SEASON 1 EPISODES 1 - 26
First half of the first season...
EP 1 THE DRAWING BADGE
For our first introduction to the Squirrels it's nice and easy going - It's raining outside so the Squirrels stay in and do drawing. Duggee draws himself in the same manner that we would like to see ourselves as parents; brave and intrepid - a hero to our kids (pretty buff too). The Squirrels have an alternative view of Duggee, which is one of love and big cuddles. Pretty apt for probably how our kids see us (mine at least) - not ripped, but cuddly...
EP 2 THE CAKE BADGE
I love cake. I would probably be like Happy and eat random cake, knowing it could make me ill (I have eaten ice cream off the floor before - don't judge me).
This is when we first meet the hippy rabbits - Happy ate their cake and he's pretty lucky not to be tripping his nuts off. Anyway, Duggee makes a carrot cake for everyone which is a safer bet when kids are involved.
EP 3 THE HAIR BADGE
Duggee has a stray hair on his noggin that won't just sit still, so the Squirrels give his hair a shampoo to help him find a new style.
Duggee gets a number of different hair styles, one of which is a hair style in tribute to one of the 20th century style icons - Homer Simpson. We even get a "D'oh" thrown in for good measure. The final haircut shown belongs to Alfalfa from The Little Rascals - a kids film from the mid 90s, which was a remake of a series from the 1930's... There could be other hair references but I'm not Fashion Forward enough to get them.
EP 4 THE SUMMER HOLIDAY BADGE
The Squirrels get a crash landing visit from Mawk the Goose, who is off on a summer holiday. he is woefully unprepared for his trip, so the Squirrels help him out and pack his bag for him. This sounds like our house when we go away. DuggeeMum is way ahead on the packing front.
EP 5 THE RESCUE BADGE
Enid the cat gets stuck up a tree after chasing Johnny, the wise guy mouse who buggers off to meet his mice buddies and go cruising down the autobahn (what). Duggee applies a bit of MacGyver nouse and builds a fire engine to rescue her. He wouldn't be out of place in the A-Team...
EP 6 THE SUPER SQUIRREL BADGE
There's loads to love in this episode - from to Roly's superhero name ("Steven!!!") to Betty's "in a minute minute minute!" which my eldest now keeps repeating when I want her to do something. And of course, there is the throwback to The Avengers - "Squirrel Squad - Assemble!" (I am a comic book geek too). Each character has their own special superpower - maybe it's just because they're both green but Happy reminds me of the Hulk... "Smash vs Splash!"
EP 7 THE JAM BADGE
Duggee and the squirrels decide to make jam, but their fruit gets stolen by Naughty Monkey. He takes it up to the top of a hill, and in the manner of someone who just wants to watch the world burn, throws it all back down again. The Squirrels jump over the fruit as it comes down the hill to electronic bleeps, and lo and behold they're in a game of Donkey Kong. Another example of the creators retro leanings - they're definitely 80s kids...
EP 8 THE TREASURE HUNT BADGE
The Squirrels find a map and go off on a treasure hunt. They expect to meet a sea monster and giant snake, and instead encounter meet Mr Crab and Worm along the way. Just goes to show that your monsters aren't necessarily as bad as you think they are!
EP 9 THE SCARECROW BADGE
Roly gets a bit psychotic in this one... Duggee plants corn but the crows want it instead. Whilst the Squirrels go and build a robo -super-scare-the-crap-out-of-us crow, Roly obsesses over the crows and watches for their every move. I'm sure this is from something else, but it has escaped me. Iin the end, the Squirrels stop tormeting the crows and turn the scarecrow into quite a swish bird house.
EP 10 THE FUNNY FACE BADGE
Whooooo's totem pole breaks, which puts the shaman owl in a bit of a funk. the Squirrels take it upon themselves to create her a new one. Nice little nod to Full Metal Jacket as Duggee trains the Squirrels to pull funny faces. A more appropriate chanting in this than the original film (Google it).
EP 11 THE BOUNCING BADGE
It's Tag's birthday!! Duggee has a special surprise for the Squirrels - a bouncy castle! This is our first meeting with Hedgley, the hedgehog who sounds like he wants a recording contract. His prickles threaten the bouncy fun, but he ends up saving the day.
EP 12 THE LEAF BADGE
More Hedgley!! This time, Duggee is trying to complete his leaf collection. The Squirrels get lost in the wood and hear a strange noise. They think it's a monster, but it turns out to be Hedgley, covered in leaves. Turns out he has the Rainbow leaf Duggee was looking for!
EP 13 THE OMELETTE BADGE
There's a lot in this one - it all started out so simply! The Squirrels want an omelette, but Happy breaks all the eggs. They go get some more eggs from the chickens, but they're all sat on their arses, watching Spanish TV. Turns out there's alot of unhealthy chickens who need a bit of exercise. Step in Hennie, who gives them an aerobics workout. Another throwback to the 80s, with the boombox, lycra work out gear and leg warmers - kind of an Olivia Newton John/Mad Lizzie vibe going on. The music fits it perfectly.
EP 14 THE FOOD GROWING BADGE
I love this episode - the Squirrels are all given a seed to plant and grow. They're encouraged to nurture their plan, and Happy takes it literally. He sits there and just talk talk talks to his plant, and he grows biggest strawberry in the world. I think the moral of the story here is when your kids are doing your head in with their chat, go and send them to talk the vegetables - they can put that hot air to good use.
EP 15 THE PADDLING POOL BADGE
Nice bit of lounge activity for and Duggee gets a bit bossy! It's a hot day and the Squirrels set up a paddling pool with the help of Ethel the Elephant. Everybody joins in the paddling pool fun (how big is this pool?!). Duggee sets himself up as the lifeguard, and takes all the fun out of it - no running, no bombing, no peeing. No fun.
EP 16 THE PAPER BOAT BADGE
Hilarious - The Squirrels help a literal army of ants cross a pond by making a paper boat. They make their way to the Ant barbecue, but oh no!! They forgot the ketchup! Rambo ant offers his services but Duggee has it covered. A great Sly Stallone impression, completely wasted on my kids. Sat there chuckling into my Rice Krispies like a loser.
EP 17 THE CASTLE BADGE
I've come to the conclusion early on that the mice are dicks (Norrie excepted). In this episode they lock poor Lord Fingal on the roof of his castle. The Squirrels think the castle is haunted but it's those pesky rodents. BTW is it just me or does Lord Fingal have a bit of the Billy Connolly about him?
EP 18 THE SHOW AND TELL BADGE
Show and tell used to drive me mad - my eldest would always have to take something to Nursery for show and tell, and we would have to coo, and make a fuss about it, whether it be a book, a rock, or a comb. So I understand Ladybird's worry that he wasn't that interesting. That being said, if you look closely enough, there is something interesting in everything, ladybirds, combs and all.
EP 19 THE ROCKING HORSE BADGE
Duggee finds his old rocking horse from when he was little. Unfortunately as time has passed, it's a bit knackered and falls apart. The Squirrels do a great restoration job and give Bucky a new lease of life. They all take turns in playing with Bucky in their own little imaginations. Happy is really sweet, and just wants to feed him as he's worked really hard for the others.
EP 20 THE GET WELL SOON BADGE
I love Chew Chew, she pretends to be so delicate but you know she could smash you if she needed to. She reminds me of a Linda La Hughes for some reason. In this episode, Norrie has the pox!! The Squirrels miss her and want to help her feel better. So they make her a card and go to take it to her. Along the way they meet various folk with ailments, including Chew Chew, Frog and a Caterpillar with a horrific cough. The Squirrels all take care of them on the way. Every time I hear Norrie's dad I crack up - it's a fantastic voice.
EP 21 THE HICCUP BADGE
Worm has hiccups, and they're contagious! The squirrels catch them and pass them on to everyone. Luckily, Duggee has the hiccup badge. He prescribes a glass of water (which to be honest has always worked for me too, but you have to neck it. As a sign of gratitude, worm gives them a bunch of flowers.
EP 22 THE MAZE BADGE
Duggee cleans out the workshop (reminds me, I need to the same thing). They take out all the boxes but duggee ends up being trapped in the boxes - he's in a maze! The squirrels try and find him, while Duggee just plays with the all the old junk. He's quite happy and has a little romcom with a couple of sock puppets, getting them to smooch whilst no-one is watching. Bit odd, but okay.
EP 23 THE RAIN DANCE BADGE
It's hot, and the plants need watering. But there's no water! Happy disappears into a little fantasy of where they could get water from, and the Squirrels realise they could do a rain dance. Despite Duggee's best efforts it doesn't, but as a team, they make it rain with their catchy tune. The youngest tries to copy this, but she hasn't made it rain yet.
EP 24 THE ACORN BADGE
It's autumn, and the gang collect acorns (because that's what squirrels do, duh).
They give them away to the animals in the forest, because well, that's what Squirrels do. The old deers are fantastic - two old women in the Les Dawson mold suspicious of farmers markets - "just because they're covered in muck doesn't make them organic!"
EP 25 THE BALLOON BADGE
It's Tino, the artistic mouse's birthday. The Squirrels are a bit reticent to speak to him because he can be a bit grumpy. This again proves my point that mice in Hey Duggee are dicks. The Squirrels give him some balloons to celebrate, and in the middle of a hissy fit Tino realises the balloons have lifted him into the air. Wouldn't you know, he starts to enjoy himself. Some people can take themselves quite seriously and forget to have fun. I include myself on this list. Sometimes you need your kids and a bit of imagination to relax again. It's not easy but it can be worth it.
EP 26 THE TINSEL BADGE
Festive Episode alert! Duggee is wrapping presents foe everyeone. The Squirrels realise the tree needs decorating, and as opposed to just lob everything onto it, they decorate and the whole clubhouse very carefully, with lights on everything, including Enid. The Sqiurrels go and give out presents to all, with a new bed for Enid, finishing on a sweet little Nativity tableau, with sheep, cows and three wise hens. Top marks too for having Duggee dressed as Santa!