Saying goodbye is never an easy task, especially when it comes to letting go of a beloved TV show that has been a part of our lives for years. That’s exactly what happened with the final episode of Arthur, the long-running animated series that aired its last episode on PBS on May 13, 2022. The emotional end of Arthur has left fans devastated, but also filled with a sense of closure and appreciation for the lessons the show taught us over the years.
Arthur was a show that had an unusual lifespan for an animated series, running for an impressive 25 seasons and 246 episodes. The show first premiered on PBS Kids in 1996, and over the years, it has become a staple for kids and adults alike. The show revolved around the titular character, Arthur Read, a young aardvark who lived in the fictional town of Elwood City along with his friends and family. The show tackled a range of issues that kids face in their daily lives, from bullying to fitting in, and it did so in a gentle and inclusive way.
The final episode of Arthur is titled “Farewell, Arthur,” and it’s a fitting send-off for the show that has been a part of our lives for so long. The episode is filled with nostalgia, as it takes the viewer on a trip down memory lane through a collection of clips and highlights from throughout the show’s run. We get to see Arthur and his friends as kids, as teenagers, and as young adults, and it’s heartwarming to see how they’ve grown and evolved over the years.
One of the most interesting aspects of the final episode of Arthur is how it deals with the passage of time. Unlike other long-running shows that tend to stay stuck in a particular time period, Arthur has always moved with the times, tackling new issues and incorporating new technology as it emerged. The final episode of the show acknowledges this by showing how the characters have changed and grown over the years, but also by looking ahead to the future. In one touching scene, Arthur’s little sister, Kate, imagines what she and her friends will be doing in the future, and it’s a poignant reminder that life goes on even after the show has ended.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper goodbye without some tears, and the final episode of Arthur definitely delivers on that front. The episode is filled with emotional moments, both big and small, that will tug at your heartstrings. Whether it’s the scene where Arthur says goodbye to his longtime crush, Francine, or the moment when the characters reminisce about their fondest memories, there’s plenty here to make you feel emotional.
It’s not just the characters that are saying goodbye, either. The show’s creators and crew have been working on Arthur for over two decades, and they too must say farewell to this beloved project. In a post-episode interview with NPR, Arthur creator Marc Brown reflected on how the show has impacted his life:
“I grew up with Arthur. I started working on the books in the late ’70s, and I’ve been working on the show since the early ’90s. It’s been a huge part of my life, and the end of the show feels like a really big moment. But it’s also a moment of pride. We’ve done something that has touched so many people’s lives, and that’s an incredible feeling.”
Indeed, the impact of Arthur on its viewers cannot be overstated. Over the years, the show has received numerous awards and accolades, including a Peabody Award, and it has been praised for its inclusive message and gentle approach to tackling tough issues. But more than that, Arthur has become a part of our culture, one that will be remembered for years to come.
In the end, saying goodbye to Arthur is bittersweet. We’re sad to see the show end, but we’re grateful for the lessons it taught us and the memories it created. As we say goodbye to Arthur, we’re reminded that life goes on, and that we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. And who knows? Maybe in 25 years, we’ll see Arthur and his friends once again, this time as parents or grandparents, passing on the lessons they learned to a new generation of viewers. Until then, we’ll cherish the memories we’ve made, and say a heartfelt goodbye to one of the most beloved animated shows of all time.
