When it debuted in 1996, the creators of Arthur probably didn't expect the show would one day depict a same-sex marriage. With 23 seasons, however, the show has gotten the chance to grow and change alongside the culture that surrounds it. This is made clear when Mr. Ratburn, Arthur's teacher, marries his husband in season 22.
The set-up for the reveal of this marriage calls out outdated expectations by dropping a hint that Mr. Ratburn's future spouse is named "Patty." Naturally, the students assume it's a woman, and they set out to investigate. When they see Mr. Ratburn with a woman named Patty who calls him "soft" and threatens to toughen him up (he's already their toughest teacher), they resolve to break up the presumed pair. They don't believe she would be good for him — or them!
In one of their breakup plots, they meet a chocolate shop owner, Patrick, who is quite kind and gives them free samples. Later at the wedding, they discover that Patty is actually Mr. Ratburn's sister, and it is Patrick, the chocolate shop owner, who marries Mr. Ratburn. Their only reaction is to be pleased that their teacher is marrying someone so friendly and nice. Love, as it should be, is the order of the day here.
