The new season of Arthur started this week with a groundbreaking episode featuring the same-sex marriage of Mr. Ratburn, one of the show’s beloved characters.
Season 22 of the series about the titular aardvark next door and his gang of friends just launched with the episode titled “Mr. Ratburn & the Someone Special.” With special guest star Jane Lynch in the role of Mr. Ratburn’s sister, Arthur and his friends initially mistake her for the bossy bride-to-be. But there’s a twist!
Omg I'm crying 😭 Mr. Ratburn got married!! Arthur really said gay rights! #Arthur #loveislove pic.twitter.com/u4IIzQD57B
— Le$lie (@Leslie_Alert) May 13, 2019
When they plan to break-up the wedding, they discover that she is, in fact, Mr. Ratburn’s sister and that he is actually marrying a man. The entire class attends the wedding and celebrates the special moment with their teacher.
Fans of the show took to Twitter to express their glee over the nuptials and applaud Arthur for its progressive stance on gay marriage.
https://twitter.com/extraspicee/status/1128034354121379840
The storyline was not surprising for the inclusive show that has never been shy about tackling challenging subjects. The only thing fans were pleasantly surprised to discover is that PBS Kids is still producing new episodes of the long-running show.
—Shahrzad Warkentin
Featured photo: Arthur via YouTube
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