[Warning: Contains spoilers for the most recent, special episode of Bluey, ‘The Sign.’] If you’re a parent of small children and you’re not watching Bluey, you really need to catch up. Often described as a “parenting show that children also enjoy,” the animated series out of Australia follows a family of Blue Heeler dogs as they make their way through the trials and tribulations of parent- and childhood. The show takes deep dives into emotion-invoking subjects that will make the eyes of even the most stoic well up. The recent, special episode, ‘The Sign,’ is another masterclass in family-life storytelling perfection.
In the episode, the Heelers put their house up for sale as Bandit (Dad!) takes a new job in another city. Chili (Mum!) is not keen on the idea, but is willing to move in the hope of a better life for her family. Bluey, age 6, fully understands what the move will mean, and is understandably upset. Bingo, (3), doesn’t mind the fact someone else will buy their home… but doesn’t quite comprehend what’s really happening. The range of emotions the family goes through with the proposed move is wholly relatable…. But the brilliance of the episode doesn’t stop there.
Bluey: arguably one of the best things on television
One of the episode’s subplots deals with a similar move – Uncle Rad, like his little brother Bandit, has also taken a job elsewhere… Unfortunately he didn’t fully discuss the details with his fiancée Frisky. That leads Frisky to call off their pending nuptials and run away. Chili loads the kids in the car to go find her to get her to talk through her pain. That act make Chili finally admit out loud that she doesn’t want to move, either. The whole process triggers a waterfall of openness, honesty, and forgiveness, through which Bluey learns that sometimes, you just have to hope everything will be all right.
There’s obviously more to it than that, and I won’t spoil the ending of the Disney-adopted series. Suffice it to say, the underlying lesson of communication is key. The show teaches it in such a way that it’s almost impossible not to feel the emotional effect it has on Bandit, Chili, Bluey, and Bingo. Parenting is hard. “Adulting” is hard. Balancing the two? If you’ve been there, you know just what a Herculean task that can be. That Bluey so perfectly illustrates the endeavor in such a meaningful, endearing way is a testament to the show’s writing. ‘The Sign’ nails it, along with a slew of other topics you just have to see, and feel, for yourselves. Just have some tissues handy.
All episodes of Bluey are now available on Disney+.
