What the Blue’s Big City Adventure Can Teach us About Plot

When I was in preschool, I loved Blue’s Clues. I’m pretty sure I watched it almost every day. I was so excited when I got to have a full circle moment and watch Blue’s Big City Adventure with my preschooler. What I was not anticipating was just how much he would love the movie. I have since watched it at least ten times. So, while I’ll be watching this movie on repeat for the foreseeable future, I decided it’s a great opportunity to look at plot structure. 

Although I could have done without the eight, ninth, and tenth viewing of Blues Big City Adventure, the first seven viewings were pretty enjoyable. Despite being written for young children, it’s not a terrible watch for adults, and I believe that is due to a really well written plot.  A good plot can carry you through pretty far in the journey of a good story. If you’re building a story like you’re building a house,  the characters are the walls, the dialogue is the roof, and the descriptions are the windows. The plot is the foundation. Without it, nothing else works. 

I liken plot structure to music. As humans, we have an inherent idea of what a story should look like, just like we have an inherent ability to identify when a note is played out of tune. You may not be able to identify why it sounds bad, but you will know you don’t like it. The same is true for plot. A reader may not be able to identify why they dislike an ending, or felt unsatisfied by the plot, but they will know they don’t like the story. Once you learn to identify story beats in various plot structures you cannot unsee it.

For this analysis, I will use the Save the Cat story structure, a very popular structure for screen plays, but that is also used in novels. If you would like to learn more about the Save the Cat structure, you can read about it here..

The first beat is the Story's opening image. Josh wakes up at home and sings about his world view: 

“I was just having a wonderful dream. 

There was no limit to what we could be. 

And as I opened eyes

The first that I always say

Is that it’s gonna be a beautiful new day.”

Josh is in his comfort zone, surrounded by his friends who are supporting him in his dream of starring in a broadway show. 

The first 10% of a story is the setup. The character is shown in their “status quo” world, and their flaws (or the lessons they need to learn in the story) are established. Josh receives his letter from Rainbow Puppy (yes, her name is Rainbow Puppy) and is invited to audition for a musical. He sings the theme of the show “Dream big, work hard. I can make it if I really try!” But he gets nervous and struggles to finish his song. Despite his fear, Josh sets off for New York City with Blue. 

But, stories where everything goes right are boring. So, after he arrives in New York City, Josh realizes that forgot his Handy Dandy Notebook, and the address of his audition. This is the catalyst, the event that springs the story into action. Josh begins the debate beat - what will he do to overcome his adversity? He looks for his notebook, and ultimately resolves to play blues clues to figure out the location of his audition. 

This breaks the reader into act two, and launches the b story, the part of the story where the main lessons are learned. If the a story is Josh finding his handy dandy notebook, the b story is overcoming his stage fright. Josh is introduced to two performers (cameos by Ali Stroker and Taboo) who help prepare him for the big audition. Ali Stroker and Taboo are the b story story characters, characters whose purpose is to teach the main character the lessons they need to learn. 

This brings us to the midpoint, the place where the stakes go up for the character. They experience either a victory or defeat in their story. In this case Josh experiences a victory. He learns to find his song, and sings a huge, energetic number, “That’s My Song”. (Side note, my son demands a dance party every time this song comes on. It’s very catchy).

After this victory, Josh’s “bad guys” close in. In some cases, this is the actual villain of a story, however in many others these are metaphorical bad guys. Josh solves blues clues, and learns his audition is in a theater with rainbow curtains. That does not help narrow down the location for the cab driver, though.  Josh’s friends arrive with his handy dandy notebook with the address to the theater, but it’s too late. He missed his audition time. 

This leads to the beat usually called “the dark night of the soul.” All hope is lost, and Josh must cope with defeat. At the urging of his friends, he decides to perform his song anyway. But, he’s still nervous. He must “dig deep down” (another common beat) and remember the lessons he learned in the b Story. He sings his song, and his friends video tape it and broadcast it across New York City- landing him the part in the broadway show. 

The move concludes on a closing image, which usually mirrors the opening image. While the movie started with him waking up, he is now going to bed. He is back home with his friends, but having been forever changed by his experience in New York starring on Broadway. 

And there it is - a full breakdown of Blue’s City Adventure, which I am certain to watch at least five more times before my son moves on to another movie. Fortunately, there are plenty of catchy tunes and a story I enjoy following. 

Do you find plot structure and theory interesting? Or do you have a toddler in your life forcing you to watch their favorite stories on repeat? Leave a comment below!