Ep 13. Tutoring Torvald/Gerald Comes Over

Arnold is a fourth-grader who lives with his grandparents in the city. He has a group of eclectic friends and together they navigate through the ups and downs of elementary school and adolescence. In the thirteenth episode of the first season, titled "Tutoring Torvald/Gerald Comes Over," Arnold finds himself trying to help a classmate, Torvald, who is struggling with his grades.

Torvald, a Norwegian exchange student, is having a hard time understanding his American schoolwork. Arnold, who is known for his academic excellence, agrees to tutor Torvald in order to help him catch up. However, tutoring proves to be more challenging than Arnold originally anticipated. Torvald is not only having difficulty with the language barrier but also with the cultural differences.

Arnold tries to make the lessons more relatable by using examples that Torvald can understand, such as comparing the difference between cursive and print to the difference between Norwegian and English. Despite Arnold's efforts, Torvald continues to struggle, causing Arnold to question his own abilities as a tutor.

Meanwhile, Arnold's best friend, Gerald, comes over to spend the night. Arnold is torn between helping Torvald and hanging out with Gerald. However, Gerald proves to be a valuable asset in helping Arnold with Torvald's lessons. He comes up with some creative ways to make the material more accessible to Torvald, including creating a rap song about the difference between cursive and print.

As Torvald's grades continue to suffer, Arnold becomes increasingly worried about his ability to help Torvald. However, with the help of Gerald's inventive ideas and his own determination, Arnold is able to find a method of communication that resonates with Torvald, ultimately leading to a breakthrough in his understanding of the material.

The episode concludes with Torvald finally understanding the material and excelling in his classes, thanks to Arnold's perseverance and Gerald's unique approach to tutoring. The themes of the episode include cultural differences, the importance of perseverance, and the value of friendship. The episode serves as a reminder that with hard work and a little creativity, anything is possible.