What was the Best Episode of Family Guy Ever? Why?

"Family Guy" has become one of the hottest cartoons on television these days, well on the way to eclipsing "The Simpsons" as America's favorite. But each fan has a different answer to the question - What was the best episode of Family Guy ever? And why would you answer that?

Well, for my husband and myself it has to be "Road to Rhode Island", one of the few musical episodes. It's hysterical to watch and rewatch and for a variety of reasons.

First let's go over the plot in case you haven't seen it yet or are unsure of which episode it is. Brian is dealing with a drinking problem while Lois purchases a "relationship" tape to try and create better communication with Peter. A session with a therapist convinces Brian that his problems go back to his relationship with his mother, something that he's never been able to successfully resolve. Trying to break out of his depression he volunteers to go to Florida and bring Stewie back from a brief vacation with the grandparents.

Of course things never go smoothly for anyone in the Griffin family and a simple thing like catching a flight back to Rhode Island turns into a crisis. Brian gets drunk at the bar waiting for the flight to take off and ends up losing the tickets - or, to be more precise, Stewie's stuffed friend Rupert loses the tickets when their luggage is stolen out from under them. Stewie ends up booking himself and the drunk dog into a seamy hotel for the night, distracting himself from the imminent problem by yelling at the drug dealers next door, creating a rather explosive situation nearby. He also bemoans Tommy Tutone for filling his mind with only one phone number - and it's not the one he needs to call home and get help!

Meanwhile Lois and Peter settle in for their first relationship tape; Lois being shooed out of the room by the beautiful female therapist who then makes overtures to Peter, ending in a promise to "reveal more" if he buys the next tape in the series. Meg and Chris meanwhile are playing mind games on each other and as usual Meg ends up both winning and losing.

Brian wakes up the next day and finds himself on the run with Stewie, stealing cars and lying to Lois in a vain attempt to hide his alcoholism while getting the two of them back home. As coincidence would have it they find themselves near Brian's original home. The visit goes astray, however, when the owners of the puppy mill reveal that Biscuit, his mother, not only passed away a few months ago but also is now a prominent display as a coffee table in their living room. They had her stuffed as a tribute to her memory.

Aghast at this Brian steals his mother's body and buries her in a park, with Stewie giving the eulogy as only Stewie Griffin can. Still, Brian has to agree that his mother's decision to give him up did result in his having a better life than if he had stayed with her on the farm.

Hopping a train heading towards Rhode Island the pair break into song and dance in a tribute to the great Bob Hope and Bing Crosby films of yesteryear, along with props and jokes. This is easily the funniest and best part of the entire episode.

Meanwhile Peter waits impatiently for another tape, rushing upstairs to watch it by himself. As the "therapist" begins to reveal herself suddenly the screen goes blank and is replaced with Lois, who has taped over the program. Making sexual overtones to her husband, the virtual Lois shocks Peter who then turns around to see his wife standing in the doorway. Lois replies that she taped herself so that he knew that she knew what was on the tape and if he wanted her to act that way all he had to do was ask. All Peter wants to do is keep rewinding the tape of his wife while holding Lois in his arms. Finally Stewie and Brian arrive back home, all issues resolved and a better friendship between the dog and the baby.

What makes this episode so funny? Well, the interplay between Stewie and Brian is worth the price of admission, hands down. These two rise above the slapstick comedy that drags down so many other cartoon comedies and reply with some jokes that are adult, though not necessarily with adult content. Take this great exchange while the pair are driving in a stolen car:

Stewie: Oh yes, you have a lot to think about: public drunkenness, grand theft auto...
Brian: You forgot the part where I made you smash your head into the windshield.
Stewie: I don't remember-
Brian: (Slams on brakes, causing Stewie to fly forward into winshield)
Stewie: Yes, well, I suppose I walked right into that one.

Or Brian trying to explain his inebriated condition to Stewie:

Brian: I'm not drunk, all right. I just have a speech impediment ... and a stomach virus ... and an inner ear infection.

Nevermind the hysterical lyrics that one just has to listen to once to have the words stick in your mind for weeks afterwards!

While there has been another "Family Guy" musical episode (Road to Europe) this easily ranks as one of the best and funniest episodes, in my opinion. I can only hope that when I pass away I get the same sort of classic eulogy that Stewie gives Biscuit and get as many laughs from the mourners!