The Courtship of Stewie's Father
| "The Courtship of Stewie's Father" | |
|---|---|
| Family Guy episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 16 |
| Directed by | Kurt Dumas |
| Written by | Kirker Butler |
| Production code | 4ACX19 |
| Original air date | November 20, 2005 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Courtship of Stewie's Father" is the 16th episode of the fourth season of
Plot
After failing to receive the Employee of the Month award at Pawtucket Brewery,
Lois suggests that Peter make more effort to bond with Stewie. Peter reluctantly agrees, but fails to make headway until—while helping Lois in the kitchen—he accidentally knocks a box off a high shelf in the kitchen, hitting Lois in the head, causing Stewie to laugh hysterically. After striking her with larger boxes and then a jar, and seeing Stewie's delight, Peter interprets Lois being hurt as a sign of father-son bonding. This prompts more vicious pranks on Lois, including spraying her with a
To make amends with Stewie after using Brian's advice, Peter takes him to
Meanwhile, after playing baseball in the street, Chris accidentally smashes his neighbor Herbert's window. In an attempt to repay his debt to Herbert, Chris agrees to help the elderly man in his household chores, much to Herbert's delight. Herbert takes Chris to dinner at a fine restaurant, where a photographer takes their photograph. Herbert then sings "Somewhere That's Green", envisioning a family life with Chris, but he falls asleep at the table after the song ends. In the coda, Herbert and his dog, Jesse, mope around the house until the ESPN Little League World Series comes on, perking up Herbert's spirits.
Production
This is the first storyline the show has produced which focuses largely on
Upon learning he has lost Stewie, a deleted scene was created showing Peter listing things he was going to do before finding Stewie, always leaving Stewie at the end of the list and putting his own needs before Stewie's.[3]
Show producer
MacFarlane made the sound effects of Stewie and Peter laughing excessively after attacking Lois,
Cultural references
- The flying car scene is a reference to the 1989 sequel-film Back to the Future Part II.[3][4]
- The song Herbert is singing when dreaming of living with Chris is the song "Somewhere That's Green" from the musical
- The security guard chasing Peter and Stewie in to the "Indiana Jones Ride" (allusion to the Indiana Jones Adventure which is actually at Disneyland in California and not in Florida where the episode takes place), as well as the following encounter with Michael Eisner, is a reference to the climax of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.[4]
- When Peter encounters the crows from Dumbo, he remarks about their racial stereotyping.
- Stewie is put to work on "It's a Tiny World", which is a parody of It's a Small World.[3][4]
- Peter and Stewie dropping Lois in the lake may be a reference to '97 Bonnie & Clyde by Eminem.
Reception
The episode was watched by over 9 million people on its original airdate.
References
- Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2008-04-20.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2008-04-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n MacFarlane, Seth (2005). Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "The Courtship of Stewie's Father" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Goodman, David (2005). Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "The Courtship of Stewie's Father" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ a b c Butler, Kirker (2005). Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "The Courtship of Stewie's Father" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ a b Henry, Mike (2005). Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "The Courtship of Stewie's Father" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- Dallas Morning News. November 30, 2005.
- Parents Television Council. Archived from the originalon 2007-01-09. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
- TV Squad. Archived from the originalon 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
External links
