Something, Something, Something, Dark Side
- Episode aired May 25, 2010
- TV-14
- 44m
Peter makes good on another power outage at home by retelling Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.Peter makes good on another power outage at home by retelling Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.Peter makes good on another power outage at home by retelling Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
- Carl as Yoda
- (voice)
- (as Jon Benjamin)
- Mort Goldman as Lando Calrissian
- (voice)
- (as Johnny Brennan)
- Kirker Butler
- (voice)
- James Caan
- (voice)
- John Lennon
- (voice)
- Manuel Vega
- (archive footage)
- (as James 'Cannonball' Greene)
- Emperor Member #4
- (voice)
- Captain Ivan Drago
- (archive footage)
Featured reviews
In this second spoof, "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side", the Family Guy team sends-up The Empire Strikes Back. Since that first shock-value of seeing all our favorite characters in the Star Wars universe is gone, it is more up to the jokes than ever, as sight gags just weren't going to cut it anymore. With that being said, this entry into the FG cannon performs about as well as anything else...some jokes are brutally offensive, others fall completely flat, and still others are so funny that you'll be chuckling out loud and almost miss the next one! Really, the success of the TV show stems from the fact that creator Seth McFarlane and Co. know no bounds in terms of poking fun at anything and everything, and that is once again the case here.
Basically, this was another funny little entry into the FG universe (literally!) that does pretty much what it is supposed to do. Fans of the show will eat it up (awkward moments and all), while non- fans will probably find it offensive and turn it off.
Where The Empire Strikes Back delves into darker themes of betrayal, loss, and the complexities of good and evil, "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side" injects its signature brand of irreverent humor into these pivotal moments. The emotional weight of Han's capture and carbon freezing is undercut by Peter's typically self-absorbed reactions, and the shocking reveal of Darth Vader's parentage is delivered with Stewie's trademark blend of infantile petulance and grand villainy. The episode masterfully walks a tightrope, paying homage to the source material while simultaneously finding comedic gold in its most dramatic and memorable scenes. The pacing, typical of Family Guy, is rapid-fire, interspersing faithful recreations with unexpected cutaways and pop culture references that often have little to do with the Star Wars universe, yet somehow enhance the comedic chaos.
The contrast between the two narratives is stark yet effective. The Empire Strikes Back is a cinematic masterpiece renowned for its sophisticated storytelling, stunning visuals, and profound exploration of character relationships against a backdrop of galactic conflict. "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side," on the other hand, embraces lowbrow humor, often breaking the fourth wall and reveling in the absurd. However, both narratives share a core structure, and Family Guy's ability to map its characters and comedic sensibilities onto the Star Wars framework is a testament to the enduring power and universality of Lucas's original creation. The parody highlights the inherent drama and iconic moments of Empire by placing them in the context of the Griffin's dysfunctional family dynamic, often amplifying the inherent silliness that can be found even in the most serious of stories.
The cultural impact of Star Wars on Seth MacFarlane and Family Guy is undeniable. Throughout the series' run, Star Wars references have been a constant source of comedic fodder, demonstrating MacFarlane's deep affection for and encyclopedic knowledge of the franchise. "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side," along with its predecessors and successors in the "Laugh It Up, Fuzzball" trilogy, represents a significant manifestation of this cultural influence. These specials have become fan-favorite episodes, showcasing Family Guy's ability to engage with and satirize major pop culture phenomena while still delivering its unique brand of humor to a broad audience. The very existence of these meticulously crafted parodies speaks volumes about the lasting impact of Star Wars on creators and audiences alike.
On this unofficial holiday for Star Wars fans, "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side" offers a perfect way to celebrate the saga with a healthy dose of laughter. It's a reminder that even the most revered cultural touchstones are ripe for comedic interpretation, and that affection and parody can often go hand in hand. The episode's enduring popularity lies in its ability to entertain both die-hard Star Wars enthusiasts and casual Family Guy viewers, finding humor in the familiar tropes and iconic moments of The Empire Strikes Back through the warped and wonderful world of Quahog. May the fourth be with you... and may the cutaways be ever in your favor.
Ultimately, "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side" is a successful and hilarious tribute to The Empire Strikes Back, filtered through the irreverent lens of Family Guy. By cleverly casting its familiar characters in the roles of the Star Wars heroes and villains, the episode delivers a fresh and often absurd take on a beloved cinematic classic. While it stands in stark comedic contrast to the dramatic weight of its source material, its enduring appeal lies in its affectionate parody and its ability to make us laugh at the familiar tropes and iconic moments of a galaxy far, far away. It's a testament to the lasting cultural impact of Star Wars and Family Guy's unique ability to find humor in the most unexpected of places.
If you have not seen the original star wars movie you will be completely lost and most likely cause you to never watch family guy again as the person that I watched "Something, Something, Something Dark Side" with had stated after she had wasted just over 54 min of her life that she will never get back.
If you have nothing else to watch give it a go, hopefully you will enjoy it more than myself.
Did you know
- TriviaSeth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, played the voices of 26 different characters, including his usual Peter (Han Solo), Stewie (Darth Vader), Brian (Chewbacca) and Quagmire (C-3PO); this sets a record for most characters voiced in a series.
- GoofsWhen escaping from Hoth, only Leia, Han, and Chewie are seen entering the cockpit of the Falcon, but after Han says "Punch it!", C3PO is sitting behind Chewie.
- Quotes
Peter Griffin: Well, let's see Robot Chicken top this one.
Chris Griffin: Actually, I think they did a pretty good job with that already, Dad.
Peter Griffin: Well, I'll have to take your word for it. I don't watch Comedy Central.
Chris Griffin: It's on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, Dad. I'm pretty sure you know that.
Peter Griffin: I don't know that. I haven't seen that show in a while and I don't know that anyone else has.
Chris Griffin: Oh, I think plenty of people have. Their fans are pretty loyal to them.
Peter Griffin: Oh yeah? All forty-two of them?
Chris Griffin: [sighs] I'm not gonna let you get to me this time, Dad. I'm not gonna let you get to me.
Peter Griffin: Well, maybe I got time for another story, then. It's called Without a Paddle.
Chris Griffin: Fuck you, Dad!
- Crazy creditsThe credits are played with a Family Guy/Star Wars mix theme.
- Alternate versionsWhen this aired as two-part episode on Fox a line was changed to eliminate a masturbation joke. When Chris/Luke Skywalker asked if his new right hand is "good to go" the medical droid's response was changed from "Yeah, but practice on a hot dog first. Otherwise you might rip your dick off." to "Wow, you're a hard guy to get compliment from!".
- ConnectionsEdited from Her Alibi (1989)
Details
- Runtime
- 44m
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1