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 the wall smothered with the words, "Binky Rules." He gasps and immediately rinses the graffiti off.

The next scene shows the students of Lakewood Elementary (as well as Muffy, Sue Ellen, Buster, and Arthur) listening to the new hit song, wondering what the title is. Meanwhile, Francine and Binky are practicing for the travel team. When the new hit song comes to an end, the gang gets excited. 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 volunteer 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. Were they right?

Once again, Mr. Morris finds ANOTHER copy of "Binky Rules" on the wall. He is furious and he consults with 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 walks out, only to hear the new hit song. They discover that it was not Binky Barnes, but...

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

Quotes
Buster and Fern. Buster and Alan. Buster and Muffy. Buster and Fern again.
 * "Listen, Pinky Crooker. This evidence stuff is a wet smack. All you're gonna do is win the porcelain hair net."
 * "Am I supposed to understand what you're saying?"
 * "Brain, you know your goulash. Slobber a bit full or Binky's going to clutch the gummy."
 * "If you want to know tomorrow's menu, it's posted by the cafeteria."
 * "Hey, Gopher Ball. What do you know about the shenanigag on Binky?"
 * "Just when I thought you couldn't get any stranger."
 * "Looks like Binky's taking a pancake fall."
 * "OH, WILL YOU PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH?!"

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 give a reference to and, respectively.

Episode connections

 * The events of Arthur Accused and Fern's Slumber Party are both mentioned.

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."