This is actually one of the first times I can remember American Dad doing a timely episode, with baseball season having just started a few weeks ago. Apart from the occasional case of inconsistent writing, this was a very solid start to the latest season of this show.
"Fantasy Baseball" starts with a premise that may very well put you to sleep, as Stan gets upset at Steve for not having any interest in something he considers legitimate. It's the type of storyline we've seen approximately a hundred million times on this show, and is so played out I don't think it legally qualifies as content anymore. But I will give the writers credit for introducing a more interesting conflict between the traditional aspects of the sport and the need to stay relevant the age we live in. It's truthful enough to say that baseball has largely lost the common touch, especially with teenagers and young adults, and the division grows more and more with each passing day. The show didn't even get into the racial divide of baseball fans, though that is probably for the best. Anyway, somehow this story pivots to Steve becoming an umpire through accidentally killing his predecessor, which is very American Dad. Now that Steve is actually involved in the game, he has the chance to earn Stan's respect, but instead introduces a radical shift, turning baseball into Dungeons & Dragons instead. The D&D/baseball hybrid is actually quite wonderful, both in real life and in universe, and Steve begins to bring audiences of all ages back to the sport.
For as much fun there is to be had in Steve just taking over baseball, it also completely turns Stan away, which Steve doesn't seem to care about, for some reason. Steve only got involved with all of this to make his father proud, and then he just goes wild with power. I suppose you're just meant to go with it, but I would've appreciated some sort of explanation. I have to give a shout-out to Steve's re-imagined version of baseball, complete with lions, horses and moats. Being completely serious, the MLB could introduce this tomorrow, and I think it might work. It all looks really fun, though the Player's Union might have some issues. The resolution to the conflict between Stan and Steve isn't much, as they bond over the lesser hybrid between their two favorite pastimes. It's a lackluster end to a fun storyline, but doesn't completely take any from the enjoyment.
Pardon the pun, but the B-plot this week knocks it out of the park, as Roger tries to replace Francine's favorite soap opera. The escalating gags, from trying to sabotage Hayley and Jeff's marriage to semen trucks and Roger's eventual arrest is the type of stuff American Dad is incredible at, and nothing disappoints. Perhaps the best part of this craziness was Francine's meta commentary on Klaus, and if you've watched this show for some time, you were probably nodding your head to all of it.
8/10
The main story of "Fantasy Baseball" which is great name by the way, mostly avoid the cliches and predictable nature of most Stan-Steve conflicts. The fact that it reverts to the tried and true by the end is underwhelming, but I don't know how else all of this could really be resolved. Now if you'll excuse me, it's time for the seventh inning stretch, which is performed tonight by my dog..............and dubstep.
"Fantasy Baseball" starts with a premise that may very well put you to sleep, as Stan gets upset at Steve for not having any interest in something he considers legitimate. It's the type of storyline we've seen approximately a hundred million times on this show, and is so played out I don't think it legally qualifies as content anymore. But I will give the writers credit for introducing a more interesting conflict between the traditional aspects of the sport and the need to stay relevant the age we live in. It's truthful enough to say that baseball has largely lost the common touch, especially with teenagers and young adults, and the division grows more and more with each passing day. The show didn't even get into the racial divide of baseball fans, though that is probably for the best. Anyway, somehow this story pivots to Steve becoming an umpire through accidentally killing his predecessor, which is very American Dad. Now that Steve is actually involved in the game, he has the chance to earn Stan's respect, but instead introduces a radical shift, turning baseball into Dungeons & Dragons instead. The D&D/baseball hybrid is actually quite wonderful, both in real life and in universe, and Steve begins to bring audiences of all ages back to the sport.
For as much fun there is to be had in Steve just taking over baseball, it also completely turns Stan away, which Steve doesn't seem to care about, for some reason. Steve only got involved with all of this to make his father proud, and then he just goes wild with power. I suppose you're just meant to go with it, but I would've appreciated some sort of explanation. I have to give a shout-out to Steve's re-imagined version of baseball, complete with lions, horses and moats. Being completely serious, the MLB could introduce this tomorrow, and I think it might work. It all looks really fun, though the Player's Union might have some issues. The resolution to the conflict between Stan and Steve isn't much, as they bond over the lesser hybrid between their two favorite pastimes. It's a lackluster end to a fun storyline, but doesn't completely take any from the enjoyment.
Pardon the pun, but the B-plot this week knocks it out of the park, as Roger tries to replace Francine's favorite soap opera. The escalating gags, from trying to sabotage Hayley and Jeff's marriage to semen trucks and Roger's eventual arrest is the type of stuff American Dad is incredible at, and nothing disappoints. Perhaps the best part of this craziness was Francine's meta commentary on Klaus, and if you've watched this show for some time, you were probably nodding your head to all of it.
8/10
The main story of "Fantasy Baseball" which is great name by the way, mostly avoid the cliches and predictable nature of most Stan-Steve conflicts. The fact that it reverts to the tried and true by the end is underwhelming, but I don't know how else all of this could really be resolved. Now if you'll excuse me, it's time for the seventh inning stretch, which is performed tonight by my dog..............and dubstep.
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