Chilli is a devoted mother to her daughters Bluey and Bingo
"Remember, I'll always be here for you, even if you can't see me, because I love you. "
Chilli speaking to Bingo, "Sleepytime", Bluey
Chilli Heeler (played by Melanie Zanetti) is the wife of Bandit, the mother of Bluey and Bingo, and one of the main characters on the hit television show
Bluey. Chilli is a working mother who juggles holding down a job with raising her two little puppies. She has become a positive role model and an icon for modern motherhood. This article will discuss some of her most prominent episodes in seasons one to three of
Bluey.
1. Baby Race
Chilli felt a lot of pressure as a new mother
17 November 2020
Written by: Joe Brumm
"Baby Race" was the episode that I think made a lot of people really identify with Chilli as a character and appreciate her as a mother. The episode begins with Chilli reminiscing with Bluey and Bingo about what life was like when Bluey was a baby. After Bluey learnt to roll over first, Chilli was so proud and showed off to everyone. When Judo was the first to crawl, it became a baby race between the two mothers to see which child was going to walk first. When Bluey takes a long time to walk, Chilli becomes dejected and worries that she is failing as a mother. After some kind words of encouragement from a friend, Chilli realises that motherhood should not be a competition and that she should run her own race. Chill tells Bluey that she learnt to walk when she was ready. The episode ends with a flashback of Baby Bluey picking herself up and walking for the first time in the kitchen straight into Chilli's arms.
"Baby Race" is such a beautiful episode. The first time I saw this episode the ending almost had me in tears. Chilli's joy when Bluey walks for the first time is so relatable. Mothering can sometimes feel like the hardest job in the world.
2. Rain
Chilli and Bluey play together in the rain
8 December 2021
Written by: Joe Brumm
"Rain" has quickly become one of my favourite TV episodes. I put it on all the time because I find it so relaxing. When a heavy thunder roll rolls over the Heeler household, Bluey is utterly delighted. She runs around in circles catching rain drops on her tongue and splashes in puddles. When the gutters over flow, Bluey becomes determined to damn the water pooling in the front yard. This frustrates Chilli who would rather she come inside and stop mucking around in the dirt and getting wet. She puts towels down and grabs a mop and gestures for Bluey to come inside but her energetic little pup has other plans. She runs in and out of the house and grabs multiple things that she thinks will help her damn the water. Chilli eventually gives up on trying to keep Bluey dry and her house clean and decides to join her daughter in playing in the rain. I really relate to Chilli in this episode. I have two kids and also struggle to keep my house clean. When Chilli decides to give up on cleaning and join in the fun, I felt for her. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your sanity is to forget about keeping the house clean for a moment and to just let the kids have fun being messy.
3. Sheep Dog
Chilli emerges from her room after taking a short break from the children
2 December 2021
Written by: Joe Brumm
In the episode
"Sheep Dog" Chilli has been caring for the kids all day and has reached the end of her limit. When Bandit returns home, she tells him that dinner is in the slow cooker, and then asks him if he can look after the kids so she can have twenty minutes to herself. Bandit immediately understands and jumps in and offers to entertain the kids. Bluey is hurt that Chilli doesn't want to play with them and worries that she hurt her feelings or that she regrets having children. She dodges her dad's desperate efforts to keep her entertained and runs to find Chilli and asks if she is ok. Chilli comes out of her room and tells her that she is fine, she was just tired and needed a short break, because it can be exhausting raising two small children. Bluey understands and leaves her alone so she can continue having some much-deserved time for herself. What I like about this episode is how it addresses the fact that parenting can be exhausting. It is ok to take a break from your kids and carve out some alone time for yourself. It doesn't mean you regret having kids. It just means you need a little time alone to focus on your own needs. I like that Chilli was so up-front and honest with Bandit that she needed a break and that he supported her without question. I also liked that Chilli took the time to talk to Bluey and reassure her that she wasn't mad at her and didn't regret having children.
4. Sleepytime
Chilli is the bright star at the centre of Bingo's universe
11 April 2020
Written by: Joe Brumm
"Sleepytime" is largely considered to be one of the best episodes of
Bluey and has been called a "masterpiece" by critics. The episode begins with Chilli reading Bingo a bedtime story. Bingo is determined to do a big girl sleep and wake up in her own bed. Chilli tells her to do her best and that she will always be there if she needs her. Bingo falls asleep and has a dream where she hatches out of the Earth like it were an egg. Together with her favourite stuffed toy, she explores the cosmos, jumping from planet to planet. She feels cold so jumps on a comet and launches herself towards the centre of the solar system where she faces the sun. Bingo feels safe and warm. In her dream, Chilli is the bright warm sun at the centre of Bingo's universe.
"I have to go," she tells her.
"I'm a big girl now." The sun shines brightly and she hears a comforting, familiar voice.
"Remember," says Chilli, her words echoing from within the sun.
"I'll always be here for you, even if you can't see me, because I love you." The episode ends with Bingo waking up in her own bed. This episode will always be one of my favourites. It is just so beautiful. It shows what a deep and powerful connection Chilli and Bingo share.
5. Sticky Gecko
Chilli stresses that she and the kids are running late for a playdate
28 March 2020
Written by: Joe Brumm
In the episode
"Sticky Gecko" Mum needs to get Bluey and Bingo out of the door in time for a playdate but that involves doing a million things to get the kids ready and dragging them away from finishing their game of waiting for a rubber gecko to drop from the ceiling. Chilli's patience wears thin until she finally snaps and tells the kids they won't be going on the playdate. When Bluey asks what is wrong, Chilli explains why it is important they try and be on time for the playdate, because its polite to try and be on time for things. One of the things that I like about Chilli is that she isn't perfect. She loses her patience and her temper sometimes, which is what makes her relatable. A lot of people like this episode because it feels so true to life. It can be so hard to get kids ready and out the door on time. I like it that Chilli takes the time to explain to Bluey why she lost her temper and why it is important to try and be on time for things.
6. The Pool
Chilli's sensible thinking saves a family day at the pool from ending in disaster
22 October 2018
Written by: Joe Brumm
The episode
"The Pool" begins with the Heeler family sweltering during a heatwave. Bandit comes in and tells them that his brother Stripe called and said that they could use his pool while they were on holiday in Bali. Bandit and the kids are eager to get out the door and head straight to the pool. Chilli calls out to them and tells them not to just take the fun stuff to the pool but to bring the important stuff as well. Bandit and the kids roll their eyes and call her boring. I love Bandit as a character most of the time. I am not fond of him in this episode because I think he is childish and dismissive of Chilli and I don't like how he tries to get the kids to think she is boring and he is fun. I love it when everything blows up in Bandit's face and he realises that he should've listened to Chilli and brought all the pool supplies like a responsible parent. When Chilli turns up later at the pool all smiles and carrying the rest of the pool supplies, Bandit is relieved, and the kids rush to greet her. I like the lesson in this episode that Chilli wasn't nagging when she tried to get Bandit and the kids to bring all of the swim stuff and that they should listen to her more when she tries to tell them important things.
