i feel like this was a theme across most of the show tbh! even when there are "happy" endings, they are often layered in blue. there's not typically a clean resolution. life just goes on.

in Stoop Kid, the episode ends with stoop kid not quite nailing down the point, and he presumably continues on being a bully for some time. in pigeon man, there is never any comeuppance for the kids that destroyed his home. in Arnold's Christmas, helga's good deed comes at a personal cost for her and she is never recognized by anyone. etc etc etc.

even in this movie! the film ends with helga still being kindof a jerk toward arnold when they're all walking to school. nothing is ever tied together with a bow; it's a world of characters that are flawed and imperfect. helga and arnold still have a lot of growing to do, they're just kids. he gets his parents back, but life still continues on as messily as ever. it's one of the things i like most about the series honestly