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The Croods: Family Tree - The Flopping of the Bullruses (S1E6)
Ugga has a secret - she's taking Eep to "flop with the bulrusses" - a fun and dangerous pastime Ugga enjoyed as a teen. Ugga's excitement fades when Hope invites herself and Dawn along.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 10.0 (1 votes) |
| Air Date | 2021-09-23 |
| Genres | Animation, Family, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y7 |
| Network(s) | Hulu, Peacock |
Storyline
Ugga reveals a secret from her teenage years to Eep: "flopping with the bulrusses," a thrilling and risky activity she once loved. Eager to share this special bonding experience with her daughter, Ugga plans a mother-daughter adventure that promises excitement and a glimpse into her wilder past. The activity involves interacting with large, unpredictable creatures called bulrusses, and Ugga's enthusiasm shows how much she values passing down this tradition to Eep.
The plan takes an unexpected turn when Hope learns about the outing and insists on joining, bringing Dawn along as well. What was meant to be an intimate moment between Ugga and Eep becomes a group activity, dampening Ugga's initial excitement. The episode explores the tension between Ugga's desire for one-on-one time with her daughter and the reality of blended family dynamics, where private moments often become shared experiences whether planned or not.
What kids learn
Children learn about the importance of sharing family traditions and how parents have their own histories and experiences from before they became parents. Ugga's willingness to share "flopping with the bulrusses" with Eep demonstrates how passing down activities and stories from one generation to the next strengthens family bonds and helps children understand their parents as real people with their own adventures and youth.
The episode also teaches kids about flexibility and adaptation when plans change unexpectedly. Ugga's disappointment when Hope and Dawn join the outing shows that it's natural to feel let down when something special becomes different than imagined, but the situation also models how to handle those feelings gracefully. Children see that sometimes the best moments come from unexpected circumstances, even when they're not what we originally planned.
Young viewers gain insight into blended family dynamics and the challenge of balancing different relationships. The episode illustrates that wanting one-on-one time with a parent is valid and normal, while also showing that including others doesn't necessarily diminish the value of an experience. Kids learn that compromise and open communication help navigate complex family situations where multiple people have different needs and expectations.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the 'flopping with the bulrusses' activity actually dangerous or just played for laughs? | The episode presents flopping with the bulrusses as genuinely risky, which is part of why Ugga finds it exciting and why it was a rebellious teenage activity for her. However, the danger is handled in the show's typical comedic, slapstick style appropriate for the animated format. The physical comedy and exaggerated prehistoric setting keep the tone light while still acknowledging that the characters are doing something adventurous and outside their normal routine. |
| How does the episode handle Ugga's disappointment about Hope joining? | Ugga's frustration when Hope invites herself and Dawn is portrayed honestly, showing that even adults feel disappointed when special plans change. The episode validates Ugga's desire for exclusive mother-daughter time while also exploring how she navigates the situation. This gives children a realistic model of processing disappointment and adapting to circumstances, showing that negative feelings are normal but don't have to ruin an experience entirely. |
| Does Eep take sides between her mother and Hope? | The episode focuses on Eep's position as someone caught between her biological mother's plans and her blended family reality. Rather than forcing Eep to choose sides, the story explores how she experiences the tension between Ugga and Hope. This reflects realistic blended family dynamics where children often find themselves navigating competing adult expectations and emotions without being responsible for resolving them. |
| What message does the episode send about mother-daughter bonding? | The episode emphasizes that meaningful mother-daughter connection comes from shared experiences and vulnerability, not just from being alone together. Ugga's willingness to share a piece of her past with Eep demonstrates how parents can connect with children by revealing their own youth and adventures. The story suggests that quality bonding happens through openness and shared adventure, even when circumstances aren't perfect or exactly as planned. |
| Is Hope portrayed as intrusive or does the episode show her perspective? | While Hope's self-invitation disrupts Ugga's plans, the episode presents her actions as coming from a genuine desire to be included rather than malicious intent. This nuanced approach helps children understand that conflicts in blended families often arise from different perspectives and needs rather than anyone being wrong. The story acknowledges both Ugga's valid desire for private time and Hope's equally valid wish to participate in family activities. |
Writing
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Directing
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| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Struggling to find their purpose on the Betterman farm, the Croods see an opportunity to prove their worth by harvesting Phil’s perilous (and sticky) bounceberries. |
| 1 | 2 | When Eep wants alone time with her new friend Dawn, Guy seeks a new friend of his own and finds an unlikely companion in Thunk. |
| 1 | 3 | When the Bettermans invite the Croods to join their family game night, two things become clear: Phil needs to win and Grug hates to lose. |
| 1 | 4 | After a crowverine gliding mishap, Dawn loses her confidence and tells Eep she's taking a break from adventures. Eep convinces Dawn to join her on one last adventure – climbing Grrr Mountain. |
| 1 | 5 | When Hope oversteps by trying to teach Sandy manners, Ugga gets her revenge by challenging Hope to do the impossible: civilize Thunk. |
| 1 | 6 | Ugga has a secret - she's taking Eep to "flop with the bulrusses" - a fun and dangerous pastime Ugga enjoyed as a teen. Ugga's excitement fades when Hope invites herself and Dawn along. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Bored of the viewing options on window, Thunk realizes what he’s been missing – real life drama! But when Thunk starts creating drama around the farm, the others set out to teach him a lesson. |
| 2 | 2 | Sandy is finally old enough to join Grug and Eep for the annual Daddy Daughter Day and Grug couldn’t be more excited. But when Sandy struggles to fit in with Grug and Eep’s traditions, Grug has second thoughts. |
| 2 | 3 | When Phil humiliates himself playing throw-go-nut with the punch monkeys, the Croods band together to help him regain his confidence. Unfortunately, Phil goes from confident to cocky and bets the farm on a game of throw-go-nut with the punch monkeys. |
| 2 | 4 | When Gran announces it’s time to choose a new Thunder Sisters Queen, Ugga assumes she’s got it in the bag. But after a series of challenges (the Thunder Games), it becomes clear Gran might not be ready to step down. |
| 2 | 5 | Guy is always surprising Eep with romantic gestures and Eep wants to return the favor. But when Guy proves impossible to surprise, Eep has to step up her game. |
| 2 | 6 | The Crood and Betterman parents have been struggling to get along – they’re so different! The two couple realize they need some time apart and decide to get away from the farm and each other. |
| 2 | 7 | While the parents are away, the kids are in charge of the tree house, but when the punch monkeys invade the house, the kids find themselves out of their element. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | Jealous of the Thunder Sisters, the men on the farm undergo a series of difficult initiation rituals to try and join the exclusive tribe of women. |
| 3 | 2 | Eep loves action and adventure - it's in her blood. But when Eep starts adventuring in her sleep, she has to try to find the cause of her new sleep walking to avoid ending up in dangerous situations. |
| 3 | 3 | After Thunk and Guy tell Eep and Dawn a campfire story of Gorgwatch, a hideous monster who roams the woods, the girls are terrified. |
| 3 | 4 | When Guy invents a primitive skateboard, Eep and Dawn have a blast trying new tricks. |
| 3 | 5 | When Phil learns no one on the farm thinks he's fun, he sets out to prove them all wrong... by building a crazy amusement park. |
| 3 | 6 | When Eep and Dawn find a stranded egg, they eagerly take it in as their new pet, but when they learn the egg is not what it seems, they have to return it before it becomes dangerous. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 | When Grug overhears Thunk accidentally call Phil "Dad", he tries to reconnect with Thunk by taking him to the natural spectacle known as "Big Shine." |
| 4 | 2 | When Phil invents a simple new game called ball-in-cup, everyone except Hope, can't stop playing it. But just when Hope thinks she's rid the farm of the game, she finds herself addicted to the game worst of all. |
| 4 | 3 | When Grug thinks his forehead looks too big in Ugga's family portrait, she strives to make the painting disappear. |
| 4 | 4 | When the adults exclude the kids from their adult-only cave, the kids make their own much cooler cave, soon making the adults want to switch caves. |
| 4 | 5 | When a freak lightning strike turns Thunk into a genius, Phil is thrilled to have someone likeminded on the farm, until the farm residents start asking Thunk for help with problems on the farm instead of him. |
| 4 | 6 | Tired of the farm's feud with the neighboring punch monkeys, Ugga arranges a punch summit where the Bettermans and Croods will stay in the punch monkey village to learn how to all get along. |
| 4 | 7 | When Phil detects a meteor is hurtling towards the farm, the Bettermans and Croods must decide how to spend their last day on earth. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 | When the Croods find a man frozen in a block of ice, they thaw him and discover he was an old flame of Gran's! |
| 5 | 2 | Determined for Grug and Guy to bond, Eep plans a hunt for the three of them. But when Eep sneakily makes it appear that Guy saved Grug from a charging bearacuda, the two believe Guy is a master hunter, and head to hunt a dangerous scorpulion. |
| 5 | 3 | When Grug saves Hope's life during a dangerous mountainside tartichoke harvest, rather than feeling grateful, Hope is desperate to save Grug's life in order to not be indebted to him. |
| 5 | 4 | Determined to show Hope that she's just as good a cook, Ugga decides to cook a meal that will wow the farm residents. But when Ugga realizes she's out of her element, she turns to the punch monkeys for help. |
| 5 | 5 | When Hope allows Dawn to borrow her favorite bracelet, Dawn is determined to prove she is responsible. But when an accident leads to the bracelet being stuck in an Eegle's nest, Dawn, Eep, and Guy must retrieve the bracelet before Hope finds out. |
| 5 | 6 | Gran announces it's time for a Thunder Sister retreat at Camp Thunder to strengthen their team building skills, but Gran takes it too far when she puts the sisters through a dangerous trial. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 1 | When Phil's beloved stick companion Philliam goes missing, he enlists the help of Ugga and Eep who lead an investigation across the farm. |
| 6 | 2 | Each kid believes that they have the best pet on the farm, and hold a contest to prove it. Meanwhile, Phil's attempts to find a pet to enter proves dangerous, as he turns to wild animals. |
| 6 | 3 | The Croods and Bettermans take in Malachi, Gran's longtime enemy, until his broken wing heals. Eep is unsure whether or not Malachi can be trusted. |
| 6 | 4 | After a back-breaking day of farm chores, all Grug and Phil want is a slice of pie. But when there is only one slice left, both Grug and Phil argue that they deserve it more. To prove who works harder, Grug and Phil switch chores on the farm for a day. |
| 6 | 5 | Dawn is bummed when an injury prevents her from joining the Croods and Bettermans to a trip to Fizzy Falls, but when Thunk recruits her on his quest for an ancient stash of legendary snacks, Dawn can't resist joining the treasure hunt. |
| 6 | 6 | Believing he doesn't fit in on the farm, Chunky (aided by the other pets) leaves home to follow the distant call of another death cat. The kids set off to bring him back home. Note: Gran narrates the story. |
| 6 | 7 | Grug accidentally reveals a subterranean cave beneath the treehouse. When Phil can't convince Hope, Grug, and Ugga that the treehouse is more impressive than the new cave, he sets out to destroy the cave. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | Trained by her parents, Eep competes in Alphafight. But when Eep learns that a human winning could upset the balance of nature, she must choose between winning to make her parents proud, and losing to protect the other animals. |
| 7 | 2 | Phil and Guy try to disprove the Croods' belief that leaving offerings to the fire moon will prevent bad luck. But when their efforts seem to cause a series of mishaps, they'll have to retrieve the horn of a dangerous ramaconda to turn their luck around. |
| 7 | 3 | Upset that he can't grow a beard, Grug resorts to some unorthodox hair growth methods. But when Phil's experimental hair formula makes fur grow all over Grug's body, he flees to the woods to avoid the other farm residents' attempts to shave him. |
| 7 | 4 | An attempt to fix a broken vase leaves Guy and Hope stuck together with glue. Guy's ability to stay calm is tested when Phil is too busy to help, and the other farm residents also get stuck. |
| 7 | 5 | Terrible at hide-n-seek, Thunk asks Gran to teach him to hide. With her training, he soon becomes her partner in crime, helping her with heists and schemes. |
| 7 | 6 | Dawn hates her mother's beetballs and has been secretly dumping them in the lagoon to spare her feelings. But when the Bettermans (and Eep) go on an underwater expedition in the lagoon, Dawn must keep her family from discovering her secret. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | The kids take their "Dare Game" too far, causing Grug, Ugga, Phil and Hope to forbid them from playing it. But when the adults also get hooked on the game, the kids must convince them to stop before someone gets hurt. |
| 8 | 2 | Thunk goes missing after the Thunder Sisters dismiss his help during a battle. The Thunder Sisters, and Grug, Phil, and Guy's newly formed "Thunder Sifters" search on and off the farm for Thunk. |
| 8 | 3 | The Croods, Bettermans, and Guy compete in the Throw-Go-Bowl - an annual Throw-go-nut championship game against the punch monkeys. Grug's desire to win above all else threatens to push away his teammates. |
| 8 | 4 | Phil enlists the Croods to help him retrieve a rare fruit before some wild animals can. But when Grug doesn't trust Phil's methods of getting it back to the farm, the Croods and Bettermans compete with each other more than with they did with the animals. |
| 8 | 5 | When the parents find their precious outhouse destroyed, they perform a "trouble trial" to find the culprit. To prove their innocence, each kid provides their own explanation for the outhouse's destruction. |
| 8 | 6 | After a big argument between the Croods and Bettermans, the parents decide to separate the two families. Not wanting to split up, the kids try to convince the parents to make up before the Croods move off the farm entirely. |
| 8 | 7 | Hwam returns with news of a utopian cave community, accidentally reigniting the argument between the Croods and Bettermans. As the Croods journey to Caveana and the Bettermans adjust to life without them, the parents deny how much they miss each other. |
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