The Hidden Depths of Bluey: Revealing the Adult-friendly Side of the Beloved Kids' Show

Summary

Bluey

The content fragment creates narratives that can be enjoyed by both adults and children, exploring themes related to fatherhood, mental health, and loss. The show skillfully suggests profound emotions, like the Heelers experiencing a miscarriage, which can be comprehended entirely by mature audiences.

Bluey

includes clever references and nods to pop culture and adult experiences, making it enjoyable for the whole family.

Although Bluey primarily targets young children, the highly popular Australian cartoon series offers plenty of moments that appeal to adults. This approach is not entirely new to children's programming, as adults often watch cartoons and animated films alongside the children in their lives. It is heartening when animators and writers include references that are only fully understood by more mature audiences. Bluey takes this practice to a whole new level by creating stories that can be appreciated from multiple perspectives.

Bluey revolves around the Heeler family: the main character, Bluey, is the oldest child of Bandit and Chilli, and often embarks on adventures with her sister, Bingo. Set in a world where dogs walk on two legs, Bluey has received praise and recognition for its portrayal of topics such as fatherhood, mental health, intergenerational relationships, and loss. At first glance, the colorful and dog-focused universe of Bluey may seem purely entertaining. However, beneath the imaginative portrayals of the children's lives lies a deeper emotional core that is both perceptive and tailored for adult audiences.

10 The Tragic Implications Of Bingo’s Popped Balloon

In season 2 of Bluey, there is an episode titled "The Show" that showcases a significant moment that may only be fully understood by more mature viewers. In this episode, Bluey and Bingo perform a show for their parents. During the performance, Bingo, pretending to be pregnant, places a balloon under her shirt. Suddenly, the balloon bursts.

At the moment of the balloon popping, Bandit instinctively reaches for his wife's paw. This subtle gesture implies that the Heelers may have experienced a miscarriage or other complications before Bluey and Bingo were born. Though it may be a small moment, it resonates deeply. Affected by the loss, Bingo blames herself, but Bluey reassures her sister that it is not her fault. Sometimes, unfortunate events occur beyond our control.

9 The Reveal At The End Of “Camping”

During a camping trip with her family, Bluey crosses paths with another puppy named Jean-Luc. However, there's a language barrier: Jean-Luc speaks French while Bluey speaks English. Nevertheless, they manage to find a way to communicate and enjoy each other's company. Every morning, Bluey eagerly goes to meet Jean-Luc at the creek. However, one day, to her disappointment, Jean-Luc is not there because his family's camping trip has come to an end.

The episode "Camping" offers valuable lessons that children can truly benefit from. Yet, adults who have encountered chance encounters or lost touch with friends will deeply resonate with this storyline. The emotional impact of the episode is heightened by the heartwarming reunion of a grown-up Bluey and Jean-Luc at the campgrounds.

8 Bandit’s Dark Unicorse Jokes

One of the most hilarious episodes of Bluey, titled "Unicorse," showcases Chilli's efforts to read a story to an overly-excited Bluey. In the meantime, Bandit brings the house down with his portrayal of the mischievous and darkly amusing unicorse puppet. At one point, Bluey inquires about the puppet's preferred food, prompting Bandit's puppet to deadpan, "children." This dry and darkly humorous moment is sure to tickle the funny bones of viewers of all ages, but it appears to be particularly targeted towards adults.

7 Chili’s Need For Alone Time In “The Beach”

In "The Beach" episode, Chilli desires some alone time, which puzzles Bluey and Bingo as they can't understand why their mother would choose solitude over a family outing. Bandit steps in to explain Chilli's introverted nature to the kids. This episode of Bluey offers valuable lessons for children. Bluey realizes that their mom's need for alone time doesn't diminish their love; sometimes, everyone just requires a moment to themselves. This relatable and sometimes conflicting sentiment is also explored in other episodes of the series. Moments like these contribute to why Bluey is considered one of the finest TV shows of 2023.

6 The Emotional Ending Of “Baby Race”

"Baby Race," an emotional and iconic episode of Bluey, depicts Chilli sharing the story of Bluey's journey to walk. Chilli, who strived to be a perfect and involved mother, reveals that although Bluey excelled at crawling, walking presented a greater challenge. This brought a mix of complex emotions for Chilli, as she felt her own failure in Bluey's need for additional learning time.

At first, Chilli feels judged by the other mothers in her social circle. However, she eventually realizes that everyone faces their own struggles and learns at their own pace. This lesson resonates more with adults than children and highlights the beauty of accepting individual differences. In the episode's final moments, Bluey takes her first steps motivated by her strong desire to reach her beloved mother.

5 How “Grandad” Explores Parent-Child Relationships

Titled "Grandad," this episode goes beyond a simple visit to the grandfather's house. Bluey and Bingo form a strong connection with their grandparent, Mort, while Chilli grapples with her father's aging process. Despite being advised to take it easy during the Heelers' visit, Mort decides to embark on an adventure with his grandchildren instead, taking them into the bush land.

Throughout the episode, Chilli learns to respect her father's independence and autonomy, while also understanding her role in guiding him as a parent. Towards the end, Mort and Chilli share a moment sitting together on the dock, reminiscent of a similar scene from Chilli's childhood. The show's exploration of intergenerational relationships makes it unique among children's programs.

4 The Real Meaning Of “Onesies”

In the episode "Onesies" from season 3 of Bluey, Chilli's sister Brandy (voiced by Rose Byrne) visits after many years. She brings animal onesies as gifts, which hold a poignant significance. Initially, Brandy only interacts with Bluey and ignores Bingo. However, when Chilli comments on the resemblance between Brandy and Bingo, she realizes her mistake.

While the episode's main focus is on Bingo adopting the personas of her animal onesies, it also delves into the deeper theme of Brandy's inability to have children. The references to this are more apparent than Chilli's struggles with infertility. Specifically, Brandy finds it difficult to see her mini-me, Bingo, and gifts the girls with onesies that were originally intended for her own pups.

3 Sly References To The Adults’ Alcohol Consumption

In multiple occurrences, the Heelers cleverly allude to consuming alcoholic beverages. When Bluey inquires about her parents' first encounter, Bandit insinuates that Chilli may not recall all the specifics, suggesting she had indulged in a few drinks. In the second season episode titled "Stumpfest," Bandit and his pals engage in some yardwork, while Chilli and the other moms enjoy some daytime indulgence; at the conclusion of the episode, Bluey offers the dads a taste of Chilli's lemonade, and their visibly shaken reactions suggest it might be spiked. However, the most evident example of this recurring theme can be witnessed in "Whale Watching," an episode in which the Heelers navigate the challenges of parenting while dealing with the aftereffects of a hangover.

2 Pop Culture References To The Lord Of The Rings & More

Bluey cleverly incorporates pop culture references that resonate with adult viewers. Rather than relying on typical children's shows, Bluey skillfully incorporates timeless gags. In one instance, the girls playfully request Bandit to roll a yoga ball towards them, which he hilariously names "Raiders" as an homage to the iconic Indiana Jones film. Another memorable moment occurs when Bandit playfully mimics Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings by exclaiming, "You shall not pass!" to prevent Bingo from escaping through the front door. From nostalgic classics like Crocodile Dundee to the beloved dance film Dirty Dancing, Bluey effortlessly blends in these delightful, adult-centered references.

1 Bandit’s Polaroid Camera Innuendo

In the episode "Bob Bilby" from season 1, Bingo brings her classroom puppet home for the weekend to create a scrapbook of their shared moments. This prompts the Heelers, a beloved cartoon couple, to reminisce with their children. During the process, Bandit and the girls stumble upon Bandit's old Polaroid camera in the garage. As the door opens and Chilli appears with an alluring voice, the camera unexpectedly captures a humorous photo. This clever innuendo in Bluey is sure to entertain the children while their parents have a good laugh.