Binky Rules (episode)

Summary
When graffiti stating "Binky Rules" mysteriously appears around the school, Buster and Fern attempt to prove that Binky did not do it.

Plot
The episode starts with Mr. Morris, the janitor, finding a wall smothered with the words, "Binky Rules." He gasps and immediately rinses the graffiti off.

The next scene shows the gang listening to a new hit song on the radio. Meanwhile, Francine and Binky are practicing for the travel soccer team. When the song comes to an end, the gang gets excited to learn what the song is called. However, a stray ball from Francine and Binky's rough practicing bounces away from them and knocks the radio down. After a few moans from Arthur, Buster remarks that the group is Finnish and that they should call United Nations. A few seconds after, Mr. Morris arrives, beckoning Binky with a scowl. Binky and Mr. Morris talk about the "graffiti-ing." Binky claims that he is innocent, but then the wall is covered with "Binky Rules" again. Binky reads the words, embarrassed, and Mr. Morris walks off to get a brush.

Binky's friends are convinced to wash the wall for him, but Francine remarks that he better not do that again. A very confused Binky exclaims that he didn't do it. It's a mystery, and Francine takes Binky to find a detective. Later, Francine hires Fern to crack the case and Arthur hires Buster. Soon, there is a girls vs. boys argument that Binky gets excited about. Will the case be cracked by Fern or Buster?

Buster puts on his detective get up and starts talking strangely, which immensely irritates Fern. She scoffs Buster for sitting on his evidence, and that begins the battle. After collecting all possible evidence, Fern and Buster agree to go to Mr. Morris's office. Buster thinks that it was an evil twin, and Fern thinks that it was a rival soccer team.

Once again, Mr. Morris finds another copy of "Binky Rules" on the wall. He is furious and he consults Mr. Ratburn about Binky's very unacceptable behavior. Buster and Fern are very glum about being lousy detectives. Fern analyzes the paint and immediately goes to Mr. Geary's Hardware store. He informs them that he's never seen that color and that he certainly doesn't sell it. The pair walk out, only to hear the new hit song. They discover that it was not Binky Barnes who is causing the vandalism.

Fern and Buster rush back to the scene of the crime to find Binky getting a final lecture. A "Binky Rules" van pulls up, and the driver apologizes for being too ambitious with his advertising for the new band, Binky. To make up for it, he gives all of the kids free copies of the CD, while getting his staff to clean up the mess and clearing Binky's name. Francine and Arthur argue about song is the one they liked, but they stop arguing to listen to the music.

Major

 * Binky Barnes
 * Fern Walters
 * Buster Baxter
 * Mr. Morris

Minor

 * Arthur Read
 * Francine Frensky
 * Muffy Crosswire
 * The Brain
 * Sue Ellen Armstrong
 * Francis Haney
 * Mr. Geary
 * Dr. Jake

Cameo

 * Beulah McInnerny
 * Kenny
 * Nigel Ratburn
 * Jenna Morgan
 * Bjorn (pictured)
 * Inga (pictured)
 * 3rd Grade Female Cat (Number 2)
 * 3rd Grade Female Aardvark
 * 3rd Grade Male Rabbit
 * 3rd Grade Male Dog
 * 3rd Grade Male Cat

Cultural references

 * The opening of this episode features a reference from the show ""
 * Brain and Muffy mention and.
 * The popular song by Binky is actually a real song: Matalii ja mustii by . There are Finnish lyrics, but mainly the repetitive harmonizing is heard throughout the episode.

Episode connections

 * The events of "Arthur Accused" and "Fern's Slumber Party" are both mentioned.
 * The popularity of Binky continues into the next episode "Meet Binky".

Production notes

 * The story was adapted as an Arthur chapter book, and an adaptation of the story from the perspective of Fern Walters was featured on the album Arthur's Really Rockin' Music Mix as "Fern's Detective Tango."