The Best Family Guy Episode of Each Season
Season 1: “Death Has a Shadow”
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Although “Family Guy’s” inaugural season went through your typical sitcom growing pains, the series’s pilot episode nevertheless gave us a great first impression of Quahog. In the first demonstration of his drunken buffoonery, Peter goes on welfare after falling asleep at his factory job and being fired. When he accidentally receives more money than he was supposed to, he, as expected, blows it all as quickly as possible. In addition to the Griffin family, the pilot introduces viewers to characters who’d become staples of the show, like Quagmire, Cleveland, and even the Kool-Aid Man. It’s also a testing ground for some of the series’s most popular gags, namely Stewie’s determination to kill Lois and, of course, MacFarlane’s propensity for cutaways.
Season 2: “Da Boom”
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Season 2 has plenty of classics, such as Brian and Stewie’s very first “Road to…” episode. But “Da Boom” set the bar high with its next-level comedic timing. Airing less than a week before the new millennium began, this episode hilariously captures the paranoia of Y2K by placing the Griffins in the midst of an apocalypse. Ever the optimist, Peter rallies his town’s survivors into starting anew, but makes a big error in judgment by naming himself Mayor for Life. Sure, the commentary’s dated, but questionable leadership is a topic that’s transcended the series. On top of that, it has one of the funniest endings of any episode, and kicked off Peter’s feud with Ernie the Giant Chicken with a bang. Literally.
Season 3: “The Thin White Line”
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If misuse of power was but a minor aspect of “Da Boom,” it’s the primary focus of “The Thin White Line.” This season premiere wouldn’t be the last time “Family Guy” addressed controversial issues head-on in its third outing, as this season also saw the show tackle southern conservatism in “To Love and Die in Dixie.” But when Brian begins to work with Joe as a detection dog for the police, it becomes one of the show’s more serious episodes after the Griffins’ anthropomorphic pet spirals into substance abuse. Brian, being more rational in early seasons, decides to get clean. But his struggle is a bittersweet reminder that even the most well-intentioned of us can have all-too-real problems.
Season 4: “PTV”
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By the mid-2000s, MacFarlane and his cohorts were no strangers to controversy for pushing the envelope of what a sitcom could portray. But rather than tone things down, they rebelled in full force with one big jab at censorship laws. In one of his wildest schemes, Peter starts his own TV network after the FCC goes too far with their censorship. Like most of his ideas, PTV ends up backfiring, but not before becoming a huge hit due to its racy and uncut material. You can tell just how much fun this episode was to create, as it’s arguably the most self-aware the show has ever gotten. And it proves that all you need to expose an unbeatable system is a show-stopping musical number.
Season 5: “Meet the Quagmires”
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Time travel has become an essential element of Brian and Stewie’s adventures, but the Season 5 finale sees Peter learning the ins and outs of the concept instead. After Death gives him the chance to be young and single for one more night, Peter blows off a date with Lois and unwittingly jeopardizes their relationship. Back in the present, Lois is now married to Quagmire and the Griffin kids are the spitting image of their “father.” Viewers were already aware of how much Peter inconveniences those around him. But seeing a future significantly better off without him leads to some surprising character development for the Griffin patriarch. It all adds up to a heartwarming conclusion when he vows to change and wins Lois back McFly-style.
Season 6: “Stewie Kills Lois” & “Lois Kills Stewie”
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“Family Guy’s” sixth season had another all-timer in “Blue Harvest,” the perfect launch point for the show’s endlessly clever “Star Wars” parody trilogy. But this double feature is required viewing for longtime fans, as we’re treated to a story several seasons in the making. When his parents go on vacation without him, Stewie has finally had enough and seemingly takes Lois out. Framing Peter for her death, his subsequent plan to become a tyrannical overlord is thwarted when Lois resurfaces and plots revenge. That the entire ordeal turns out to be a simulation is completely besides the point - this mother-son relationship is unlike any other, and to see it reach such an explosive crescendo makes for one of the show’s most oddly fulfilling moments.
Season 7: “I Dream of Jesus”
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Oh, have you not heard? When it comes to this episode, it was our understanding that everyone had heard. It’s a needle drop for the ages when Peter rediscovers his favorite song “Surfin’ Bird,” birthing one of the show’s most unpredictable running gags. From then on, we never quite knew if and when he would break into the annoyingly catchy song. But this episode is equally memorable for its other plot thread, in which Peter meets Jesus Christ and turns him into an overnight celebrity. We can’t imagine this episode went over too well with religious viewers. But commentary about the price of fame, some hysterical impressions, and a brilliant callback to “Office Space” all worked together to make this episode an Emmy contender.
Season 8: “Road to the Multiverse”
Whether it’s Peter’s quest to find the source of dirty jokes or a retelling of “The Empire Strikes Back,” Season 8 certainly takes the Griffins on many exciting adventures. But of all these journeys, Brian and Stewie’s trek through the multiverse represents some of “Family Guy’s” strongest and most imaginative storytelling. We all know Quahog was strange, but it’s comparatively normal next to the alternate versions the two travel to. The Disney universe, the universe where dogs rule, the one where everyone has two heads. It’s all so magical. Combining various animation styles with irresistible pop culture references, this episode dares you to take your eyes off it. It’s not only the highpoint of its season, but one of the show’s absolute best.
Season 9: “And Then There Were Fewer”
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This two-part premiere is a personal favorite of MacFarlane’s, and it’s just as thrilling to watch even when you know how it ends. When the residents of Quahog are invited to a soiree by James Woods, the bad blood between the actor and his guests turns red when the group is picked off one by one. “Family Guy” was destined to send up the whodunit genre at some point. But by replacing cutaways with startling twists, what unfolds is also a genuinely compelling mystery in its own right. The large pool of suspects gives each of the eclectic side characters a chance to shine, while the episode upends the series’s continuity by ensuring that those who die stay that way. Agatha Christie would’ve been proud!
Season 10: “Back to the Pilot”
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There’s no better way to celebrate a milestone like ten seasons than going back to where it all began. When Brian and Stewie travel back in time to the events of “Family Guy’s” first episode, no expense is spared as the episode makes fun of just how much the show has evolved. The rough animation, outdated cultural references, and Meg’s voice are all up for grabs as the writers go full meta. But this episode, more so than others, highlights the true dangers posed by altering the past, as Brian’s tampering with world events spells disaster for the present, sending them back AGAIN. And when other versions of the duo arrive to stop them, you know hilarity is sure to follow.
Season 11: “Yug Ylimaf”
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Sometimes, you have to wonder what it’s gonna take for Brian to stop messing with time. In his latest bit of self-aggrandizement, the narcissistic dog secretly uses Stewie’s time machine as a ploy for hookups. When he tries to cover his tracks, he once again sabotages the present by causing time to move backward. Conceptually, it’s an idea that big-time sci-fi masters like Christopher Nolan live for. But this is “Family Guy” we’re talking about, so you can rest assured that we get to relive some of the show’s most memorable moments in reverse. The stakes continue to ramp up as Stewie nears the reversal of his birth, but it’s not enough to stop the show from taking its trademark ridiculousness to a fitting eleven.
Season 12: “Christmas Guy”
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“Family Guy” isn’t a show concerned with fan service. But considering this holiday special was the most viewed episode of Season 12, suffice it to say the series had some making up to do after Brian’s unexpected passing. Sure, the whole thing was a glorified ratings stunt, but the fan-favorite dog’s return definitely gives viewers a reason to believe in Christmas miracles. Stewie isn’t the only character whose Christmas spirit is reawakened, however, as this episode also sees Carter Pewterschmidt being taught the true meaning of the holiday by his son-in-law Peter. Though he ultimately does so under threat, watching the show’s resident rich curmudgeon find the courage to bring back his town’s Christmas Carnival is just another joy in this world.
Season 13: “The Simpsons Guy”
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It’s a crossover we never knew we needed, but one we’re grateful to have nevertheless. When one of Peter’s ventures ends with the Griffins being chased out of Quahog, they stumble into Springfield, where they meet an assortment of strange-looking individuals. Chief among them are a man named Homer and his eccentric family of five. Sheesh, something feels familiar about this. While the laughs are mostly engineered from MacFarlane’s brand of humor, this episode completely owns the obvious similarities shared between “Family Guy” and “The Simpsons.” It’s a pleasure to see these two families interact, but it’s made all the more hilarious once Peter and Homer’s kinship turns to resentment, culminating in an epic showdown that’s sure to satisfy fans of both shows.
Season 14: “A Lot Going On Upstairs”
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For as many times as Peter and Lois have shown how much they love one another, their stubbornness can reach unbelievable heights. But you can be sure we’ll have a reason to laugh at them and occasionally with them. One of their more trivial feuds arises when Peter turns the attic into a man cave and regularly terrorizes the house with his friends. What brought about this new living arrangement, you ask? Well, Stewie’s struggling with nightmares. In yet another intriguing sci-fi premise that brings them together, Stewie enlists Brian to enter his mind and locate the source of his fears. On top of being visually enthralling, this episode provides even more affirmation that nothing compares to the love between a boy and his dog.
Season 15: “Chris Has Got a Date, Date, Date, Date, Date”
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When the middle Griffin sibling gets shot down for the homecoming dance, Stewie helps him record a viral video in which he asks Taylor Swift to be his date. To everyone’s surprise, she says yes, but the great night the two have is derailed when Chris finds out she used him as inspiration for more songs about bad relationships. While it’s delightful to see “Family Guy” lampoon pop music, it’s even more rewarding when Chris confronts Taylor and stands up for himself. He may not be the most disliked member of his family — sorry Meg — but Chris doesn’t always get his due in the spotlight. When he does, however, it only amplifies the valuable lessons he learns about life and himself.
Season 16: “Emmy-Winning Episode”
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Despite its consistent popularity among critics, “Family Guy’s” success hasn’t exactly lent itself to awards consideration. It’s a fact the writers are acutely aware of, as evidenced by the Season 16 opener, in which the Griffins parody several hit TV series from the last twenty years in order to win an Emmy. And they pull out all the stops. Peter impersonates the likes of Walter White and Tony Soprano, while cameos from Sofia Vergara, Tina Fey, and Aaron Sorkin, among others, only add to the utter outlandishness. While the Emmy board is unimpressed by their efforts, it’s a surprisingly thoughtful tribute to television and the uniqueness of adult animation. The icing on top is that not even this episode received an Emmy nomination.
Season 17: “Big Trouble in Little Quahog”
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Aside from their irresistible chemistry, it’s episodes like this that truly beg the question as to why Brian and Stewie don’t have a spin-off series of their own. Their one-of-a-kind escapades always give us a fresh perspective on the world around them, and that’s especially true once they’re shrunk down to microscopic size. Teaming up with a group of water bears led by Kyrie Irving’s Vernon, the two are forced to put aside the squabble that led to their shrinking in order to outrun a hungry pack of dust mites. Stewie’s bedroom has its fair share of surprises, of course, but we could never have guessed how much adventure could be found between the fibers of the carpet.
Season 18: “Peter & Lois’ Wedding”
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While “Meet the Quagmires” gave us a glimpse of the early days of Peter and Lois’s relationship, not much was made of their trip to the altar until deep into “Family Guy’s” run. When the power goes out at the Griffin household, Peter and Lois regale their family with the story of their wedding. And seeing as how it was the ‘90s, they cannot resist fudging a few details for the sake of parodying the decade and all of its trends. “Friends,” the birth of search engines, and the reality TV boom are all thrown into the line of fire, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. For a time long gone by, it feels as timeless as Peter and Lois’s love.
Season 19: “PeTerminator”
On top of being an ingenious homage to James Cameron’s “Terminator” franchise, “PeTerminator” demonstrates that “Family Guy” still has fresh ideas after more than twenty years on television. Brian and Stewie’s friendship is put to the ultimate test after their future selves send robots resembling their family back in time to kill them. Unlike the deadly serious stakes of Cameron’s films, however, the episode finds numerous ways to mock the two for how much trouble their petty behavior can cause. Not only that, but it also puts a clever spin on some of the show’s most popular gags while getting in a hilarious dig at a certain other animated show. As far as rewatchable episodes go, we’ll be back to this one in no time.
Season 20: “The Fatman Always Rings Twice”
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The show’s later seasons are at their best when leaning hard into parody, and few episodes embrace their trappings quite like this one. The film noir genre is torn a new one as this black-and-white episode finds Peter as a Prohibition-era private eye trying to solve a murder case. Like some of the show’s best send-ups, it doesn’t hesitate to satirize the more dated aspects of the classic detective story. But it also wears its love for the genre on its finely animated sleeve, as well. The self-aware historical humor will make you cringe in all the best ways, while the mystery will leave you guessing right until the final reveal. It’s everything that makes us glad “Family Guy” has no end in sight.
