Helga says to Arnold: “Pigeon Man is a freak of nature, actually Football Head you two would probably get along.” This is the first time she says it to him; the second time she does it is in “Monkeyman!” when she talks about Monkeyman (character).
Pigeon Man's departure from the city to help the world's pigeons resembled the way Moe Szyslak departed Springfield at the end of a Simpsons episode that aired 10 days prior titled "The Homer They Fall." Rather than using a group of pigeons, Moe left his hometown on a paraglider and is then seen in photos during the end credits helping various people around the world.
Production Notes[]
In a 2008 chat, series creator Craig Bartlett stated that the ending to this episode was the first thing made, while the rest of the episode was built around it.
For details about a rumored alternate ending, see Rumors.
Cultural References[]
Helga says (regarding Pigeon Man): "What did he say? Koo Koo ka choo?". This is a reference to The Beatles song "I am the Walrus", in which many people thought John Lennon sang "Koo Koo ka choo", though the actual lyric is "Goo Goo Gjoob".
The speech Pigeon Man makes at the end of the episode is a reference to Tom Joad's speech at the end of the 1940 film The Grapes of Wrath.
Pigeon Man flying away using a huge flock of pigeons is similar to when James used a huge flock of seagulls in the book James and the Giant Peach.
Coincidentally, the movie adaptation came out 6 months earlier.
Story Analysis[]
When opening himself to Arnold, Pigeon Man states that as a kid he went so fascinated by birds that his friends ultimately left him. This explains his solitary nature as he carried out without any human friends. This alone, however, may not fully explain why Pigeon Man has trouble trusting or understanding all people, before Arnold shows him that some people can be trusted.
Morals[]
Treat all people, including eccentrics, with respect.
You may not have to always agree with people's ideas and behaviors to be able to treat them respectfully.
