This show is really starting to p*** me off with these ridiculous titles, though I do feel sorry for those poor ampersands who got stuck in the middle of this tremendous sexual chemistry.
"Stan & Francine & Connie & Ted" sets out a path early on, by having Steve introduce his parents to Barry's parents. Stan and Francine crack many cutting jokes, but obviously Connie and Ted were never going to be what they or the audience expected. In what is somehow their very first appearance, Barry's parents turn out to be cool cats stuck in the 70s. Stan and Francine are enamored immediately, and how could they not be, did you know Ted played a little ball at San Jose State? Everything about Barry's parents is quite fun, but American Dad ramps things up, as Steve discovers that they are swingers. For the rest of the episode, Steve is determined to stop his parents from getting in a little too deep, though it does turn out later that Stan and Francine were aware Connie and Ted are swingers and just didn't care. I will knock the show here for continuing to draw out this comic misunderstanding for most of the episode, which didn't feel necessary or earned in any way. I did, however, enjoy the role reversal as Stan and Francine escape from Steve using escaped orangutans.
This all leads to a nudist retreat, and to one of the best gags the show has had to offer in a long time, as Evil Barry returns. This is a throwback to Season 1's "With Friends Like Steve's", which is an episode I quite enjoyed personally. Barry is off his meds again, and decides to manipulate both sets of parents together. After building up to this moment throughout the episode, the conclusion feels very rushed, as Stan and Francine just resist Barry's manipulation and everyone's fine. It kind of makes all of Steve's effort feel totally meaningless, which I'm not sure was entirely intentional. Wonky finale aside, this main storyline was a blast to watch, and included some delightful jokes near the ending, including Evil Barry forgetting how to use his normal voice and Steve's "going bananas" sequence.
Off in the B-plot, Roger ends up going blind after making the foolhardy decision to wear his new transitions in the middle of a solar eclipse. While they are laughs to be had here, including from Hayley's randomness, this story goes for a more genuine feeling, as Jeff and Klaus honestly want to help Roger out. This leads to Roger adopting a Daredevil-inspired crime fighting persona, and attempting to take on a gang. He fails miserably, but it's the thought that counts.
8/10
Less focused around ham-fisted morals or huge character development, "Stan & Francine & Connie & Ted" is a delightful romp that delivers a solid introduction for new characters, complete with a great flashback and terrific animation. Now if you'll excuse me, my parents are home and I'm off to the treehouse. Nothing to see here.
"Stan & Francine & Connie & Ted" sets out a path early on, by having Steve introduce his parents to Barry's parents. Stan and Francine crack many cutting jokes, but obviously Connie and Ted were never going to be what they or the audience expected. In what is somehow their very first appearance, Barry's parents turn out to be cool cats stuck in the 70s. Stan and Francine are enamored immediately, and how could they not be, did you know Ted played a little ball at San Jose State? Everything about Barry's parents is quite fun, but American Dad ramps things up, as Steve discovers that they are swingers. For the rest of the episode, Steve is determined to stop his parents from getting in a little too deep, though it does turn out later that Stan and Francine were aware Connie and Ted are swingers and just didn't care. I will knock the show here for continuing to draw out this comic misunderstanding for most of the episode, which didn't feel necessary or earned in any way. I did, however, enjoy the role reversal as Stan and Francine escape from Steve using escaped orangutans.
This all leads to a nudist retreat, and to one of the best gags the show has had to offer in a long time, as Evil Barry returns. This is a throwback to Season 1's "With Friends Like Steve's", which is an episode I quite enjoyed personally. Barry is off his meds again, and decides to manipulate both sets of parents together. After building up to this moment throughout the episode, the conclusion feels very rushed, as Stan and Francine just resist Barry's manipulation and everyone's fine. It kind of makes all of Steve's effort feel totally meaningless, which I'm not sure was entirely intentional. Wonky finale aside, this main storyline was a blast to watch, and included some delightful jokes near the ending, including Evil Barry forgetting how to use his normal voice and Steve's "going bananas" sequence.
Off in the B-plot, Roger ends up going blind after making the foolhardy decision to wear his new transitions in the middle of a solar eclipse. While they are laughs to be had here, including from Hayley's randomness, this story goes for a more genuine feeling, as Jeff and Klaus honestly want to help Roger out. This leads to Roger adopting a Daredevil-inspired crime fighting persona, and attempting to take on a gang. He fails miserably, but it's the thought that counts.
8/10
Less focused around ham-fisted morals or huge character development, "Stan & Francine & Connie & Ted" is a delightful romp that delivers a solid introduction for new characters, complete with a great flashback and terrific animation. Now if you'll excuse me, my parents are home and I'm off to the treehouse. Nothing to see here.
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