Buster Makes the Grade (episode)

"Buster Makes the Grade" is the second part of the seventh episode of season one of the animated children's series "Arthur". It originally aired on October 21st, 1996. It was written by Peter Hirsch and the storyboards were done by Nadja Cozic.

Summary
Buster is a slacker who tries to reform his procrastinating and sub-par ways. He then gets a higher grade than Arthur.

Plot
Buster is being his usual goofy, absent-minded self on the day of yet another big test in Arthur's class. As shown by Arthur, Buster is known for his lazy antics, often falling asleep while working, distracting the students when they're trying to work, and snacking in public areas while studying when it's not appropriate. Buster doesn't appear the least bit swayed by this latest test, except that once again, he forgot to study.

Title Card

Mr. Ratburn passes the tests back to the class, most of the students having passed with average to high marks; that is, everybody except Buster, who has once again failed his test. Mr. Ratburn announces yet another test that will go over everything learned in the course of the year, and tells everybody to start studying immediately. After class, he tells Buster to meet him in Mr. Haney's office to discuss his failing grades with him, much to Buster's terror. Upon arriving, he meets his grandmother and his mother Bitzi, who breaks down into tears. After comforting her, Mr. Haney and Mr. Ratburn explain to Buster that his bad marks are bringing him on the verge of failure. Buster later explains to his friends that if he doesn't get a B on the next test, he won't have the pleasure of joining his friends in the fourth grade! Shocked, Arthur and his friends desperately try to think up a plan to help Buster pass the test, but Buster has no faith in himself.

At the Sugar Bowl, Arthur's friends are at a loss as to how to help Buster, that is until they see Binky Barnes nearby, so they go to him for advice. Binky knows exactly what it's like to be held back, so the kids ask him how they can help Buster. Binky explains that Buster needs a tutor to help him study, like he has at home to help him out. The kids approach Buster with their idea, but he brushes off the idea and goes to play softball with his friends. Arthur and the gang decide that they could be his tutors as they are his friends, and so Arthur goes to Buster's the next day to help him study. After Buster's mom leaves, he tries to escape out the window to the park to see the ballgame, but Arthur stops him, telling him they must study. However, Buster can't stay awake during his reading, never making it past the first chapter. Arthur tells him to wake up, and Buster claims his bedroom makes him sleepy, so he suggests going outside. At the ballpark, Buster pays more attention to the game than his reading, much to Arthur's frustration. Buster suggests Arthur read the book to him instead. Arthur starts off, but when he looks up, he sees Buster has gone out to the field, arguing with the umpire. Arthur gives up and goes home.

At school, Buster doesn't seem the least bit worried about his test, and seems more focused on desserts, as Muffy points out. This gives Arthur an idea: Muffy and Francine try to teach Buster mathematics, using fudge pieces to teach him division. Initially, Buster seems to do well, but when asked to divide it amongst the three of them, he gets it wrong as the pieces aren't equal. To fix the problem, he goes ahead and eats them! When he doesn't stop chowing down, Muffy gives Buster an F. With time running out, everybody steps up their progress, and Binky steps in to get Buster serious about studying. He ties Buster to a tree while reading him history, only to find Buster asleep and wearing glasses with fake eyes to trick Binky. Everybody tries various ways to get Buster to do well in class, teaching him math, geography, science, and English, but he fails every time or cheats when looking for the answers.

It's the day before the test, and Buster has given up hope on passing. With only one night to study, everybody says farewell to their friend, who won't be joining the fourth grade with them. Buster has a fantasy that he's an adult in the third grade, having been held back again and again, but is called to the Principal's office (Who happens to be Arthur), and is told that there's good news. Buster thinks he's going to the fourth grade, but Arthur is instead sending him to a place where he can nap and play all day; preschool! Shocked at the idea, Buster insists that he can do better. Back in reality, Buster comes to the same realization: He CAN do better. That night, Buster spends the entire night studying, using various means to stay awake and not getting distracted by anything else. Buster finally finds his focus, and does everything he can to ensure he passes.

A few days after the test, the kids are convinced Buster is a goner, but when Mr. Ratburn comes to him, he is very impressed: Buster has passed with a B+! His friends celebrate and Buster thanks them for his help. Surprisingly enough however, Arthur failed on his division on the test, and Mr. Ratburn actually suggests Buster can help him with those, leaving Arthur dumbfounded.

Goofs

 * An elementary school would never accept a teenager or anyone older for a student, so it's strange why Buster would have a nightmare about repeating the third grade 33 times and being 41.
 * In the scene where Arthur comes over to help Buster with studying, the cup full of school supplies was on Buster's desk for most of the scene; but when Buster stands up from his desk after Arthur told him he barely read a chapter, the cup of supplies is gone.
 * When Francine and Muffy teach Buster to divide three candies evenly among three people, they're saying that Buster is wrong, but they're not right, either. Diving twenty into three would be a mixed number: six and two-thirds, but most students don't learn about mixed numbers until they're in at least fifth grade. (Please clarify this statement.)
 * Binky roping Buster against a tree would promote health abuse.
 * When Buster solves the problem 17 X 17 = 289, it was correct and Francine and Muffy clapped for him; but then he jokes and says it was nothing and then the girls scold at him.
 * 1) That's because he had a calculator under his shirt.
 * It's strange why the Brain wouldn't help Buster, for he's very intelligent and loves to help his friends on their schoolwork.
 * In Buster's second imagination about getting held back several times, when he goes into the principal's office where Arthur is the headmaster there and then Buster pushes Arthur after being told to go to preschool instead of fourth grade, Arthur's eyes were tiny black dots when his glasses came off; but Arthur's eyes weren't supposed to change until the second season.
 * Fourth graders Steve (rabbit) and Billy (bear) are seen coming to the front door to Buster's to offer him to play baseball with them and Buster declines; but Arthur and his friends (except for Binky) aren't friends with the fourth graders except for Prunella earlier on at this point in the series. This would change dramatically as the series progressed even late into Season 1.
 * When Mr. Ratburn announces to the class that he graded the math tests from last week, Billy is seen in the class where Arthur and his friends are in now; but Billy was in Mr. Ratburn's class the previous school year and should be in the fourth grade class.
 * At one moment in the classroom, Steve is seen sitting beside Maria, but a few seconds later, Alex is seen in his place.
 * In the very beginning, Buster is seen in the library opening a book and eating Macaroni in it. But that Macaroni can be spoiled, meaning Buster may get food poisoning!

Quotes

 * [Buster walks into Mr. Haney's office]
 * Buster: Mom, Grandma, what are you guys doing, here?
 * [Buster's mother Bitzi and his grandmother are in Mr. Haney's office about Buster's poor grades]
 * Bitzi: It's nothing to worry about, dear. [sobbing]
 * [Buster's grandmother comforts Bitzi]
 * Mr. Haney: [takes out a lollipop and a tissue] Really, Mrs. Baxter. It's not as bad as always is serious, very serious, but nothing that a little elbow grease, a lot of elbow grease, can't fix. Sit down, Buster.
 * [Mr. Ratburn sets a chair in the middle of the office for Buster]
 * Buster: Mr. Ratburn said I have to get a "B" on the next test or else, (impersonates Mr. Ratburn) "You won't have the pleasure of joining your friends in the fourth grade."
 * Buster: Mr. Ratburn said I have to get a "B" on the next test or else, (impersonates Mr. Ratburn) "You won't have the pleasure of joining your friends in the fourth grade."


 * Francine: What? That's terrible Buster.
 * Arthur: How can we possibly go to the fourth grade without you?
 * Buster: Well, how am I going to get a "B?" I can barley name all the thirty states of America.
 * Muffy: Buster, there are fifty states.
 * Buster: See how dumb I am? Oh, it's hopeless!


 * Buster: If we hurry, we can get to the park before the game starts. (He grabs his game gear and is about to head out the window, when Arthur closes it.)
 * Arthur: We're not going to the park today, Buster.
 * Buster: What?!
 * Arthur: Get your books. We're gonna study!
 * Buster: "STUDY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"


 * (Arthur and Buster are studying at the park)
 * Arthur: Buster, you're not paying attention!
 * Buster: Sure I am! He was safe!
 * Arthur: Pay attention to the BOOK, Buster!
 * Buster: Oh yeah. It's hard to keep putting my eyes on the page.


 * (Buster solves a Math problem on the blackboard. Muffy and Francine clap for him)
 * Buster: Thank you! Thank you! It was nothing! (calculator drops) Oops!
 * Muffy and Francine: Buster!


 * (At Buster's house, Buster is sleeping)
 * Bitzi: Buster, wake up! Your English tutor is there!


 * Buster:: Please, Arthur! Don't do it! I know I can do better! I know I can! I KNOW I CAN!

Home Video
DVD: VHS:
 * Arthur's Travel Adventures
 * Arthur's School of Hard Knocks
 * Arthur's School of Hard Knocks