American Dadis an adult-animated series that follows the Smith family and their daily lives.
This episode follows Snot (Curtis Armstrong) in the aftermath of his father’s death.
Steve and all of their friends embark on a cross-country road trip to help Snot process his grief.
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Along the way, each member of the friend group goes on their own journey while helping Snot.
This episode is endearing because it captures everything that makes independent movies special.
It shows thatAmerican Dadunderstands what makes independent movies beloved.
Additionally, this episode is a poignant way to showcase Snot as a character.
The episode is a parody ofLittle Shop of Horrorsand is narrated byCeeLo Green.
Stan purchases a hot tub that is sentient and begins killing his family and friends.
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Episodes like these that are adjacent to the official timeline enable more innovative storytelling.
8"Why Can’t We Be Friends?"
Season 9, Episode 5
“Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
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follows Stan as he tries to break up Steve and Snot’s friendship.
In the end, Steve and Snot find their way back to one another and celebrate their relationship.
This episode is one ofAmerican Dad’s strongest episodes because it pays tribute to friendship as a whole.
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Stan prays for a friend and subsequently meets Brett (Jay Thomas), an ultraconservative atheist.
Stan makes it his mission to introduce Brett to religion, with disastrous results at times.
Stan finds himself alone, and has to piece together what happened to cause the collapse of society.
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The episode is a parody of the TV seriesThe 100and has a similar tone.
The focus on Roger’s multiple personas is a surprisingly poignant way to showcase this character’s diversity.
Roger encounters people throughout Langley Falls who have been wronged by this persona.
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Roger realizes just how unhinged this persona is and ultimately leans into this fact.
“Ricky Spanish” pairs a dark undertone with signatureAmerican Dadhijinks.The episode is narrated by Werner Herzog.
This episode pays tribute to the effort that Roger puts into his persona and how important they all are.
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Setting this episode in spaceups the ante immediately.
Francine is offended that Stan is more focused on being left behind than he is on her well-being.
“Rapture’s Delight” continuesAmerican Dad’s tradition of producing excellent Christmas episodes.
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This episode does well to showcase howflawed Stan is as a husband in particular.
Allowing Stan to explore this in an authentic way adds a dimension to this character that is desperately needed.
Stan determines that Steve is experiencing difficulty singing this because he has never been to war.
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Steve becomes deeply traumatized by his experience in this pretend version of a real war.
This episode is so important to theAmerican Dadstory overall because it explores the relationship between Stan and Steve.
“In Country… Club” also further establishes Steve’s personality, which makes him easier to appreciate.
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They each have to fight to return home.
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