Touching Bluey episode 'Stickbird' uncovers the truth about struggling dads

Fans have shared their theories about why Bandit is so sad in 'Stickbird' episode. 

Die-hard fans know that any Bluey episode comes with a hidden message for parents and kids. Now, a new episode titled 'Stickbird' has people trying to work out exactly what is going on in dad Bandit's mind. 

In the episode, the heeler family is enjoying a day out at the beach. Everyone appears to be lapping up the sunshine except for Bandit, who seems preoccupied with something.

As mum Chilli watches Bluey and Bingo attempting to throw a stick, she turns to Bandit to suggest he go and help the girls out. 

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Something is troubling Bandit in the episode 'Stickbird'. Image: ABC

Another hidden message in Bluey

But Bandit is so deep in his thoughts, he doesn't hear what Chilli has said.

"Let it go babe," she later tells him. 

"I’m trying to," he replies. 

But still, fans aren't told what could possibly be troubling the dad. 

The episode then moves on to show Bandit helping Bingo build a bird made from sand and a special stick, but when other children on the beach run past, they destroy Bingo's creation leaving her very angry and upset. 

It prompts a conversation over how to deal with sad feelings. 

The storyline over Bandit's own feelings has many fans trying to solve the mystery - and experts praising the creators of the animated series.

Poor Bandit is sad in the opening scenes of 'Stickbird'. Image: ABC

Author, psychologist and praised parenting expert, Steve Biddulph, shared a post in his Facebook community group 'Raising Girls' to highlight the episode and how it's important to put the spotlight on dad's mental health. 

"This new Bluey episode "Stickbird" is lovely as always, but there is a hint of shadow in the parents' world. There is a pivotal sentence - I think the amazing writers of the show might be saying something from the heart!" he wrote to his followers.

"See if you see the same thing? Or am I reading too much into it?"

Fans of the much-loved ABC series were keen to put their theories forward. 

"I loved the comment along the lines of 'When you put something beautiful out into the world it doesn't really belong to just you anymore'. That seemed to articulate the bittersweet agony of parenting - they are yours, but they aren't," one person proposed. 

 

"A lovely message about gathering up your ‘upset and angry’ and throwing it away," another suggested, referencing the ending of the episode. 

 

And another added: "My 9yo said that it's good that Bandit was able to use Bingo's way of letting his worries go because grownups need to remember to do that too. She got it," another added. 

 

RELATED: Gross Bluey prank kids are obsessed with

 

Source: Twitter

What's wrong with Bandit? 

But Steve's followers aren't the only ones who are trying to solve what exactly is bothering Bandit. Many claim it has something to do with his own dad, Bob. 

"Is this suggesting something is up? Either with him or ... his father... Bob?!" one fan tweeted. 

"Maybe it does have to do with a fight with Bob. Maybe Bob and Bandit really got into it and last left on bad terms," another shared on Reddit, adding: "Then Bob died and Bandit's angry at himself for blowing up in the first place, and with no closure from his dad, he's really beating himself up over it."

People on TikTok are also suggesting the message intended for the viewer doesn't have anything to do with what is making Bandit sad, but rather the message about letting things go. 

"When you put something beautiful out into the world, it's no longer yours really," Bandit is heard telling Bingo after their Stickbird was destroyed. 

According to Bluey creator Joe Brumm, who spoke about the episode in the Behind Bluey podcast, the line about putting something out into the world directly relates to how he and his co-creators felt when they released the series to the world and people had various opinions on it. 

Fans are convinced Bandit is worrying about his dad Bob. Image: ABC

RELATED: Bluey theory about Bandit’s dad Bob has fans tearing up

Viewers take away their own messages from Bluey

Meanwhile, others were completely fine with not knowing what is in fact wrong with Bandit.

The hidden messages in each episode and how viewers interpret them are what makes Bluey so speical, after all. 

"I liked that you don’t find out what Bandit was worried about, it seemed like a perfect viewer stand-in," one person shared online. 

"Spent a few minutes guessing what was eating at Bandit, then realised it might not be important to us. Great storytelling," another agreed. 

And another chimed in: "Bandit being sad isn’t supposed to be something we know about because it doesn’t matter, it’s just to show kids that adults can be sad too."

Amen to that! Thanks Bluey.

Originally published as Touching Bluey episode 'Stickbird' uncovers the truth about struggling dads