This post had to be mostly redone because of a recent development and that's what I get for not doing this sooner. So I had to change the whole thing to fit a new narrative but still explain the old and original thing about this particular episode, so welcome to our mess.
There's an "Arthur" episode about cancer, they didn't do childhood cancer, they aren't as brave as "Peanuts" but still they did a topic that many shows for kids don't really touch. This episode is called "The Great MacGrady" it premiered on October 19,2009, as part of the premiere of the 13th Season. This episode was removed from circulation after the revelations that Lance Armstrong used performance enhancing drugs. He was in this episode, because Arthur has used famous people for roles before and he was known as a cancer spokesperson because of his own battle with the disease. So sadly, this episode was pulled from rerunning because well that.
This is where I add a new paragraph, so season 24 premiered on March 8 2021, (wow 24) and they decided to "update" the episode. So, after almost 10 years of being removed, they brought it back, re-formatted and dropping Armstrong. I will explain that later. So, here's how the post will work from here on out. The original episode version will be talked about then I'll drop in changes from the reformatted episode as notation. This is going to be fun.
Actually, I am cutting in a line here, so the original airing was in SD because it was 2009 and still had the classic Arthur look to it, the new version is the name lines and scenes but redone in the new animation style in HD. Not a surprise, but a note still. The episode starts with Arthur and his classmates going to lunch. Buster keeps a almanac of school lunches, and notices the food doesn't smell as planned. They notice at lunch a new guy cooking named Skipp Bitterman, and that's not Mrs. MacGrady. (Good work, did you use science to figure that out?) --- They didn't change too much for the season 24 episode, the title card is different though. 
Don't worry about Arthur, he lost his sense of taste in the war/ Copyright WGBH
They don't like Skipp's food because it's kind of disturbing. After multiple days of her not being there, Mr. Ratburn finally makes an announcement. This episode will focus slightly more on Francine who is very concerned about the woman's condition, because her grandfather died from the disease. Muffy being Muffy is focused on other things: Her father's birthday party in this case. Muffy has a confidence it thinking Mrs. MacGrady will be fine. (She's seen the script then) --- The only differences here is the animation coloring and some slight dialogue modification
Arthur and D.W show up (on this show called Arthur) to Mrs. MacGrady's house to see how she is doing. D.W wants to play nurse. They use D.W to make sure to explain that you can't catch cancer. (I will say the mask thing touches differently, but want to make the post work for the future so...) They also mention about how cancer patients through treatment have weaker immune system. The episode does a great job of explaining cancer to young audience in a well done well.
So are you going share some soup with us or...? / Copyright WGBH
more after the jump
