Summary

• Woody's heartfelt "So Long, Partner" goodbye to Andy is what makes Toy Story 3 a tearjerker.
• The scene where Andy hands his toys to Bonnie signifies the end of an era and a bittersweet farewell.
• The viral meme of Woody's emotional farewell has made the scene from Toy Story 3 unexpectedly funny and relatable.

"So long, partner", a line from only been one Pixar sequel, and that was Toy Story 2, so when a third film was announced it was a much-appreciated surprise. Despite the emotions of those first two films, audiences still weren't prepared for how heartbreaking Toy Story 3 would be.

Toy Story 3 finds Andy and Woody in a very different period of their relationship, exemplified by the opening: an imagined adventure that turns out to be a home video of Andy playing with his toys as a young boy. In the present, Andy hasn't played with his toys in years. He's about to head off to college and while most of the toys are content to remain in the attic until they are called upon, Woody refuses to give up on his human. This relationship culminates on the young girl Bonnie's porch at the end of the film.

Woody's "So Long, Partner" Toy Story 3 Scene Is Him Saying Goodbye To Andy

Andy Plays With His Toys One Final Time With Bonnie

At the end of the film, after the toys have been rescued and Lotso has been defeated, the toys get back to Andy's house. There, Woody leaves a note with Bonnie's address. Thinking his mom suggested he give away the toys, Andy packs up his old friends and drives to Bonnie's house. He happily hands them over, but when Bonnie reaches for the last toy, Woody, Andy involuntary flinches away. This whole time he seemed like a young man, already over his childhood. But in that moment, he reverts to a young boy.

Andy is voiced by the same actor in each Toy Story film, John Morris.

Bonnie hesitates too but then Andy smiles and tells her how important Woody is to him and, though the doll doesn't move, it seems like he's listening. Then a montage occurs with Bonnie and Andy playing, just like Andy did when he was young, giving his toys all one last chance to play with their friend. After, it seems that Andy has fully accepted leaving his childhood behind for the next step. Then Bonnie raises Woody's hand to wave goodbye, just like Andy used to, and his breath catches. It's one of the saddest goodbyes in movies.

As Andy drives off, Woody says to himself, "So long, partner."

After Andy leaves and Bonnie is called inside, the toys all come to life, and sadly smile at each other. As Andy drives off, Woody says to himself, "So long, partner." It's the end of an era and a bittersweet goodbye for Woody. He and his friend have moved on, but it's for the best. Woody has a new human now, and Andy has a life to live. It's poignant, relatable, and particularly touching for anyone around the college age when they watch it. Toy Story 3 is excellent for a lot of reasons, but that scene is what makes it.

How "So Long, Partner" Became A Viral Meme In 2017

The Meme First Appeared In 2016

Even the emotion of that Toy Story 3 scene couldn't stop it from becoming a meme. In 2016, the first noted instance of the image of Woody sadly saying goodbye appeared on the Facebook page, Relationship Memes (via KnowYourMeme). However, the meme didn't take off until 2017, with profiles like the Worldstar Instagram posting popular versions.

The sincerity on Woody's face, particularly for those who the scene, is what makes the meme so funny. Pairing this bittersweet goodbye with people either doing highly regrettable actions or highly relatable ones is always a quick and easy laugh. It's not what Toy Story 3 was going for, but it works nonetheless.