Ep 3. Ransom/Ms. Perfect

Arnold and his friends are back in season 3 of Hey Arnold!, and in episode 3, titled "Ransom/Ms. Perfect," they find themselves in two very different predicaments.

In the first half of the episode, titled "Ransom," Arnold's pig Abner is kidnapped by a group of teenagers. The teenagers demand a ransom of $500, or else they will harm Abner. Arnold, of course, is devastated and does everything he can to get Abner back. But as the day goes on and Arnold and his friends try to gather the money together, it becomes clear that they might not be able to come up with the ransom in time.

Meanwhile, the second half of the episode is titled "Ms. Perfect." In this half, Helga becomes obsessed with becoming the perfect student, after seeing the seemingly flawless performance of a new student in their class, Rhonda Wellington Lloyd. Helga works tirelessly to emulate Rhonda, studying hard, dressing more fashionably, and even getting new glasses to match. But her obsession with being perfect soon begins to take its toll, and Helga starts to realize that maybe perfection isn't all it's cracked up to be.

As always, the show tackles both serious and lighthearted themes in "Ransom/Ms. Perfect." In the first half, the kidnapping of Abner is certainly a serious issue, and the sense of urgency and panic is palpable throughout the episode. But even in the midst of this crisis, the camaraderie and loyalty of Arnold's friends shines through, as they all come together to help him save his beloved pig.

In the second half of the episode, the focus shifts to Helga's quest for perfection. While this storyline is lighter in tone than the first, it still addresses some important issues. Helga's struggle to live up to an impossible standard is something that many young viewers can relate to, and the way the show handles her realization that perfection isn't everything is both heartwarming and relatable.

Overall, "Ransom/Ms. Perfect" is a great episode of Hey Arnold! that showcases the show's unique blend of humor, heart, and relatability. Whether you're a diehard fan or a first-time viewer, this episode is sure to entertain and delight.