I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar

I love the earlier seasons of family guy for a number of reasons, but i never thought that an episode written in 2000 would give a more nuanced take on feminism and women empowerment than most of the media written over two decades later. This idea of the girl boss is misunderstands feminism just as much as the idea of a traditional housewife does. The fact that woman can only be a girl boss or only be a houesewife isn't necessarily a feminist take and forces them into the same box. True empowerment is the autonomy to choose for oneself what you want to be, instead of being told by society what you should be. The narrative of today is on the opposite end of the spectrum yes, but is essentially the same. Basically what i'm saying is that, much like my viewpoint of the entire show, I wish the newer episodes of family guy were on par with the older ones, and I don't hear this being talked about nearly as much as it should.

Story: 8/10 In I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar, Peter's insensitive joke about women lands him in hot water with a female co-worker. To make amends, Peter attends a women's retreat to receive feminine training, which sets the stage for a series of hilarious and satirical moments. The premise offers a fun spin on gender roles and expectations, and while the story itself is a bit outlandish, it never feels forced. The writers do a good job of balancing comedy with some thoughtful commentary about male and female dynamics.

Characters: 8/10 Peter is his usual clueless self, and the episode does a good job of exaggerating his ignorance in ways that are both funny and cringeworthy. Lois, as always, plays the sensible foil to Peter's antics. The standout here, however, is the supporting cast of female characters who are portrayed as strong and assertive, giving Peter a run for his money in terms of both humor and character development. The interactions between Peter and the women at the retreat provide a nice contrast to his usual dynamic with the male characters.

Humor: 8/10 The humor in this episode hits the mark quite well. Peter's over-the-top attempts at embracing his "feminine side" lead to some hilarious situations, from his failed attempts to cook to his struggles with stereotypically female activities. The satire is sharp, and the jokes land more often than not. The humor is unapologetically Family Guy, with some clever commentary on gender roles without being overly preachy. It's a solid mix of absurdity and wit.

Pacing: 8/10 The pacing is steady throughout the episode, with the retreat serving as a great setting for both physical and verbal comedy. The first half of the episode is dedicated to Peter's initial blunders, followed by his eventual (and still awkward) attempt at embracing femininity. The second half of the episode flows smoothly, with the climax providing a satisfying resolution. There's enough going on in the plot to keep things interesting without ever feeling too rushed or dragging.

Writing: 8/10 The writing in I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar is sharp, with a nice mix of satire and absurdity. The gender-based humor isn't over the top or obnoxious but rather balanced in a way that feels true to Family Guy's style. The jokes about male stereotypes and the reversal of gender norms are clever, and the dialogue feels natural, even when it gets ridiculous. It's clear that the writers were trying to address real-world issues in a humorous way, and they succeed without being too heavy-handed.

Animation: 8/10 The animation is on par with the usual Family Guy style, with the clean lines and exaggerated facial expressions that have become a hallmark of the show. The visuals complement the humor well, especially in the physical comedy scenes during Peter's time at the retreat. There's nothing particularly innovative in terms of animation, but it's solid and serves the comedy perfectly.

Voice Acting: 8/10 The voice acting, especially from Seth MacFarlane, is spot-on. Peter's attempts at changing his behavior are highlighted by MacFarlane's delivery, which adds an extra layer of humor to the episode. The female characters are well voiced, too, adding authenticity to the feminist themes of the episode. Overall, the cast is in top form, delivering their lines with just the right amount of wit and timing.

Final Verdict: 8/10 I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar is an enjoyable episode of Family Guy that offers both laughs and a bit of social commentary. Peter's transformation (or lack thereof) at the women's retreat is both funny and endearing, and the episode's pacing ensures the humor never falls flat. While the premise could have been handled in a more predictable way, the show's satirical take on gender roles keeps things fresh and engaging. A great episode overall, with plenty of laughs to keep fans entertained.

This is easily one of the funniest episodes in Family Guy history. Incredibly underrated and underappreciated. I doubt they'd even attempt an episode like this today.

Very funny family guy episode. Definitely in my top 10.