'Bluey' Talks Assault and PTSD, Parents Chilled

From abandonment issues to pregnancy loss, Bluey is notorious for tackling heavy subjects with a perfected method of quiet dignity and grace. However, do some episodes take things a bit too far?

Three animated dog characters are playing in a lush garden. The blue dog on the left and the orange dog on the right are enthusiastically raising their arms. The central character, with a gray face, is dressed as a flower. They are surrounded by greenery, flowers, and even some muffin-shaped bushes. — Credit: Ludo Studio

There’s a reason Bluey is one of the most successful shows currently streaming, and much of its success is attributed to the relatable narratives that speak to parents and kids alike. That said, sometimes putting on a show for Mum and Dad or wearing animal onesies can lead to discussions about miscarriages and infant loss (which Joe Brumm later confirmed).

Life, death, complex relationships, and other such topics are all things children will eventually grow up to deal with, and Bluey creator Joe Brumm is a master at covering these things. However, parents have increasingly noticed much darker material lurking in the background, which might hurt the show’s image.

A Darker Shade of Bluey

A cartoon image of Bluey, looking sad with tears in its eyes, sitting in a mystical pink-toned forest. — Credit: Ludo Studio

As fans finish binging the current set of Bluey minisodes, many are undoubtedly rewatching some of the show’s full-length episodes. As a result, many parents are picking up on some themes and visuals that may or may not be appropriate for younger viewers.

The show has a long history of being “cheeky” and slipping several adult jokes under the radar, but themes of assault, PTSD, and trauma are making Bluey much darker than advertised. So much so that users on r/Bluey are voicing their concerns.

u/Aggravating-Ad-351 begins the discussion with the following comment,

“I know it’s a kid show, but I wonder what people think is the scene that’s the most shocking to them. For me, it’s when Bandit head butts Wendy in ‘Sheepdog,’ even letting aside that’s assault. Wendy was ready to destroy him, and he just refused to break character. If Bluey hadn’t explained, I wonder if he would’ve gotten out ok.”

While the assault comments are clearly made in jest, head-butting your female neighbor isn’t exactly a recommended pastime. Jokes aside, other viewers share moments much more serious than the show’s tone implies.

Chilli sits with her dad in Bluey — Credit: Ludo Studio

Down in the comments, u/Sensitive-Tailor2698 shares a subtle detail that shines a light on Grandpa Mort’s backstory.

“It’s subtle, but when grandad is taking the kids through the bush and showing them tricks he ‘learned in the jungle’ and then later, we learned he was in the army, probably around the time of our Vietnam War.”

Hiding rations and gear in a combat zone might not be something most probably expected in a show about cartoon dogs, but neither was an impromptu lesson about life and death interrupting a game of Copycat. While the fanbase has repeatedly addressed the subject, u/Appropriate_Car2462 says what we’re all thinking.

“The tonal shift in ‘Copycat’ for me. A light-hearted show about Bluey annoying her dad suddenly becomes an episode about processing death.”

Not Afraid to Go There

Mackenzie walks through the tunnel — Credit: Ludo Studio

Of course, these comments are a small sampling of what the show is capable of. Episodes like “Mini Bluey,” “Space,” and “Onesies” all have a reputation for smashing viewers right in the feels out of nowhere. Do we even need to talk about what happened in “The Sign?”

The point is that Bluey is a show that defies all expectations. A game of pretend might teach us how to deal with anxiety and trauma, a trip to the beach might make us re-examine our mental health, and playing too rough might teach us how to find our voices.

Regardless, Bluey, Bingo, and the rest of the Heeler clan have helped many viewers of all ages understand emotionally complex subjects. This kind of storytelling is what has made the show a worldwide success.

Did Bluey get too dark for you? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!