As charming and beloved as the Heeler family at the center of Bluey is, some of the best episodes focus on secondary characters that the Heelers interact with, and a few are deserving of much more screentime. The quick-hit episodes of Bluey can range from hilarious to heartfelt, and a majority tie directly into the exploits of Bluey, Bingo, Chilli and Bandit. However, one of the best features of the show is how fully fleshed-out the community surrounding the Heelers feels. Some characters, even through brief appearances in an episode or two, feel like integral parts of the greater cast.
Bluey frequently gives supporting characters a starring or co-starring role in specific episodes, which allows for more insight into their background or personality. For example, the season 3 episode “Cricket” is entirely focused on Bluey’s friend Rusty, who was actually the original choice for the show’s main character, and he’s co-starred in several other episodes that further explain who he is as a person and why. Some supporting characters in Bluey deserve to have more of their story told, especially as they can provide fresh perspectives and lessons that the main members of the Heeler family perhaps couldn’t.
Related
10 Episodes Of Bluey That Are Way Deeper Than They Have Any Right To Be
The globally popular kids show Bluey is known for its ability to connect emotionally with viewers of all ages, and some episodes are remarkably deep.
10
Grandad
Bluey And Bingo’s Maternal Grandfather
Chilli’s dad actually has an episode with his name as the title, but it isn’t necessarily about him; if anything, it explains how and why Chilli is the determined, athletic, yet empathetic mother that viewers love. Mort, or Grandad, as Bluey and Bingo call him, got a bit more chance to shine in the season 3 episode “Phones”, which saw the technologically-illiterate Mort try to understand the concept of mobile ordering from his granddaughters. Mort, like Bandit’s mother Christine (Nana Heeler), provides the viewpoint of an entirely different generation, which is important in Bluey’s representation of diverse perspectives.
|
All Seasons of Bluey Streaming on Disney+ |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Initial Release Date |
No. Of Episodes |
First Episode |
Last Episode |
|
1 |
2018-2019 |
52 |
“The Magic Xylophone” |
“Verandah Santa” |
|
2 |
2020-2021 |
51 |
“Hammerbarn” |
“Easter” |
|
3 |
2021-2024 |
50 |
“Bedroom” |
“Surprise” |
Mort is a widower (based on context clues), and a former soldier, yet there is nothing hardened about him. His kindness is clear, and it’s evident that he played a large role in why Chilli is such a nurturing and encouraging parent. Mort’s fish-out-of-water perspective is certainly good for laughs, but there is a deep character there that is well worth getting more screentime as Bluey and Bingo grow.
9
Pat
Better Known As Lucky’s Dad
The Heelers’ next-door neighbor Pat is the father of Lucky and Chucky, the two golden retriever boys who are approximately the same age as Bluey and Bingo. Bandit and Pat are good friends, and he is a willing participant in virtually all the Heelers’ many imaginative games. He’s played as comic relief more often than not, and got somewhat of a spotlight in the season 3 episode “Pass the Parcel”, but he’s a welcome addition to any episode he’s in. As a fun-loving and hilarious dad in the same vein as Bandit, he certainly deserves more opportunities to shine.
8
Chloe
Bluey’s Smart And Imaginative Dalmatian Friend
Chloe got most of the episode to herself in the season 2 episode “Octopus”, which saw her try to take one of the Heelers’ imaginative play games home to her own father. Her highly intellectual scientist father struggled to adapt to the silliness of the game, but he and Chloe found a way to bridge the gap. The season 1 episode “The Adventure” proved that Chloe is on par with Bluey herself as far as sheer imagination and commitment to a game is concerned. She’s both book smart and emotionally intelligent, and is entertaining for the same reasons as Bluey.
7
Calypso
The Gentle Guide Of Bluey And Her Friends
The teacher at the Glasshouse Primary School that Bluey and her friends attend, Calypso has an almost magical ability to soothe or steer her students in the right direction to resolve conflicts, make good choices, and foster their own independence. Thanks to the calming voice of Australian musical artist Meg Washington, Calypso’s time on the screen is almost therapeutic for viewers. There is certainly more to unpack with her character, and while nobody is necessarily asking for a Calypso spinoff, nobody would complain about another Calypso-centric episode or two.
6
Snickers
Bluey’s Sausage Dog Friend
Snickers’ adorable little legs and arms are all but guaranteed to bring a smile to your face whenever he’s on the screen, which has been fairly infrequent thus far. Snickers’ two most significant appearances in “Shadowlands” and “Typewriter” saw him as one of two other playmates of Bluey, so he’s never really gotten much chance to shine on his own. Other minor appearances as a terrifying dragon in “Early Baby” or as a TV reporter in “Helicopter” demonstrate his imaginative nature.
The distinctive hat that Snickers wears is referred to as an “Aussie legionnaires’ flap cap” on the Bluey website, as that style of hat is known to be used in the sometimes-harsh Australian climate.
His physical struggles with being a “sausage dog” have been the most significant character development, which is certainly a positive when it comes to Bluey communicating that even if you’re different from everyone else, you’re just as important. Snickers makes for a wonderful side character, but he’s really deserving of a stand-alone episode that gets into more than just his sausage dog-iness.
5
Wendy
Bluey’s Kind-Hearted Next-Door Neighbor
Wendy has been given more screen time as Bluey has progressed. She began as the neighbor and sometimes witness to the Heelers’ most embarrassing moments, but has evolved into a fully-realized supporting character. Wendy is also the mother of Bluey’s friend Judo, the chow chow, and she has made more appearances in that capacity.
Wendy provides a unique but important perspective on the show as a single parent. Judo is only at her house some of the time it seems, and Wendy’s husband/Judo’s father is not even referenced, so it’s safe to assume that she shares custody of Judo. Seeing Bluey’s world through the lens of a single parent can provide a completely different angle for even the most tedious of parenting moments. It would be great to see Wendy get some more screen time to delve into that.
4
Indy
Bluey’s Free-Spirited Best Friend
Indy is not afraid of working hard, whether at her mom’s stand at the farmer’s market or as a waitress in a pretend fish and chips shop. Like her other classmates, Indy enjoys playing out real-life scenarios, like her sister having a premature, or “early” baby. She has a strict diet, and while it’s not clarified if that’s due to physical intolerance or her mother’s imposed dietary restrictions, she’s easy to identify with for many modern kids who deal with food allergies or similar rules. She’s a complex little girl who can definitely carry more episodes.
3
Stripe
Bandit’s Younger Brother And Bluey’s Uncle
Stripe is often used as comic relief, especially given his penchant for partying. However, he also provides a unique perspective in the show: he’s not a perfect parent. His daughter Muffin is certainly spoiled, and Stripe’s work keeps his family well-off but demands a lot of his time. Most significantly, he and his wife Trixie don’t have all the answers as Bandit and Chilli often seem to when it comes to parenting. It’s important to see that side of parenting as well; you may mess up, but if you’re still present and trying to get it right, that’s what’s important.
2
Jack
Bluey’s Enthusiastic And Sensitive Classmate
The introduction of Jack Russell was an important moment for Bluey, as he acts as a stand-in for kids with ADHD. While it’s never explicitly labeled, Jack specifically lists out symptoms of ADHD when he’s introduced in “Army”, and it’s implied that the entire reason he came to the Glasshouse Primary School was because he was having trouble learning in a more traditional educational environment.
Seeing Jack thrive and overcome some of the issues he struggles with, like inability to follow directions or remember details, is both heartwarming and inspirational. Jack is always willing to dive into a game with both feet, and he’s both charismatic and kind to those around him. He’s been given a more elevated role as a supporting character, but a lot of it has been dependent on Rusty so far, so it would be fun to see a follow-up on Jack’s self-narrated episode with something similar.
1
Uncle Rad and Aunt Frisky
Bluey’s Now-Married Uncle And Fairy Godmother
Rad and Frisky got married in the now-famous extended episode of Bluey, “The Sign”. Rad is Bandit’s older brother, while Frisky is Chilli’s best friend since at least high school, and Bluey’s godmother. The two met formally while babysitting Bluey and Bingo, and their relationship grew from there. As it stands, they’re at an interesting crossroads of life, and can provide another perspective not yet seen in Bluey.
Rad and Frisky are in the pre-children stage, and can provide some entertaining and profound insight into what goes into making the decision to have children or not. For as much as the Heeler family is held up as the standard in Bluey, it could be great to see things from the perspective of a happy couple that simply chooses not to have their own kids, which is just as valid a life path. Rad and Frisky are also funny and have distinct (and sometimes clashing) personalities, so there is just a ton more to unpack with their characters .
Bluey
10/10
- Release Date
-
September 30, 2018
- Directors
-
Richard Jeffery, Joe Brumm
