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 yak wool sweater that her Tibetian pen pal Tenzin recently 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 can't seem to let it go -- he continues with the 'sheepdog' teasing, 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. Later, class is dismissed for the day, but Arthur is surprised when Mr. Ratburn makes him stay behind. Ratburn tells Arthur that 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 tries apologizing to Sue Ellen again, but he cannot keep himself from thinking that 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 does appear to feel some remorse. When Sue Ellen sees the picture, 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 school clothing drive, and Arthur tries apologizing to her once more, but she knows he doesn't mean it and walks away. Later that day, at lunch, Francine and Muffy angrily 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 indeed been a bully.

The next morning, Arthur is waiting for Sue Ellen. He finally makes a heartfelt, sincere apology, admitting that he has been bullying Sue Ellen and begging her not to switch classes. Arthur then reveals that he is wearing Sue Ellen's sweater and vows to do so for the rest of the year, if she'll forgive him. Sue Ellen accepts and the two resume their friendship. But...Sue Ellen gets a little 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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