Family Guy - Season 8 [DVD]

Family Guy. In its 8th season, but still the greatest show on TV. Although I don't think the writers will ever truly reach the heights which Seasons 2 and 3 were at, the jokes, gags and incidents are, in places, side-splitting. For Family Guy fans, or for those just simply interested in a hilarious and witty Animation, then every season is a must buy. Very few episodes dissapoint throughout the entire show, and thankfully, Season 8 is no exception.

There is still confusion which episodes are on which DVD's, so I will clear up what is what on the Season 8 DVD:

1. Back to the Woods (9/10)

James Woods returns to Quahog to seek revenge against Peter by stealing his identity and becoming Peter Griffin. Though Peter is left with nothing, he counters against his treacherous former friend by ruining the actor's career and public image.

(Peter, Joe, Cleveland and Quagmire have just finished slating Barry Manilow.) Few moments of silence...Joe: "I love Barry Manilow."

2. Play it Again Brian (8.5/10)

Feeling their marriage has hit a snag, Peter and Lois take Brian's offer to go with him for a relaxing vacation at Martha's Vineyard. However, as Peter gets drunk, Brian loses his self-restraint and professes his love for Lois. Peter and Brian must now test their friendship over the woman of their dreams.

(Lois asks Peter if he is ready to go out. Peter then appears in fishing clothing and equipment.) Peter: "Ohhhh...Right."

3. The Former Life of Brian (9.5/10)

Brian discovers that he is the illegitimate father of an old flame's unruly son, Dylan, who is dropped off at the Griffins' house so Brian can raise him. He manages to turn Dylan's life in the right direction, though Brian himself becomes a bit stuck-up as a parent, much to Peter and Lois' concern.

(Dylan has just beaten up the Evil Monkey.) Chris: "Yay! I haven't been in my closet for years...Boy, there is a lot of feces in here."

4. Long John Peter (9/10)

Peter steals a parrot and becomes convinced that he's a pirate. He becomes the scourge of the neighborhood, terrorizing every corner of Quahog until he accidentally kills his beloved bird. Meanwhile, Chris falls in love with the lovely vet intern Anna and turns to Peter for advice.

Peter: "Shoo' ite' agaaiiin!"
Pirate: "What? I didn't understand that."
Peter: "I said shoot it again, but I said it Pirate like."

5. Love Blactually (8/10)

Brian takes Stewie's advice to take things slowly with his new girlfriend, Carolyn, but things backfire and she ends up with Cleveland. Enraged, Brian does whatever it takes to get her back, which involves Loretta and a certain Mr. Glenn Quagmire...

Cleveland: (Whilst having sex with Carolyn.) "Ahh, ahh, ahh and boom goes the dynamite."

6. I Dream of Jesus (8/10)

Peter gets a record for the 1963 hit 'Surfin Bird', which begins to drive everyone insane, causing Brian and Stewie to destroy it. Furious, Peter goes to a record shop for another one, only to discover that Jesus Christ works there, and the two of them become friends...for a while.

Peter: (Talking about the record.) "I took it too bed, had sex with it, it fell asleep in my arms and this morning it's gone."

7. Road to Germany (8.5/10)

When Mort Goldman accidentally steps into Stewie's time drive, he is taken back to Warsaw, 1939. Realising this, Brian and Stewie make a desperate attempt to rescue him, even if it means heading into Nazi Germany...

Stewie: (Asked if Mort is a priest.) "Oh, yeah, yeah. I can vouch for him. He's molested me many times.

8. Baby Not on Board (8.5/10)

Peter gets a supply of gasoline for the year, so the family decide to take a road trip to the Grand Canyon. They pack up and hit the road, but it takes them a while to realize that they had forgotten to bring Stewie with them...hilarity ensues as they race back home!

Quagmire: (Asked if there's anything that doesn't give him a boner.) "When people say garbage instead of rubbish. Nothing happens down there."

9. The Man with Two Brians (9/10)

When Brian gets injured during Peter's version of Jackass, it is realized that Brian may be getting too old, so Peter brings home another dog: 'New Brian', prompting Brian to leave. However, this doesn't go down well with Stewie...

New Brian: (Talking to Stewie about humping Rupert.) "He just laid there and took it."

10. Tales of a Third Grade Nothing (8/10)

Peter tries to get a promotion at work, but is told he must repeat the third grade in order to qualify. Meanwhile, Frank Sinatra, Jr. returns to Quahog to buy the local nightclub with Brian and make it the hottest new spot in town, but Stewie has a few ideas of his own...

Tom Tucker: "Our next spelling bee contestant is Omar mahajareefa.. something..septembereleventhy."

11. Ocean's Three and a Half (10/10) - My favourite episode on the DVD.

Bonnie finally gives birth to a baby girl, Susie, whom Stewie falls in love with and tries anything to win her heart. Meanwhile, Joe borrows $20,000 from a loan shark to pay for Bonnie's medical bills, and plans to steal the money from Mr. Pewterschmidt to pay off his debt.

Brian: "Oh really. Music video. Working on a little video there, little erm...little music video. Little compilation of visual images to go with the song. Little 4 minute movie which tells the story of...
Stewie: "Yeah, that only works when I do it." (I love the 'Novel' sketch!)

12. Family Gay (8/10)

Peter takes part in medical experiments to pay off his debt, including one that which gets him injected with the 'gay gene'. Peter ends up in a gay relationship and leaves Lois and the rest of the family heartbroken, though they realize the most important thing is that Peter is happy.

Peter: (Asked by Lois if gay.) "Guiltyyyyyyyy!"

13. The Juice is Loose (6/10) - My least favourite episode on DVD.

Peter cashes in a raffle ticket from 1989 and wins a golf outing with O. J. Simpson. When he befriends Simpson and brings him home to meet the family, the residents of Quahog aren't so welcoming of the infamous running back and try to force him out of town.

OJ Simpson: "Hi, are you Peter Griffin?"
Peter: "That's my name, don't put a knife in it."

Special features: Includes commentaries on every episode, deleted scenes, and featurettes including footage from Comic Con 2008.

Overall, I hope my review was helpful and feel free to leave any comments. This is perhaps not the best season ever, but c'mon...it's Family Guy!

Another superb addition to the DVD series, Here we see Peter turn Gay through a sereies of drug trials, The Family find themselves with a new pet ... A Retarded Horse, Guest Appearance from OJ Simpson, Jesus, James Woods and Frank Sinatra JR. With all the usual comedy antics, the latest in the Series continiues to deliver family guy fans with there long awaited fix of family fun, racism, political incorrectness and downright stupidness that we have all com to love!
A definate sale for me and would totally recommend to anyone, perfect stocking filler or great for any Family Guy Fan. Jonny Parish

... but if you're like me and absolutely love Family Guy you will buy it anyway just to add it to your collection! Most of the episodes - with a few exceptions - are pretty weak. This series also features the longest chicken-fight (no doubt a time filler to pad the episode out) which is painfully boring to watch.
You could probably watch these episodes on FX or BBC Three and save yourself the money.