Hey Arnold! (Arnold’s Christmas)

“Hey! Arnold” isn’t fondly remembered due to its artwork or razor-sharp comic timing (for the most part) but for its heart, sense of authenticity, and ingenuity, and those qualities are fully realized in this criminally-underrated special. The bold direction of Mr. Hyunh’s backstory remains stunning, but I feel almost as much of this works thanks to Francesca Marie Smith’s performance, selling Helga as someone that, come Hell or high water, WILL learn the true meaning of the holidays. A lovely half-hour that doubles as a Turing test: if you don’t get emotional at the end, you might be a robot.

8