Stop and ponder: Of the 50 episodes produced, what are your 5 favorites (and a 'why' would just add to the discussion!)? Here's my list:
Honorable mention: #317-"Brian Wallows & Peter's Swallows"-Notable for the terrific virtual reality sequence with Brian & Pearl at the end.
5.)#305-"And The Weiner Is"-It's a decent episode with a very good scene at the grocery store. Two great lines allow for it to qualify: Peter's splendid quip, "Ah, sure, Lois. All the sorority girls are clamoring for the plantains. Stop with this!" is followed by a GEM from Brian, "Look, Peter, you're overreacting to this Chris stuff. I mean, mine goes inside of me when I stand up. How do you think I feel?" Sadly, the ending is cliche and obvious.
4.)#313-"Screwed The Pooch"-Brian gets yet another episode and damn does this one fly. From the slams on Ted Turner to Peter's attempt at reversing time, every joke here is good. Again, a weak conclusion is the only deterrent.
3.)#302-"Brian Does Hollywood"-The continuation from "The Thin White Line" is good and every joke clicks on this one. If the last scene on the airplane was left off and the last line was, "I've been barking up that tree for 17 years," it would be even higher up the list.
2.)#213-"Road To Rhode Island"-My two favorite characters shine in an episode I never get tired of watching. The train song is wonderful, the character development superb and the minor story (Peter and the porn tapes) is a good way to use an idea not suited to a separate show. Oh, and did I mention how freakin' hilarious Stewie's eulogy for Biscuit, yelling at Tommy Tutone, reaction to burning his hand and noting after seeing Brian's "junk", "Oh, that's pretty" all are? If I wasn't so enamored with my # 1, this could SO be the winner.
1.)#107-"Brian: Portrait Of A Dog"-From a very well-conceived premise to a solidly-developed plot, this episode is far and away beyond any superlative I could use (good thing too, as I'm tapped!). Until you see the episode, you cannot understand why I'm so hooked on it. I guess it's because unlike most "Family Guy" episodes, it isn't just a string of jokes and different stories. It takes one concept and follows it wholly, including an exposition (the needed air conditioner), rising action (Brian is tentatively in the dog show), climax (Brian turns on Peter), falling action (the trial) and conclusion (Brian licks Peter's face as an unspoken sign of gratitude), it's ALL HERE.
That said, I've shown mine. What about you? (The more you explain why, the happier you feel, what with getting your ideas expressed!)