User blog:AustinDR/Pigeon Man Theory

With the Jungle Movie on its way, I'd like to discuss one of my favorite episodes: "The Pigeon Man." There are a surplus of great Hey Arnold episodes, but this one I feel resonates with me the most. In it, Arnold's pet pigeon, Chester, is sick. And so, he embarks to find the elusive Pigeon Man. Much like Boo Radley from To Kill a Mockingbird, the Pigeon Man is initially perceived as a monster said to have been born half man-half pigeon abomination. And like Radley, this is far from the truth. The Pigeon Man is actually a reclusive loner who has mistrust towards other people, feeling as though he understood pigeons more. After he helps Chester, Arnold - in gratitude - decides to take him out around town. While they are away, his refuge is destroyed. But all is not lost. While his refuge is gone, he decides to move on hoping that he meets another person like Arnold. And then he gets whisked away by his pigeons and goes off into the sunset.

One aspect of the episode I liked was its depiction of outcasts. To be entirely truthful, I felt as though I could relate in some ways with Pigeon Man (or Vincent). I always had a mistrust of people and felt that I didn't fit in. With my pets, I found it easier to be sociable with them than with really anyone else. I just never really had friends for the most part which made it even more difficult for me to socialize with people without resorting to having to fake enthusiasm. I'm not going into any specifics here, but I once had someone that I thought was my best friend at first, but he treated me badly, and outright told me we were never friends. Since then, I always closed myself off from others whether it be consciously or unconsciously. That isn't to say I hadn't made a few friends throughout the years. I have, but I don't have many possibly because I have difficulty with trying to appear nice or friendly.

Going back to the episode, it was very emotional. While I never forgot any of the episodes from the series, the image of Vincent being carried away by his pigeons was forever seared into my mind. It's often the first thing that I think of when I remember the show. It showed that Vincent wasn't truly a monster, just a misunderstood man who had the right to feel wary around others. Him meeting Arnold is what changes his life, and makes him actually hopeful that maybe some people aren't bad as initially thought.

There are many different theories regarding cartoons, with Hey Arnold being no exception. Besides the one that posits whether Helga is actually the main character of the show (due to her being the most developed out of the main cast and her inner monologues), a dark theory had been circulating on the internet regarding this episode. To make it sure, many believe that rather than being carried away by the pigeons, Vincent instead jumped off his roof, committing suicide, and it was such a traumatizing experience for Arnold, he rewrote the incident to make it slightly more friendlier. Many cite how pigeons are unable to carry something that is more than 4 pounds, and how some of his lines with Arnold seemed to be leaning heavily towards death. Him being carried off into the sunset could also be seen as him transitioning from life to the afterlife, with his arms outstretched. Obviously, Craig Bartlett himself debunked the theory by stating that the Pigeon Man committing suicide was never the plan (though this not to hard to believe that he would do something like that since Miriam is actually drinking alcohol that is masqueraded as smoothies) and how he "doesn't kill off his characters." He also debunked that rumor claiming that he requested Nickelodeon to remove "Arnold Betrays Iggy." Iggy just received a more reduced episode. The episode itself was not banned or removed as many people believe. While I know that the Pigeon Man actually didn't commit suicide, I personally feel that it would be inline with him to a degree. While he may feel distraught about the destruction of his pigeon refuge, he would at least die knowing that he met at least one good person in Arnold. It would actually be very poetic.

Other than that, it was a great episode. And I am certainly pleased that the Pigeon Man is set to return in the Jungle Movie.