Ep 13. So Long, Spanky/Buster's New Friend

Arthur Season 1 Episode 13, "So Long, Spanky/Buster's New Friend", follows the titular character Arthur and his friends as they deal with issues relating to friendship and pets.

In the first half of the episode, "So Long, Spanky", Arthur's best friend, Buster, is devastated when his family decides to give away their pet gerbil, Spanky. Buster is so upset that he initially refuses to come to school, prompting Arthur and their other friends to try and cheer him up. Meanwhile, Arthur is reminded of his own pet, a dog named Pal, and how important his furry friend is to him.

Throughout the episode, Arthur and his friends work to understand Buster's feelings and help him cope with the loss of his pet. They come up with a plan to give Spanky a "going away party" as a way to say goodbye, and ultimately help Buster come to terms with the fact that pets are a cherished addition to one's life, but it is also okay to let go when circumstances change.

In the second half of the episode, "Buster's New Friend", Buster becomes enamored with a new student in his class, a girl named Ashley. Ashley is from Texas and has a horse, which fascinates Buster. She also seems to share his love of aliens and science fiction. However, Arthur and their other friends become concerned that Buster is neglecting his friendship with them in favor of spending all his time with Ashley.

As the episode progresses, Arthur and his friends feel left out and worried about Buster's new friendship, but they eventually come to realize that it is healthy for Buster to have a variety of interests and relationships in his life. They learn to be supportive of Buster's new friend while recognizing that their own friendship is still important to him.

Overall, "So Long, Spanky/Buster's New Friend" is a heartwarming episode that teaches important lessons about the complexities of friendship and the role that pets play in our lives. Viewers will relate to the characters' struggles and come away with a greater understanding of how to navigate the ups and downs of relationships with those we care about.