Plenty of parents will attest to groaning and rolling their eyes when their child wants to watch TV, though there’s one show that both oldies and youngsters alike have been hooked by.
And that’s – an anthropomorphic dog from Australia and her adoring family that has taken the world by storm.
For those yet to see the show, the animated series centres on Blue Heeler pup Bluey and her family – dad Bandit, mum Chilli and younger sister Bingo – and has been embraced by both children and parents alike.
The show has smashed viewing figure records to become, with its recent third series pulling in an incredible 11 million viewers.
It’s well known for its as well as its that have left many parents in pieces – especially during .
But what are Bluey’s most weepy moments? Get your tissues ready – these are our top 10 picks of Bluey episodes that are sure to get the tears flowing.
10. Space
Straight in at number 10, we have the new season three episode Space.
In the 35th episode of the series, we see Mackenzie, Jack, and Rusty pretending to be astronauts on a mission to Mars, but during their journey, Mackenzie keeps going missing and no one knows why, not even Mackenzie.
The symbolism in Space, including a flashback that sees Mackenzie relive being left at kindergarten and feeling abandoned by his mom, has caused a debate between fans.
Some have suggested that it shows Mackenzie is suffering from depression and that is why he isolates himself during playtime, while others have said it seems the youngster is suffering from some form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that sees him revisit a traumatic memory.
Whichever is true, it’s hard not to feel watery-eyed as Jack and Rusty pull Mackenzie from the depths of darkness during their space mission.
9. Copycat
There aren’t many children’s shows that deal with the notion of death and grief, but of course Bluey does, and it does it perfectly.
Season one, episode 38 of the show, Copycat, begins with Bluey copying Bandit’s every move.
However, the game takes a serious turn when the duo discovers an injured budgie and have to make an emergency trip to the vet.
Our feathered friend doesn’t make it, and we see Bluey deal with the prospect of death for the first time as she reenacts the event during a game with Bingo.
It’s impossible not to feel your heart break for the youngster wrapping her head around such an adult concept, while also feeling it swell as she bravely comes out the other side.
8. Camping
Not every emotional Bluey moment will have you crying tears of sadness, there’s also lots of joy to be had.
One such moment occurs in season one, episode 43, camping, where the Heelers set up their tents for a camping holiday where Bluey meets French Canadian youngster Jean Luc.
While the pair cannot understand each other’s languages, they share common ground through play as they hunt for ‘Daddy Pig.’
Bluey is left downhearted when she wakes up for another day of fun only to find Jean Luc’s family has left, but we are treated to a glimpse of the future where Bluey returns to the campsite as a teenager and is reunited with her Black Labrador buddy.
7. Curry Quest
Bingo is the focus of our attention in season three, episode nine, Curry Quest.
The episode follows the youngest Heeler child and Bandit when they embark on a journey to swap curries at Mackenzie’s house and must brave a swooping magpie protecting its nest.
As always, that isn’t all there is to the story as we find out Bandit has been hiding something from the youngster – he will be working away from home for six weeks.
Bingo discovers how to be brave in her role as the quest’s hero, and the episode finishes on an emotional montage of the next six weeks as the magpie’s babies hatch, and Bingo is reunited with her dad at the airport.
6. Army
Another reunion where there won’t be a dry eye in the house comes in season two, episode 16, Army.
There’s plenty to get emotional about here, as the episode begins with kindergarten newcomer Jack, whom many fans have pointed out likely suffers from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) due to symptoms he notes in his narration.
On his first day at kindie, he is enlisted by Rusty to join his battalion as the youngsters become soldiers on a mission inspired by Rusty’s own father, currently away on deployment.
If their friendship isn’t enough to get you – Rusty’s father making a surprise return at the end sure will.
5. Flat Pack
This is where the tears really start to get flowing.
Bluey touches on the notion of death once more in the surprisingly deep season 2 episode 24, Flat Pack,
The seemingly innocuous episode sees Bluey and Bingo turn flatpack boxes into a whole new world while Chilli and Bandit struggle to assemble the furniture itself.
While that on its own probably won’t have the audience in tears, it is the symbolism of its final scenes that hit home as we see Bluey pretend to become a mother of her own and watch her own child head into adulthood.
The show tenderly depicts her passing as she heads to a heaven-like Utopia alongside her own parents as she watched her ‘daughter’ live on. Talk about pulling at the heartstrings.
4. Sleepytime
Another episode packed full of poignant symbolism is season two, episode 26, Sleepytime.
After reading a space-themed book before bed, we take a trip into Bingo’s dream as she and Floppy have an intergalactic adventure.
While the rest of her sleep-deprived family tries to navigate Bingo’s non-stop bedhopping, viewers are sure to be left in tears by the youngster’s visualisation of her beloved mum – the sun. A warm, welcoming light at the centre of her universe.
Much like Chilli, we’re sure many parents will want to crawl into bed and cuddle their little ones after this touching tale.
3. Grandad
Now into the top three and if you haven’t reached for the tissues yet, you’re bound to with these picks.
Grandad – season two, episode 27 – sees Bingo and Bluey visit their grandad, Chilli’s dad Mort, who she says should be resting.
However, he takes the kids on a madcap adventure into the bush with Chilli hot on their tails begging him to put his feet up.
Mort comes to the realisation that Chilli’s concern comes from care and she wants him to not only be around for his grandchildren but also for his daughter.
The episode ends with the two looking out over the lake as Mort is transported back in time as he sits next to Chilli, now the age of her own children, watching the water.
Mort’s final four words ‘No… it was yesterday.’ when Chilli says her childhood was a long time ago is sure to form a lump in the throat of any parent wishing the years would slow down as they watch their own little ones grow up.
2. Onesies
It has only been on Disney Plus for a few days and Onesies has shot straight into our number two position.
Onesies, season three, episode 31, sees Bluey and Bingo’s Aunt Brandy (who is voiced by Rose Byrne) come to visit.
As the youngsters fight over the ill-fitting onesies their aunt, Chilli’s sister, brings for them, Bluey asks her mum why it has been so long since they had seen her.
It is then Chilli makes the heartbreaking revelation that Brandy had dealt with infertility, and seeing the family unit was too painful for her.
The episode also confirms a fan theory from season two, episode 16, The Show, in which it is referenced that Chilli herself had suffered a miscarriage and that her own children are rainbow babies.
The hard-hitting subjects are handed with Bluey’s traditional care and empathy, and the love between the sisters is utterly heart-warming as they help each other through their grief.
1. Baby Race
Of course, how could any Bluey viewer talk about tear-jerking episodes without lauding Baby Race?
The season 2, episode 50 offering sees Mum reminisce about Bluey as a baby as she tells Bingo how her sister learned to walk.
The episode sees Chilli embark on a ‘baby race’ with infant Judo and her mum Wendy to see while child would hit their milestones first.
As Bluey trails behind her peers, Chilli questions herself as a parent and ultimately stops going to the baby group she had been attending.
Coco’s mum Bella swings by the Heeler household to say the words that Chilli, and every parent at home, needs to hear most – ‘you’re doing great.’
It’s true, as parents, many of us question if we’re failing our children and doing our best to help them get by in life. This episode addresses this fear of inadequacy in heartbreaking detail, with an uplifting ending that shows us all that we really are doing our best.
And if that doesn’t make you cry, Bluey’s first steps are sure to turn on the waterworks.
