10 Great Episodes Of Bluey For When You Need Cheering Up
Bluey may be a kid's show, but it has a beautiful style of telling stories and teaching life lessons in a way that appeals to all ages, and when things get tough, some Bluey episodes are the perfect pick-me-up. Bluey is an Australian animated series that follows a family of anthropomorphic dogs. Bandit and Chilli are the parents of two curious and growing young girls named Bluey and Bingo.
Together, the family experiences everyday struggles and challenges, and the kids face new situations that they can grow and learn from. However, the show has a strong focus on being emotionally engaging and relevant, presenting realistic parenting and life challenges, and approaching stories with a moral conclusion in mind. The result is a very special series that exceeds most other programs in the category, and has a way of connecting with kids and adults.
10 Bike
Bluey Season 1, Episode 11
In "Bike," Bluey attempts to learn to ride her bike at the playground. However, due to her struggles to stay on the bike, she gets frustrated and quits. Her father, Bandit, encourages Bluey to sit for a moment and look around at the other kids in the park. They then watch together as three younger pups all face individual struggles, and repeatedly push themselves until they achieve their goals. Bluey recognizes the resilience of the kids, and the reward of persevering, and gets back on the bike.
In life, it can be really tough to face setbacks. Especially when these setbacks come hard, fast, and often. However, the only way that someone can truly lose is if they give up in the face of those obstacles. By persevering and pushing past failure and hardship, there is often success to be found. A simple and beautiful story which perfectly captures what it feels like to struggle, and to overcome that same struggle.
9 Stumpfest
Bluey Season 2, Episode 15
In "Stumpfest," Bandit and two of his friends excitedly prepare to remove some old stumps from the garden. Having drawn attention to these stumps, Bluey and her friends decide to use one of the larger stumps to set up a nail salon. However, when Bandit finishes extracting one stump, and moves onto the one where Bluey and friends are playing, there is a conflict. Thankfully, Chilli is there to help Bluey let go of the game, and recognize how important this activity is for her father and his friends.
Bandit and his friends and playfully working together, laughing, joking, and celebrating their victory when they get the stump from the ground.
The beauty of the episode comes from recognizing that both Bluey and Bandit are enjoying playtime, though their games look very different. Bandit and his friends and playfully working together, laughing, joking, and celebrating their victory when they get the stump from the ground. And Bluey is excited to see her father enthusiastically playing, even if it looks different to her choice of games.
8 Rain
Bluey Season 3, Episode 18
"Rain" is one of the great dialogue light episodes of Bluey. When Bandit and Bingo leave the house, Chili and Bluey are left home alone, just as a massive storm breaks out. The heavy rain causes a large stream of water to build up in the garden, which Bluey excitedly tries to guide and direct. Meanwhile, Chilli tries to maintain some order and stop Bluey from treading mud and water through the house.
The joy of this episode comes in the second half, when Chilli stops focusing on controlling things, and sees the joy and excitement her child is getting from a simple game in the rain. Chilli then joins Bluey, and together they play in the garden, before the sun eventually breaks through the clouds. This moment of connection and focusing on the things that matter most is charming and delightful.
7 Dance Mode
Bluey Season 2, Episode 1
One of the silliest episodes of Bluey, and easily one of the best when the family settles a dispute by promising Bingo the power to command a Dance Mode. Bandit eats a chip Bingo was hoping to enjoy, and as a way of apologizing, Bandit promises to let Bingo dictate when he needs to enter Dance Mode, no matter when or where. However, Bingo's family all want to use the Dance Mode, forcing Bingo to use up her chances.
However, the ending is truly delightful when the entire family recognizes this error, and dances together.
This episode highlights the fun and engaging parenting style that Bandit and Chilli employ. Rather than simply apologizing, they exchange a fun moment, and it leads to incredibly awkward, but also beautifully unifying moments for the family. The fun and laughter the episode prompts is also spectacular.
6 Sleepytime
Bluey Season 2, Episode 26
"Sleepytime" is another episode that leans heavily into score over dialogue. When Bingo decides that she wants to be a big girl, and sleep in her own bed through the night, the episode depicts the state of her mind while she dreams. Having just looked at stories about space, Bingo flies through the skies, into planets, and through the stars all from the comfort of her own bed. And while she does end up in her parents' bed, it provides a beautiful, colorful story that flows from start to finish.
There is something comforting and enchanting about this episode of Bluey. It captures and evokes feelings and sensations that bring the viewer back to a dream state, and points in time when life is simple. It also beautifully shows the comfort and peace that Bingo gets from the simple presence of her beloved parents.
5 Relax
Bluey Season 3, Episode 40
When the family gets a well-deserved break at a hotel, Chilli has a firm idea of what needs to be done, while the others have absolutely no plans apart from enjoying their holiday. Chilli feels the need to go to the beach to maximize her chances of relaxation and comfort, but as soon as the kids get into the hotel room, they begin playing and having fun. Chilli then sets off to the beach alone, but struggles to relax, and finds that she has been too focused on relaxing, and missing all the chances to have fun along the way.
Chilli spends her time reading a book about how to be happy, but instead of following the lessons it outlines, she struggles to wind down.
This episode has wonderful layered jokes that highlight how the idea of relaxing and desperately chasing a concept is often less fulfilling than simply living in the moment. Chilli spends her time reading a book about how to be happy, but instead of following the lessons it outlines, she struggles to wind down. But when Chilli forgets what she thinks she needs, she is finally able to settle into the holiday, and embrace the relaxation.
4 Flat Pack
Bluey Season 2, Episode 24
Bluey and Bingo create a whole world of fun while Chilli and Bandit attempt to assemble some flat-packed furniture. As the girls imagine themselves as various animals, they find themselves progressing through the steps of evolution along the way. In addition to depicting evolution, Bluey pretends to be Bingo's mother in these various stages of development, which creates a great symmatry throughout the entire episode.
The emotional uplift of this episode comes from seeing Bluey, who is herself a child, embracing ideas commonly associated with parenthood. This little girl teaches her sister, and takes great pride in her growth. It also provides a lot of fun and highlights how clever Bluey and Bingo are as they adjust their game constantly to work in whatever new environment they are presented with.
3 Onesies
Bluey Season 3, Episode 31
"Onesies" is a perfect example of how Bluey is able to deliver multiple stories through one combined narrative. There is a storyline that is aimed at adults, and one that plays out for kids. Bingo wears a cheetah onesie, and embraces her new life, wildly leaping at people, and growling. Brandy, Chilli's sister, arrives to visit her sister and the kids, and confronts the fact that she hasn't visited in four years. As the plot progresses, it's clear to older audiences that Brandy has been unable to have kids, and it made it difficult to visit her sister and the kids.
Bluey presents these spectacular stories in a simple and clear fashion. While addressing a topic that is typically incredibly difficult to discuss, the show manages to pack in a beautiful story of friendship, growth, and love without needing to state things outright. The topic is heavy, but the way it plays out makes the audience feel light and at peace.
2 Grannies
Bluey Season 1, Episode 28
In "Grannies," Bluey and Bingo decide to pretend to be old women, dressing up in clothes and wigs. The pair then embark on an epic journey as they try to live life through the lens of different people, encountering various problems, and learning what it means to play this role. However, when Bingo is upset by the new limitations, Bluey decides to try and change her point of view.
This is a fantastic example of kids playing pretend, enjoying their environment, and expanding their world view all at the same time. There are also standout moments from the parents as they engage with their children's fantasies, but above all, the episode is just great fun. Simple, imaginative, and delightful from beginning to end.
1 Rug Island
Bluey Season 2, Episode 10
In "Rug Island," Bandit announces he needs to go to work. Bingo begs him to stay and play, but Bandit is constrained by his responsibilities. The girls then go out to build a Rug Island with playmats and felt pens, which Bandit decides to join in on as a washed up adult. Throughout the episode, the difference between adults and kids is highlighted, with Bandit trying to embrace his inner child. However, despite his ability to get on the kids' level, they appreciate his efforts to play with them, and allow him to go and complete his work.
The episode does a great job highlighting how the lines between adulthood and childhood often have a definitive separation point, though those experiencing them struggle to move from one phase to the other. It's a wonderful example of how kids can bring out a person's inner child, and how giving a little bit of time can go a long way. Yet another wonderful example of how Bluey delivers incredible and thought-provoking messages with excellence.
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