TVSquad

(S05E04) The ARMY, awwwww yeah. Finally, baseball is over and it can quit interfering with our television programs. It's been so long since a new Family Guy that this almost felt like a season premiere. The wait was worth it though, as they delivered the best episode of the young fifth season.

That was probably due in part to giving Stewie and Brian a big adventure. I always prefer their stories to those involving Peter. It's tricky with Peter. I think less is more. When they use Peter extensively, he can be grating. Tonight was just right. The Full Metal Jacket/Stripes angle for Stewie and Brian was great, right down to the Stripes music during the obstacle course. And Louis Gossett Jr. as Sergeant Angryman is a nice bit of casting.

Stewie is continuing down his strange gay road, inviting the gay soldier to join him and Brian, but as long as he's packing heat and shooting things, that's ok. The timing of that shooting was perfect. Just as I was thinking "the vaudeville guys again?" he mowed them down. We'll have to wait and see if they were serious when he said we won't be seeing them again. Here's hoping we don't, and that the guy in the chicken suit is next on the list. I also liked the lack of a gag gag. "Oop, no clip? Thought we had a clip." And it is comforting to know that when democracy kicks in we get bikini car washes. Everybody get out and vote.

The story with Chirs' band, Splashlog(?), had its moments as well. Insane Mickey Rooney was stupid, but stupid in the really funny way. Pooping in the chimney? Peter on the couch with Dr. Katz was a fun bit, as was the Madonna "posse" gag. The only part of the story I thought fell a little flat was Marylin Manson. I liked the setup, and his talk with Chris was funny, when it started, but it went on too long. It was like, they told the joke, we laughed at the joke, why are they still telling the joke? A minor complaint for an otherwise solid episode.

The Meg situation is a bit curious. I'm beginning to think that Peter's hatred of her is a reflection of the writers. It's as if they just have no idea what to do with her anymore. If they're out of actual stories, I'm ok with killing her off. It could make for a nice Lost spoof, or a "very special Blossom" parody. I mean, they had time for a Zinedine Zidane reference, but couldn't find anything for Mag? Although, the fact that Family Guy takes the time for a Zinedine Zidane reference is one of the things I love about the show.

Did everybody stick around to see Seth on The War At Home? I thought he did a nice job. He's not a bad actor at all, but it is strange to actually see him while hearing Brian's voice. Finally, as a head's up, there is supposed to be some kind of a Family Guy parody/spoof/skit on MadTV this week.