I've been rewatching "American Dad!" from the start and, compared to later episodes (season 14 onwards), this is a properly written "American Dad!" episode that stays true to the overall programme's plot.
However, despite an interesting buildup featuring gadgets from the CIA (usually resulting in good episodes), Jeff being present (which I like, but realise he's not to everyone's liking), and there being some good jokes, I dislike this episode.
In the scene where it's revealed Stan has kidnapped Whitney Houston (and forces her to sing "Greatest Love of All" - a song featuring a line about not being able to take away her dignity) to sing to Francine, after she's finished singing, they proceed to literally treat Whitney Houston like a dog (Francine throwing a bag of 'chemical stimulants' and telling her to fetch in the tone people use with dogs).
This was entirely uncalled for and ruined the episode - and that's taking the edgy teenage writing style MacFarlane's programmes are infamous for into account.
However, despite an interesting buildup featuring gadgets from the CIA (usually resulting in good episodes), Jeff being present (which I like, but realise he's not to everyone's liking), and there being some good jokes, I dislike this episode.
In the scene where it's revealed Stan has kidnapped Whitney Houston (and forces her to sing "Greatest Love of All" - a song featuring a line about not being able to take away her dignity) to sing to Francine, after she's finished singing, they proceed to literally treat Whitney Houston like a dog (Francine throwing a bag of 'chemical stimulants' and telling her to fetch in the tone people use with dogs).
This was entirely uncalled for and ruined the episode - and that's taking the edgy teenage writing style MacFarlane's programmes are infamous for into account.