Big Bird is invited to watch the sunrise with the adults, but Snuffy cannot attend due to not being awake at early hours. This leads the adults to dismiss Snuffy as imaginary once again, which proves to be enough for Big Bird who calls them out for not understanding the difference between real and imaginary, and this soon leads to some of them standing on his side.
Tropes present in this episode:
- An Aesop:
- The difference between what's real and imaginary is you can touch and see and feel real things while imaginary things only exist in your head.
- You have to believe someone when they say they saw something even though you haven't seen it yet.
- Armor-Piercing Question: Big Bird's call-out to the grownups starts with him asking them if they even know the difference between real and imaginary.
- Bittersweet Ending: The episode ends with Snuffy unseen by the grownups as per the norm, but on a good note, three of the adults have realized Big Bird is right and Maria has gotten some proof, and Big Bird is not alone anymore.
- Character Development: Normally whenever Snuffy is dismissed as imaginary by the adults, Big Bird is annoyed and swears he was telling the truth. But this episode really takes a toll on him; he has been dismissed so many times that he outright calls out everyone for not believing him, proving that all these dismissals have gotten to him way too far.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: After Big Bird returns and tells the adults that Snuffy cannot watch the sunrise with them, Olivia and Luis dismiss him as imaginary yet again. This proves to be enough for Big Bird who proceeds to call them out.Big Bird: Boy, you can't possibly imagine how tired I am of hearing that. For once and for all, don't you think, after all these six years of my life, I've learned the difference between what's real and what's imaginary? I know what's real! Why, what's real you can touch and see and hear and feel, outside of your head. But what's imaginary lives only inside your head. I mean, you can't really talk to an imaginary friend on the telephone, but you can talk to a real friend on the telephone! And that's what I! Just! Did! I say Mr. Snuffleupagus is real, and you should believe me!
- Rule of Symbolism: The sun rises moments after Gordon, Maria, and Linda side with Big Bird, not only marking the dawn of a new day as Olivia points out, but also the dawn of Big Bird finally being right for once.
- Shaming the Mob: Big Bird gives a really big one to the adults, having had enough of Snuffy being dismissed as imaginary, and shuns them for not believing him.
- Tranquil Fury: Big Bird barely raises his voice when calling out the adults for not believing him.
- Wham Episode: Two in a row. Big Bird has finally had enough of Snuffy being dismissed as imaginary despite never seeing him and calls out the adults for just that. His speech gets through to Gordon, Maria, and Linda, who side with him for the season.
- Wham Line: Following Big Bird's "The Reason You Suck" Speech given above, Gordon steps forward and says the words Big Bird has been waiting a long time to hear: "I believe you, Big Bird."
