Here are my thoughts about the episodes:
I don't have much to say for "All About D.W."...I think it was mentioned at least twice (maybe just once, I don't know) that the idea was a little cliche. And I have to say, I agree, it's just that, correct me if I'm wrong, but we haven't seen it in a school play context...at least, not with D.W. I mean, there are probably plenty of episodes dealing with D.W.'s jealousy and self-centeredness.
The poor quality of the animation really showed...like in the first episode; when Amanda found out she got the Tree #1 part, she jumped for joy...she looked almost like a ragdoll when she did so; I think I actually cringed that second.
In addition to that, I can see what you're saying, Snowth, about D.W.'s eyes changing shape. I think a lot of it also has to do with the thick outlining of the characters in this season. I mean, in that one scene where D.W. and Emily were trying to resist wanting to pet the koala, their eyes almost seemed like mini targets. As for Mrs. Read, her ears did seem a little bigger, I don't know about huge. I know CJ's probably going to say once again to be patient since the animation will probably get better (after all, it is 9 Story's first time) (no hard feelings, CJ), but, the earlier episodes just stand out to me as being stiff, two-dimensional and thick-lined.
I can also see what you're saying about Emily acting a little like D.W. in character and mindset, Snowth. I guess it's because she's so proud of her work as well, that she just wants to keep adding to it with D.W., and that she is just as reluctant to tear it down as D.W. because of that sense of accomplishment.
We had a topic called "Unrealism in Arthur?", and the koala, I believe was mentioned. It did seem kinda random to me that some zookeeper or something would just come in and show the kids a koala (no cages, towels, or anything like that) in a preschool class. Then again, koalas aren't really active, outspoken, or dangerous animals at all, but I was wondering why that man just came with a koala and nothing else except his outfit and some gloves.
When D.W. (I think, or was it Emily?) dropped that one block at the end, I found it really unrealistic that the whole thing would collapse in almost a domino rally-like fashion...normally I would expect just a wall or two to come down...but the WHOLE THING?!
And how did they get those blocks to make that once arch? It was multicolored, so I assume that it was made of different blocks...that were somehow suspended magically in the air.
One thing that I have noticed that I wanted to address is that it seems like the crew wants to make extra/BG characters talk as little as possible. In instances where I expected the other preschoolers to talk, they don't. This was especially true of Amanda, who's only spoken about once in the two episodes.
I wonder why they decided to put two preschoolers episodes back to back.
Random Question: Would you prefer a robot butler like Arthur had, as opposed to a human one (strange that he didn't even open his eyes, a bit like Bailey sometimes)? I mean, it doesn't need paychecks or vacations, but if it breaks down, you'd better know how to fix it, or you're going to have to spend some money sending it to the repair shop. Not to mention the cost of oiling it, replacing batteries, and whatnot.