Ah, Christmas, the time when the Griffins on Family Guy try to keep their hijinks on the down low. In the Hulu exclusive special, "Gift of the White Guy," there were hijinks, and then there was Stewie, trying to erase himself from the Naughty List and merge onto the Nice List. To accomplish this goal, Stewies must correct his behavior.
Meanwhile, Peter accidently gifts away a prized possession of Lois's and recruits his buddies to get it back, even if it means crossing a moral line. But since when did Peter ever think things through? It wouldn't make sense to his character, though I credit him for thinking of his wife. That's one thing about him; he loves Lois, albeit Peter's isn't the brightest light on the Christmas tree.
"Gift of the White additionally hit a few nostalgic notes to a past Christmas episode, which I appreciated because it reflected the writers' commitment to not forgetting what made the show original and set apart from other adult animated comedies. The more a television show extends its seasons, the more I feel it loses its spark, but Family Guy, The Simpsons, and a handful of other shows kept up with the quality over the years.
The Hulu special (which aired on Nov. 25th) is the second one of Family Guy's 25th-anniversary package, with the first being Halloween's "Peter, Peter Pumpkin Cheater."
Here's what else you missed on Family Guy "Gift of the White Guy"
Stewie misses Meg
Was Stewie Griffin a 'good boy' this year? Well, he tried to be, as he got rid of his weapons of mass destruction and his issues with killing his mother. But he somewhat fuddles up when he accidently turns Meg into dust by trying to get his gun back.
Upset by the loss and whether if the action will place him back onto the Naughty List, Stewie holds "auditions" for Meg's replacement. During the process, Brian informs the kid that Meg is a woman, as the potential "Megs" are all men. That's a little awkward, but you know what? In Family Guy's sacrilicious spirit, the bit works.
On Christmas Eve, Stewie writes his Christmas list, realizing that, more than anything, instead of getting the toys of his dreams, is to have his sister back. Sure, Meg's the Black Sheep of the family, but she's still family, and the Griffins aren't complete without her.
Santa had a busy night, as he was able to fulfill Stewie's wish by bringing Meg back. With a few modifications and erasing her memory of what happened to her.
Peter's Brooch Bust
Now, it wouldn't be a Family Guy Christmas episode without Peter screwing something up and then trying to fix his mistakes. His shenanigans occurred in the pilot- "Death Has A Shadow," Peter, Peter Caviar Eater," "Lottery Fever," and several others. It's a running gag that will keep on juicing.
Anyways, Peter is on the hunt for a gift for his company's White Elephant Gift Exchange. He founds an old Christmas brooch and decides to use it for the Exchange. Unbeknownst to Peter, the brooch was actually his wife's from her childhood and after hearing the story of she got while on her sick bed, he decided to plan a heist to get it back.
You'd think he'd get it back simply by asking hs boss, but he got distracted by Jeff Goldblum's Cameo. By the way, the real Goldblum IS NOT on Cameo, so don't bother wasting your time like I did to find this out.
When trying to snatch it from his boss, Preston Lloyd's mother fails at the work party, so Peter enlists his friends to get the brooch back. However, in order to pursue the quest, they must break into the nursing home where Widow Lloyd lives. The brooch is still pinned onto her sweater, and Peter just takes it off.
Really dude? If you just explained everything you did to Lois beforehand, you wouldn't be stealing from little old ladies. But that wouldn't be in Family Guy's style.
After all of that, Peter gives Lois her brooch for Christmas, but she's not pleased with it, as it's something she already own. However, she and her husband decided to bring the gem-encrusted brooch back to Widow, but unfortunately when they pinned it back on, they accidently pierce an artery.
it's the thought that counts though.
"Gift of the White Guy" had throwbacks to past a Family Guy Christmas episode
As I watched "Gift of the White Guy," it contained hidden parallels to 2001's "A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas." How so you ask? Well, the brooch heist reminded me so much of the failed Toys For Toddlers heist, where Peter comes up with the most inane plan to get the gifts back, after he accidentally donates them.
Another nod to the classic episode, is when Stewie tries to switch himself to evil to good. Yet all kids try to charm up, so that Santa can give them the goods.
All in all, "Gift of the White Guy" was evidently reflective of its holiday jokes, but since Disney acquired the show, it has been moduled to become more "family friendly." It was enjoyable and funny though.