful painting, isn't it?" The president tries to help her find her way back to her family, and with his assist, finds them.

The president asks D.W. and her family to eat dinner with him, pizza, in his office. Arthur tries to be a show-off to the president saying how he won a spelling bee. Arthur gets mad and covers his eyes with his hands.

Arthur, D.W, and his family drive home and D.W. says that she wants to become president to give ponies to every family; and "National Little Sisters Rule Day."

Trivia

 * D.W. met President Bill Clinton, who was president during the time the episode was made.

Quotes

 * (on top of the Washington Monument)
 * Tour Guide: The Washington Monument is reached by an iron stairway of 898 steps.
 * D.W.: We were down there, and we looked up here. Now we're up here, and we looked down there. What's the point?


 * D.W.: (observing the horses outside) Pony. Ponies. A lucky little girl who owns a pony.
 * Dad: This is gonna be a long ride.


 * Tour Guide: The Library of Congress contains 80 million items in 470 languages.
 * D.W.: (angrily) How many about ponies?!
 * Tour Guide: I...don't know.
 * D.W.: You're fired!


 * Arthur: Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president. He issued the Emacipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863.
 * D.W.: Boy, look at the size of those feet. Where'd he ever buy his shoes? Was he the only giant president?
 * Mom: Lincoln wasn't a giant. The statue is much larger than he was.
 * D.W.: Wouldn't you know it. Finally something interesting and it's a fake.
 * Dad: D.W., can you please try to relax and enjoy what's here?
 * D.W.: Okay, Daddy. At least I'll get to see the Statue of Liberty.
 * Dad: Um... that's in New York, honey.
 * D.W.: (upset) What a rip!

Home Video
DVD:
 * Arthur's Travel Adventures