Ep 18. What is Blue Afraid of?

In the show Blue's Clues season 1 episode 18 titled "What is Blue Afraid of?," the beloved animated dog, Blue, becomes afraid of the shadows she sees in her house. The episode opens with Blue playing a game of hide-and-seek with her owner, Steve, when she suddenly sees a scary shadow that makes her jump and tremble. Steve tries to reassure her that there's nothing to be afraid of, but Blue remains scared and hides under the couch.

Steve decides to investigate Blue's fear of shadows and enlists the help of the viewer to solve the mystery. He introduces the "Thinking Chair," a special chair where he and the viewer sit down to think and look for clues. Steve asks the viewer if they've ever been afraid of something that wasn't really scary, like shadows or the dark, and encourages them to think about how they overcame their fear.

Steve and the viewer then embark on a journey to find clues that might help Blue overcome her fear of shadows. They visit several places, including the kitchen and the bathroom, and find various objects and shapes that cast shadows. Steve uses a flashlight to create different shadows and demonstrate that they are harmless.

As they gather clues, Steve and the viewer play a game of "Blue's Clues," where they have to spot three paw prints hidden in plain sight. The game is meant to teach kids observation and problem-solving skills, as they must pay close attention to the details in the environment.

Throughout the episode, Steve and Blue engage in several fun and interactive activities to help Blue overcome her fear of shadows. They dance to a catchy song called "I'm Really Scared," where they sing about their fears and encourage each other to be brave. They also play a game called "Shadow Play," where they make silly shadow puppets on the wall to show Blue that shadows can be fun and creative.

Finally, after gathering all the clues and playing various games, Steve and the viewer help Blue confront her fear of shadows. They sit with her in the Thinking Chair and talk about how shadows are just dark shapes that are made by objects blocking the light. They show her how to make shadow puppets with her paws and how to use her imagination to turn scary shadows into fun and interesting shapes.

In the end, Blue overcomes her fear of shadows and learns an important lesson about bravery and facing her fears. The episode teaches young viewers about fear and anxiety, and how to cope with these emotions in a healthy and positive way. It encourages kids to be curious, ask questions, and seek help when they need it.