Ep 13. Eugene Goes Bad/What's Opera, Arnold?

In Hey Arnold! season 3 episode 13, titled "Eugene Goes Bad/What's Opera, Arnold?", viewers are treated to two different stories.

In the first half of the episode, "Eugene Goes Bad," Arnold and his friends are surprised when their classmate Eugene suddenly starts acting like a rebel. He starts wearing leather jackets, breaking rules, and even skipping school. Arnold and the gang are initially impressed by Eugene's newfound bad-boy persona, but soon realize that something is seriously wrong. As they try to get to the bottom of Eugene's behavior, they discover that he is being pressured by a group of older kids to join a gang.

This storyline is an important one, as it touches on the issue of peer pressure and the dangers of getting involved with gangs. The episode handles the topic with sensitivity, showing how easy it is for someone to get sucked into a dangerous situation and how hard it can be to break free. Eugenes's character arc is well-developed here, and viewers will feel for him as he struggles to figure out what he really wants. The episode is also a good reminder for kids of the importance of standing up for yourself and making your own decisions, even if it's not the easiest thing to do.

The second half of the episode, "What's Opera, Arnold?", is a more lighthearted story that pays homage to classic opera and musicals. In this storyline, Arnold and the gang are tasked with putting on a school play, but they struggle to come up with an idea. They eventually decide to stage an opera based on the legend of King Olaf, but things quickly go off the rails when the lead actor gets sick and Arnold is forced to step in and take his place.

The opera scenes in this episode are especially delightful, with the show's animators clearly having fun with the over-the-top performances and flamboyant costumes. The episode also has some great comedic moments, including a hilarious scene where Arnold has to sing while wearing a full suit of armor. This storyline is a nice break from the drama of the first half of the episode, and is sure to leave viewers humming along to the catchy musical numbers.

Overall, "Eugene Goes Bad/What's Opera, Arnold?" is a strong episode of Hey Arnold! that covers a lot of ground. It's a testament to the show's versatility that it can handle serious issues like gang violence and peer pressure alongside fun and silly musical numbers. Fans of the show will definitely want to check this one out.