Lights, Camera... Opera!

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Lights, Camera, Opera!
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"Lights, Camera, Opera!" is the fifth episode of season 9 of Arthur and the 120th of the TV series as a whole. It first aired on December 31, 2004 along with "All Worked Up!"

Plot Outline

The episode begins in an art gallery where Arthur discusses how the world can sometimes appear to be divided into the interests of adults and the interests of kids. He reminisces about such an experience when he saw a movie with his parents, with his mom and dad discussing how the film was "wonderful"; Arthur on the other hand does not understand this as he remembers the film being about "two people who never even meet". Arthur then gives another example using art as he looks up into an abstract painting. As he begins to tell the audience how he doesn't know any kid who would appreciate this type of art, Muffy interrupts him as she appreciates the painting. Arthur asks her if she can honestly say that she likes it, and she agrees that she doesn't really; however, she immediately states that she wants to like it as her father owns six of the paintings by the artist in question. Ed Crosswire immediately walks into view with the artist in tow and tells Muffy how great the painting will look in her room, which she agrees with halfheartedly.

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At breakfast in the Crosswire household, Muffy excitedly finds tickets on her plate, which she assumes to be for the "Tween Dream Concert". While thanking her father, he replies that they are actually for the opening night of an opera in which he hopes she will enjoy just as much. The opera in question isCarmen by Georges Bizet, which happens to be one of her father's favourites; her mother also seems excited by the opera, especially Rodney Gilfry, but is disappointed as she has a charity auction to attend. Since her mother is unable to go, Muffy goes in her place. She then hints slyly that she'll need something to wear, which her parents agree with.

Muffy is then seen dress shopping with Francine and Prunella. Prunella tells her that the opera is nothing more than "people in silly costumes singing in a language you don't even understand". Muffy then replies, indicating that Prunella is not sophisticated enough to appreciate. Prunella then recounts her experience at an opera which she found boring and tiresome as Muffy tries on dresses; Prunella then says that she doubts that Muffy will even make it through the overture. Muffy comes out wearing a white dress, and Francine comments by saying that she resembles a rice pudding.

Muffy begins to worry about whether or not she will be able to enjoy the opera and seeks out Bailey for advice. She asks him if she should listen to some opera before opening night. As he sings, she begs him to stop; Muffy demands if she'll have to listen to four hours of that, and Bailey tells her that the length depends on the specific opera and that the excerpt he sang was from an opera called Wagner's "Ring" Cycle that had a running time of sixteen hours. This startles Muffy.

Two days before the opening night of the opera, Ed Crosswire is tucking in his daughter and thinks that she is excited. Muffyrealizes in fear that there really are only two days before the opera and falls asleep. She dreams that she is watching an opera next to her father where she falls asleep. The play continues, but her snoring attracts the attention of not only the audience but of the performers as well. As all goes quiet, Muffy awakens and, thinking that the play has ended which resulted in the silence, she applauds the performers shouting, "Bravo!" She then realizes that the play is not over and sits down in embarassment, trying to hide her face behind the < >

The next day, Muffy paces in the playground in front of Francine and ponders aloud what she should do if she falls asleep and what she should say to her father when he asks whether she liked it. Francine advises Muffy to just tell him that she doesn't want to go, but Muffy rebuffs this piece of advice, saying that her father would be extremely disappointed if she didn't go with him as he was very excited. Francine then asks if sheeven knows the plot of Carmen; Muffy tells her she does not and wonders if it's about auto mechanics. Binky, apparently eavesdropping, exclaims that Carmen is a great opera as he throws a water balloon at a dishevelled George. Binky states that the play is about "passion, betrayal, and revenge," comparing the opera to professional wrestling but "set to great music". A surprised Muffy is then invited by Binky to listen to the soundtrack at his home.

At his house, Binky summarizes the plot for Muffy and hints that it ends ominously. As he plays the soundtrack, Muffy visualizes the opera in her head.