My wife often accuses me of getting movies on Blu-Ray/DVD, and watching them once and then leaving them on a shelf to collect dust. In an effort to prove her wrong and to also at the same time annoy her, I’ve decided to watch every episode of Family Guy I own. And I own all of them on DVD. All 16 seasons. Plus the Stewie movie and the Star Wars Parodies. I will also review watch episode and share my thoughts here. Each article will most likely be a different length due to not knowing how many I will watch at any given time. I will be watching them in order as well so this should be really fun for me, not my wife.
Season 1, Episode 6 “The Son Also Draws”
Chris is in the Boy Scouts but has no interest in their activities, he would rather be an artist. After a disastrous soap box derby race, Chris is kicked out of the Scouts. Chris doesn’t care but Peter does and takes the family on a trip to New York City.
Along the way Peter need to use the bathroom and stops at a Native American casino. Lois who at first is against gambling soon becomes addicted. Lois losses the family car and the family is forced to figure out how to get their back. Peter eventually listens to Chris not wanting to be in Scouts with a little help from The Fonz.
“The Son Also Draws” has its moments but most of the episode just hums along. Peter having to use the bathroom and seeing a bunch of signs that remind him is funny, but the stuff with the Fonz is only mildly amusing. Plus, Stewie isn’t given much to do except see Carrot Top and make fun of him.
Grade: B-
Season 1 Episode 7 “Brian: Portrait of a Dog”
With Quahog in the midst of a heatwave, Peter enlists Brains help by entering him in a dog show so they can win $500 to buy a new air conditioner.
At the dog show Brian completes the obstacle course, but at the end Peter tries to force him to do a trick for a treat, Brian refuses causing a rift between Peter and him.
Later as Brian is walking home a Police Officer notices Brian doesn’t have a collar. The officer takes Brian home and gives Peter a $10 ticket. After another argument, Brian leaves the Griffins and becomes a drunk hobo.
Brian bites a person and is taken into custody as a crazed dog. Brian is sentenced to death and it’s up to Peter to save him.
It’s nice that Brian is given a chance to have an episode that features him. There are several great moments, from learning Brian’s “origin”, to his amazing rendition of a barbershop quartet. All in all a funny, solid episode.
Grade: B+
Season 2, Episode 1 “Peter, Peter Caviar Eater”
Lois comes from a wealthy family in Newport. Before she met Peter, she was a rich girl and Peter was a lowly towel boy. Lois was also the favorite of her Aunt Marguerite. When Marguerite visits the Griffins she immediately drops dead.
Marguerite leaves Lois her mansion Cherrywood Manor in Newport. Once there Lois learns Peter sold their house in Quahog and now plans to live in Newport.
Lois is against the idea and Peter at first doesn’t fit in. But with the help of Brian, Peter soon learns to be rich and snobby. Peter soon gets the hang of being in Newport and bids $100 million dollars on a vase, with no way to pay for it, Peter freaks out and must solve how to pay for his debt.
A truly great episode, with laugh out moments from almost all the cast, plus a great all out musical number makes this an endlessly rewatchable episode.
Grade: A+
Season 2, Episode 2 “Holy Crap”
Peter’s overly critical and religious father, Francis is retiring. After his retirement dinner Peter asks his father to live with him.
Peter tries unsuccessfully to get his father’s approval. Peter even gets Francis a job at Happy-Go-Lucky Toys, but Francis unimpressed with Peter’s work ethic, fires him. As a last ditch effort Peter kidnaps the Pope.
If it wasn’t for two great cut away gags, “Holy Crap” would be a total waste of 22 minutes. Francis isn’t funny and the whole episode feels forced. It’s Family Guy’s first true misfire.
Grade: D-
Season 2, Episode 3 “Da Boom”
Y2K is coming to Quahog! (Remember when that was a thing). Peter is terrified and tries to convince his family that they need to get in the basement.
It turns out that Peter was right, as nuclear bombs go off all around the world. The Griffins are saved because of Peter’s insistence they go into the basement. Peter has another idea, go to Natick where there is a Twinkie factory and they will have an unlimited supply of food.
Once there Stewie who fell into nuclear waste grows tentacles, Peter is the mayor of New Quahog, and the other characters a falling into their new roles as well. But if course Peter is too stupid to let a good thing last and is soon ousted as mayor.
Another classic episode, “Da Boom” is a hilarious, well written, well directed cartoon. Everything in this episode works. The first appearance of Ernie the Chicken, the first appearance of “Clevemire”or “Quagland”. The first time Quagmire says, “Heh, heh. Alright!” A winner in every sense of the word.
Grade: A+
Season 2, Episode 4 “Brian In Love”
Brian has a problem, he is peeing uncontrollably and blames Stewie. At first the Griffins believe its Stewie, but after an accident in a grocery store, Brian decides he needs to see a psychiatrist.
Brian learns that he is having a midlife crisis, but that’s not all. Brian also learns that he is in love with Lois. At Peter’s urging without knowing Brian is in love with Lois, Brian decides to admit his love to Lois. Lois rejects him but they stay close friends.
Another really solid episode. This is also the first episode with Mila Kunis as Meg. Kunis is much more adept at voiceover acting then Lacey Chabert. Kunis, without changing the character of Meg too much makes her funnier, and more sympathetic. Kunis’ comedic timing is also much more refined then Chabert. Chabert was just too straight for this show. Other standout moments involve Stewie with his character really starting to find his footing. Really fun episode.
Grade: B+