G'day and welcome back! We are going to disassemble this robot! Let's start!
The episode starts with the scene of a very messy playroom, with the girls colouring and drawing on the floor. This mess is going to make it hard to find Mr Long Dog, but we'll see. A few questions: How do these kids have so many toys? How do you draw on the carpet and not on a hard surface? And...
How do you get your toys stuck in the bushes in your yard? It's beyond me.
Here I have circled where many of the toys are repeated in the scene. Possibly because the animators couldn't think what else to draw. Very interesting that they tried to fill up every space they could find on the frame. I'm not going to dissect everything in this scene, apart from...
A little trolley cart type thing. Seems like it's filled with art supplies for the girls to use. Notice the stickers on the side of the trays, meaning the girls got to decorate the trolley. Cute.
Seems like one of those sofas that you can get from Big W for kids. These things normal wear out quickly, surprisingly this one looks in good condition. Notice the colour scheme used, blue possibly because of Bluey and pink because....why not.
Let's continue...
"Alright, kids, time to tidy up."
"Awww mum!"
The expression on the kids' faces is just so perfect when Chilli tells them to tidy everything away. The shock on Bluey's face and the submissive face on Bingo is perfection.
"We don't like tidying." "There is no way around it I'm afraid." "Ughhh."
Even in this exchange, Bluey is the one doing the talking, with Bingo just nodding or groaning. Really expressing the personalities of the girls. Also, Chilli is holding a pot plant, again. What's it with this family and plants? I wonder how they will go about cleaning everything up...
"Hey Bingo, let's get daddy robot to do it." "Yeahhhh!" Again, like I have said this before in my previous dissections, the girls have obviously played this game before, and therefore they agreed on it so quickly. Notice that the drawings the girls are doing are really nothing, maybe to them it's a magical wonderland.
In this title card, we can see the sofa in full view. It does seem kind of worn out, I don't know. Notice the socks placed on it, even though we haven't seen any character wear them.
This is the first time we see the fridge open. Seems like there are only three shelves, with the bottom one being the tray box for fruits and vegetables. We can see an avocado and red capsicum on the top shelf.
It looks like Bandit is eating fried rice or something of that sort. How do you eat fried rice out of the fridge? Eww. Anyway, as soon as Bluey and Bingo walk in, he quickly packs it back into the fridge, trying to get as many bites as he can. Is he not supposed to eat it and that's why he panicked and packed it away? Seems like it.
"Heyy, daddy robot!" "Boop boop beep boop, yes master?" Bandit gets into character straight away, without complaining, maybe because he doesn't want the girls to question him over what he was eating or why.
"We need you to do something. Come with us to the playroom." "Yes, master." I think I can officially say this game has started.
"Wait, actually, carry us to the playroom." "Yes, master,"
It seems like Bluey is going to take this very far. She is probably going to work daddy robot to the max. Let's see.
"We have to robo-boogie there." "Yes, master."
Hmmm, robo-boogie? What does that mean?
Seems like robo-boogie is basically dancing. Bandit also makes some strange beatbox type vocals. Iview subtitles call it Melodic Beatbox Sounds.
"Daddy robot, we order you to tidy up the playroom" This scene is very cute and heartwarming. While bluey is ordering Bandit around, Bingo is quiet, she closes her eyes and rubs herself against Bandit's fur affectionately. It's just so wholesome and....awww it's just so cute.
"To serve my masters is the highest honour" "Teehee it's working!"
"Ahhh so relaxing" "Sooo relaxing"
Ahhh, spotted long dog. This one was easy; in plain sight.
That sofa looks very overly used, probably from some misuse too.
"Actually, Daddy Robot, we never want to tidy the playroom ever again." The conversation goes on with each other confirming the never again objective.
"Recalculating objectives." "Aahh, what are you doing Daddy Robot?" "Following masters orders" "Put us dowwn!" *Bingo giggle* "I love Daddy Robot!" The way Bingo giggles is so cute. Also, seems like Bandit is going to teach the kids a lesson through play. Let's see.
"Where are you taking us?" "To the wheelie bin." "What? Why?" "You two are the reasons playroom is always untidy. If I throw you in wheelie bin, playroom will always be tidy and then you will never have to tidy playroom ever again." "WHAT!" "It's a solid plan master!" A very solid plan if I do say so myself. Love how Bingo is holding on to Bluey's arm and is just enjoying the whole ordeal. Time to dissect this very long hallway...
Picture of a...tennis ball? Why though?
Draw, with a few ornaments on top. Most likely for decoration. The draw might contain a few quick-grab items, like tape or bandaids.
A portrait photo of Bandit and Chilli backpacking near some mountainous terrain. I wonder who took the photo...
I also want to note that they pass by four closed doors in the corridor. That's an awful lot of doors for a family of four. Wow, that rhymes. Anyway, the carpet in the hallway is also very long, stretching from one end to the other.
Oh god, those plants are EVERYWHERE. Looks like she's watering them with a...sprayer?
Hmmm. New room I see. Well, you know what time it is...
A shell integrated within the staircase. EVEN HERE THERE IS A PLANT!
Seems to be an upper-level mezzanine. Though that does look unsafe for little kids.
A tabletop type thing, with a record player? Why would you spin vinyl? Perhaps it's just for those rustic looks in the house?
Photos of the family members. We can see Bluey in one and perhaps Chilli in another. We can also see a shot of a beach.
Two doors lead to rooms that are located under the mezzanine level. I doubt they are bedrooms, maybe storage? I love how the cutout designs above the doors are shaped like bones.
The couch setup is very similar to the TV room we saw in Keepy Uppy. The orange colour scheme with the block footrest is the same, just in a different shape.
Looks like a HUGE fossil display. Probably the hard work of Bandit.
We can see that there is entry to the wrap-around verandah on this level, meaning that this is not the ground floor.
Uhhhh.
Let's continue with the episode, shall we?
"Quick, Mum, we need the sprayer." "Catch!" Hey Bluey, rule of thumb. Never expose machines to water. I'm warning ya.
"Beep boop, syntax error." Why does that remind me of my calculator? Anyway, the syntax error doesn't sound too good. Also, seems like I was wrong previously. We can see a staircase on the verandah, meaning this must be ground level.
"Please press play on tape." "He's malfunctioning!" Uhhh, Chilli, I'm pretty sure a four and six-year-old won't know what malfunctioning means. Bandit continues to act ridiculous as a broken robot. Love the fact that the girls are hiding behind the couch as if Bandit were to explode.
"Why was Daddy Robot throwing you in the wheelie bin?" "Oh...umm..well..." The way Bluey stumbles on the response to Chilli is showing how she knows that she is in the wrong. Chilli is instantly strapped into the game, playing as if she was there from the start.
"Must tidy up!" "Come here vacuum cleaner." "Ahhh, I'm not a vacuum cleaner!" "Yeah, Daddy Robot. She's not a vacuum cleaner." Funny, Bluey knows what to do when you become a vacuum. Bingo defending Bluey is so wholesome. Love the fact that Chilli picks up the potplant and moves it away, so it doesn't break or spill. This has probably happened before, so Chilli is not taking any chances.
"It's a Banjo!" Makes weird Banjo sounds. I guess Bluey is having a time of her life being tickled.
"Hey, that's my sister, not a banjo!" Wow Bingo, I never knew. Thanks for the heads-up!
Bandit lets go of Bluey and tell's Bingo that she is laundry that has escaped the laundry basket. Hmmm, doesn't seem like they have much laundry anyway...
I'm about to say it. IT'S A NEW ROOM! Time to get chopping.
That's a heck of a lot of laundry for a family that's uhhh...wears nothing.
If you're not going to wear the damn clothes, DON'T WASH THEM! It's a waste of water and energy.
If I can read correctly, that piece of paper says Steps, with numbered steps beneath it. Steps to work the washing machine? Who knows?
Washing powder?
Let's carry on...
"Oh no. A guinea pig has escaped." This doesn't sound good. Bandit has gone crazy.
Chilli is so dead.
"You have to push his nose to turn him off!" That seems to be made on the spot. Random. But logical.
Bandit enters what seems to be a sunroom, with Bluey following in with a smug look on her face.
Also,
Newwwwww Rooooooom.
Let's get into it, shall we?
What's it with this family and pot plants. Pot plants here, pot plants there. I guess it does make the house look pretty, but imagine the kids knocking those down every time they're playing?
The furniture does look a bit worn out. The couch cushions look like they've been used for one too many games of Neighbours. I'm assuming that's a wicker chair. Not the most comfortable thing in the world, but for a place like a sunroom, it does give the place an exotic atmosphere.
Worn old box + old book + candle that's probably been sitting there for the past 10 years unlit = Perfection.
But really, this room seems to be filled with old stuff.
It ain't a house with kids without every corner stuffed with papers with old drawings.
Enough of old antics, back to the episode!
"Look daddy robot, it's a mummy robot" Looooove is in the airrrr.
Robot love, that is. Ahem.
"You are the most beautiful robot I've ever seen" "You're too kind" At this point, the music changes to this almost dream-like, airy music with vocals. This scene does feel like bandit and Chilli are actually enjoying themselves.
"My name is Daddy robo-" Dances. Well, uhh, that was awkward. Chilli looks really mad, concerned, confused and happy at the same time. Bluey is nowhere to be seen anymore, along with Bingo. I wonder where they could be.
"That was a little odd" The things parents do for their kids. Also, if you listen close enough, you'll be able to hear crickets chirping ever so slightly in the background during the comedic silence after the music stops. The attention to detail in this show is outstanding.
"Please pretend that I didn't just do that" "It is hard to unsee something like that"
Notice when they speak, they use unnatural pauses and stuttering, to simulate the known robots the kids have probably have seen on Play School. (We all know Siri sounds much better than that haha).
Ah-ha! There are the kids. I'm surprised that we couldn't see the two rascals hiding behind a partly open couch. The wonders of animation.... Note that as the kids advance on the couch, you can hear it creaking and the ruffling sound of moving across cushions.
This also clarifies that Chilli is 'pretending to be a robot in the game, as she can clearly see the kids crouched behind Bandit. I think I know where this is going.
"Off me furry creatures!" "Touch his nose!" So yep. That's exactly what I thought would happen. Note that when Bluey and Bingo jumped towards Bandit, there was a slight whoosh sound. Loving the fact that Bingo just defies gravity in this scene.
"Cursed to depart having only just known your beauty" "Awww" The way Bandit and Chilli talk in this scene are not robotic at all. Perhaps they got lost in their own fantasy...
"Poor daddy robot" Aghh Bingo your cuteness is too much for me.
As you can tell, Bandit takes a big rip in this scene. While Chilli is horrified, Bluey is having a ball at this. Bingo is just....being Bingo I guess. I can smell that fart from here....
"Screwdriver" Ahh, the wonders of imagination.
"Please fix him" "I'll try my best. These circuits are badly damaged" "Awww" "It's strange though, Dady Robots don't usually go crazy like that" Bandit laughing trying to stay in character as Chilli 'fixes' him might be the best part so far in the episode. You can really see how connected Bingo and Bandit are, right from the beginning of the episode till now, she seems to keep sympathising with him. Bluey seems to be sad now after all the things that have happened.
Before we continue, time for some more dissecting.
Generic toy laptops turned into those heart reader thingys that you see in hospitals. BP machine? Is that it? I can't remember... What does make me wonder though is that the kids must have created this contraption after they got Bandit to lie down and get the 'operation' going.
That lamp is awfully big. Considering it's bigger than a trolley (which usually would carry a lamp) and that it's taller than the kids, I'm dying to know where the Heelers got this from. Perhaps, there's some lamp shop in Brisbane that sells these.
I seriously want to know what's the deal with this family and pot plants. It seems like they have almost every size they come in.
Pot plants aside, there's a tennis ball on the shelf, which I've heard is also a running gag like the long dog.
Lots of under little widgets on the shelf but I won't go too into too much detail with them.
Moving on.
"Well, actually, it's our fault" "We ordered Daddy Robot to tidy the playroom for us"
"And that's when he tried to throw you in the wheelie bin?" "Yeah" "Ok, I'll tell you a secret. Daddy Robot will always find the easiest way to do a job. Just. Like. Kids!"
The thing that takes the cake from this scene is Bandit smiling and laughing through this whole ordeal. He couldn't have been a happier dad. Finally, there's a game where he can lie down and not move around, especially after Hospitals. Notice how Bingo is having the time of her life while having a fun cuddle with her mum, while Bluey is kinda shooing it away. Another example of how Bingo is more of the 'soft-hearted' child than what Bluey is.
And here's another great example of the show doing its thing. It's taught a lesson to the kids (and the audience) in such a discreet way without mentioning it explicitly as many other shows do. The best way kids can learn something new is through play, and Bluey reinforces that so strongly that it's hard to miss the message.
"I hope he's ok" Uhhh, what's happening? By the way, when Bingo said that line, it felt like there was a reverb echo at the end as if she said it in a void. Maybe the black thing is a void... Maybe life is a simulation? Maybe... Ok, I'm gonna stop.
"Hello, Daddy Robot." "How are you feeling?"
Ohhh I get it now. It's a point of view shot from Band- I mean, Daddy Robot. Just loving the fact that Bluey is having a great time smiling, while Bingo looks genuinely worried. Also, the background shows the sun in its final stages before setting down. So that means the game must have played out for maybe an hour or two since the first scene in this episode shows the sun setting, but not as far in as now. I'm also guessing they're on a verandah of some sort, as it seems to be no roof over their heads and a never-ending backyard behind them. That Brisbane scenery does look nice though...
"I dreamt I met a robot angel. Hello master, what are my orders" "Follow us" No Bandit, you didn't dream of a robot angel. You have one.
Bandit is talking back in his robotic voice, with a few beeps and boops here and there. The background is what grabs my attention. It could be the reflection of the sunset that's happening. Whatever it is, it's beautiful. That contraption (toy laptop on top of a small suitcase which has skipping ropes trailing from the bottom). was probably put there to 'monitor' Bandit. Also, is it just me, or do? Bingo's eyes look not in proportion. to her body? They seem too high up. Wait, wait, wait. Bandit is sitting down on that tiny stool. That means when he 'woke up', he was 'sleeping' sitting up? Perhaps that indicated that the game didn't last really long. That's already reinforced by the fact that the sun is still setting from the beginning of the episode till now.
I wonder where Bluey is gonna take him.
"Now sit down"
"Yes master"
"Now lie back"
"We order you to relax Daddy Robot."
"Usually you close your eyes"
As Bandit closes his eyes, he makes weird sounds that sound like the cooing of a pigeon. What I find weird is that when Bandit sat down, he didn't bend his knees because, well, robot's don't have joints like huma- I mean dogs. But when Bandit folds his arms behind his head, he is clearly moving his joints. They look almost tubular. We're also back into the messy playroom. It looks exactly how it did at the beginning of the episode.
"Hello again" "Cheese and crackers"
There seem to be another one of those mini soft sofa things. I guess one for Bluey and one for Bingo. Bandit is about to enter a whirlwind of flair with Chilli...
"You robot relax. We're going to tidy the playroom" "Come on Bingo"
Mission accomplished. Lesson learnt. Through play, of course.
"This feels like a robot dream"
"Well kiss me before you wake up"
After a quick Google search, I believe this line is taken out of a movie called Total Recall, which has a very similar backdrop to this scene, with the sun and all.
Smoochy kiss. Happy ending.
"Oooooooo!" Ah yes. The classic 'kids think kissing and anything romantic is funny' trope. I love how Bluey is just laughing and Bingo has those puppy dog please face eyes on her, as if she genuinely loves seeing the two snap a quick kiss.
This episode packs a real punch for sure, and it reveals a lot about the characters. Like I've said in previous dissections before, Bandit is the only father figure I've seen on TV that has such a unique true-to-life character while setting a somewhat realistic example for those who watch the show. Again, like Hospitals, this episode has a really 'show don't tell' message, with the message being displayed through play. The message is to always do your work wholly, and not take shortcuts. Because sometimes short cuts can lead to a long cut.
The Music
The music for this episode is composed by Joff Bush, the in-house composer for all Bluey episodes. But, this episode also has a second composer, David Barber. The music seems to be an original composition. Got nothing much to say about the music other than good work Ludo!
Finally
This episode has taught a great moral that other shows don't tend to tread close to. We are introduced to new sides of the characters. Talking about characters, our next dissection will be Shadowlands, so stay tuned for that.
And that brings us to the end of this dissection. Please subscribe below so you never miss a new dissection and comment on your thoughts on the dissection. Also, follow us on Twitter @BlueyDissects. The music section and editing for this article are done by my good friend, Dany. G'day and I'll catch you in the next dissection!