Time, Fire, Death, and...Arthur? Why the Gang Never Grows Up

If you're an Arthur fan (as we've been for years), you would've noticed something a long time ago. There's practically no passing of time on Arthur. Why not? I mean, if they can make animal's lives as realistic as ours (electricity, cars, schools and public places, etc), how come nobody gets older, even when they have a birthday? And how come the Arthur gang never moves up from the 3rd grade? I mean, they have summertime episodes. In Swept Away, season 11, episode 1a, Arthur, Buster, and D.W. spend their vacation at the beach building a large sand castle. Same as in The Short, Quick Summer, season 2, episode 9b, where the time of year is even mentioned in the name.

There are also birthdays. In Prunella Gets It Twice, season 4, episode 6, she celebrates her birthday, and in Misfortune Teller, season 1, episode 23b, she invites her friends for her half-birthday party. Arthur's Birthday, season 1, episode 10, actually has 2 birthdays--his, and Muffy's. They should be turning 9; Prunella, 10. But they just return to their always-known ages. I figure it's just easier to keep the characters in the same grade--especially if there are a lot of main and sub-main characters. You develop a relationship with the gang and their classmates and, come on; would it be the same without forever cake-eating Mr. Ratburn? I think not.

 Interestingly enough, there are even a few episodes where Arthur and the gang discuss moving up to the fourth grade. In Brain's Shocking Secret, season 11, episode 4b, the Brain is worried that his friends will find out that he was held back in kindergarten, and he should truly be in the fourth grade. The secret gets out and, in the end of the episode, Brain admits the truth. He tells Binky, who was also held back, "When I go to 4th grade next year, you're coming with me."

Both of these photos belong to the Brain. The one to the left is Brain's first year in kindergarten, the one to the right is his second year. You should be able to recognize the figures in the second photo. Look familiar?

In Buster Makes The Grade, season 1, episode 7b, Buster is called to Principal Haney's office. When questioned by his friends later on about what happened, Buster sadly informs them, "Mr. Ratburn says if I don't get a B on the next test, 'You won't have the pleasure of joining your friends in the 4th grade'." Of course, Buster gets the good grade, but neither he or Binky (or any of them) leave Mr. Ratburn's class.

D.W. making a wish

There's also D.W. Like Arthur and his friends, she also stays in the same level of school--preschool--throughout the whole show. D.W. turns four in D.W.'s Perfect Wish, season 3, episode 14b, and later on is mention as a four year old, making her basically the only person who's considered the age they're supposed to be (for a while). Ironically enough, D.W. talks about never getting older in Arthur's New Year's Eve, season 1, episode 30b. When Mrs. Read tells D.W. she's too young to stay up until midnight with Arthur and Grandma Thora, D.W. exclaims, "How can I always be too young? It's like I never get any older! What if I'm trapped in some kind of time warp and I never get older? Is that my fault?                                      
No, D.W., it's not your fault. It's Mark Brown's fault. XD

But, of course; this is the "Arthur Theory" blog, and I have come up with my own explanation. Remember; this is not a true fact. It's just a fun/comical way to explain the mysteries of the much-loved show Arthur. 

In the episode April 9th, season 7, episode 10, the kids are in class when they smell smoke. A fire has broken out in one of the rooms, and the whole school has to evacuate. The episode proceeds, where Arthur is scared to let his dad go anywhere after Mr. Read has to be searched for in the building by a firefighter, Sue Ellen is grieving because her diary was left behind, Binky develops a fear of fire after he saw the flames himself head-on, and Buster is (oddly) regretting sleeping in that morning, missing the event.

Arthur reunites with his dad after the fire

My point is: What if the Arthur gang never escaped? Maybe they were lately warned about the fire by either not smelling the smoke, no one came to tell them, or there was a malfunction with the fire alarms. So they were trapped in with the flames, and they tragically died. The reason they are still around is because their ghosts are cursed to haunt the school forever, because they died in such a terrible tragedy. And that is the reason they have never passed the third grade.

When you do the proper research it surprisingly enough makes some sense. This wouldn't be the first time ghosts were mentioned in Arthur. Take The Fright Stuff, season 2, episode 7b, for instance. In this episode, Arthur, Buster, Binky, and the Brain are in a prank war with Muffy and Francine. The Crosswires rent Castle Manor--a haunted house located in Elwood City--for a Halloween costume party, where the two rival teams pull the ultimate prank. Their plans are changed when they come in contact with a ghost, who is later seen in the attic, talking to her father, also a ghost.

And who can forget the ghost girl who haunts the same train Sue Ellen is riding in Strangers on a Train, season 11, episode 5b? The most recent episode to mention ghosts is Prunella and the Haunted Locker, season 13, episode 8b, where Prunella is informed by Principal Haney that her locker is under construction. In the meanwhile, she's forced to put her things in locker 237, an old fashioned locker tucked in a far corner of the school. Apparently the locker is haunted by the ghost of Little Jack Murphy. The story is completely made up by the imaginative mind of Fern, but at the end of the episode a swing on the playground suddenly moves in the gentle breeze. The giggling of a young boy can be heard, and the episode ends. So the idea of Arthur and the gang being ghosts isn't that crazy.

Despite what you may think, time does pass on Arthur. One obvious sign is the indication of the passing of seasons. Some episodes take place during the winter, summer, fall, and even spring. There are special holiday episodes and movies, such as Arthur's Perfect Christmas. 

Arthur enjoys playing in the snow in Arthur's Perfect Christamas

Another sign to look for is the advance in technology. In earlier episodes, the only electronics mentioned are phones, fax machines, and computers. More recently, Arthur characters have used cell phones, iPads, and watch their favorite shows and movies on flat screen TVs. Even Mr. Ratburn has trouble learning how to work a new computer. There are blogs, and 3-D movies with explosions. Since time has passed and the Arthur characters haven't grown up, this is perfect proof that they are ghosts. Time has passed, but they are still the same age.

You may be thinking "What about Buster? He was late to school, so what happened to him? He couldn't have died in the fire." You're right. Most likely, Buster lost his mind when he learned all his friends died. Because of this, he is able to see the ghosts of his friends and teacher. This makes sense, though. Buster is very gullible, and he already believes in aliens, so why not ghosts?

Buster goes insane

Wow. Dark episode XD.

Anyway, you can check these episodes out for yourself. Leave your opinion down in the comments below. But until we ask the directors for ourselves, the world may never know why time repeats itself.

Are the Sugar Bowl and the Powers' Ice Cream Shop in a Business Feud? Family Business Suffers Financial Issues. Brain's Secret Relatives Uncovered.

Hi, welcome to Arthur Theory!

 My siblings and I grew up watching Arthur, and we used to be such big fans of it. The other night my sister and I started asking ourselves about the "Mysteries of Arthur" and tried as best as we could to answer our own questions. "Arthur is just a kids show, nothing too deep," you say. Well, I'm sorry to tell you...it's pretty deep. We've come up with stories explaining the oddest things that go on in Elwood City. Not all of Arthur's friends get along so well. Some people in Elwood City have secrets, and these secrets are going to be exposed on the blog over a period of time. I'm not sure how often I'll write, just keep checking the blog out for more news worthy headlines. (As far as kids TV shows go, that is.) Nothing on here is true, at all, except for the references to certain Arthur episodes, and quotes taken directly from the show. These pictures and quotes do not belong to me...I just figured I'd use them to make the blog entries more entertaining and amusing. All of these stories are a work of fiction and imagination, taking Arthur to a deeper level than it really is. And now for the first blog post:

The first story I figured I'd work with is about Brain and his family's ice cream business, along with his secret relatives. It's a simple story, nothing to hard to follow, and is pretty interesting. This theory was my sister's idea, but I built on it and spent awhile doing further research. You may have noticed that the gang's after school hang out is at the Sugar Bowl. And why wouldn't it be? I mean, there's enough table room to fit everyone, and it appears to be kid friendly. But, as all Arthur fans know, the Sugar Bowl isn't the only ice cream parlor in Elwood City. Take the Powers' ice cream shop, for example. It's known that Brain's mom and dad own an ice cream shop. The name of the shop is unclear, but it's considered the gang's second hangout.

Every now and then there will be episodes that show Arthur and his friends eating at the Powers' ice cream shop, most likely because the Sugar Bowl was too busy. But, what makes the Powers' ice cream shop so unique? I mean, both the Sugar Bowl and the Powers' shop serve ice cream, right? So there isn't that much of a difference.

WRONG! (Well, sort of.)

It's true--they both serve ice cream. But, in addition to ice cream, the Sugar Bowl has been known to serve hot chocolate, french-fries, milkshakes, and even deli-style sandwiches with a pickle on the side. This variety of food brings a lot of business into the Sugar Bowl, unlike the Powers' ice cream shop, which not only serves original ice cream flavors, but bizarre ones as well--some ingredients include pizza, tuna fish, nachos, salsa, and even chicken feet! Which explains why the Powers' ice cream shop is failing.

Sue Ellen Armstrong enjoys a "Big Pig" ice cream sundae at the Sugar Bowl

In Background Blues, season 3, episode 4a, Brain is convinced the cheesy music his parents play in the ice cream shop is negatively effecting his grade point average. After running several experiments, gathering data, and experiencing a bizarre dream, Brain draws a pie chart and attempts to convince his parents to stop playing Breezy Listening as background music. When he does, his parents explain to him that the music is just there to bring in business. They figure people will want to buy more ice cream. "But we don't want to lie to people to sell more ice cream," Brain points out. "Well, no..." his parents looked ashamed, even a little sad and miffed, but, why is that? Because they believe playing Breezy Listening to attract more customers is wrong? No--they're facing financial issues, and are worried how they're going to save the ice cream shop. Business isn't going well...I mean, anyone can notice that.

In Brain Freeze, season 17, episode 10b, the financial issues and competition with other ice cream businesses is more openly addressed. A new ice cream shop opens up across the street and drives customers away from the Powers' shop. Even Brain worries they'll have to close because of poor business. In the end of Background Blues, however, Brain puts together a background music CD for the ice cream shop, which "sells like hotcakes" as he later puts it. In addition to ice cream, customers also have the opportunity to buy music CDs, therefore partially ending the Powers' financial issues.

But have you ever noticed that Brain is never at the Sugar Bowl with his friends? He rarely makes appearances there. I've come to believe this is because he knows his parents' business is suffering financially, and refuses to support the opponent. Still, he's tied between being social with his friends and saving the ice cream shop, so he does make appearances every now and then, but these are few. Most of the time he doesn't even eat: He simply goes to join his friends and study his homework. This can be proved by watching Sue Ellen Chickens Out, season 8, episode 5b.

In this particular episode, the Sugar Bowl owner, Carl, decides to sell his business to the owners of the Chickin' Lickin' company, similar to our KFC.

Chickin' Lickin' fast food restaurant

Sue Ellen, who doesn't even like chicken, and is known to later become a vegetarian in Sue Ellen Vegges Out, season 16, episode 9b, decides to try and save the Sugar Bowl by forming a pep rally. At first, the pep rally is made up of four members, the leader of the group and strongest member being Sue Ellen, along with Buster, Binky, and the Brain. At first, things are going smoothly. The group makes a pact to not support Chickin' Lickin' by agreeing to never eat their food. They also make signs for the pep rally, and Sue Ellen organizes a picket at the Mill Creek Mall where the owner of Chickin Lickin' makes a special appearance. All of this is done in an attempt to save the Sugar Bowl from being taken over by another fast food restaurant.

Sue Ellen, Buster, and Binky's pep rally at the Mill Creek Mall

Brain, however, tends to lose it. If you watch the episode, you'll see that the Brain drops from the pep rally. He claims it's because he bought food from the Chickin' Lickin' restaurant, so he feels unworthy of being a member of the pep rally. However, this isn't the real reason he quit the pep rally. The whole story was made up. He didn't want to tell Sue Ellen the truth: he dropped from the pep rally not because he went back on the pact they'd made as a group and felt guilty, but because he knew if he helped save the Sugar Bowl he'd be betraying his parents. He came to realize the ugly truth: With the Sugar Bowl out of the Way, the Powers' shop, at the moment the only ice cream parlor in Elwood City, would prosper, and the business would be saved.

In the end, Carl goes back on his decision and the Sugar Bowl is saved. Whether Brain's family is devastated at the news is unclear, but I do know one thing: There is a battle going on between the Sugar Bowl and the Powers' shop. Which brings me to my final point: Brain is related to Carl! Why, you ask? Just take a look at the owner: He's a bear, just like brain, and even has glasses, like Mr. Powers. They both own ice cream shops, as well. True--you may not see Mr. Powers actually working at the ice cream parlor, but his wife and son work the counter, so he's most likely the one who pays bills and manages the money and advertising. So, in a way, he does partly own the ice cream parlor. Carl and Mr. Powers are brothers! And who may be their dad, you ask? Think: Who else is a bear that wears glasses? That's right: Mr. Haney.

Principal Haney

Principal Haney is the Brain's grandfather! Don't believe me? Check this out:

In The Chips Are Down, season 3, episode 5a, Binky and D.W. have come to believe they were poisoned when they ate a green potato chip. Binky and D.W. then make a pact to live each day as if it's their last.

Binky writes a list of three goals he wants to fulfill before he dies, which he shows his desk partner, the Brain (ironic, huh?). Mr. Ratburn, believing he caught Binky passing a note, asks Binky to read his paper aloud.

Binky then says, "Mr. Ratburn, I started to do my homework, then I got to thinking. What's the point? Will doing all this homework really help me?" Startled, Mr. Ratburn sends Binky to Principal Haney's office. Principal Haney tries to reason with Binky, asking him if he realizes what he said was disrespectful and rude.

"Mr. Haney, sir, every minute of life is a precious gift. We live in a world surrounded by beauty. Should we fritter away our lives and allow the wonders of this amazing gift to just pass us by?" Binky replies.

Mr. Haney, moved by this little speech Binky has given, lets Binky off the hook to Mr. Ratburn's horror and says, "This budding Walt Whitman has inspired me to follow my lifelong dream: to climb Mount Everest. I won't be a life fritterer awayerer! Thank you, my boy!"

Mr. Haney lectures Mr. Ratburn

 But, why didn't Mr. Haney just fulfill his lifelong dream in the first place? What held him back from climbing Mount Everest? Hmmm....how about raising two sons? Most likely, he took on the job as a teacher or school faculty member to support his family and was later promoted to Principal.

So, Brain's uncle is the owner of the Sugar Bowl, Carl, and his grandfather is Principal Haney himself. It's a nice theory, and it's just a theory--that's all it is. There's plenty of facts that go against the idea. For instance, if Mr. Haney was Brain's paternal grandfather, his last name would be Powers as well, not Haney. It'd make more sense if Mr. Haney was Mrs. Powers' father, and that Haney was her maiden name. But there would be no resemblance between Mr. Haney and Mrs. Powers. The story about Carl and Mr. Haney being related could be true. No one knows Carl's last name after all, so it's possible there's some relation between him and Mr. Haney.

Despite this fact, there are age differences between Carl, Mr. Haney, and Mr. Powers. In season 1, episode 20a, Arthur's Almost Boring Day, Arthur and his classmates have to write and deliver an oral report about what they did over the weekend. Because of pouring rain, the original plans of the gang are overturned, leaving Arthur trapped inside with D.W. all day. Because his children are being too rowdy, Mr. Read sends Arthur and D.W. to Grandma Thora's house so he and Mrs. Read can focus on paying their bills and taxes. At Grandma Thora's house, Arthur has an idea to show his classmates the cool things from his father's child hood. On Monday morning, when it's Arthur's turn to give his report, Grandma Thora wheels an old movie projector into the classroom and shows footage from Mr. Read's child hood, and even his teen years. One shot of footage shows Mr. Read playing at a high school-or even college--football game. You can see Mr. Haney cheering on the sidelines, and he looks about the same age as Arthur's dad did when the footage was taken. And in Sue Ellen Chickens Out, Carl has a flashback of the history of the Sugar Bowl. He's working the counter when a youthful Grandma Thora comes into the room and invites him to dance the jitterbug. So if Carl is the same age as Thora, and Mr. Haney is the same age as Mr. Read, Mr. Haney would have to be the son of Carl, not the other way around.

So, what do you think? Is the Powers' business failing, and is Brain related to his Dad's rival? Post your comments below. Thanks! :)

Little does Brain know, he's talking to his grandfather