User Reviews

"Q.U.A.L...X?" The first segment of this Hey Arnold episode is fun and sort of informative at the same time I learned to spell phlegm because of it! I like the stories involving Helga when she's a little softer. In the story, if I would have been in Arnold's shoes, I would have totally done the "wrong" thing and taken the money. I'm a fairly well-moralled person, but not that much! Arnold was such a saint. These stories sure don't seem so short when you're ten. It's great the way it is, but I wish they'd have devoted the entire half hour to this story, as everything feels a little condensed and rushed, and it's a far stronger tale then Spelling Bee. Some of my favourite episodes of this show were the ones when all the kids would sit on some doorstep (stoop) and tell one of their neighbourhood folk tales. I like how when they're telling the legend of Pigeon Man one version of it happens to be the correct one-except for the chicken costume! This is my favourite feature that I've ever "seen" Vincent Schiavelli in. I am a huge fan of him, and I was very shocked and saddened to recently discover that he had actually died. What a shame, he just seemed like one of those actors that had been, and would be around forever. I loved his charmingly strange face. I never thought he had some kind of bone disorder, I just thought that was the way he looked. Charmingly odd, but not deformed, rest in peace Vincent. I like the actors who aren't much to look at and know it, because they are likely to be down to earth and not pretentious and full of it. I like him here because he has played a lot of hilariously worked-up characters, but here he plays a really peaceful soul. As well as being named after him, the character he voices is clearly designed in his image, having his trademark melancholy features. I always thought the ending, where Pigeon Man is carried away by the pigeons, to be a bit over the top, he looks almost Christ-like as he rises from the ground. But it's not about what you literally see, it's symbolic of hope and being free. Arnold was always helping out people whom others had deemed outcasts. It's easy to write people off, label them as no good, or weird or whatever. But there's good and bad in everyone, and one of the things this sweet little animation tries to teach is that sometimes people can and do surprise you. I think the final image is probably the most impressive the entire series ever produced. Also the music is so uplifting. Still such a beautiful and heartwarming story. Always Fly Free! X

The episode "Pigeon Man" proves that "Hey Arnold!" is the best animated children's show of all time. It's beautiful in every way, and deeply touching. It's my favorite "Hey Arnold!" episode of all time.

"Spelling Bee" is also a fantastic, and extremely underrated episode. It explored Helga's character and the pressure put on her by her family, and how she has to deal with a moral dilemma: does she care more about winning money and making her family proud or being Arnold, her love succeed.