Bluey’s blockbuster 28-minute episode excited kids all over the world, and it’s a shame it was a missed opportunity.
ABC’s Logie and Emmy Award-winning cartoon may have taught kids that change, especially moving, can be difficult and scary, but over time they can adapt and even grow. not. Instead, the message was that preventing change is what creates a “happy ending.” This is a repeated phrase throughout the episode.
I was especially nervous because my family and I will soon have to move out of our rental property. This is the situation many families are facing during this difficult time. We spent a lot of time talking about this with her 5-year-old son, who is a Bluey superfan. We explained that although he might feel sad, change often comes with opportunity and that we hoped he would like his new home even more.
As I watched him break down in tears as the Healer family got into their car to leave the empty house, and then jumped for joy when they decided to stay, it all went out the window. It seemed like it had disappeared. Then I read comments online from other parents who were similarly disappointed in the message.
For those of you who haven’t seen this episode yet (or who only watched half of it while the loud music was playing in the background), Bluey’s father, Bandit, moves his family of four to another city. We decided to move to , but she really didn’t want to go. She relays the news to her teacher Calypso, adding regretfully that she will never see any of her classmates again. A class of anthropomorphic puppies jump to surround her in a group hug and give her a howl of solidarity.
Calypso then reads a story. The gist is that what may seem difficult at first sometimes turns out to be a blessing. She tells Bluey that everything will be fine.
At this point, I was excited for the episode. I thought it was a great message for children, especially my son. My son had to move into a bigger house just a year ago to welcome his new baby sister. He found all the changes particularly difficult, but we helped him through it. Now, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have to do it all over again.
The story progresses to a car chase in search of a fugitive bride who was supposed to marry Bluey’s uncle. She ran away, angry that the bride would also have to move. When Bluey is found, Bluey’s mother Chili also reveals that she doesn’t want to move, telling Bluey, “You took your first steps in that house.”
This will be tear-jerking for many parents. They are famous for often crying while watching cartoons with their children (the “Sleepytime” episode always sticks with me). I thought this was intended to be a relatable scene for parents who have had to move. I remember our own move from the home where our son took his first steps, and at the same time feel the pain of knowing that we will soon be leaving the home I bought for my daughter last June. I did. When Chili honestly tells Bluey that he doesn’t know what will happen with this move, but that “we’ll find out eventually,” I thought it might be some kind of lesson about the inevitability of change.
The wedding ceremony resumes and the bride and groom announce that they are not moving after all. It is depicted as having a happy ending. Alarm bells ring for me.
After a wild wedding party that looked like a genuine heckler, a lament designed to tug at the heartstrings, including lots of tears from Bluey and her sister Bingo and solemn downward glances from their parents. There’s a scene overlaid with music, and they’re all ready to drive away in a car. At this point my son was holding me tightly.
Cut to Bandit bravely ripping a SOLD sign (hence the episode’s name) from the ground. Hooray, they can stay! They hug each other, shed more tears, and run home. end.
When I asked my son later what his favorite scene was, he said it was the scene above. why? Because it had a happy ending, he said.
It reminded me of the scene in class where Bluey asks Calypso, “Why do stories always have happy endings?” She replies: “Well, I think it’s because there are a lot of sad things in life.” Perhaps these are the words of the writers, who want Bluey to bring joy to children. This is their prerogative and this show was not written just for me and my family. But why is moving and change always sad? Why is that the message?
Children experience many changes when they move. You may need to change schools or kindergartens, a new sibling may arrive, a grandparent may pass away, or your parents may separate. Change is part of life.
As some mothers agreed online, it was a missed opportunity to help children navigate change.Why bother doing that story this season? If you weren’t going to go through with it, one person said. Some, including those who were moving or traveling interstate, said they would never let their children see the episode again. One mother’s daughter was so upset that she wrote a letter to the ABC.
I generally love Bluey and my son is already re-watching the episode with his Nana (and a hug at the end). I would be happy if many people felt joy. But for those of us who don’t have as much control over our life circumstances as Bluey’s family does, it will take thoughtful conversations to undo the message that change doesn’t have a happy ending.
