How This Became The Worst Episode Of Family Guy

Family Guy is one of the longest running animated shows in history. Along the likes of The Simpsons and South Park, it seems Family Guy is going to be a mainstay for many years to come. But throughout Family Guy's historic run, there have been a fair share of great episodes, and terrible episodes. We take a look at one of the all time worst episodes of Family Guy.
#familyguy #briangriffin #nerdstalgic
Written by Brian Long
Edited by Dan Smiley

[@Dan-cm9ow]

I always saw this as Seth McFarlanes symbolic exit from the show, he seems to have moved on to other projects and stopped putting his creative energy into Family Guy.

[@murderman8578]

He stopped after S5

[@TheHighFlys]

@@murderman8578 and it shows massively, his humor is what made early family guy what it was

[@ano_nym]

Pretty sure Entertain the Elk had that theory.

[@eksortso]

Exactly! He himself said that he's not been involved with writing the show since he went into movies. He still does the voices, but he's immersed in The Orville and its new challenges. Kind of like if Mel Blanc left Looney Tunes for a successful run on Star Trek.

[@mechajay3358]

He basically just does the voices now. He has no other involved in the show.

[@BrazenBull001]

The fact that somebody got a Brian RIP tattoo will always be hilarious

[@eileensnow6153]

I was just wondering about that person lol I hope they got it removed or covered up

[@garuelx8627]

In a way, the Brian we all knew and loved is dead. Replaced by a flanderized husk.

[@LivinLikeLarrry]

And it was absolutely massive 😂💀

[@meghandann3284]

My friend Matt got one on his ass 😂

[@UnwantedGhost1]

🤣

[@MisterSouji]

Theres an episode called "Dog Gone" where Stewie fakes Brians death to show Brian how much he means to the family, and its held much better than this episode.

[@Kinobambino]

Really? Wow that sounds like a good plot

[@okjeffy6581]

That episode aired 4 years before this, and it was also bad, but not as bad as this one.

[@thesnipingspider3852]

@@okjeffy6581 how was that bad. It’s Brian trying to force quagmire to like him the whole episode and then quagmire tells him off. Brian gets depressed and Stevie shows Brian that his life matters and everyone will miss him once he’s gone. It’s a great episode fuck you mean?

[@thesnipingspider3852]

@@Kinobambino it was a good episode

[@Glitchberry]

@@thesnipingspider3852 clearly your dumbass has never heard of "opinions" .-.

[@trinaq]

There seemed to be no point in even killing Brian off in the first place, if they were just going to replace him with Vinnie, THEN kill Vinnie off, and bring Brian back as if nothing had even happened. 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@marcsoren7]

Kinda feels like an Armin Tamzarian and Principal Skinner situation.

[@gabrielvermund]

They didn't kill him off. Unless I missed something.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

I’d love to see Vinny come back in a potential future episode, only for him to be killed off and run over by a runaway vehicle!

[@rockoorbe2002]

@@gabrielvermund I don't think they killed Vinnie off as much as they simply removed him from the series. Which I think it's actually worse. They disposed of him like garbage which is a shame as I did like Vinnie and he might have been a decent recurring character. Particularly with the untimely death of Vinnie's voice Tony Sirico it feels doubly bad.

[@dylanf3108]

They killed Vinny off as a panic move in response to the backlash they received for killing Brian.

[@bravelybeginner4967]

Bojack Horseman presents how you should let the death of a character have an impact on the other characters. *Free churro*

[@user-fm6no9el3f]

Bojack Horseman is the Megamind of adult cartoons. 'I wish there was an adult cartoon show that did x' Well what do you know, it's already in Bojack.

[@BMoney8600]

Exactly! Bojack Horseman is a god tier adult animated show!

[@LaLloronaVT]

Or herb or Sarah Lynn, like damn Bojack made death hit hard

[@Lee-lm2bn]

'Time's Arrow' and 'That's Too Much, Man!' broke me as a young adult. 😢

[@Mastermind4life]

@@user-fm6no9el3f clutch analogy, my man of culture.

[@iamjaiguy]

I really think that the torch that Family Guy once held is honestly carried on by American Dad. It embodies all the great character writing that Seth MacFarlane is surprisingly capable of while keeping the humor that made earlier season of Family Guy great.

[@onionbubs386]

iirc seth doesn't write for american dad anymore, just does the voices

[@fantasea114]

Yes! American Dad is fairly underrated I think. It’s never failed to make me laugh

[@kwayneboy1524]

That show is reaching it's peak

[@UncleDaniel]

the episode steve loses a arm, stan and francine get their brains penetrated in a asylum, stan cuts off haylees face off are all incredibly messed up.

[@thesnipingspider3852]

@@kwayneboy1524 season 16 was god awful imo

[@bassicallyandre]

I remember when this episode first came out. Some guy literally got a tribute tattoo of Brian on his arm. Can't imagine how stupid he felt after they brought him back.

[@sideways_chip_eater6420]

Even if he didn't get brought back that's a bit much for a fictional talking dog that's practically a self insert

[@Sly88Frye]

I remember when I first saw this episode back when it first aired. I did actually feel sad to see Brian die and they made it so dramatic in the hospital, but looking back at it now it almost just seemed like it really was just a publicity stunt. There was even an episode that came out I forget when I think it was like a season later and Brian just had literally not shown up in the episode at all and then there was like this banner at the bottom of the screen with a little icon of Brian and text saying "hey have you noticed that Brian hasn't appeared even once in this episode? Oh you haven't? Then what was all the fuss about us killing him off before?" Okay I don't think those were the exact words but it was basically along the lines of that.

[@eileensnow6153]

Oh yeah I remember that! It was something like “Hey guys, I bet you didn’t notice Brian isn’t in this episode. And you don’t miss him, do you? So what was the big deal when we killed him off?”

[@okjeffy6581]

I thought Brian was cute

[@skylar5257]

It was the episode when Cleveland became a therapist and they were headed to his old deli.

[@thesnipingspider3852]

@@eileensnow6153 that’s funny tho. Why are we mad at that

[@eileensnow6153]

@@thesnipingspider3852 because they played it straight when he was “dead” and then acted like we were silly for believing it. Technically it’s gaslighting lol

[@kazeryu4834]

This is why Gravity Falls is bittersweet for me. Sure I would love 100+ seasons…if the quality stayed. But 2 well made seasons might be a more realistic ask, even if it hurts to see the end

[@JXSH722]

💯

[@CeZealot]

Isn’t that a kids show?

[@JXSH722]

@@CeZealot and it still hits

[@kazeryu4834]

@@CeZealot sort of? It’s an all ages show but the best description I’ve heard is Disney meets Lovecraft

[@AarturoSc]

@@CeZealotIt’s surprisingly very good.

[@supermax64]

The start kinda makes sense, you need the time machine to be out of the picture to even do a death story in the first place. However the episode could have been done much better, and using time travel two episodes later to undo said death defeats the whole purpose.

[@SirNerdLeroy]

At least south park had a whole season where Kenny stayed dead. I knew they were going to bring Brian back the whole time, but I was just upset that we get Vinny for basically 2 full episodes. I saw his whole character as someone you can't really keep on for too long, but I assumed it would have been for at least 10 or so episodes until sometime around the finale. Make him likable enough for me to actually feel sad he's not on the show anymore.

[@MissDavids]

South Park I have always preferred. Family Guy can just rot now for all I care.

[@daniapfel2825]

Yep it’s the season 6

[@Wishmaster787]

@@MissDavids South Park hasn't been good for 11 years

[@MissDavids]

@@Wishmaster787 Still makes me laugh and I won't admit to any alleged "decline" because a lot of Family Guy and Simpsons fans are still standing by their shows. Fact.

[@MissDavids]

@@Wishmaster787 I also watch American Dad and Futurama.

[@FreakinSweet1987]

Saying the show's point of no return was in season 12 is pretty generous in my opinion. You briefly mentioned the season 4 return showing immediate signs of a downgrade which is the exact moment I feel like they lost their way. Between the animation getting worse, the cutaways existing to kill time, and the overall vibe being negative and mean-spirited, it was like watching a totally different show.

[@classarank7youtubeherokeyb63]

That was when it jumped the shark. It's not the rush of water as you realize the boat is sinking and cannot be saved, it's the thud you hear when it finally crashes onto the ocean floor.

[@Kinobambino]

@@classarank7youtubeherokeyb63 damn

[@brooza664]

Wow, and I stuck it out to season 20 (the last couple of seasons I was just slogging through it to end on a round number!)

[@okjeffy6581]

And GoAnimate is an even worse example

[@MissDavids]

Those are all reasons why and how I came to hate Family Guy.

[@DaimyoD0]

I wasn't watching at the time, but in hindsight, the first half of the episode where Brian dies being a time travel story probably should have been a bit of a tip off that it wasn't permanent lol

[@PC2000]

The time travel plot was what caused Stewie to destroy his time machine in the first place, which would prevent them from simply going back through time and bringing Brian back then and there. Of course, that wouldn't stop them from doing just that several episodes later.

[@DaimyoD0]

@@PC2000 I mean, Stewie built the time machine, right? So if he did it once, he should be able to do it again? Now I'll admit, there are a _ton_ of shows and movies that choose to ignore ideas like that for the sake of advancing the plot. Like when characters in horror movies make inhumanly stupid decisions and frustrate viewers, it wouldn't be the first show that I said "why doesn't he just rebuild the time machine?" and the show moves on without even attempting to provide an explanation for why that's no longer an option. But the fact a time machine was even involved in the first half, almost to the degree of it being a non-sequitur, like it should have been a completely unrelated episode, seems to ultimately imply something about the intention of the writers, not necessarily the in-universe limitations of the characters. On a show like Family Guy, if the writers want to bring Brian back, they'll find a way, they're not going to leave him dead because they can't find a way to write it into the story lol

[@immortalfrieza]

@@DaimyoD0 Considering that the entire family among other characters has died at some point or another they could've just brought Brian back without explanation and had it be fine. The reason they bothered to kill Brian then use the time machine to bring Brian back was to have a story for a few episodes.

[@kat_draws__]

I think it would’ve also been important to mention that Brian as a whole, also got ruined as a character prior to his “death”. LS Mark explains it PERFECTLY in that one video.

[@jpyanity443]

I can’t remember, did Brian’s death happen before or after he was cancelled and forced to move out?

[@alexallen126]

Brian has been ruined ever since he gave up on writing. He doesn’t care to be a scholar, he doesn’t care about anything anymore. He’s just stewie’s punching bag and gag relief. Similar to what Joe became

[@daniapfel2825]

Yep the title of the video of LS Mark is "How Family Guy killed Brian Griffin"

[@sinbad4696]

Brian's character was ruined when he started getting character development and how he was just way too expressive and more like a douche, he was better when he was smarter, and overall was just more calm as a character

[@daniapfel2825]

@@sinbad4696 I mean I guess that his character became like that when there is a season or he became awful. I only mean the old Brian worth better thatthe new Brian

[@kat_draws__]

I saw you guys accidentally upload this yesterday LOL

[@angeloson2250]

Me too I thought 🤔 I was dreaming when I searched it up

[@Nerdstalgic]

It was Friday ;)

[@anshumantripathy6766]

Me too

[@cade_olson]

“Is it better to love a show that is lost too soon?” **Spongebob Squarepants has entered the chat**

[@tylerhackner9731]

I can tell seths touch is gone and he’s moved on to other projects

[@nullakjg767]

seth hasnt worked on the how for over a decade dude. does anyone know anything about this show? lol

[@Finkelfunk]

@@nullakjg767 He voices like 70% of characters. Seth may not write all that many episodes anymore or get involved in the writing process, but you bet your left testicle he's still got a lot more say in the show than anyone else.

[@Kinobambino]

@@Finkelfunk He may have more say but doubt he says much anyway

[@Finkelfunk]

@@Kinobambino Never underestimate an artists willingness to step in when it comes to their craft.

[@daniapfel2825]

@@Finkelfunk Very good conseil my guy

[@Flickawho]

I just started rewatching the entire series… I cannot get over how funny this show used to be. About midway into season 4, you can tell the cutaways start to stop making sense with the plot of the episode more and more. And as a 37 year old who has followed this show and did the whole Adult Swim/DVD thing, it’s about guaranteed this is the episode (The Life of Brian) we all stopped caring about this show.

[@SchmergDergen]

Yeah, those first 4 seasons are amazing, for me it starts dipping at four. It’s still great but imagine if they continued in while cancelled and stayed in their groove. It’s funny when younger people talk about how good the show is and barely know the peak of the show.

[@thehoodedvagabum7375]

The episode where they needed to move south it's way more funny than everything dome after season 5.

[@SchmergDergen]

@@thehoodedvagabum7375 so good!

[@thesnipingspider3852]

@@SchmergDergen I mean I’m on season 11 and all I’m noticing is that the episodes follow 1 story arc not multiple random ones. I don’t notice any of the quality dropping so I’m confused tbh as to why people boycott it so much

[@SchmergDergen]

@@thesnipingspider3852 I don’t think they boycott it but they probably got tired of the worse quality. There’s a few hits here and there but the mean spiritedness and cutaway jokes that are way worse. Like what you like but I think late American Dad is way better than late era Family Guy.

[@victore8342]

The writers of Family Guy know exactly how to make an emotionally charged story based on well rounded and fleshed out characters. The episode "Stewie and Brian" (or was it "Brian and Stewie"?), where they're locked in the bank vault, manages to tell a great story and explore their friendship without the need for cutaways and non sequitur

[@olliegoria]

Oh, yeah! The episode where Stewie convinced Brian to eat his shit and give him an RJ! Great storytelling that one

[@victore8342]

@@olliegoria I mean, it's still Family Guy. It's not a daytime drama, it's an irreverent comedy, so you have to expect ridiculousness like that. But the point is, even that particular trope was used to push the plot forward, it wasn't just random garbage thrown in with the purpose of filling time

[@TheDeadjam421]

The Bank Vault episode is a top 10

[@TheMatrixofMeaning]

These people are impossible to please. They haven't developed and written for a hit tv show that lasted decades so take these complaints with a grain of salt. It's easy to tell someone else when they have strayed off course when you aren't the one steering the ship. Only advice Seth should listen to is from trey Parker, Matt stone, and Matt groening Who I don't think would disagree much with these comments lol

[@victore8342]

@@TheMatrixofMeaning Trey and Matt are GOATed, but I doubt they'd be willing to give Seth any advice 😅 they've made their views on Family Guy pretty clear

[@BiohazardEXTREME]

I was like "This sucks, but what a ballsy move". But when they backpedaled and brought Brian back, it just felt like a cowardly copout.

[@foxymetroid]

A cop out finished before the death even aired.

[@JasLamArr91]

I was actually kinda getting used to Vinnie honestly. I was interested in seeing how far they would take it. But it didn’t last long. Then Brian somehow became more of a douche when he came back.

[@daniapfel2825]

It’s because of the fans who wanted that Brian comes back and normally Brian has should stay dead

[@Vhs.dreams]

Vinnie was too boring and a unnecessary character. Brian is much better

[@foxymetroid]

@@daniapfel2825 Nope. Episodes take months to create, so his return was guaranteed before the episode where he died was even half complete. Seth MacFarlane admitted that his death and return was done to show people they shouldn't take things for granted. Even if fans demanded Brian stay dead, he was going to return because the storyboard was complete, the script was written, the dialogue was recorded, and most, if not all, of the frames were already drawn and colored.

[@unknownastroid_2240]

I’m so burned out on Brian’s jokes by now they make him boring .. Brian should have stayed dead I personally just don’t like him no fun in him and he just wants sex with humans.. seeing a dog do this in a show act like that is so unattended

[@foxymetroid]

@@unknownastroid_2240 Not just any humans. He specifically wants to screw the wife of his best friend who gave him a home. The whole family are d-bags, though, with Meg being the least terrible person.

[@rustyybucket4027]

What I love is the traction this episode brought when it first released. Articles online, petitions, mass outcrying and let’s not forget the tattoos. The tattoos that I know for a fact some people still have to today. Complete hysteria over a two episode story. Beautiful

[@hunterkiller1440]

When I first saw the episode, I knew they'd bring Brian back. It felt like it was trying so hard to make me feel sad and pathos to the point it was manipulative.

[@lordyoehann1817]

I knew he'd come back somehow too. If they really wanted to kill him off that would mean the show would end with it

[@olliegoria]

Family Guy never had the nuts to shake things up like that. Especially with how formulaic they had gotten by then, it would have been such drastic whiplash that everyone knew it wasn't real.

[@Makoto03]

I had stopped paying attention to Family Guy years before that episode aired but heard about it online. I immediately thought it was just a publicity stunt to boost fledgling ratings. They fact that they brought him back so soon pretty much cements that for me.

[@zachryder3150]

Releasing this video on the day of the new season's premiere was noticed by this viewer.

[@henryflores3602]

Wasn't it yesterday tho

[@zachryder3150]

@@henryflores3602 I'm in UTC+2 so probably, yes.

[@I.____.....__...__]

- 2:07 Lots of shows have been un-cancelled, this was hardly the first. Speaking of, _Futurama_ is back, again, again… - 4:17 The reason the episode started abruptly "media in res" like that is because six months before this, _Star Trek Into Darkness_ came out and did the same thing with the movie opening with Kirk and Spock running form random, unknown threats on that red-plant planet (which in turn was probably just a rip-off of _Raiders of the Lost Ark._ )

[@ronaldbeamon5564]

American Dad continues to get fresher...

[@silverblue73]

The 2nd worst show of all time, FG being the first

[@knight794]

@@silverblue73 why? You seem like you are hating it for hate sake

[@MissDavids]

I agree with Ronald here. American Dad is still watchable.

[@aaronvoxous7806]

So many people were talking about this stupid episode while failing to remember that every character had died multiple times. I don’t understand why this was a big deal. There is no consistent continuity in family guy.

[@grapeshot]

Yeah I got burnt out on this series after their first few seasons. The constant abuse and putting down of their daughter got old real quick with me.

[@briangriffinfamilyguyfan81]

The worst Family Guy episode I've watched was where Brian got kicked out of the Griffin's house because of a Tweet. I get what Seth MacFarlane was trying to do with that episode but it was pretty sad to watch ngl.

[@LekiStudios]

Didn't Seth stop writing family guy episodes around 2012?

[@bartonfarnsworth7690]

Yeah, I agree that was a pretty lame episode. It seemed almost like an attempt at doing social commentary in a style akin to South Park, but it really missed the mark

[@THO-BRO2000]

MacFarlane doesn't have (near) anything to do with the current story telling/writing. He only does the voice acting. Has been that way since 2011/12. That also explains why the show started going downhill from that moment onwards. It simply lost that magic touch. Flanderization and just simly bad story telling/writing has completely ruined the shows and the legacy of the characters..

[@MissDavids]

@@bartonfarnsworth7690 Family Guy will never live up to South Park in terms of "social commentary."

[@CavemanSynthesizer]

The worst episode of Family Guy is the next episode of Family Guy.

[@Ro321chile]

Me who has never seen any episode of family guy: Time to watch this

[@beargreen1]

Many shows change a lot over the years and after the golden seasons they have a lot of low points

[@thesuntitan]

I feel like most people that were angry at Brian’s death at the time just heard about it without watching the episode. The time travel plot setup is pretty on the nose. It’s not good by any means, but still pretty clear that he’s coming back

[@julianfigueroa6359]

Life of Brian was not even in my mind. Yes I was sad that Brian died, but at the same time the show was and is funny as hell. I love it

[@jibbo2622]

I know! I feel like all of the people in the comments just want family guy to be something it’s not. Just enjoy it for being funny and all the nonsensical cutaways. It doesn’t have to make sense… that’s what the shows all about

[@Magdalena8008s]

As much as I loved early Family Guy, I'm thankful Seth basically moved on to The Orville and is giving that his full attention.

[@thesnipingspider3852]

What eveb is that

[@MissDavids]

Watched all three seasons of The Orville so far and like what I saw. American Dad is one animated show by Seth MacFarlane I can still tolerate watching.

[@thesnipingspider3852]

@@MissDavids and American dad is slowly falling off too

[@MissDavids]

@@thesnipingspider3852 True or not, I won't admit it. I'm in denial. Remember, people still stand by later seasons of Family Guy and The Simpsons. Fact.

[@MissDavids]

I still believe South Park to be quality.

[@KattMurr]

I'll admit that episode made me very sad the first time I saw it...

[@Oxcymoron]

I always thought they brought Brian back due to the backlash. I remember the shows after his death not having a synopsis due the family guy team scrambling to take it back. I highly doubt Vinny was meant to be a short term character because it seemed like they really wanted switch up the Stevie/Brian dynamic

[@thesnipingspider3852]

They don’t write episodes weekly besides South Park. It wasn’t a scramble from the fans it was always intended

[@RetroTaylor94]

Episodes are planned out and produced over the course of several months, so it's pretty certain Vinny was meant as a 1 episode fill-in.

[@foxymetroid]

This isn't South Park, where do episodes are written, voiced, and animated I'm a matter of literal days. Family Guy, like most animated shows, takes months for each episode to create. Brian was always going to come back.

[@jamieoconnor1916]

Great video guys as always 👍 I love family guy and the simpsons but I think it's time to put both show to rest 😀

[@MissDavids]

I'm done with both Simpsons and Family Guy. Between the two, I remain more nostalgic for The Simpsons. Futurama and American Dad I can still stand to watch. They're more hated and underrated.

[@seymourpant]

Hell naw they kilt brain griftin… naw dog for real… 💀 spunch bop will never recover from this 💀

[@infinitedonuts9929]

ong bro 💀 preach dats wassup 💀

[@Sillylilgrill]

I can't believe this

[@Wpit2]

Personally i still love family guy. I watch it nearly every day. But this was a bad episode. But family guy is much like a bad pizza, even if it sucks I'll still eat it.

[@daniapfel2825]

You mean the new Family Guy

[@milktea6676]

It isn’t even the episode itself It’s what it represented

[@samuelcourliss8496]

The episode in south park where they kill Chef was equally scatterbrained but the death scene was strangely poignant, the echo from Kyle screaming "you bastards" and Stan saying "we love you" before he turns back across the bridge is genuinely sad.

[@NotxbossThexbot]

Showing colson from agents of shield was the perfect thing to do for that part, they killed him so many times and then just brought him back lol

[@MoebiusChungus]

I honestly don’t think this the worst episode of family guy. “Stewie Is Enceinte” was the first time I had no fun watching an episode of family guy, and actually legitimately hated the show. It truly felt like it was done completely on purpose as an attempt to end the show or atleast make people hate it enough to end it. While I agree that “The Life of Brian” wasn’t great but it wasn’t that bad considering this isn’t a show that usually takes itself that seriously. I had fun with Vinny and enjoyed having a break from the character of Brian. I personally think there a lot of episodes that are worst I so many ways. Family guy new season has shown me it’s still can be funny and is getting back to a bit more character focused stuff. The most recent Meg focused episodes of the last season was one of the funniest I’ve seen.

[@hannahveerkamp1097]

Yup. Felt the same way about the stewie pregnancy. It’s actually repulsive to watch

[@GrayMason1]

Although the show changes when it comes back and feels less story driven, i’m glad it did come back S5-7 have some great content

[@Xavier-do6ty]

I think season 8 has some great episodes in it, but after that is when it starts waning for me. I do like the murder mystery episode though.

[@gabenewell6998]

@@Xavier-do6ty Agreed. Then there was fewer, was arguably the last good episode Seth ever made for the show.

[@okjeffy6581]

Season 8 was the start of its downfall. I always found something off about the season. The characters just felt so empty.

[@Xavier-do6ty]

@@okjeffy6581 definitely do! But the beginning with episodes like Jerome is the New Black and Family Goy are very good I think. I'm assuming the writers change part way through, because it really feels different after a few episodes.

[@okjeffy6581]

@@Xavier-do6ty it somehow felt empty too. I don’t know how, but it just does.

[@l.salisbury1253]

The Number ONE rule of show biz is "leave 'em wanting more... NOT less!" Last night (9/25/22) saw the season openers of The Simpsons, Bob's Burger and Family Guy. The Simpsons characters are all now like fish-outta-water dealing with elements and situations that don't fit them. Even Bob's Burger (the newer kid on the block) seems to be running out of good ideas- last night's episode didn't cause me to laugh much. Since Family Guy was one of their parody episodes (not too bad but not that great either) it didn't really predict what the rest of the 22-23 will bring but the last few seasons weren't too memorable. Maybe Fox should retire everyone and focus on the under rated (but currently funnier than the others) Duncanville!

[@CZGFilms]

I think it’s time for Family Guy to end.

[@I.____.....__...__]

A _LOT_ of shows and franchises are _LONG_ past their expiry-dates but Hollywood won't let anything go so long as there's even a penny to milked from their cold, shriveled teats. 😒

[@robertisham5279]

@@I.____.....__...__ Sad but true

[@MissDavids]

Got that right. They just want to milk that cash cow to death. The Fox Network are not helping either.

[@jimmybarnett6393]

I think what truly makes this the worst episode(although not my least favorite) is the fact that they ignore so much of the past continuity of the series. Like okay, Stewie can't get get parts for his time machine, sounds reasonable at a glance, until you consider every other one of his inventions. Taking into account the episode "Brian and Stewie" where they became, or at least I felt became, true best friends, with Stewie even admitting to Brian that he cares about him more than anyone else, Stewie could have easily traveled to where the parts were and stolen them, he could have gone to a universe where the parts guy didnt get killed, he could have made a clone of Brian like in the episode "Quagmires Baby", although it would have been a temporary solution at worst, at best it could have been a permanent one if he applied himself in fixing the flaws that cause the clones to turn into goo. Like, to ignore all of that, and have Stewie just give up, is a slap in the face to the audience, and to the relationship Stewie and Brian have. He wouldn't just give up, he would go to any and all lengths to get his dog, his one and only best friend, back to life. Like, honestly, it's not really even anything else in the episode that bothers me, even though I wouldn't say I actively laughed or even enjoyed the rest of the episode, Vinny was cool while he was around, even with the stereotypical Italian shtick, he had some good moments. All in all, I can agree with the general consensus that this is one of, if not the worst, episode of family guy. Let's keep in mind though, there could be some people who liked the episode, or even have it as one of their favorites. I am not one of them, but it is a better episode at least than the one where Peter and Lois force Stewie into child acting.

[@BReynoldsLilPiff]

The episode where Stewie impregnates himself using Brian's DNA will always be infinitely worse.

[@Jamo-pq9qf]

One of my favorite Family Guy episodes ever happens to be one of the few ones with Vinny, “Into Harmony’s Way” when Peter and Quagmire become a songwriting duo. Shit is hilarious

[@Punmaster9001]

I remember my brother telling me about this episode before I watched it, he was talking about how stupid people were for both getting upset about Brian's death, and not realizing there was a bigger plan for the overall story. For instance, About 5 minutes in, Stewie mentions how he had traveled to the future, during christmas, to get the new toys coming out around that time, foreshadowing his chance to get ahold of his own time machine and set things back. It was subtle, but so many idiots were so butthurt over Brian's "death" that they didn't even think about this fact. I mean yeah, it doesn't change what the show has become, but they had it all figured out from the start and were just telling a story, and people overreacted to a cartoon character dying. 🙄 The whole three-episode saga was brilliant, but they didn't take into account how stupid the fan base is as a whole. As can be seen in the comments of this video 🙄

[@tubguinace]

I always thought they would spend at least one whole season with Vinny replacing Brian before bringing him back, doing it almost right away did nothing to shake up the core of the show

[@youjustlostthegame4418]

Relax it's gonna be okay just breathe

[@thesnipingspider3852]

@@tubguinace why would they completely change the formula

[@tubguinace]

@@thesnipingspider3852 Because it had already gotten stale at that point

[@foxymetroid]

@@thesnipingspider3852 To make Brian's fans beg for his return as well as to make his return more of a surprise.

[@GothPaoki]

There's no point in which i didn't believe Brian would come back a way or another. It was just a poor creative decision on the part of the writers and on a bad timing. I'm pretty sure if they were gonna kill him now no one would care given how much characters like him have declined.

[@daniapfel2825]

It’s the fault of writers it’s the of fans who wanted that Brian comes back

[@jeremyusreevu237]

The DHMIS episode on Death is a much better portrayal of death and moving on. It's not only more funny, mature, and subtle, but the character of Stain Edwards is a really interesting portrayal of how adding a third wheel will make you miss your gone friend even more.

[@csurname]

1:41 bad example of something Family Guy does that The Simpsons doesn't: the father character expressing glory then falling down a canyon with massive, continuous injuries

[@chrisd2051]

Honestly sitcoms have a shelf life of about 10-11 seasons (see Modern Family) after that there's no new jokes to tell.

[@gtaguy8791]

I'll admit that I don't like the episode, but I'll also admit the scene where Brian dies is a pretty good tear jerker, especially for me, and it's hard to get me to cry at sad stuff

[@olliegoria]

Must not be that hard, no offense. That episode came off more manipulative than anything, like it desperately wanted me to feel sad.

[@daniapfel2825]

@@olliegoria It’s not manipulative

[@MultiBeerme]

1:50 Family Guy was initially cancelled after it's first eight episodes in 1999. It was then brought back later that year, marking the start of season two. They cancelled Family Guy for the second time because of the episode "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein".

[@luckylol]

It was cancelled second time in 2002 due to low ratings. Wish Upon a Weinstein was a holdover special made in 2000 that was meant to air for season 2 but Fox decided not to. But Adult swim decided to air it to their network in 2003.

[@Mysticgamer]

There's one thing (among many others but this one especially) Brian was murdered . He wasn't hit by accident, the car could clearly see him in the middle of the road during broad daylight and even gunned it but, the car is never mentioned again. Neither Peter or Stevie vow to track down the killer nor do they tell Joe their next door neighbor who's a cop that Brian was killed by a hit and run driver. Instead of fooling around for ten minutes and getting a new dog, the could've been another murder mystery.

[@garuelx8627]

Would be an interesting twist if they reveal that the driver was a Future Brian killing his past self, but I doubt FG writers are capable of that kind of depth.

[@kevin10001]

For being as bad as the life of Brian is there is in my opinion a worse family guy episode season 4 episode 6 titled Petarded to me this episode fundamentally changed Peter and how people delt with him cause in the first 3 seasons and the 5 episodes of season 4 before this episode people on the show were willing to call Peter out on his antics but after the episode everyone just accepted Peter’s antics and essentially got to do whatever he wanted with no real consequences

[@rockoorbe2002]

A shame because what saved Family Guy was the pairing of Stewie and Bryan. Particularly when the episodes involved both traveling on Stewie's time machine and they gave the viewers an opportunity to learn about history and cultures while mercilessly mocking them at the same time. After killing Bryan they also became simply stereotypes. I would have said this was Family Guy's worst decision....... Then the Simpsons crossover happened.

[@uncertifiedmindelusiveshine]

See, i remember the first airing of this episode, they had basically teased before it something like “one of the griffins won’t make it through this episode” and left it a mystery, even if the episode was bad that feeling of suspense was wild

[@RealLaone]

7:20 "death is a powerful storytelling tool" beautiful🙏🏽😭

[@DaddyFutbol]

After it became all about Peter and being a jerk or painfully unfunny. Family Guy died after 5 seasons.

[@gennik7966]

Ive only seen the first 10 minutes on tik tok. didnt know whst this episode was actually about

[@VinceeWilliamsMagic]

What you said at the end, really spoke volumes. The show is a shell of what it used to be.

[@jaborsey_joseph]

I literally said this when they announced this "he won't stay dead" and two episodes later I was proven right

[@mesiagamer5217]

Episode 6 and 8 of that season just made it clear they had long past jumped the shark.

[@supremestv]

There’s one question that nobody seems to be asking, however… Who Killed Brian? Who was the one driving the car?

[@lisnerlive]

I’m pretty sure it was mort but I’m not completely sure

[@CineverseSculpt]

Quagmire has to be

[@joshchavez8190]

This episode is far over hated. The episode where Brian and Stewie get stuck in a bank vault is exponentially worse

[@artandstuffproductions3640]

I wish they would’ve brought some actual nuance and sincerity by having Stevie fail to save Brian when he travels to the past, or doing something similar at least. Making Brian not come back until next season would’ve been a great move

[@claytonrios1]

This really felt like it was only done to create controversy. To regain interest in a show that had alienated so many people prior to that episode airing.

[@doorbox788]

hey i mean their tactics to keep viewers engaged and interested in an older series with gimmicks and negative press are kinda workin if you’re making a video essay about the episode like 9 years after it aired

[@JesusIsAMoose]

Don't forget about all the people that are now tainted with "RIP Brian" tattoos that they got the day after the episode aired

[@markscott873]

Family Guy has hit a wall, I was on the episode where Stewie made a reference to a singer that he '"stans" but no one got the reference and gets canceled for it. He then does Mr. Bombastic by Shaggy and I just turned it off immediatley. It hurts to watch since none of the characters are actually characters, unlike American Dad where they have to have character progression since they can't rely on cutaways.

[@mindflayer55]

I am a big fan.

[@karimylo4002]

they always knew Brian wasn't dead. thats the expanation for everything.

[@dragondelsur5156]

I always had the feeling that killing off Brian was made for shock value and nothing else, especially when we consider how hated he was during that time. At one point it feels like it's permanent by eliminating the time machine off the equation and getting Vinny into the cast, but SURPRISE SURPRISE, that was a troleador cara moment and Brian is back before the season even ends. That's the kind of shit you need to think through not one, not twice, but 30 times before putting it into motion if you are a writer. Brian's death got no impact afterwards because they couldn't spent a single episode without the status quo being changed. Comparing it to it's sister series, American Dad, when they cut a character, wether it be temporarly or permanently, it stuck for lots of episodes until reversed, to put an example, Hailey ran away with her boyfriend (now husband) Jeff and she was abscent for a bunch of episodes after until the writers decided to bring her back, now with Jeff as part of the household. If you are going to Thanos snap someone from the main cast, at least have the guts to stick with it for longer than an episode, like, have Vinny be part of the household for longer to fully establish who he is while Stewie starts to miss time traveling, at least as an incentive to rebuild the damn thing without Brian being the reason. I don't know why I go to the bother of writing long essays on a show I never liked in the first place, probably because it got to it's downfall so fast that almost no one remembers the moments this show was good, maybe a part of me wants to know how those high points were, maybe.

[@NewJerseyNets11]

Well, “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become a villain”.

[@Blaza303]

Now that i think about it, isn't this the show where characters casually get killed off for a bit, like Peter shooting Meg, or having Brian assassinated for eating his sandwich or something, it's not logical for this "death" to stick, you can't have your cake and eat it

[@nickgamble280]

Maybe it's just me but I've always thought season 4 to like 7 or 8 was the best version of family guy. I know season 1-3 where more heart felt but imo that just gave more validity to the "Simpson Clone" allegations. I feel as if the later season try to parody show the Simpson and othe sitcoms and that's what made the show so good. I think family guy should have leaned into the parody aspect of the show more considering their writers aren't constantly good at making well rounded likable characters.

[@legendary5733]

The problem with Family Guy is that decided to be serious story and it doesn't work. Because the whole point of the show from earlier seasons was to be comedic satire with cutaway jokes, one liners and characters to be one dimensional. But that was thrown out of the window somewhere in season 9 or 10. And it hasn't returned back since.

[@milpool8577]

It's like watching someone review Family Guy who's never seen Family Guy.

[@OMNISHROOM]

I feel like the first part was meant to be off-putting because they heavily advertised that Brian would die in the weeks upcoming episode

[@MarikuSalana]

The moment I saw them kill Brian, I figured that it wasn't going to be permanent. I thought they'd use some kind of cop out to get him back.

[@cocacoda]

I always assumed Brian would be back, they announced the Simpsons cross over before this and there would be no way they would have done it without Brian.

[@AmatMiguel]

Seashell Seahorse Party is a MUCH worse episode than this. It gave the worst reasons to maintain status quo for a joke people haven't found funny since

[@moxygirlhey]

The episode with Brian and Pearl made me cry as a kid

[@LinktoSonic]

Small nitpick: the episode is just called “Life of Brian”, not “The Life of Brian”. It’s a direct reference to the Monty Python movie

[@Vulpas]

I thought this was going to be complaining about the vomit scene where he regrets boning Quagmire's dad.

[@shubham_whatever]

Seth said in the GQ video that he hasn't been in the writers room from season 12 and it shows

[@ChinmayKashid]

In this world of constant suffering, Many find solace in nonsensical comedy of family guy. If you want emotional connect, go watch some drama. Not everything you watch on TV has to give you something emotionally. Some just want to relax from day's work.

[@SilverDungeoneer]

I started watching family guy way after season 4, so as someone who basically grew up on its downfall portion, I've always viewed it as something to watch when board. I think the animation is way better now, and maybe they should just update the old show with the new animation style and redo (but not change) the voices to their modern version, which also sounds better. The old show is more wholesome, and even as someone on the outskirts of the fanbase, I can really see the devolving nature of the show. I grew up on the new stuff though, so the old show is a bit jarring to watch sometimes and I can't gain to much of an attachment to the show overall. Can laugh at its jokes sometimes, but its usually just amusing.

[@daniapfel2825]

It’s true

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

No show can run forever. And you know when they jump the shark. It is always evident.

[@recjr7685]

Cutaway gags are both what's most iconic to Family Guy and what's most hated about Family Guy

[@tateornator3654]

I think it’s interesting how in season 8 the writers were able to create a pretty serious moment w Brian and Stewie when talking abt suicide, showing how they didn’t lose all emotional touch w the show that early on.

[@ChandlerBinges]

The worst episode is when Brian and Stewie have children together

[@Dark_Jaguar]

That old episode of Family Guy taught me an important lesson. Don't be jealous of those cellular telephones because they're just for rich guys to show off with and they'll give you a tumor anyway. They're no big deal.

[@bloodmooncomics2249]

I loved Vinny. I knew Brian was not going to stay dead (they advertised the Christmas episode with him the picture). It made it worthless and made me like a character that will never be brought up again or is given a split second 'joke' (it would not surprise me if they give a "He was put to sleep" joke real quick). I do miss Vinny.

[@daniapfel2825]

At me also

[@drivenbyrage5710]

To me, the worst episode had to be when Stewie gets pregnant. Its....just....awful.