I've seen and heard this episode of Family Guy getting slammed for all kinds of different reasons. It's sometimes not an easy one to watch, and not high on the laugh factor. This is one case where the violence isn't used to elicit guffaws from the viewers.
Quagmire is a character I have mixed feelings about. He's very happy-go-lucky, and has a cavalier disregard for the consequences of his extremely active sex-life. However, he has been shown to have human feelings, and concern for his friends (I'm actually hurt that he has been shown to have developed a deep hatred of Brian, and I can't feel much warmth toward people who hate dogs, even talking dogs).
When he finds his sister is being routinely beaten up by her abusive boyfriend, he and the others take dramatic, and irresponsible action. Things don't go to plan, and some very bloody and bruising scenes ensue before the climax - although I've warned of spoilers, I don't want to give away the whole show.
I recently saw a psychological expert criticising this episode because Quagmire's sister was depicted as being weak and stupid, and not taking action, as though she were the butt of the standard FG humour. I think this person, qualified as she may be, was missing the whole point. There are women in abusive relationships like this, and this episode points out that the solution doesn't lie in removing the abuser. If someone appears to love the person who is abusing them, then they are not stupid, they are broken. Quagmire and his friends couldn't help his sister in the end - her boyfriend was in amongst her, and her psychological damage was far too complex for them to comprehend. As it would be in reality. Yes, this is just a cartoon, but the thought of it is heartbreaking.
I certainly think this episode does have a lesson to teach, even if it's only that more violence isn't the answer.
Incidentally, I was riveted to the screen, and too busy being entertained to notice that it was short on gags (apart from Quagmire's one!) Well-written and, I think, well-intentioned. I applaud Seth McFarland and the Family Guy team for risking episodes like this one.
9 out of 10 from me!
Quagmire is a character I have mixed feelings about. He's very happy-go-lucky, and has a cavalier disregard for the consequences of his extremely active sex-life. However, he has been shown to have human feelings, and concern for his friends (I'm actually hurt that he has been shown to have developed a deep hatred of Brian, and I can't feel much warmth toward people who hate dogs, even talking dogs).
When he finds his sister is being routinely beaten up by her abusive boyfriend, he and the others take dramatic, and irresponsible action. Things don't go to plan, and some very bloody and bruising scenes ensue before the climax - although I've warned of spoilers, I don't want to give away the whole show.
I recently saw a psychological expert criticising this episode because Quagmire's sister was depicted as being weak and stupid, and not taking action, as though she were the butt of the standard FG humour. I think this person, qualified as she may be, was missing the whole point. There are women in abusive relationships like this, and this episode points out that the solution doesn't lie in removing the abuser. If someone appears to love the person who is abusing them, then they are not stupid, they are broken. Quagmire and his friends couldn't help his sister in the end - her boyfriend was in amongst her, and her psychological damage was far too complex for them to comprehend. As it would be in reality. Yes, this is just a cartoon, but the thought of it is heartbreaking.
I certainly think this episode does have a lesson to teach, even if it's only that more violence isn't the answer.
Incidentally, I was riveted to the screen, and too busy being entertained to notice that it was short on gags (apart from Quagmire's one!) Well-written and, I think, well-intentioned. I applaud Seth McFarland and the Family Guy team for risking episodes like this one.
9 out of 10 from me!