Since 2018, the Australian animated seriesBlueyhas delighted both children and adults with its adorable humor and modern perspective on parenting. The preschool show follows the Heelers, afamily of anthropomorphized dogs comprised of six-year-old Bluey, her younger sister, Bingo, their mom, Chilli, and their dad, Bandit. Together they have fun using their imagination, come up with creative new games, and learn important life lessons. One of the best episodes of the series is season 3, episode 35, “Smoochy Kiss.” It’s a silly title with a silly premise, but one with an important message.
Though there’s been some controversy aroundBluey’s banned episodes, the show as a whole has been praised for its progressive tone, particularly around patriarch Bandit. Whereas the father figure inPeppa Pig, Daddy Pig is a stereotypical bumbling buffoon, Bandit is a deep, layered character. He’s patient with his kids and loves to play with them, and also takes on his fair share of the housework. However,Blueyseason 3, episode 35, “Smoochy Kiss” shows a different side to Bandit — and it’s something that every parent should see.
Bandit Sweats & Passes Gas, But Chilli Still Wants Her Smoochy Kiss From Him Anyway
At the start of “Smoochy Kiss,” Bluey and Bingo are dancing in the kitchen to their favorite song while Chilli does some light cleaning. When Bandit enters, Chilli goes in for a hello kiss, but the kids quickly intervene, pulling him away to keep him from Mum’s affections.They want their Dad all to themselves, which incites a game of “keep away” as Chilli chases them through the house in pursuit of a “smoochy kiss” from Bandit.
As Bingo and Bluey look for a place to hide Bandit from Chilli,they notice that their dad has sweaty armpits, which he casually shrugs off. With Mum hot on their trail, Bandit declares he has to use the toilet. Bingo stands guard outside while Bluey waits for Dad to finish, but when he comes out hopping on one food because he accidentally urinated on himself, Bluey is horrified — especially when she learns this isn’t the first time it’s happened. Bandit then washes his foot and uses Bluey’s shirt to dry it off, much to her shock and disgust.
After finishing up in the bathroom, Bandit passes gas in front of the girls. Finally having had enough, the kids switch from protecting Bandit from Chilli to protecting Mum from their Dad. They areshocked to learn that Chilli already knows about Bandit’s “gross” habits, and still wants to kiss him anyway. It turns out that Mum has a few nasty traits of her own, like bad breath. The episode ends with Mum and Dad getting their kiss, and the girls tell them they can “keep each other.” “Works for me,” both parents say, and smile lovingly at one another.
The message of “Smoochy Kiss” is stated right from the start, even if viewers don’t catch it at first. As Bluey dances in the kitchen, the song comes to a part she doesn’t like, so she stops dancing.Chilli tells her, “You got to take the good with the bad, kid,”a line that sets up the theme of the entire episode.
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Bandit’s increasingly gross habits start piling up until Bluey and Bingo change tactics to protect Mum from Dad instead, believing that Bandit’s crudeness is something that Chilli should want to stay away from. They are surprised to learn that Mum doesn’t care that Dad has sweaty pits, and Dad doesn’t care that Mom has bad breath from eating sardines. Despite these imperfections, their parents still want to be near each other, a fact that Bingo and Bluey can’t quite understand.
Though it is a hilarious episode,“Smoochy Kiss” also teaches kids what it truly means to have a romantic life partner. Taking the good with the bad is just part of being in a relationship, and even things that seem disgusting to a little kid are just a normal setback of being an adult. Though the idea of Dad and Mum still wanting to be affectionate with each other is lost on the Heeler kids by the end of the episode, the message still comes across in a very sweet way.
“Smoochy Kiss” Also Gives Parents A Forgiving Perspective
The Bluey Episode Shows That Sometimes Personal Care Takes A Backseat To Parents Loving Their Children
As many grown-ups already know, being a parent is about hard work and sacrifice. Sometimes the things they sacrifice are hygienic habits, like forgetting to put on deodorant or brush their teeth. It isn’t because they don’t think those things are important — it’s just that they get busy with other priorities, like taking care of their kids, cleaning the house, and going to work.Even if a parent has a partner alongside them to help out, it can still be a challenge to remember to take care of themselves.
Not only is “Smoochy Kiss” arelatableBlueyepisode for parents, but it also gives them permission to not be perfect. Sometimes grown-ups do a “fluffy” in front of their kids or their partner. Sometimes they don’t have time to take a shower. Sometimes they spill food on themselves and don’t notice until someone else points it out to them. What matters is that they love and care for their kids, and that they take time out to have fun and be there for them.
Other Bluey Episodes That Parents Need To See
“Baby Race”, “Onesies” & The Iconic “The Sign” Have Heartfelt Messages
With almost 200 episodes over three seasons, “Smoochy Kiss” is just one of many that parents don’t want to miss. Even adults who don’t have kids can relate toBlueywhile being massively entertained. Some of the highest-ratedBlueyepisodes are not only heartwarming and fun, they are also a few tear-jerkers in the mix as well.
IntheBlueyepisode“Baby Race,” we see a flashback of Chilli questioning her ability as a parentwhen other babies start walking before Bluey does. When a friend with several children stops by for a visit, she tells Chilli that she is “doing great,” moving the new mom to tears. It’s a moving episode that reassures parents not to be too hard on themselves, and it’s one of the best of the series.
A lot of people have fertility issues, and this episode is helpful in recognizing and sympathizing with them while offering a bit of hope.
Introduced in season 3, Chilli’s sister Brandy comes for a visit in the episode “Onesies.” The girls wonder why they haven’t seen her in years, and as the story unfolds, we learn that Brandy is unable to have children of her own. Although being around her sister’s kids is emotionally painful, Brandy comes to find joy in being an aunt, and in closeness with family. A lot of people have fertility issues, and this episode is helpful in recognizing and sympathizing with them while offering a bit of hope.
And finally, there’s “The Sign,” the episode that had both kids and adults reaching for the tissues. When Bandit gets a promotion, the Heelers have to sell the house and move to a new place. The news is especially hard on Bluey, who tries to remove the “For Sale” sign in front of the house. Although she tries to put on a brave face, Chilli eventually confesses that she doesn’t want to move, either. In the end, the memories the family have made together are just too strong, and they choose to stay.
There are just a small handful ofBlueyepisodes that parents should watch, with many more over the series' three-season span. Part of the reason for the show’s success is because of how well it portrays the mom and dad characters, Chilli and Bandit. Even some episodes feel made more for the parents than for the kids, yet watching the show together with the family enhances the experience for everyone.
Bluey
Cast
Bley is an Australian animated kids' show centered on a family of talking dogs. Bluey is a female Australian Blue Heeler Cattle Dog, and together with her sister Bingo, Mum, and Dad, Bluey always finds herself in the middle of an adventure.
