9 "Very Special Episodes": Part 1 | Dark Animated Episodes Explained

[@angbandsbane]

For the Rugrats one, that one line has stuck with me for years. "What if he misses her?" "Then you can miss her together."

[@MegaSpideyman]

Was it about Chuckie's mother?

[@angbandsbane]

@@MegaSpideyman Yep. If memory serves, Chaz had taken all the pictures down and didn't talk about her because he didn't want to make Chuckie sad. (Though thinking back as an adult, I guess it broke his heart too)

[@MegaSpideyman]

@@angbandsbane Ah, I see. Who said 'Then you'll miss her together"?

[@angbandsbane]

@@MegaSpideyman Deedee

[@cassandraspoelhof3752]

And then this was expanded upon even further in the movie “Rugrats Go To Paris”. That movie was so sweet. I definitely remember watching that movie a lot growing up. The scene with the wedding at the beginning when all the kids dance with their moms aside from Chuckie is so sad especially the way he hugs Chaz’s leg sadly.

[@Veelasiren]

It goes over most kids heads, but it's obvious to adults that in Hey Arnold!, Helga's neglectful mother is a severe alcoholic. To a kid she appears to be just a weird parent, but her confused state, slurred speech, and constantly talking about, making, and drinking her "milkshakes" is so dark for a kid's show.

[@soullessprincess6473]

Helga was honestly the victim her family was so toxic and broken it wasn’t her fault she had it bad from the start

[@canaisyoung3601]

It was smoothies, and they wrote it off in such a way that Helga's mom could also be suffering from depression because she's married to Big Bob and missed out on being the woman she wanted to be in life.

[@Veelasiren]

@@canaisyoung3601 Yes, I mixed up milkshakes and smoothies. Craig Michael Bartlett wrote, directed, created, and produced the Nickelodeon television series Hey Arnold!, and he confirmed in the interview Nick Alive that Mirim is "definitely an alcoholic" That's why Bob mentions her having to do community service, and when Arnold sees Mirim drop Helga off at school asks when she got her license back. Helga tells him she doesn't, but she's got to go to work cause she's helping out at Bob's Beepers.

[@mayln163]

As a kid I always thought she was lazy

[@Tekirai]

My mom legit said: ohh she’s (Miriam) your father

[@sizablekoala6879]

Unlike multiple serious episodes in other shows like gun or drug PSAs where they are one-offs, a major thing about "Deadly Force" is that it had a long-lasting impact on the show. It takes multiple episodes for Elisa to recover, and Broadway becomes very protective of her. Making the message about the misuse of guns hit harder.

[@TheAlby87Project]

Also Broadway go to furious mode when a gun is near him (you know, his eye pupils disappear when raging). Too bad Disney+ now censors some scenes of this episode (truth to be told, the message is intact, but the full body of Eliza and her blood on the ground now is just a closeup of her face)

[@kidprime6863]

​@@TheAlby87ProjectAnd now whenever he gets his claws a gun, he'll crush it without any hesitation.

[@Justlookin48]

I also loved the detail in a later episode that Elisa locked up her sidearm as soon as she got home, before I believe even answering the phone.

[@themisfitowl2595]

@@TheAlby87Project That image is seared into my brain still! I remember being a kid and hearing Broadway apologizing after the gun went off, saying he hoped he hadn't broken anything. That silence, and the sound of him calling her name just built up the horror of that discovery.

[@outdoorscholar6016]

I miss when cartoons did proper gun safety bits, but I don’t think that episode could be made today without people whining about it being “anti-gun”.

[@jordansantos7226]

I remember watching "Cookie Chopper III" as a kid and it's hitting different as an adult with a pet getting older

[@baffledbrandon3132]

Hits even harder if you have actually been through the death of a beloved pet.

[@Emiliodelgado25]

So did I a year ago

[@bradyanderson6311]

Jordan, it's "chomper".

[@princessmarlena1359]

I knew someone who went through something similar upon rescuing a stray kitten. He tried to care for the kitten, but the poor little guy passed away from feline leukemia.

[@Milky-kz8rr]

Never saw the show but I was well aware of Cookie Chomper III. It hits different after losing a pet the same way.

[@tmntfangirl4700]

There’s also an episode of Teen Titans called Troq where it deals prejudice/racism. The Teen Titans team up with an alien hero named Val-Yor and he shows immense prejudice towards Starfire because she’s a Tamaranean. Despite the prejudice against her Starfire still helps him and in the end the team see just how two faced he is. The moment between Starfire and Cyborg was powerful because he understands how she feels and the ending shows just how strong Starfire really is.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Luckily, I have it on my list and that episode will be featured in a future video.

[@willienelson1245]

"Of course I do. I'm part robot."

[@DarciousMaluki]

one of my faves. just how hurt she is with "YOU DO NOT CALL ME THAT!" and they all thought it was a nickname he'd given her but it literally meant "nothing"

[@tmntfangirl4700]

@@DarciousMaluki Well it was easy to misunderstand when she first said ‘it means nothing’, because that normally means ‘it’s nothing, don’t worry about it’ not what Starfire later explains that he was calling her a nothing.

[@christopherwall2121]

​@@willienelson1245 I subscribe to the theory that Cyborg worded it like that because the actual truth would just depress and anger Kori even further

[@MayumiC-chan9377]

the teen titans showing Robin going through PTSD reminds me of my husband who went through a battlezone and suffered from PTSD for a few years. My husband kept reliving an ambush that aged him

[@LetsRunItBack]

I'm sorry to hear about him having to go through that. It's terrible for people that has to suffer through it.

[@MayumiC-chan9377]

@@LetsRunItBack my husband started a group that allows others to talk out their experiences.

[@SuperSpieth]

@@MayumiC-chan9377I’ll be praying for him too!

[@MayumiC-chan9377]

@@SuperSpieth thank you he’s such an inspiration for me he’s always doing everything for other veterans

[@derekbates4316]

I gotta admit, when he brought up Teen Titans, that was not the episode I had in mind.

[@ringinasmith5940]

The Penguins of Madagascar had a serious episode, The Red Squirrel. Basically the penguins meet their idol, Buck Rockgut, who's hailed as the great American penguin hero who took down The Red Squirrel back in the sixties. Now he believes Red is back and believes literally anyone can be a Red Squirrel spy, even if he has no real proof he locks almost the entire zoo up just based on his own gut instinct. Finally Private's had enough and brings up how ridiculous Buck is immediately assuming anyone is a spy simply because he thinks the Red Squirrel is still plotting against him. I didn't catch it at first, but this episode is about just how ridiculous the Red Scare from the sixties was and how you should never let your paranoia get the best of you

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestion, have it in my notes for a future video!

[@bustyrandit]

As it turned out, The Red Squirrell did return.

[@_AshB45_]

Hey Arnold also had an episode regarding Helga's parents' favoritism towards her sister and how it affected their relationship. And there was also that Christmas episode that centered around Mr Kim and his lost daughter.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestions, I put it on the list for future videos!

[@kidprime6863]

I also remember that Olga eventually revealed her vulnerabilities to Helga and wishes she could be free just like her.

[@Machete87]

yea the crossing gaurd from bobby's world i member it😢

[@dreamer9398]

Man, I missed these type of cartoon I feel like a lot cartoons nowadays aren’t allowed to explore serious topics. Even when they try, most of it feel watered down

[@gekirobo8720]

I blame twitter and the rise of purity culture for this.

[@AlwaysADekaranger]

And even the parents too

[@guillermoolivaiii9550]

Are you serious?? Steven Universe has covered 'Toxic Relationship Abuse", "Bullying", and "Distrust". Also, it covered "Neglect/abandon" as a major element in its film and some parts in the series.

[@Archimedes-v2o]

@@guillermoolivaiii9550yea a lot of people gloss over SU for some reason

[@fusionsigh]

That’s just one she though, we need more then just one or two shows that do that,

[@Asaylum117]

Older cartoons just feel like it treated kids with actual respect and inteligence. They weren't afraid to tackle sensitive topics like death, consaquences, loss, etc. While some say that modern cartoons do it too, I for one think that older cartoons did tose messages better and with actual pasion and good writing.

[@ScrewBallTheAlien]

Nowadays we get the “it’s a kids show it doesn’t have for be good, stop complaining chud” argument whenever someone brings up cheap, poorly created schlock that passes as children’s entertainment just meant to distract them so parents dont have to try.

[@Asaylum117]

@@FunderberkerAnaconda Children are brats if they have bad parents. Now days, it feels like more & more adults just don't want to take care of or raise children properly anymore.

[@CBright7831]

The moment I spotted Alvin & the Chipmunks in the thumbnail, I knew which episode was going to get a mention. That episode is etched in my memory from childhood, and now, in my late 30s, I still refuse to rewatch it. My beloved cat, my best friend, succumbed to kidney failure last year and I still don't want another pet after enduring that loss. It's a truly heartbreaking experience, so cherish the time and memories that you have with your pets while they are still around. 😥🌈😿

[@LetsRunItBack]

I've lost several pets over the years also. It is heartbreaking each time since they become part of the family.

[@beauwalker9820]

I actually liked episodes like that as a kid, where it shows your favorite characters sad, and dealing with sad issues. Really humanizes them, and shows they are capable of other emotions.

[@monster0sinful561]

I had a few pets in the past some of them I gave it away and some died but the one pet that I used to own that deeply affects me was my dog. I had him ever since elementary school years all the way until 2021 (the year he passed away due to health problems). This November mark his 3rd anniversary of his passing, it still hurts and I break down when I think about him occasionally. I currently have four cats and I love them all equally and I know for a fact that it will affect me much greater since all four of them love me. I don't want to think the day when one or all of them die, I'm spending my time with them before that happens.

[@larasmith2562]

It's new to me, I thought it would be the one about their birth mother.

[@supersizesenpai]

I remember starting to feel something during that Alvin and The Chipmunks episode till my cousin said "Why would pets have pets?" I couldn't stop laughing and now that is all I think about whenever this episode comes up. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Ranitagoyle]

Static Shock had many great episodes that taught lessons. Two really stood for me. S1E8 "Sons of the Fathers" really showed how racism can be explicit and implicit (Richie's Father did both in the episode, if I remember correctly) and S2E5 "Frozen Out" dealt with homelessness (how they are treated) and mental illness. Great vid! I will check out part 2!

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!

[@adampellett4917]

Some of those episodes have gone darker moments in difficult situations with violence, bullying, drug abuse, addictions especially life and death. Boy, it helps me to make no awful mistakes like it already happened now.

[@sarathehedgehog11037]

Don't forget ptsd 😔

[@comettamer]

Rugrats took what Alvin and the Chipmunks helped build to a whole other level. I also appreciate how Rugrats later did the concept of step parents and a blended family well, with Kira and Kimi entering the picture. As for Gargoyles, it was cool to see Broadway realizing he had the power to affect at least some change, and using it to atone for his actions as he felt was right.

[@TheOriginalScribbleStudios]

Not a tv show but the goodbye scene of all dogs go to heaven for the unfortunate fate of the young actress

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos! Probably won't be in this particular series but I do have a idea for a certain video to put it in I plan to make.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

@TheOriginalScribbleStudios, yeah it was rumored the Burt Reynolds had such a hard time recording that last line because it was after Judith had been killed, and allegedly when Charlie said “I’m so very sorry” it wasn’t in the script. So heart breaking.

[@TheOriginalScribbleStudios]

@@keithtorgersen9664 pretty sure it was confirmed

[@neptune04]

Honestly after reading what happened to the poor girl I can't even watch that movie or i'll be a wreck.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

@@neptune04 I didn't remember or re-discover that fact until recently. Now it changes that whole scene.

[@bananatiergod]

I should also add to the Gargoyles episode that back in the 90s there was a massive talk about firearms at home and the dangers of it (especially near kids) so this episode reflects it incredibly well.

[@stephanieflores277]

Especially in today's time since we hear kids playing with guns

[@ThePinkDragon]

haunting

[@comettamer]

There was, and the entire episode shows Broadway doing what he felt was necessary to atone for his actions, by going on a crusade to eradicate guns, which was cool to see then, and is interesting to contemplate now, as it shows that Broadway understood he had the power to affect at least some change and chose to do just that, albeit in a somewhat extreme way.

[@ThePinkDragon]

@@comettamer loved how mature the show was

[@AR-xd3dp]

You forgot for the gargoyles episode the reason why Broadway was messing around with the gun,he had seen a western earlier and was acting out some of the scenes. Plus Elisa also admitted fault in the matter by saying"I should've been more careful on where I left it"

[@Eveningkiss]

The Captain Planet episode about HIV hit me hard. Back in the 80s and early 90s I was terrified I would get HIV and die. It was scary AF. The episode made the disease easier to imunderstand and a little less scary for a 3rd grader

[@hotshot104]

The rugrats in Paris movie hit hard. I still remember the song “I want a mom that’ll last forever” perfectly

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for mentioning that movie, it gives me a idea for a future video

[@Vek_Zythe]

I watched most of these shows at one point. I was about 7 when the Bobby's World episode first aired. I never forgot how upset I was. Not only at the fact that Abe died but watching Bobby's grieving process. The song at the end also hit me hard, too. I guess a show about a kid with an overactive imagination meant more to me than I thought.

[@Ironman875]

There were 2 more episodes of Captain Planet, "Teers in the Hood," tackled the issue of gang violence, and "A Formula for Hate" which discusses the issues of AIDS.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestions! I added "Teens in the Hood" to the list for future videos since already have the other episode on it , but I forgot about that 1.

[@neptune04]

Honestly speaking as someone who grew up it he 80s and 90s props for Captain planet for having the courage to do an episode on Aids. Many children's shows wouldn't do episodes about it back then.

[@TheWchurchill4pm]

I was traumatized by the episode “In Zarm’s Way,” because of what happened to Gaia at the end.

[@leibgarde6144]

I also remember a "serious" episode in BraveStarr called the "The Price". In this the viewer followed Bravestarr who tried to stop a drug dealer ring while a boy comes in contact with the drug and gets addicted. The episodes end on a grim note especially for this kind of a show. Bravestarr can arrest all drug dealers and stop the business but finds the boy dead do to a overdose.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for sharing, I just added the episode to my list for a future Part of the series.

[@leibgarde6144]

@@LetsRunItBack Happy I could help.

[@JStryker47]

@@leibgarde6144 *due to an overdose, not do.

[@hannahmabbott7370]

There is a segment at the end of the episode where Bravestarr does a psa about how drugs are bad. The series was made by filmation so yeah it had to have a life lesson. What's haunting about this is that he does the PSA from beside the boy's grave! There is also a scene in the episode where we see the effects of the drug called spin on miners and its horrifying!

[@BryonYoungblood]

​@@hannahmabbott7370It's also done so well because how it is meant to show real dangers with drugs and how sad it is for Bravestarr as well as 30 and the others too.

[@JStryker47]

I don't think Broadway actually mistook Elisa's gun for a toy, I think he just failed to realize she was standing right where it was pointed, when he accidentally pulled the trigger. Before he realizes that she was hit by the bullet, he calls out, "Sorry! My fault! I was playing with the gun - stupid of me! I hope I didn't break anything..."

[@maxacorn]

this would actually be a teaching moment for both of them. after that, eliza always make sure to unload her gun and keep it locked up while broadway got a dislike of guns and would go out of his way to destroy them when he could.

[@ShadowWolfRising]

@@maxacorn Also she's injured for multiple episodes and the Police Department makes her get a Partner.

[@beauwalker9820]

​@@maxacorn at the end of the episode she does admit she should of been more responsible with her weapon, so it does teach gun owners to be careful not to leave them where a kid can get it, and such. That's why they have gun safes now, and such.

[@ArthurRex131]

@@maxacorn She did mention at the end of the episode that leaving her gun where it could be easily reached and still fully loaded was a mistake and that she would have to do better in the future.

[@lordanubis1458]

​@@beauwalker9820Should've not should of

[@popularculturenostalgianmo9779]

There were also a few episodes of Fat Albert that got into really dark territories. One that dealt with neo-Nazism, another dealt with prison life (which Bill himself ended up in decades later) and one with the consequences of being involved in gangs (which resulted in the death of a gang member’s younger brother who got caught in the crossfire in an attempt to stop the gang war.) All these episodes were incredibly dark.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestions, I added them to my list 😎

[@popularculturenostalgianmo9779]

@@LetsRunItBack The episodes are “Double Cross”, “Busted” and “Gang Wars.” You should discuss all three.

[@beauwalker9820]

Fat Albert was before my time, but I really respect the series, despite the issues with it's creator.

[@popularculturenostalgianmo9779]

@@beauwalker9820 Yeah it’s too bad Bill Cosby turned out to be a horrible person in real-life. But you can separate the show from the creator. The original creator of Ren and Stimpy, John K, was also a predator but in his case, he was fired from the show during the second season for repeatedly failing to meet production deadlines. You can separate Ren and Stimpy from John K. (especially since he wasn’t there for most of the show’s run.)

[@DarkTitanX]

​@@popularculturenostalgianmo9779 Speaking like a true WS troll believe in his fellow WS bs.

[@amandalicorne7769]

I'd like to note that the characters remembered that episode of Gargoyles too! From then on Broadway absolutely hated guns and Elisa chanfed the way she stored her gun. Instead of leaving it with her belt when she hung it up like she did prior to that episode she took it out and put it in a locked gun box

[@jamie1602]

Cookie Chomper III helped me get through losing my cat when I was a very small child. She had tried to follow my mother to work (she was affectionate and clingy) and unfortunately ran into a driveway. I was inconsolable because she was my first ever friend and you'd usually find her taking naps in my crib with me. My parents did their best to try to explain losing a pet. Seeing a cartoon go through the motions was helpful. But if I watched that episode now, the feeling of that specific loss would come right back to me. These episodes really did help. They were amazing teaching tools.

[@fettmanplays4170]

Another great one is "The Thank You Note" from Life With Louie. The episode basically is about Louie procrastinating writing a thank you note for his grandma after she sends him a gift, to where she passes away before Louie can write it, so he starts asking around about the afterlife to religious leaders as a form of closure.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestion, I put it on the list for a future video!

[@canaisyoung3601]

Man, there are a lot of "Life With Louie" episodes I've never seen. I only remember the one where Louie and the family save up money to buy Andy (the dad) a new car, the one where the neighborhood is flooding and a black family stays over, the one where Louie deals with a bread/gluten allergy, and one where Andy and the mom stay over an elderly relative's house and the mom gets sick.

[@sonicfanboi9619]

That Alvin and the Chipmunks episode hits different to me now because of the amount of pets that I have loss over the years

[@LetsRunItBack]

I'm sorry for your loss with them. I understand since I have lost several myself over the years also.

[@sonicfanboi9619]

@@LetsRunItBack I'm sorry for your loss

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thank you.

[@sarahtelles1931]

Michael did have one of the best glow ups in the Proud Family Reboot/continuation.

[@SwordsmanScrapper]

I remember all of these episodes! Although the episode about racism in Static Shock stood out to me way more. The one about Richie's dad? I felt like it had a good message but it was really depressing because back then I was naive and thought 'kids were excluded from racism nowadays!'

[@LetsRunItBack]

It will be in a future part. Most people recognize that episode more, which is why I chose the "Jimmy" episode for this video instead.

[@zetafish7347]

Whenever you decide to do cartoons again here's one recommendation I would give. It's a more recent cartoon but I'd say it still fits much of the criteria of a "special episode". The My Little Pony episode "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?" centers around Princess Luna chasing a creature called the Tantabus that infects others dreams and turns them into nightmares. Eventually the Tantabus becomes too powerful and tries to escape into the waking world. Luna then reveals to everyone that she created the Tantabus to give herself the same nightmare every night to punish herself for her evil deeds as Nightmare Moon, and to make sure she didn't forgive herself. But she didn't expect it to escape her dream and now it's feeding off her guilt. This is a great episode that tackles mental health and self loathing issues, as well as learning to forgive yourself and not let your past mistakes define you.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestion, I put it on the list for a future video! I can't guarantee which part of this series it will be in due to so many requests, but I promise I will include it when I get to it.

[@djlamar2]

Good episode and good suggestion. I love Luna :D

[@bluej.studios4523]

That is an awesome one! It is really heartfelt message.

[@DarciousMaluki]

i adored that episode both for its creativity and dive into luna's psyche.

[@teh_supar_hackr]

I don't hear many talk about this ep somehow

[@hayleyyeager8008]

I remember an episode of Teen Titans with Starfire faces Val-Yor, a racist superhero who call her kind troqs which means “nothing”. I love the fact that Starfire tells this to Cyborg first because he knows what it’s like to be judged how one looks because he probably experienced it long before he became a cyborg.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestion, I have it on the list for future videos in this series.

[@Catilena1890]

It's one of my favorite episodes because it has an actually realistic depiction of racism. Val-yor stayed racist throughout the entire episode even when Starfire saved him, and he doubled down when he got called out on it. There was no "Oh you saved my life I like Tamaranians now. I was wrong sorry fam." and that was super refreshing.

[@hayleyyeager8008]

@@Catilena1890 Yeah because she knows that there are those who won’t change their views and those who don’t judge by how one looks. That’s what it is in today’s society too.

[@tamaraclaw]

The episode is titled "Troq"

[@caiawren6100]

Yup, as I recall dude went “guess you’re one of the good ones” or something. So glad the group collectively told him to him to gtfo after that.

[@princesshannah7]

Hey Arnold was the first time I ever saw therapy represented seriously in a kid's show, which means a lot to me as someone who's been in and out of therapy/counseling her whole life. Also the Rugrats Mother's Day episode stands out to me as not just a great example of a child struggling to understand a loss, but also a parent struggling with how to explain that loss to their child.

[@wolfserpent9291]

I remember an episode of “As Told By Ginger” where Ginger’s little brother Carl tries to get his favorite teacher out of retirement. And when he succeeds, shortly after it is revealed that she passed away. I remember this episode touching my heart as a kid because I had recently lost my great-grandmother and I was still coping with the loss as best as a 6-year-old kid could. And shows about loved ones passing was my comfort to know that I wasn’t alone in my feelings and grief

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!

[@djlamar2]

Sometimes modern series do this too. Example: My little pony friendship is magic had an episode called "Perfect pear" where its not technically indicated that it was touching on loss till the end but it still did. And then in "Crusaders of the lost mark" it dealt with bullying

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestions, I have put them on the list for future videos!

[@Jon_from_LI]

If you're familiar with the Chimpunks cartoon from the 80s, there were a few special episodes. Also mentionable are the Chipmunks Reunion episode (meeting their biological mother) and of course The Wall (about the Berlin Wall).

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes future videos!

[@deege376]

The Haunted episode from Teen Titans is one of the most intense episodes they put out.

[@trueblaze84]

I remember watching the Gargoyle episode. What i liked is that unlike a lot of shows where the theme was forgotten after the episode was over, it had ramifications in later episodes. It takes several episodes for her to fully recover, she ends up getting a partner for her own safety because her boss thought it was a criminal she was going after who tried to end her and every time a criminal pulls a fire arm on one of them in the future you can see Broadway flare up in rage.

[@libramoon1582]

For live-action shows tackling serious topics here's an memorable episode: In "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", Will's deadbeat father visits, only to walk out on him again. In a powerful moment, Will goes on a emotional rant about his father never being in his life and breaks down with his uncle comforting him

[@LetsRunItBack]

Already on the list for it, thanks for the suggestion however. If you ever think of more you're always welcome to share. 😎

[@elijahbrown3551]

@@LetsRunItBack Sesame Street had an episode about death when Mr. Hooper’s real life actor died. That’s so Raven had an episode about Racism.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll add them to my list for future episodes (Most likely Part 4 since already working on Part 2, and Part 3 will be cartoons again)

[@maxacorn]

"how come he don't want me, man?" a child should never have to ask that of their parents, no matter how old either of them are.

[@Thundarr100]

Don't forget about the episode where Carlton accidentally takes an overdose of speed that he found in Will's locker because he thought that they were vitamins. Or the episode where Will was shot when he and Carlton get mugged.

[@DarciousMaluki]

April 9th in Arthur was an homage to 9/11 and dealing with ptsd, anxiety, FOMO and moving forward. There is another one called The Great McGrady which tackles cancer both from dismissing it, over-reacting, being over-helpful and not wanting to go see the person who is sick. Another is Copycat from Bluey

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes future videos!

[@robertcarrillo9365]

The Fat Albert episode on gang violence was also deep, especially for a Filmation cartoon.

[@firelightyear]

Do you think that another Filmation cartoon like He-Man also dealt with serious real life issues ?

[@dreamguardian8320]

True.

[@Red-Wolf-Ben]

I love Gargoyles, but I really think the Captain Planet episode hit the hardest, seeing how it had a kid actually die ON SCREEN, in plain sight. Pretty heavy stuff! Has that even happened in any other kids/all-ages cartoon? (Not counting adult animation like Rick and Morty, specifically kids/all-ages.)

[@BryonYoungblood]

And it's so sad due to how hurt Linka was seeing Boris OD like he did as well as how Kath Soucie reflected that. 😢

[@nicklundy9965]

BraveStarr "The Price" is also another one

[@Red-Wolf-Ben]

@@BryonYoungblood Yeah, if I remember correctly, he was her cousin. And they seemed pretty close too... those poor kids. 😪

[@Red-Wolf-Ben]

@@nicklundy9965 I don't really know that show, so I'll have to look into it. Thanks!

[@BryonYoungblood]

@@Red-Wolf-Ben That's right, Boris was Linka's cousin and she was super close to him.

[@sarephynemelendy4386]

I remember watching deadly forces with my brother when we were younger, when Broadway pulled out the gun my brother and i both felt that anxiety. We were taught how to be safe with guns and firmly told they were not toys. For us, if something's clearly not a toy we didn't have business being around it without an adult.

[@haw-chaw-chawcalypse]

I’d say at least a tenth of the Hey Arnold! episodes deserve a place on the list. The Pigeon Man struck me as particularly melancholy, as it was a show of humanity for the homeless-everyone has a story: a great message for kids-, and a further example of Arnold’s good character.

[@KMoneyisGV08]

...If you should do a follow-up with even MORE toons, I do agree about Bravestarr's "The Price" or He-Man's "A Friend in Need" being included. However, "Captain Planet..." also had ANOTHER very special episode dealing with a young boy being shunned for struggling with HIV/AIDS which could be a worthy contender for another list of very special toons. Thank you for sharing these by the way. The "Rugrats" and "Proud Family" episodes hit HARD!

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for watching and for the suggestions, I put them on the list for future videos!

[@KayelaProjects]

The cookie chomper episode still gets me to this day.

[@uanime1]

In Haunted Robin was hallucinating Slade because of nanobots in Slade's mask. So it had less to do with trauma and more to do with being tricked.

[@supersizesenpai]

The Static Shock episode involving Jimmy has lived rent free in my head since the day it aired more than any other special episode.

[@blargblarg5657]

Damn, I remember that Chipmunks episode.

[@PixarShark]

Great video!! ❤ Not gonna lie, I was shocked to find out that Richard Horvitz voiced Jimmy in that Static Shock episode. He did SO WELL at sounding so unhinged yet scared and I’ve always known him best as comical characters like Zim and Billy.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed it.

[@fynnthefox9078]

I always think Moxxie when Jimmy is onscreen lol

[@d4n737]

Losing a pet is often more damaging than losing a human loved one. I did not mourn after my family as much as I have after my cats. Human death is treated with dignity. They get a funeral, a record of their death, an affirmation that they will be remembered. Cats? The moment one gets run over it stops being a living creature and turns into a piece of meat. No grave, no memorial... Nothing. It served it's purpose. And the driver won't get any consequence, at least no more than they would for minor property damage. That's how much an animal's life is worth to humans.

[@PurpleLibra-t10j]

Teaching kids important lessons through cartoons is one good way to learn

[@christopherwall2121]

1. The best thing about that _Gargoyles_ episode is that Greg Weisman even has his Very Speical Episodes tie into something bigger; Broadway keeps his hatred of guns for the rest of the series, subsequently transfers his fandom to detective stories, and that combined with his learning to read help him break out of the stereotype box Big Guy characters like him often get stuck in 2. Have you ever noticed how Captain Planet's Very Special Episodes, or at least the ones covering issues like gangs or drugs or AIDS, are basically the only times Wheeler gets to be the one who knows what to do? I know why that is, but it's still odd to think about

[@LokiMartin]

Oh, gosh, just the clips from Cookie Chomper III made me tear up. I had forgotten that episode and hearing you talk about it made me remember it. I had forgotten about the Bobby's World episode too until you talked about it! The Gargoyles episode, Hey Arnold episode and the Rugrats Mother's Day episode have lived in my head rent free since I saw them as children.

[@aprilbess4074]

I remember watching each and every single one of these shows and episodes. All these episodes stuck with me and I still get small flashbacks of these particular episodes including other deep episodes that were not mentioned.

[@keyoteamendelbar8742]

I remember the drug episode of Captain Planet. An episode of Adam Ruins Everything reveled that the Drug War was actually a predigest war, the real reason why some people became drug addicts is because they had no idea what the illegal drugs do unless they test it on themselves.

[@octobagel]

THIS ONLY HAS 212 VIEWS ?? god this deserves so many more

[@BabyBalrog_RJTC]

I saw the Chipmunks episode when I was about 5, 2 years after I lost my puppy the same way. Was a gut punch for sure.

[@jinakaye]

I remember most of these, but the Captain Planet episode hit hard because Linka was also taking drugs and saw the effects first hand by experiencing the loss of her cousin. The blend of both peer pressure & addiction running in the family hits different as an adult from when I watched that episode as a kid. I recently watched the “Jem” drug episode and it still holds up today. People forget the character who got addicted was experiencing the trauma of losing her family. I wish they had talked about that more than the dealer pretending to be a friend (even though that's how they were able to get him arrested). I don't remember this particular “Static Shock” episode (as my local station could have blocked it), nor do I remember the episode with Jimmy's dad people keep mentioning. I might need to see the series again!

[@WyntheRogue]

Static shock also tackled the issue of teen homelessness with the vagrant bang baby girl with ice abilities and how the homeless are treated as a whole.

[@leviwaldron8767]

Another good Static Shock episode to go with this type of video was when Richie became obsessed with getting power from the villain of the episode. Showcasing a powerful and emotional episode on substance abuse.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will look it up and put it on the list for a future video!

[@Masatisan]

Arthur is a show that had a few of these hard hitting episodes - the one with the fire that they made specifically to tackle feelings around 9/11 stands out in particular.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for that suggestiom episode will be in the next vides

[@americancreepshow]

Theres also the Ozzy and Drix episode about smoking where Nicotine is personified as a villain called Nick-O-Teen who slowly possesses Hector's mind and makes it difficult for Hector's brain to say no when offered a cigarette by peers which also shows peer pressure and hector hiding the fact that he smoked from his mom, ultimately when it seemed like Ozzy and Drix couldn't do anything to stop it and Nick was going to keep him hooked, Hector just says no out of nowhere and it really shows the power of saying no and that even something very addictive like Nicotine can be overcomed

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestion, I have it in my notes for a future video!

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

I can't bear to watch that Cookie Chopper III episode, it's just too sad :,(

[@donatellohamato748]

Me too, specially after losing a pet

[@ChuckD79]

I remember seeing that one when it originally aired...they handled it very well, especially w/Dave encouraging the boys to remember the fun times they had with their kitten!

[@melissacooper8724]

I thought that Dave handled it quite well when the boys were upset about the loss of their kitten.

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

@@melissacooper8724 Of course he did, especially how each of the boys were blaming themselves...like I said this is just to sad :,(

[@melissacooper8724]

@JohnSmith-zw8vp Ikr?! The most recent loss I had was when I lost two of my dogs in 2022. One of them had kidney failure and my other dog had congestive heart failure. My family and I adopted two puppies after a time of grieving. They will never replace the dogs I lost, but I love them just as much!

[@rulerzreachf4n34]

"Cookie Chopper III" actually messed me up as a child. I watched it once and SOBBED so hard I never watched it again 😭

[@RedPolarBearRanger]

This is video so emotional I also seen the Bobby's World death episode, Captain Planet drug episode, the Rugrats mother day's episode, and the Stack Shock school shooting episode good work this video had me crying & shedding tears.

[@nathanforester5993]

Don't forget Arthur...Arthur has had several episodes dedicated to topics like autism, cancer, and even disasters.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for your suggestion, I'll add those kind of Arthur episodes to the list to be in future videos

[@tranatkikomi6873]

Peanuts with Why, Charlie Brown, Why? and children reacting to friends with cancer.

[@LetsRunItBack]

They're in my notes, thanks for suggesting!

[@djinsanity3575]

These episodes need to be seen by all. Not just to learn but to help grow. Its something modern cartoons are missing. Thank you for reminding us all why these episodes are so powerful and needed in life

[@BETMARKonTube]

The sad part, for me, is that in this list we can see 2 examples where the bullies don't have to pay for THEIR actions. You should feel bad for *Helga* and forgive whatever she does, because she's the victim, instead of trying to make her feel empathy for her own victims and make her understand that her way to "cope" is hurting other people. And in Static Shock, when the bullied guy finally find a way to react (that was excessive and wrong, of course, but justified), they find a way to make HIM feel guilty for standing up, accidentally hurting someone innocent. It would have been more mature to let him hit the bullies and THEN show if that made him feel better or worse and the consequences of his actions. But bullies in American cartoons are always free to do whatever they want and when there's an episode about their lives, the show want you to feel bad for them (when they literally made miserable the lives of dozens of people for the entire show).

[@DarkMasterRaven02]

Jimmy if i recoalled had to do couseling and went to jail for a while but Helga she's in a different cagotry as while she was bully she was never really that bad of one just one of the tough kids that all talk no action she never really did much expect insult poeple throw spitballs etc compared to kids today that is nothing

[@esteicy98]

Helga did have character development through the show.

[@beauwalker9820]

Actually, most American cartoons seem to just have bullies get karma, or something humorously bad happen to them, so they don't always get away with it. The movie "Billy Madison" even kinda made fun of that trope, with all the school bullies getting a really exaggerated, and probably not deserved comeuppance.

[@chrisausten3553]

@@DarkMasterRaven02 Technically Jimmy only shot Richie because two idiots tackled him whilst he still had the loaded gun. he ended up Juvie whist they only got suspension and community service.

[@dcapitan7]

"My Enemy, My Friend" from the original She-Ra animated series was pretty dark. Hordak, the series' antagonist, was if I remember correctly, poisoned through a spell and condemned to die. The only way that the spell would be broken is if someone would actually shed tears for him. While he was painfully suffering _no one_ neither his allies nor enemies would shed a tear for him. In fact, this was celebrated. The "good guys" were just as cold as the evil characters. She-Ra found this sad and shed tears for Hordak, saving him.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestion, I have it in my notes for a future video!

[@DerrickTenney]

For Teen Titans, there’s another episode that deals with prejudice.

[@LetsRunItBack]

I know which episode you're talking about, and it's and the list for the future.

[@Eldenrucidor]

Ooohh wow... I remember that Chipmunks episode, but I had totally surpressed the memory of the cat dying in the end... I could remember a couple of the scenes from the episodes, but not the end. That seriously hurt my feelings seeing that ending now and suddenly remembering it. I sadly though have no memory at all of how I reacted to it as a kid. Great list of episodes, but I definitely feel like you missed out in the episode "The Price" from Bravestarr. I've seen other people has already suggested it, so I won't go into details. But it's a great, and deep episode.

[@LetsRunItBack]

The Price will be in the next video, which I am working on. 😎

[@baliyae]

I remember seeing “Deadly Force.” It was a pretty powerful episode of Gargoyles. I felt bad for Broadway throughout the entire thing.

[@blufaerie]

Bobby’s World’s “The Music” was so well done, I still sing the song!❤

[@newelljoseph5060]

90s Proud Family: Family oriented show that tackles social issues in a positive way that uplifts everyone 2020s Proud Family: Racist Echo-Chamber that demonizes all but a select few in a toxic way

[@SuperSpieth]

True! 👍

[@Gundam4]

Sums it up

[@comettamer]

Sad but true

[@Thollis1987]

True. I couldn't continue watching it.

[@DanialTarki]

LOL @ The Saints Row Deckers Gang Symbol.

[@ShatnerLover]

Hey Arnold wasn’t afraid to go there. It made me cry several times

[@Malaika924]

I actually experienced something similar to the As Told By Ginger episode. In one of my classes in high school, we had to write a parody of one of Shakespeare's sonnets. I chose "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?" where instead of the narrator praising the woman's beauty, they're calling the person ugly and are being real nasty. At the end, the bully realizes they've been looking into a mirror the whole time My friends and I thought it was hilarious, but my teacher and my parents were worried. I had to explain to them that I wrote it so I could feel a sense of retribution against the ones who bullied me.

[@davidekstrand8544]

I’ve comment before on another video, and I know that this is about TV, but I’ll say this here to. Terry Gilliam says that “the truly great filmmakers make you go home and think about it.” From his description, Hayao Miyazaki certainly fits that description with both his animation and that his films can be enjoyed by families, but also are deep and very thought-provoking.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will look it up and put it in my notes for a future video! Due to being anime, I will try to work on something including it when colab with my brother since he is much more into anime then me. This way I give it the respect it deserves, since I do know he watched some of his films.

[@mandiemills88]

I loved the show gargoyles And that episode is the one I remember the most because it kinda traumatized me at a very young age because I feel that's the 1st cartoon where a character actually could have died and it was very real at that time for me.

[@godemperorofmankind3578]

I surprised such a quality video has so few views

[@AnthonyDAurizio-qj5ui]

Give it time, and I can guarantee a lot of viewers will beef up the views that it deserves

[@patrickdoucette9585]

for me, Teen Titans S2 E1 is a Very Serious issue, because it deals with friends falling out of touch and friendships falling apart. 😭😭💔💔

[@Lrbearclaw]

One of my favorites was from the show "BraveStarr". The episode is called "The Price". It always stood out to me because it was rare to see a dead kid in a cartoon aimed at kids.

[@LetsRunItBack]

I covered that episode in Part 3 😎. (I did mess up the boy's name in it)

[@carlg.7882]

The episodes of Gargoyles and Static Shock that involve someone getting shot were very surprising to show in a kid's show.

[@giodude92]

I remember watching that episode of Static Shock on Saturday morning and was shocked to witness such a heavy storyline. As someone who was bullied in school, I resonated with Jimmy so much.

[@AvatAR42420]

This video brought up the Cookie Chomper III episode. I vaguely remember seeing it as a kid.

[@vanessaloy1049]

The Chipmunks had a storyline where Miss Miller has a gambling addiction.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thanks, I have that episode in my notes for a future entry 😎

[@technosugarcreations1956]

Jimmy hits hard, especially today. Mind Pollution, too, as it just seems the drug problems are getting worse and worse. I wish animated shows these days had more of those 'very special episodes'. There are a LOT of neglectful parents out there, and even if it' comes off as campy and cheesy sometimes because it's an animated show, if the messages reach even ONE child (Heck, even an elder sibling watching the show with them), then it's all worth it. That said, if you plan to do a future episode, might I suggest the Jem episode "Alone Again", where one of the Starlight girls struggling with the loss of her parents turns to drugs? Some thought that episode was campy, but my dad told me a story of something VERY similar that happened with one of his co-workers. She hadn't done LSD in YEARS, and then one day she had a flashback out of the blue, thought she was a bird and jumped off the roof.

[@LetsRunItBack]

I definitely agree, and Thank You for the suggestion. I added it to my list for a future installment. Most likely will be Part 3 since Part 2 will be live-action shows.

[@technosugarcreations1956]

@@LetsRunItBack Yay, I helped!

[@nostalgiamostalgia0319]

If you like Helga on the Couch, you'll LOVE Ginger's "And She was Gone"

[@rwbymoonrose3417]

This was great! You described them perfectly! There is one you missed though, but it’s from the 80’s so I don’t blame you. There’s an episode of Jem called alone again that also tackled drug abuse. Captain Planet might have done it better, but the Jem episode is just as good too. Especially since it was geared more towards girls and also displayed things like a weak self esteem and how that and peer pressure or wanting someone to like you can be used as tools by the wrong people. Thanks again so much!

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed the video. Don't worry I didn't forget the Jem episode, since it will be in Part 3. Each part will cover 10 episodes, so many had to be held back for future videos I do.

[@rwbymoonrose3417]

@@LetsRunItBack Ah, understandable. Thanks so much! Oh! It might be cool if you did a list like this with anime! I know tons of shows that tackle difficult topics!

[@jamesmoss3424]

I feel bad about Jimmy in that Static Shock episode.

[@JStryker47]

@@jamesmoss3424 Even worse is the fact that real life bullies aren’t being given their due, nay… way overdue, punishments.

[@jamesmoss3424]

@@JStryker47 I agree with you on that.

[@Scavenger24-zr9kl]

Yeah. It was all Nick's fault that Richie got shot by Jimmy. He and his idiot friends were the ones who fucked it up!

[@jamesmoss3424]

@@Scavenger24-zr9kl that's right.

[@tranatkikomi6873]

@@Scavenger24-zr9klI love that afterwards he was not let off scot-free or seen as a potential victim of a school shooting because of his antagonism. He got off lucky, indeed.

[@Wolfdragoness]

I remember all, but three of these. Gargoyles Deadly Force is one of my top fav episodes of all time. The Static one also really stuck with me because this kind of thing happens in real life, and thats pretty scary

[@christmashake8968]

Episodes like this are very, VERY easy for cartoon and/or kid's shows to do wrong, since it often requires a significant amount of maturity and humility to write and depict them even in adult shows, let alone shows geared towards kids. If told in too dumbed-down, too trauma-exploiting, or too condescending of a way to kids, it can be an INSUFFERABLE experience. But if it's told with respect towards the growth and intelligence of all possible viewers, ESPECIALLY kids...there are few more beautiful or moving experiences in television.

[@lycanthis9963]

Okay, I knew about the gun episodes in this video, but the Captain Planet one! They straight up have a character die of a drug overdose?! 1) How did the network allow that to air? and 2) Why aren't there more cartoons that tackle those issues? Heavy as they are, that's something that's VERY important for kids to learn, especially for those growing up in a drug filled environment.

[@tranatkikomi6873]

Yep, Boris died right onscreen. The episode also ended with Linka suffering through withdrawal.

[@drewcook1985]

Some of those cartoon episodes are very heartbreaking. Let’s start with the Gargoyles episode. Guns aren’t toys either loaded or unloaded. They’re extremely dangerous either used or misused. Guns don’t hurt or kill people, people hurt and kill each other for either petty reasons or none. Elsa is partly to blame when she foolishly left her gun unattended, so Boardway can play with it instead of locking it up. I have been watching Hey Arnold since I was a kid, Helga is one of my most least favorite character in the series due to her mean behavior to Arnold and the people around her. But, when I learned about her unstable family life, I was beyond saddened and heartbroken. She had suffered such hell due to her stupid parents who neglected her because of her older sister, Olga. They want what’s best for their older daughter’s future. Helga’s mother is an alcoholic and is extremely miserable, her father is extremely hot headed, controlling and probably abusive. Helga hated her parents until she met Arnold who she developed a crush on when she was younger and she was constantly teased by her classmates which is normal for children to tease each other when it comes to love and crushes. Static Shock is one of my favorite superhero shows back when I was a teenager. Jimmy is one of the most serious episodes. Virgil aka Static hated guns more than anything because of his mother. Jimmy, a shy and quiet young man was bullied constantly by Nick and his goons like stuffing him in his locker or wrecking his laptop. When pushed to far, Jimmy took his father’s gun to tell Nick to leave him alone until someone took him down, firing the gun, hitting Richie in the leg. Nick got light punishment and Jimmy got the most serious punishment. It’s always the bully who got away with everything and the victims got the most serious punishment instead of the bully. Bullying has to be taken seriously immediately. Using a gun against the bully even using violence won’t help you, it will worsen everything. You need to stand up for yourself. Never bully the shy and quiet ones because you don’t know how they react and they are the most dangerous ones if they’re provoked or pushed too far. The Rugrats Mother’s Day episode is one of the most tragic episodes in the series. Chuckie’s mother had passed away when he was younger. He got a bit jealous when his friends were spending time with their mothers. When he found a picture of his mother and gave it to his father. He told everything about his dead wife to Chuckie how loving, kind, and caring she was. One day, Chuckie’s father found someone else and he married her. His new wife is a lot like his deceased previous wife. Chuckie started to grew attracted to his new stepmother. Family isn’t about blood or soul, it’s about heart and love.

[@berniekatzroy]

Personally with Alvin and the chipmunks I consider the ep where they meet their mom to take serious themes of abandonment and reunion.

[@LetsRunItBack]

It will be in a future video, thanks for suggesting I put it in my notes

[@berniekatzroy]

@@LetsRunItBack hey no probs

[@EliteSmorechannel]

I remember the Gargoyles one and it probably being the first time I saw blood in a cartoon.

[@jacobdrolet4262]

Amazing video of special episodes of cartoon shows that tackle serious issues,fantastic job.

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed it.

[@itsrectimemedia]

Phil LaMarr said they wanted to keep Static Shock grounded, instead of referring those episodes as Special ones.

[@Sly88Frye]

This was a really great video and I'm glad it showed up in my recommendations. Honestly you can make an entire list of such episodes from just the show Hey Arnold alone. There's a lot of episodes with these emotions and messages. Great video!

[@LetsRunItBack]

Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed the video, and hopefully my future videos like this will also entertain you.