review: bluey (seasons 1-3)

[sideways]

It seems like anyone in the Western world with kids - and a fair few of those without - is well aware of the hit children's program from down under that is Bluey, and one more voice saying "this critically acclaimed show is great!" probably isn't necessary.

But, well - this critically acclaimed kid's show is great! I've been loosely familiar with it for a while but only sat down with it in earnest last month, and honestly, I was expecting to bounce around a few of the most highly reviewed episodes and call it a day (possibly literally, given each episode is only some 5-6 minutes long). It is, after all, generally aimed at ages 4-8. Not exactly prestige television.

137 episodes later, I have to concede I was I was a naive fool, arrogantly assuming myself above the seductive pull of an international hit. It got me good, guys! I laughed, I cried, I watched 12 episodes in a row - and it's easy to point a finger at any number of smaller reasons why. The animation is easy on the eyes; the scripting is charming and natural; the actors nail every beat, especially the kids; and the music is incredible, with original instrumental soundtracks crafted for almost every episode. (The Weekend and Rain are some standout samplers.)

The real success in breaching the age and national divide, however, is its commitment to its themes. Bluey creator Joe Brumm had a clear mission from the start, striving to steer clear of any banal droning on the value of numbers and letters, and instead demonstrate to both children and parents the sheer breadth and value of life lessons to be found in play, in trial and error, in exploration, and above all in enjoying each other's company and forging family relationships where you tackle the world together as friends, not foes. There is still friction, of course, and at times Bluey presents a somewhat idealistic view of how much time and energy a parent can expend on a child's games, but it's fascinating to track all the ways it models scenarios to be carried forward into the real world with compassion and humour. Bluey doesn't expect parents or kids to be perfect. It just suggests it's always worth trying to have fun as you go.

Brumm also makes an effort to capture Australia as it's so rarely presented - not the exotic sweepings of the outback, but a suburban Brisbane so familiar I was endlessly giggling in delight to see things I knew and remembered, from skylines to wildlife to cuisine to brightly coloured money. The creative team has firmly resisted attempts to Americanise the show during its export to the US, and good on 'em. It's about time someone else had to put up with our weird quirks.

Of course, the grand heights of Bluey's strengths also mean its failings deserve a harder critical eye. Three seasons and 137 episodes in, the show has failed to even acknowledge LGBTA+ people exist. It grows difficult to see this as anything but a deliberate choice given the content of the show, and it's an unfortunate stain on such an otherwise brilliant track record. I can't say it does too well at delving into daily life for anyone outside the white middle class either. Joe Brumm writes largely from what he knows and it has added a lot of intimate detail; but it's an excuse that only goes so far. Perhaps future episodes will finally do Literally Anything to address these gaps.

In any case, for those interested in sampling some Bluey without committing to the full run, I've compiled some favourites below-

Peak Aussie: Fruitbat, Markets, The Beach, Hammerbarn, Stumpfest, Duck Cake, Road Trip, Ice Cream, Curry Quest, Explorers, Fairytale, Tradies, The Decider

Peak family / life lesson: Bike, Wagonride, Shops, The Dump, Copycat, Teasing, Squash, Piggyback, Escape, Flat Pack, Cafe, Double Babysitter, Handstand, Baby Race, Chest, Pass the Parcel, Driving, Musical Statues, Turtleboy, Smoochy Kiss

Just peak: The Weekend, The Creek, Camping, The Show, Sleepytime, Bin Night, Rain

Comments

[pauraque]

My kid is far enough out of the target demographic that I haven't seen this (but ask me how many episodes of Dora I had to sit through...)

Three seasons and 137 episodes in, the show has failed to even acknowledge LGBTA+ people exist. It grows difficult to see this as anything but a deliberate choice

I don't know how it is there, but in the US the answer to why this happens, especially with kids' shows, is usually still "the network wouldn't let them". Is that not a plausible explanation for Australian TV anymore?

[sideways]

Network influence is a non-zero factor, but everyone's been very coy on the subject as far as I can thus see, and people who are really keen to put things in but are stonewalled usually find a way to say as much. The show's also co-produced by the ABC, which is not exactly a conservative organisation. (The other co-producer is the BBC.) Possibly from somewhere in their ranks comes the argument that we just don't need this stuff in a show aimed so young (sighhh), but it doesn't stack up, and it doesn't really explain the lack of a clear Chinese-Australian family, etc.

No shade to Dora but I would not sit down with 137 episodes of her XD Condolences.

[atamascolily]

Oh,gosh, this show is great! I've only seen a handful of episodes, but I was surprised and delighted by how much I enjoyed it. I definitely should get back to watching more of it, even though I am not the target demographic.

I was doing the episodes in order mostly so I wouldn't miss anything, but it's good to know I can jump around if need be. The titles alone sound like they would be great fic prompts, lol.

[sideways]

Watching in order brings its own little joys - they have surprisingly faithful continuity, plus the kids' actors noticably age with their characters over time and it's ADORABLE - but yeah, every episode is a comfortable stand alone and the status quo never gets a major shake-up.

[finch]

I may have multiple Bluey t-shirts as an adult, so I think it's pretty obvious where I fall. It's a gorgeous example of television.

I agree with you there's things it could touch on and hasn't; you'd have a better sense of where the missing shapes are since it's a more familiar setting to you, but I've noticed that it's definitely on the heteronormative side of things even when there are episodes pushing back on the idea of what mums do vs what dads do.

[sideways]

I do not yet have Bluey merch... but sometimes I stare at the giant plushies in Kmart.

The heteronormativity is mostly just frustrating because they push back on gender roles so well, and it would be so easy to shake up! Two moms at a birthday party. My uncle says HIS boyfriend has a BOAT. "I'll be the dad!" "Oh :/ But I wanted to be the dad." "Kids, you can both be the dad." "No, but we're supposed to be married." "Yeah, kid, that happens too." "For real life?" "Yep." "Hooray!"

[finch]

My spouse is a dog person and we had a whole conversation about the implications of the worldbuilding re: breeds as last names. Is everybody purebred? We haven't met any apparent mutts or any "adopted" dogs, I don't think. If you think about it too hard the implications there get unfortunate.

[sideways]

Yeahhh. I don't know how deep I want them to get with the dog breeds - as far as I can tell it's mostly for the sake of the surname joke (which, like, what was Chilli's pre-marital surname then? we don't know because it's not that serious), and you only have to look at Lady & the Tramp to know how messy it gets trying to line up dog breeds with ethnicities. The kiwis being border collies is the only joke I need there :P

But without any concerted effort to show something different it DOES ultimately add to the vibe of everyone pairing up neatly into these very samey families.