Episode 13 - Go, Stewie, Go!
16 March 2010
Synopsis: Stewie auditions to be on the U.S. version of his favourite show "Jolly Farm." When no male parts are available he dresses up as Karina Smirnoff and gets the role. He is a great success and falls for his co-star Julie. Meanwhile Meg's new boyfriend Justin catches Lois' eye just as Peter is making her feel old.
The Good: The pacing of this episode was very good. The plots both had logical stories which moved at fast clips from scene to scene with the jokes coming as a result of the story. The Stewie plot in particular worked out well and perhaps that was because it was so clearly based on the movie Tootsie.
But I won't hold that against them because it worked as a nice change of pace for Stewie where he actually did something vaguely noble and got consistent laughs out without going to extremes. There was a really surprising logic to everything to do with Stewie's plot. He used his adult intelligence to become a success on the show, he blackmailed Brian to keep his deception from his parents, he explained how he covered up his genitalia, he even tried to not ruin the show when he finally came out as a boy. The plot also served to make him out to be bi-sexual which is consistent with his past romantic leanings and leaves him open to a wider variety of stories.
That logic helped the plot flow and create jokes as it went. Brian falling for Stewie's act in the bar was kind of funny and added yet another bizarre chapter to their relationship. But it also led to him being pissed off for the rest of the episode which was occasionally fun including him asking "What are you exactly?" when he found out about Stewie's heterosexual feelings. He also pointed out the plot contrivance of having a live episode of "Jolly Farm" which was a fun in joke for once.
Meanwhile Stewie was fun all episode by sticking rigidly to his character, keeping up a shrill voice throughout and pronouncing words in the English way. When Julie comes round he does a full on Mrs Doubtfire scene playing both Karina and Stewie and being unable to resist the chance to add layers of backstory. I was smiling the second Stewie responded to an innocent request by saying "Just go see for yourself, I'm not your secretary Karina."
Peter having an explanation for his meanness to Lois was nice and bringing Cleveland back for a quick cameo was too. The continuity of "Jolly Farm" being Stewie's favourite show was a pleasant reminder of a different time (320).
Flashback ratio (good-medium-bad): 0-3-1
The Bad: Lois cheating on Peter with Meg's boyfriend is yet another taboo crossed. And Peter's newfound affection for Meg is even creepier. But neither would bother me if they were particularly funny. Meg's tooth pulling sexually vile sounding threat to Lois was further needless shock value.
Best Joke: Stewie decides to reveal that he really is a boy on a live episode of "Jolly Farm." He tries to stay in character for the show by pretending to be a "perfectly normal boy", Karina's brother Desmond. He does then point out "who also happens to be a transvestite" and finally to keep in tune with the episodes theme he smilingly adds "which begins with the letter T!"
The Bottom Line: Not a hilarious episode by any means but engaging and amusing throughout.
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