As a longtime fan of Family Guy, I can confidently say that this animated series has managed to consistently deliver hilarious and clever episodes that cater to both casual viewers and die-hard fans alike. One of my personal favorites is “And Then There Were Fewer” (S9, E1), which pays homage to the classic Agatha Christie whodunnits.
One of television’s longest-running and widely recognized animated series, Family Guy by Seth MacFarlane, borrows a familiar family structure like The Simpsons, yet consistently twists and turns it into unusual, unexpected, and frequently unanticipated scenarios.
In the town of Quahog, instead of Springfield, the show centers around the misadventures of Peter Griffin, a character known for underachievement (played by MacFarlane). His wife Lois, who has a feisty personality, also features (Alex Borstein plays her). The family includes their teenage children Meg and Chris (Mila Kunis and Seth Green respectively), as well as baby Stewie and pet dog Brian (both roles are handled by MacFarlane as well).
Absolutely, Family Guy isn’t your typical sitcom focused on everyday family life. Instead, it stands out with its absurd plotlines, humor derived from sudden cuts to unrelated scenes (cutaway gags), satire of popular culture, crude humor, and even the occasional intense backyard chicken brawl.
Similar to most television sitcoms that have run for over 20 seasons – a rare feat indeed – not every episode of Family Guy can be considered a timeless masterpiece; however, those episodes that truly shine continue to offer an entertaining and delightful viewing experience even after many years.
Here, we’ve carefully chosen some of our favorites for those considering a brief revisit on Disney Plus. Is your preferred one among them? Continue reading to discover!
15. Road to Rhode Island (S2, E13)
In the early stages of the show, we witness the formation of an extraordinary alliance between Brian, the Griffins’ intelligent canine, and Stewie, the mischievous baby with a genius mind. Throughout the series, they are often teamed up for various escapades, some of which are even included in this list. However, their initial collaboration holds a unique significance for long-time fans.
In a nod to the popular ‘Road to…’ comedies featuring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour, this episode finds Brian and Stewie finding themselves stranded in Palm Springs after they missed their flight to Quahog. Determined to find their way home, they embark on a hilarious detour filled with jokes, eventually leading them to one of Family Guy’s finest musical numbers (and there have been many).
14. The Thin White Line (S3, E1)
Academically inclined canine, Brian, engages in multiple ventures throughout the show’s duration, but none stand out quite like his short-lived role as a drug-detecting dog for Quahog’s law enforcement. Initially, this seemed like an intriguing career shift for him. However, things took a turn when, during a sensitive situation involving cocaine, Brian showed a bit too much enthusiasm with his sniffing skills.
In contrast to the usual tough cop shows that are common on TV, The Thin White Line, as seen in early Family Guy, offers a unique perspective. It’s one of the few two-part episodes in the show, with the narrative continuing into Brian Goes to Hollywood, where it concludes neatly and effectively.
13. Yug Ylimaf (S11, E4)
In one of Family Guy’s adventures with time travel, Yug Ylimaf witnesses Brian accidentally causing time to flow backward due to a mishap with Stewie’s invention. They quickly realize that this situation will ultimately erase their existence, turning it into a frantic struggle to correct the direction of time before it’s too late.
Just like the journey to Rhode Island, this episode thrives on the rapid-fire back-and-forth between Stewie and Brian, making the unlikely duo an engaging spectacle as they argue and freak out during another tense situation. The climax is quite explicit – to the point where it’s challenging to think of any other series daring enough to pull off such content.
12. Meet the Quagmires (S5, E18)
In this new adventure, we’re off on another journey through time! This time around, it’s Peter who finds himself in a pickle when he requests his long-time companion, Death (details to follow), to experience the bachelor life again – a choice he made decades ago to be with Lois. However, an evening spent inhabiting his younger self’s body alters history significantly, leading to a different reality where Lois ended up marrying the odd neighbor, Quagmire.
Prepare for an abundance of pop culture nods, with the initial tribute to Back to the Future being one of them. You’ll find some witty jokes targeting various celebrities, as well. The Jetsons make a bizarre appearance in a way you’ve never experienced before, and it’s quite unexpected yet yields an unanticipated outcome.
11. Emmy-Winning Episode (S16, E1)
As a passionate movie-goer putting pen to paper, let me share my perspective: This Emmy-winning episode serves as a witty nod to the television industry, hinting that Family Guy yearns for some long-overdue recognition. Despite being nominated four times in the Outstanding Animated Program category, our beloved show has yet to grab the golden statue. To make matters worse, by the time this episode graced our screens, it had been nine years since the series was even recognized by the nominations committee.
As a long-time fan of classic TV shows and someone who enjoys a good parody, I can’t help but be excited about this unconventional offering that pays homage to some of television’s most decorated comedies and dramas in a delightful way. Having watched “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” for years, I was immediately drawn to the similarity between this new production and the episode “The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award,” which aired four years ago. However, what sets this new piece apart is its unique execution that keeps it from feeling derivative. It’s refreshing to see such a clever take on classic TV tropes, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
10. Death is a B**ch (S2, E6)
Another gem from Family Guy’s early years, Death is a B**ch marks Peter Griffin’s first encounter with the Grim Reaper (voiced here by late comic Norm Macdonald), who attempts to claim him after he lies about his demise on an insurance form. Alas, Death sprains his ankle while chasing his intended victim – and it isn’t long before Peter is drafted as his substitute.
It’s remarkable how adaptable Family Guy is, making even an outlandish idea like this one fit seamlessly. The characterization of Death blends perfectly into this turbulent universe due to exceptional voice acting by Macdonald, who initially crafted the role superbly and then handed it over to Adam Carolla.
9. The Simpsons Guy (S13, E1)
As a fan, I must admit that many animation crossovers fail to meet the expectations set by their hype. However, “The Simpsons Guy” is an exception that truly delivers on its promise. It’s not rocket science to realize that Family Guy owes some debt to The Simpsons, as it has borrowed certain archetypes for its own family unit. This shared foundation provides a unique platform for insightful commentary in this crossover.
Absolutely, even someone like me who’s into nerdier things will enjoy watching the Griffins roam around Springfield. They’ll stop by familiar spots from the long-running show, which makes it feel like a heartfelt tribute to The Simpsons. It brings back some of their funniest, or at least most memorable, TV moments in quite some time.
8. Da Boom (S2, E3)
It’s even more amusing that Da Boom first aired on Boxing Day 1999, when people were worried about Y2K causing the end of our society as we knew it. In reality, the Y2K hysteria turned out to be nothing, but Family Guy’s portrayal of it remains a radioactive wasteland.
In this wild adventure, the Griffin family struggles to endure as civilization collapses, concocting a scheme centered around a local Twinkie factory. It’s intriguing how Twinkies keep showing up in post-apocalyptic tales (like Zombieland), which is unusual since it only happens twice – but still, it’s peculiar.
7. Stewie Kills Lois (S6, E5)
Following Brian’s claim that Stewie’s threats against Lois are groundless, the devious baby eventually initiates a scheme to eliminate his domineering mother – permanently. Despite occasional portrayals of Stewie as more compassionate and reasonable, there’s excitement in witnessing him revert back to his classic villainous character.
Enhancing the mystery, Stewie appears untouchable by suspicion due to his baby status, yet one might question how a child could commit such a horrific act? It seems the residents of Quahog are unaware of Stewie’s past exploits, as they remind us of the plot in Gone Girl – a storyline that was actually presented nearly five years prior. Could it be that Gillian Flynn appreciates Stewie’s antics?
6. PTV (S4, E14)
As a movie critic, I’d rephrase it like this:
For those unfamiliar with the complete background of the incident and its consequences, much of PTV’s impact might be lost on Gen Z and Zoomers. However, there are still numerous laughs to be had, demonstrating that Family Guy won’t shy away from being audacious in any circumstance.
5. Lois Kills Stewie (S6, E6)
As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, let me share my take on the sequel to “Stewie Kills Lois.” In this final chapter, the scenario flips as Lois, our beloved Griffin matriarch, orchestrates her revenge against little Stewie. Meanwhile, his reign of chaos escalates at an alarming rate. The climax unfolds in a fierce confrontation within the Oval Office, but does the episode truly live up to its titillating title?
Absolutely, the fact that Family Guy has had 16 more seasons with Stewie is a clear indication. However, the episode manages to wrap up in a delightful manner, mocking viewer expectations and anticipating any possible criticism. The two-part episodes “Stewie Kills Lois” and “Lois Kills Stewie” are definitely worth watching.
4. Blue Harvest (S6, E1)
It’s quite remarkable how Blue Harvest, Family Guy’s take on the original Star Wars movie, shines even more now that Disney controls the sci-fi series. Frankly, it’s hard to envision Disney allowing a production like this again – a humorously explicit Star Wars parody that’s officially licensed.
Following a power failure that took their cherished TV away, Peter finds no other option than to entertain his family with an ancient tale from a distant galaxy, Star Wars. Fans of Star Wars were particularly captivated by Blue Harverst, a production that was so well-received it led to two follow-ups retelling The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
3. Back to the Pilot (S10, E5)
One significant hurdle in any time-travel narrative is addressing paradoxes, and that’s exactly what Family Guy tackles boldly in “Back to the Pilot.” As the title implies, this zany tale follows Brian and Stewie as they journey back through time to revisit the events of the very first episode. It’s a great prelude to their chaotic escapade and definitely worth watching!
Stewie tries to avoid causing mischief, but Brian gets involved in tinkering, leading their usual storyline onto an unexpected path. This creative twist mirrors a format made famous by Back to the Future Part II, as they secretly navigate through familiar settings. These scenes offer nods to fans and insightful comments on how the show has grown throughout its long television run.
2. Road to the Multiverse (S8, E1)
In today’s cultural scene, the concept of multiverses might not be as trendy as it once was in 2009, but this particular show was truly a trailblazer when it first aired. It’s a whimsical, 20-minute journey filled with absurdity. This is another adventure starring Brian and Stewie, where they travel through different realities only to find themselves lost on their way home.
As a lifelong animation enthusiast who has spent countless hours delving into various cartoons ranging from Disney classics to adult-oriented shows like Robot Chicken, I must say that this episode is an absolute delight. It skillfully explores intriguing alternate histories, keeping me hooked with its clever blend of different animation styles. The love and effort put into the production design is evident at first glance, but it’s the solid script that truly sets this apart as one of Brian and Stewie’s best two-handers. I can appreciate the dedication to homaging various iconic animated series, and the results are nothing short of impressive. This episode serves as a testament to the power of creativity and imagination in animation, making it a must-watch for any fan of the genre.
1. And Then There Were Fewer (S9, E1)
If you’re fond of Agatha Christie mysteries, there’s a Family Guy episode tailored for you! In “And Then There Were Fewer,” various Quahog residents are invited to the secluded mansion of actor James Woods. A string of enigmatic murders ensues, and the guests endeavor to solve the case, knowing that the murderer is hiding among them.
As a longtime fan of Family Guy, I was absolutely captivated by the intricate and suspenseful plot of the recent episode written by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong. Having grown up with this show and its quirky humor, I found myself drawn into the unpredictable mystery that unfolded, leaving me on the edge of my seat. The longtime Family Guy scribe did an exceptional job crafting a tale that carries significant consequences for the series, making it a must-watch for any devoted fan.
Family Guy is available to stream on Disney Plus. Sign up to Disney Plus from £4.99 a month.
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2024-08-01 12:35