Death Lives

Death is my favourite reoccurring character in the entire series so far. His dynamic with Peter in this episode is unmatched and it's so funny!!! The dark humour never gets old and neither does his sarcasm. It's a really fun episode with plenty of laughable moments and some heartfelt moments here and there. It's one of the few episodes that don't just feel like a bunch of bits put together randomly.

This is the best episode since Death's last appearance - and that time Death was Norm MacDonald. Norm "killed it", as they say. This episode had jokes that actually made me laugh and it could've been even better with Norm. That was more of a comment than a review.

Plot & Structure: 8/10 "Death Lives" is a standout episode, offering a unique premise that blends the absurd with the heartfelt. After Peter dies once again, Death himself takes Peter on a journey to reflect on his past mistakes and the consequences of his actions. The plot cleverly intertwines humor with a bit of heart, as Peter comes to terms with the impact of his life choices. While the story doesn't delve into anything deeply philosophical, it's effective in its exploration of mortality, with enough humor to keep it lighthearted without losing its emotional core.

Humor & Dialogue: 8/10 The humor is sharp, with plenty of clever quips and classic Family Guy-style absurdity. Death, voiced by the always-great Adam Carolla, adds a unique dynamic to the episode, and his interactions with Peter are a highlight. The back-and-forth between the two characters is hilarious, and there's a perfect balance of dark humor and slapstick. Some gags may feel familiar, but they still land thanks to the delivery and timing. The show also manages to sneak in some clever references to philosophical ideas about life and death while maintaining its comedic tone.

Character Focus: 8/10 Peter is once again at the heart of the episode, and his character is both ridiculous and surprisingly endearing as he reflects on his life. Death, as a character, is a nice addition, bringing a new voice to the series and offering a different perspective on Peter's actions. It's refreshing to see Peter's flaws explored more seriously, but always through a comedic lens. The supporting characters, like Lois and Stewie, play smaller roles, but their interactions with Peter help drive home the episode's themes without overshadowing the main plot.

Satire & Themes: 8/10 The episode tackles the idea of death and what it means to live a meaningful life, but it doesn't do so in a heavy-handed way. Instead, it mixes humor with a bit of moral reflection, using Peter's obliviousness and mistakes to highlight the importance of appreciating life. The satire is a bit light, but it's still effective, poking fun at the absurdity of Peter's existence and showing how even in the face of death, he remains clueless about his own shortcomings. It's a fun way of exploring big themes without getting too bogged down in seriousness.

Final Thoughts: 8/10 "Death Lives" is an enjoyable and surprisingly touching episode of Family Guy. While it leans into the absurdity that the show is known for, it also offers a moment of reflection about life and death, albeit through the lens of Peter's chaotic existence. The humor is top-notch, the characters shine, and the episode offers a nice mix of laughs and surprisingly poignant moments. It might not be the most groundbreaking episode of the series, but it's certainly one of the more memorable ones.

Of course, it's a real bummer that Norm MacDonald didn't stay on as Death, but this episode is thankfully unhindered by his absence. In fact, I'd say this is probably the best Death-centric episode.