Psychologist explains hidden significance behind why dad in Adolescence throws blue paint over his van in final episode

Adolescence has topped charts since its debut on Netflix, but the prevalence of the colour blue has led to a psychologist to explain that it’s actually a hidden detail with a lot of meaning.

It has been over a week since the four-part limited TV series hit Netflix, which was written by Enola Holmes writer Jack Thorne and actor Stephen Graham, who also stars.

Adolescence focuses on 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is accused of the murder of his female classmate, Katie, and from there, everything unravels.

With subjects like misogyny, incels, the online 'manosphere', toxic masculinity and children's safety when it comes to the internet, the series tackled it all - and well.

So much so that viewers have got their magnifying glasses out in an attempt to break down the choices made in the series - like why did Jamie ask for his dad rather than his mum at the police station? Or what was the decision behind the potted plant in the final episode?

However, one thing that kept being brought up by fans of Adolescence is the fact that there is so much of the colour blue in the story.

So, why does blue show up so often? Well, according to psychologist Dannielle Haig, its got a lot of reason to be in the show.

The blue paint is a big deal (Netflix)

She explained to Tyla: “The colour blue is used extensively in Adolescence, and its presence is far from accidental. In colour psychology, blue often represents calmness, control, sadness, loyalty, and authority.

“It’s a colour with duality—it can be soothing, but also cold. It can signify protection and trust, but also emotional distance or repression.”

In one scene, Eddie (Graham) throws blue paint over his vandalised van after backlash from the community over his son’s crime, and according to Haig, ‘this is a striking moment’.

She further explained: “Blue paint, often seen as a neutral or calming colour, becomes an agent of erasure here. Eddie isn’t just covering up graffiti; he’s attempting to suppress shame and public judgment—literally painting over the stain of what’s happened.

“But blue doesn’t clean; it conceals. Psychologically, this speaks to the way people suppress trauma rather than process it. It’s a coping mechanism—temporary and surface-level.”

Other details that you might have missed includes the tear in Jamie’s wallpaper and his hand positioning making it look as though he is holding a knife when he is being arrested in his bed.

Then there’s the reason behind why Jamie never makes the crucial admission of guilt.

Blue is everywhere (Netflix)

In the third episode where Jamie sits down with psychologist Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty), Jamie's character begins to unravel and we're given a glimpse into his dark and violent nature.

Although this is something he later U-turns on in the final episode when he reveals his plans to plead guilty for Katie's murder, it’s still important to note why he never admits his guilt prior to that.

While Jamie doesn't admit to the crime at the time, he does say he 'didn’t do anything wrong' - something which the expert says is a 'crucial detail'.

"That phrase suggests Jamie has rationalised his actions in a way that allows him to avoid feeling guilt," Dannielle explained. "He might believe he was justified in what he did, or he may be struggling to differentiate between legal guilt and moral guilt.

"Perhaps he felt provoked, manipulated, or even that he had no other choice. This kind of thinking is not uncommon in adolescents who have been exposed to extremist viewpoints or who lack emotional maturity."