Family Guy - S08E01 - Road to the Multiverse

As I've done in the past, I occasionally check back in for a season opener of Family Guy after I stopped watching in season 4. This episode was good enough for me to start watching regularly again - well, at least more than a single episode every season.

This episode was highly enjoyable - perhaps it was a case of throwing everything they had into the opener, but still, it was as great as anything the earlier seasons came up with.

The episode centers around a device that Stewie uses to shift him and Brian to alternate universes. In theory, there is a universe for every single tiny variable that could possibly exist. The Stewie and Brian interaction is always gold, and this episode was helped deeply by their prominence. The Disney-verse was a highlight, and the animation looked so genuine. The fact that Stewie looked so much cuter than he actually is was hilarious. Stewie making out with himself was disturbing and funny, and reminded me of similarly confronting images from earlier seasons.
Eventually the duo get stuck in a universe where a dog/human role reversal is present. Brian isn't too upset by this, but Stewie wants to leave. Some excellent gags and memorable scenes - especially the Brian and Stewie in real life universe. The way Stewie and Brian find out they are back home again is classic - it just is.

True Blood - S02E01: Nothing But the Blood

True Blood is back, as good as ever, and I never doubted it. Alan Ball knows exactly what this show is, an adult nighttime soap-opera, with a good budget, and no restrictions. If only all nighttime soaps could be on pay-cable and creatively led by master filmmakers.

The Lafayette in a purgatory of sorts was very mind bending, reminding me of Lost. For some reason I couldn't work out who he was until he was talking some more - anyone else have this? The reveal ending of the episode was very satisfying, and I can't wait to find out what eventuates. I'm really glad Ball decided not to follow the book, and have Lafayette killed off in the car. He really wants to surprise us!

Another sex scene between Bill and Sookie... To be honest I didn't think Anna Paquin would be comfortable doing it - as some of the time it can be a career killer for an actress with success, especially doing it on a television show. But it is encouraging to see she isn't influenced by that. More relationship angst between Bill and Sookie, while Bill deals with the newly vamped teenager Jessica. Just a couple of lightly comedic scenes, the next episode promises to explore it some more.

Andy is getting dumber, drunker, and also funnier. I wonder how long he has left in Bon Temps?

We got a few Fellowship of the Sun scenes this week, and I'm sure they will increase as the season progresses. Bashing conservatives and religious extremists is fun for everyone! What do people think of Nan Flanagan from the American Vampire League? I think she is awesome. All she does is block all of the ridiculously ignorant comments made to vampires - very entertaining.

Maryann continues to become more interesting with her link to Sam, when he was a teenager. What has now been established is that she doesn't age. We should find out what she is soon enough. I love the gimpy servant too. It was extremely soap-operatic and hilarious of Maryann to hit him and state "Nobody needed towels!". It seems apparent that she wants Eggs and Tara to get together. Definitely a highlight.

I absolutely cannot wait for the next episode. It is titled 'Keep This Party Going', which I think is a fantastic episode title, if in fact it serves as a meta comment on the show or episode, like the first 'Nothing but the Blood' did. Good times!