Bluey may be a children’s show, but adults are finding its beauty, and a recent episode had many viewers in tears.
The animated comedy is about a family of dogs that live in Australia, and it has the right balance of heart and humour that appeals to both children and parents. It’s so wonderful that spectators are tuning in even when no children are present.
The three seasons have so far followed Bluey, her mother Chilli, her father Bandit, and her sister Bingo, with the most recent episode, ‘Cricket,’ taking viewers on an unexpected emotional trip.
Near the start of the episode, Bluey says: ‘Cricket’s just about hitting a ball around the grass’, but her dad quickly interjects with: ‘Cricket’s about more than that, kid.’
This is clearly seen when we meet little Rusty, who has a strong interest in cricket. He’s always playing the sport, whether it’s in the background, in the park with pals, or on his alone. He also sleeps with a cricket bat!
Even the grownups in the series can’t seem to beat him, and they soon form a plan to beat him at the game, but his regular practise makes it impossible.
However, we later witness Rusty purposely destroy his hit in order for his little sister to grab the ball and take him out of the game. His father, who is gone in the army, has requested him to care after her.
‘That’s what cricket’s all about,’ Bandit remarks, leaving everyone with a knot in their throat.
Rusty’s determination is finally realised in the last scene when he goes out onto The Brisbane Cricket Ground, popularly known as Gabba Ground, to represent Australia.
The seven-minute gem has been hailed as a love letter to backyard cricket and a lesson to never give up on your aspirations.
The programme drew 563,000 viewers, which was higher than the World Test Championship Final between eventual winners Australia and India.
On The Grandstand Cricket Podcast, Australian player Ed Cowan described his response to the episode.
‘Honestly, I was bawling my eyes out.’
He continued: ‘If you’re a cricket fan, I don’t care how old you are, you have to watch this episode. And if you don’t have a tear in your eye at the end of the episode, I don’t even know if you’re human.’
Viewers created memes of themselves uncontrollably sobbing to express how they felt.
Watching that #bluey episode on backyard #cricket pic.twitter.com/QOH0l9XIvk
— Jason Ford (@TheFordFactor) June 14, 2023
six minutes into the Bluey cricket episode: haha this isn’t that emotional what is everyone on about
mere seconds later: pic.twitter.com/SvZoY2Nykt
— Brett Sprigg (@BrettSprigg) June 14, 2023
The Bluey episode ‘Cricket’ is the best 5 minutes of Television ever created.
Absolutely perfect storytelling. #bluey #cricket #aus pic.twitter.com/z9ZVC8BiAt
— HEAVY D 🍌 (@heavysided) June 14, 2023
Me, an idiot: Righto then, let's see what this Bluey cricket episode is all about. First time watching this show. Absolutely cannot be as emotionally tumultuous as all these old farts on Twitter make it seem.
Me seven minutes later, in tears: I will die for these beautiful dogs.
— Nick (@NickIBIS) June 12, 2023
The short story received a lot of attention.
‘The Bluey episode ‘Cricket’ is the best 5 minutes of Television ever created. Absolutely perfect storytelling.’
Another person hilariously recounted their change of heart.
‘Me, an idiot: Righto then, let’s see what this Bluey cricket episode is all about. First time watching this show. Absolutely cannot be as emotionally tumultuous as all these old farts on Twitter make it seem. Me seven minutes later, in tears: I will die for these beautiful dogs,’ they wrote.
So, if you’re going to catch up, make sure you have tissues and waterproof mascara on hand.
Bluey is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
