Hey Arnold! (TV Series) Helga on the Couch (1999) User Reviews

"No dad, I'm Helga!"'

[Foreverisacastironmess123 · 8/10 · 3 September 2017]

This is a brilliantly constructed episode that illuminates Helga's character like never before and subtly deals with issues like parental favouritism, and what can turn an innocent child into an angry bully. This wonderful animated series is very fondly remembered by many children of the 90's for its likable witty characters and a light comedic touch and urban adventure tone, but it's perhaps not given as much credit for how it could occasionally delve into the deeper social and emotional issues of those characters. Anyway it develops the character of Helga well and makes it very clear in the span of one episode why she can be such an aggressive little girl as well as why she harbours such deep hidden devotion for Arnold. The story is how one day Helga's usual nasty behaviour is observed by the new school psychologist, and after she punches a classmate in the face she's sent to the psychologist for a chat, and what follows is a revealing and poignant chapter in the very little Helga's life as she is all but ignored by her very likely drunk mother and workaholic father who give all their attention and possibly love to her overachieving and perfectly sweet older sister Olga, and how she first ever meets Arnold when she has to take herself to her first day of preschool by travelling alone through a rough part of the city where it begins to rain, and then a mean dog steals her lunchbox, and then Arnold appears out of his grandpa's car and shields her with an umbrella and complements her on her bow and gives her some crackers, and this instantly attracts her to him because he was the first kid to give her attention and be kind to her, which then immediately makes the other kids laugh and taunt her, to which instead of becoming upset she immediately fights back physically, and from then on she gradually became a bully to protect herself and gain attention, while still having secret feelings of affection for Arnold. I like the way that the first part of Helga's flashback in done in the style of a corny old black and white sitcom that's all familial happiness as long as Olga is around, but as soon as Helga appears the flashback turns to colour and the laugh track falls awkwardly silent, like she isn't welcome in her own family.. There's something rather saddening about Helga's story in this episode, and just the way that little children can be so impressionable and how in those early days it doesn't take too much at all for them to either be mean or a victim.. Many kid's programmes have touched on bullying, but few have ever bothered to look at the root causes and fewer still have managed to do it with such sensitive accuracy. Very good episode, it's funny but more important it's very thoughtful and cleverly played out . There are other episodes in the show that are more uplifting and that I've loved more, but this is still definitely a terrifically done one that's appreciated even more from an adult perspective.

I still hate Helga

[ThunderKing6 · 9/10 · 8 January 2022]

Sure I get it she has home problems. That's no excuse to want tolerate someone like Helga. She annoys and is rude to her crush. If that was me and she bothered me I would defend myself. She has no right to torture Arnold for her insecurities.

Why would Arnold pre Jungle Movie want someone like Helga.

Overall it's a good episode to learn about the Origin of Helga. I think she assumed the children were laughing at her liking Arnold when they were probably laughing at how ugly she was. She simply reacted horribly.

Helga is a good correct not all good characters should be liked. I reflect on these products like I would in real life.

My favorite episode of the show!

[mgalercail · 7 January 2022]

Hey Arnold was both mature and heartfelt. It's great when they explored the characters more closely. As dynamic as Arnold is and how he grows and learns it's really Helga that is the underdog of this show. She really doesn't have it easy. There are many tells throughout the first few seasons. We get Miriam who most certainly has issues with drinking that is caused by the blowhard Bob Pataki.

I have to say that no show would take that risk anymore. Heaven forbid we get real on TV these days.

Along with her oh so perfect sister Olga, Helga is angry and it's completely understandable.

We get a great full story dedicated to her. It's handles with grace and doesn't come off as preachy in the slightest. It's also quite heartbreaking at times.

Her family really is cruel and upon my rewatch of this show as an adult, it really hit home.

After punching Brainy many many times since the beginning. She is actually held accountable and sent to a child therapist.

See there are many characters on shows that are considered one note and always get away with things, no growth.

Not here. Helga finally let's her guard down and confesses her undying love for Arnold along with opening up about her neglectful childhood. And where her anger comes from.

It's great because even in the end, she's not fully cured like many cartoons go for. She still has her unresolved issues to work on and actually wants to.

Truly a landmark episode and will never be replicated.

Everything is sanitized these days. Hey Arnold was never afraid to be real.