The Controversial ‘Bluey’ One Letter Actually isn’t that bad

There are characters on TV shows that viewers hate, whether it’s for good reason or personal preference. The same goes for children’s entertainment, and that feeling persists even in a healthy way Bluey. If you were to make a ranking chart of the characters in this popular Australian children’s cartoon on Disney+, it is likely that a high percentage of fans would rank the two characters at the bottom – Muffin and Judo. We’ll save the Heelers’ Chow Chow for another day, but Bluey’s cousin Muffin is divisive among his audience.

Muffin’s fiery temper got him into funny situations, but it was also done Bluey his followers respect him. Brash, spoiled, and prone to anger, many have compared this member of the Heeler family to Angelica Pickles. The Rugrats. It’s easy to take Muffin at face value as a prima donna, but she’s another form of herself Bluey shows children and parents in a realistic light.

Despite her behavior, Muffin is a prime example of no child being unaffordable, holding an uncomfortable mirror to reveal some unpleasant truths about parenting, and it’s definitely worth a closer look at why she’s one of the best on the show.

Is Muffin Really a Brat?

Even after his first appearance in season one’s “BBQ,” Muffin was a natural mess. He is like a wild horse, which cannot be tamed no matter how hard anyone tries unless he takes the reins for him. There are many examples of Muffin’s heroic tendencies throughout the series, which makes it clear why this kid has such a hard time gaining fan support.

He was a bit of an argument with his older cousin in “Horsey Ride,” knowing it all when little sister Socks picked out Bluey’s special toy. The second season showed us how much Muffin is needed in “Charades” and “Library,” and he was just plain crazy in “Sleepover,” but there’s no need to suspect that except for Sleepover.

There is no shortage of episodes that show the negative aspects of this character, but most show him as a newborn who just loves to have fun. Muffin followed Bluey’s play pattern when it came time to defend their nail salon in “Stumpfest”, just like he did in “Backpackers.” She’s also well-behaved in the Christmas episodes, not related to Santa visiting their home, and being a good sister to her sibling, even helping the puppy catch an ice pop in “Charades.” Even in the third season of “Pizza Girls,” Muffin talked more about chaos than about disobedience and depression.

In which episode did Muffin get cute?

Muffin’s transformation takes place in season three’s “Faceytalk”, which is about the Heeler kids playing together on tablets. The episode opens with Bluey’s mother, Chilli, reminding Bluey not to take the screen off Bingo, “because we know what happens when you’re a pig.” While this may seem like a simple lesson, it falls into the deeper message of the episode as the plot progresses.

Muffin wants to finish drawing the hat on the Faceytalk screen before turning the tablet over to his little sister, Socks, and resists Stripe’s limit on his screen time. Meanwhile, Trixie has washed her hands of the situation because she’s “where she can be.” Remember, Muffin is almost four years old here and is testing the limits of what he can and can’t do. There is no malicious intent on his part as, in his mind, all Muffin wants is to rock his pink cowboy hat. Stripe interrupts his way to finish the job, but he has a hard time staying strong and following through. After Muffin runs off with Stripe’s phone, a chase through the house forces Trixie to get involved and leads to an argument with her husband instead of her unruly daughter.

“Faceytalk” isn’t just about Muffin’s problems with sharing, because the root of the problem starts with his parents. From the beginning, the couple had communication issues about how to handle their children and being on the same page with each other. In the final act of this episode, it all comes down to an event that forever changes what Muffin becomes.

A recurring theme in this story was “pressures,” and Stripe felt that Trixie held the children back when it came to discipline, and put her down, while Trixie felt that Stripe didn’t do things the way she wanted and therefore was subject to her decisions. Ultimately, the couple finds unity in their parenting, and in doing so, they start a cascade effect on Muffin that begins to see the character make some changes of her own.

Muffin Cupcake Heeler Redemption

A few episodes later, “Granny Mobile” brings us the third episode in the Granny series. This story marks Muffin’s first appearance since “Faceytalk,” and the difference in his personality is immediately apparent.

The Heelers, along with Muffin who joined them for playdate, visit their neighbor Doreen’s yard sale. After seeing a scooter for sale, the girls decide to play Grannies, with Muffin playing the role of Gladys “grouchy grandma.” After spending time as this character, Muffin tells Bluey that he doesn’t enjoy being gentle but isn’t sure how to play a different role.

As Doreen struggles to not be such a pushover during her yard sale, a real grandma shows up who wants to buy the scooter for half of its original value. Muffin, who has lost his old self enough to impress Daniel Day-Lewis, is back to being a real eye doctor, and he uses his Muffin powers to do good instead of bad, helping Doreen get four times the price of the car she’s asking for.

Muffin’s positive actions showed him that there was a time and a place for his authoritative voice, serving as a positive reassurance that it was still possible for him to follow the boundaries set by his parents while maintaining his inner self. If anything, Muffin proved that he can stand up for others the way he usually does, standing up for the voiceless in any situation. How this fulfillment will be used in future stories remains to be seen, but Muffin’s evolution is clear now, and the road ahead is starting to look a lot worse than his wild ride in “Sleepover.”

The Sweetest Muffin Ever

It’s important to remember that Muffin is only about four years old at the end of season three, so his emotional development is still in flux as he learns about boundaries. If his behavior was like an adult, it would be an alarm call, but this is normal for a preschooler.

Growing up outside of this stage will happen naturally with the mother and father raising their child together, and supporting each other. It will not be easy and there may be more tension as they look at things, but seeing how quickly Muffin changed in the third season, it shows that it is not too late to make positive changes that will improve their child’s attitude while improving communication with each other.

While some parents may fear that their children will imitate Muffin’s negative traits, or others may write that it’s “offensive,” watching someone like Muffin grow up on screen is important for both children and adults to see. It took time, but Muffin learns the consequences of his actions while his parents strive to become better at their jobs as caretakers. If there are two things Muffin has taught us, it’s that coconuts have water inside, and it’s never too late to make a change.

Bluey available at stream in the US on Disney+.