Arnold and his friends hear about a nationalist hate group called The League Of Social Responsibility. Infuriated by its existence they decide to disrupt an upcoming meeting and throw fruit at them.
At this point in the series they had moved away from tackling racial issues, the last episode to do so being The Executives in season 5. Therefore it was kinda nice to finally get a story like that again near the end.
Both perspectives are handled with great nuance and care. Arnold is quick to anger and wants to attack his opponents, which Drummond warns him against since they still have a right to speak.
But at the same time his way isn't perfect either. Is Arnold expected to keep quiet when there are people who wants to make his life a living pain just because he's black? It's a fascinating conflict, even if the comedy as a result is dialed down. It's actually pretty sad to see Arnold so bitter at Arthur, even going so far as to say he's not his "real" father.
When Sam talks the matter out with him though it's clear it was just something he said in a burst of anger, and ensures that despite them disagreeing he still loves his dad. I've got to admit, even though I'm not a fan of Sam as a character I admire how Arnold has gradually matured as a big brother. At the beginning he was fairly hostile and dismissive of him, but by now a strong bond has grown between them. It's hard not to smile at him rubbing Sam's hair the same way Willis does to him.
After the tension has settled Arnold has made the decision not to throw fruit at The League, despite how much he really wants to. But Drummond learned a lesson too. Maggie (as well as Arnold) convinced him that sitting around doing nothing isn't better, so he decides to protest in his own way by creating picket signs. It's a heartwarming moment when he arrives just as Arnold is about to leave in resignation, and shows them bonding in an effort to stop hate together.
At this point in the series they had moved away from tackling racial issues, the last episode to do so being The Executives in season 5. Therefore it was kinda nice to finally get a story like that again near the end.
Both perspectives are handled with great nuance and care. Arnold is quick to anger and wants to attack his opponents, which Drummond warns him against since they still have a right to speak.
But at the same time his way isn't perfect either. Is Arnold expected to keep quiet when there are people who wants to make his life a living pain just because he's black? It's a fascinating conflict, even if the comedy as a result is dialed down. It's actually pretty sad to see Arnold so bitter at Arthur, even going so far as to say he's not his "real" father.
When Sam talks the matter out with him though it's clear it was just something he said in a burst of anger, and ensures that despite them disagreeing he still loves his dad. I've got to admit, even though I'm not a fan of Sam as a character I admire how Arnold has gradually matured as a big brother. At the beginning he was fairly hostile and dismissive of him, but by now a strong bond has grown between them. It's hard not to smile at him rubbing Sam's hair the same way Willis does to him.
After the tension has settled Arnold has made the decision not to throw fruit at The League, despite how much he really wants to. But Drummond learned a lesson too. Maggie (as well as Arnold) convinced him that sitting around doing nothing isn't better, so he decides to protest in his own way by creating picket signs. It's a heartwarming moment when he arrives just as Arnold is about to leave in resignation, and shows them bonding in an effort to stop hate together.
