⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5)
Bluey has launched into the stratosphere, becoming a global phenomenon in the last six years. Its reach is now global, with Disney+, the British Broadcasting Corporation, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation all owning streaming rights for the show. The show’s simplicity lies in its ability to package a message that appeals to children and adults in seven minutes. It is a feat that shows how Thomas and Friends, Peppa Pig and Cocomelon, struggle to master. Bluey’s crafty story writers, underpinned by show’s creator Joe Brumm, take great pride in their careful word choice and its emotive music, helmed by composer Joff Bush (who also wrote music for Australian Survivor and The Strange Chores, among other TV shows and short films) bring to life the central themes in a powerful way.
The show’s latest episode, The Sign, is undoubtedly its masterpiece. Its 28-minute running length makes it four times longer than any episode made to date. What The Sign masterfully does is weave together clues from previous episodes (even from seasons before) with beautiful symbolism that all resolves in a fitting conclusion to Season Three. Children sit and watch attentively for the entire 28 minutes.
The latest episode focuses on the wedding of Bandit’s older brother, Radley, to Frisky, Bluey’s fairy godmother. When Uncle Stripe, Bandit’s younger brother, unadvisedly discloses to Frisky that Rad told him they would be moving “out west” for work after the wedding, she quickly calls off the wedding. Chilli, overhearing the conversation and knowing Frisky as well as she does, brings Bluey, Bingo and cousins Muffin and Socks on an adventure across Brisbane to find Frisky.
However, the happiness of the wedding is set against the anxiety of the Heelers who are selling their house because Bandit got a new job in a different city with more money. Nobody seems genuinely happy about the arrangement except for Bingo who does not understand what selling the house means. Will our favourite Heeler family be moving and how will this impact their family and the series? You will need to watch The Sign to discover the answers to these questions and more.
The Sign caps off what is undoubtedly the show’s best season to date and provides plenty of material for a fourth season, which has not yet been confirmed. Hopefully, Ludo renews it for a fourth season, and the magic and charm of Bluey continue unabated. Regardless, across three seasons of the show, the formula of great scriptwriting anchored in reality, emotive music that connects to childhood, and a show that remains true to traditional values proves to be the one that has the most success.
Reel Dialogue: God says, “I know” not “We’ll see”.
A guiding theme in The Sign revolves around the phrase “We’ll see” uttered by the farmer in Calypso’s story. “We’ll see” means that whether something turns out good or bad is yet to be determined. Still, everything will ultimately work out one way or another, sometimes for good and sometimes for bad, depending on chance, hard work, or good fortune. However, Christianity provides a different perspective.
The Bible tells us in Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.” Christians believe that, ultimately, God is the one who controls all things and who works all circumstances out in each person’s life, whether good or bad. God uses these events to bring all people a greater awareness of himself.
When you say "We'll see" to family, friends or yourself, what do you put your trust in when it comes to the future?
