Death Has a Shadow

The very first episode of Family Guy - the follow-up to the pilot I saw - really stands out. The world, the characters, the tone - it all fits together, even if Quagmire, Cleveland and Joe aren't quite established yet.

The episode does a solid job of setting up the series. Sure, not every element is polished, but the potential is clear from the start. This is one of those must-see episodes - the beginning of an unforgettable story.

Started watching from this episode. The cartoon seems a bit dull but the storyline was decent and the quick gags are humorous.

Story: 7/10 The premise is simple but effective: Peter loses his job, lies about it, and ends up collecting a hilariously massive welfare check. Chaos follows, of course. It's a solid setup for the show's mix of satire, absurdity, and family dysfunction. The story has a clear structure, even if the logic goes out the window pretty fast.

Characters: 7/10 All the core characters are here, though some are still in beta mode. Peter is already a lovable idiot, Lois is the concerned wife, and baby Stewie is fully in "evil genius" mode. Brian's more of a regular dog than he'll later become, but the foundation is set.

Humor: 7.5/10 There are some genuinely funny moments, especially for 1999. The cutaway gags are already in full force, with the infamous "Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tube Man" ad standing out. Some jokes miss the mark or feel dated now, but the comedic tone is confident from the jump.

Pacing: 7/10 The episode moves quickly, jumping from unemployment to welfare fraud to televised courtroom chaos. It doesn't waste time, though the transitions can feel sudden or forced.

Writing: 6.5/10 The jokes are uneven, and some character dynamics feel undercooked. But there's cleverness here, even if it's rough around the edges. You can tell the writers are going for both smart and stupid humor in equal measure.

Animation: 6/10 Let's be real-it's janky. The animation is basic, stiff, and a bit ugly by today's standards. But there's charm in the roughness, and it gets the job done for a pilot.

Voice Acting: 8/10 Seth MacFarlane hits the ground running, voicing half the cast with impressive range. Even this early on, Stewie's voice is iconic and Brian's dry delivery works well.

This test pilot is awesome because it's very nostalgic and creative.

Watching this again makes me ache for old Family Guy! I only wish this show had stuck with its roots. These older episodes have aged like fine wine.

"Hey man, your clock won't flush!"