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As all the new shows and their pilot episodes come raining down on us, sometimes the returning gems get lost in the deluge. So I thought I’d highlight what has to be one of the best hours of television I’ve seen in a very long time…the opener of the 6th season of Family Guy.

This year, Seth MacFarlane (Creator and all around genius) decided to open with a very special episode - a re-enactment of Star Wars. I know what you’re all thinking…that has been done to death (they even manage to make that point too)…but I can honestly say this is the best I’ve ever seen (okay maybe not counting Spaceballs…because awesome)…and as an aside, they got the official “blessing” from Monsieur Lucas to go nuts on this one - which I’m not sure he’s done before (but I could be wrong).

A disclaimer - I like Star Wars but I don’t love it…but nevertheless, I don’t think anything went over my head. However, I was a Dr. Who geek back in the day so when they had a old-time reference to that show? Well…let’s just say I think only dogs heard my shriek.

The premise? Quahog gets hit by a blackout and instead of cracking open a book (Brian’s suggestion is met with ridicule - maybe he should use this time to work on that novel he keeps talking about), Peter tells the tale of Episode IV - A New Hope…cue rogue scrolling paragraphs through space (which go off an amusing Angelina Jolie tangent). The casting is inspired: Lois is Leia, Peter is Han Solo, Chris is Luke, Stewie is Darth Vader (natch), Brian has turned brown and become Chewy, and the pervy old man (whose name is Herbert, who knew?)is Obi Wan. But the award for best casting choice goes to Quagmire and Cleveland as C3PO and R2D2 (with a fro)…seriously… Meg is absent except for popping up as the monster thingy in the garbage room in the Death Star - the casualty of the lack of female roles to throw her into in the story.

Highlights include:

- the cantina band on Mos Eisley asking for requests but rigging it so they just keep playing the same song over and over (catchy tune though)

- shouting out to composer John Williams, only to have him killed by Stormtroopers and replaced by Danny Elfman (who Chris offs with a lightsaber)

- Stewie pointing out that the design flaw in the Death Star that will spell disaster could easily be solved with a piece of well-placed plywood

- Peter finding a couch in the Death Star that, despite being shot at all the time, he wants to take with him to use on the Millennium Falcon

- Intergalactic Proton-Powered Electrical-Tentacled Advertising Droids! Say that 10 times in a row…

And that’s just some of them…every couple of minutes there was a classic moment but I’m too lazy to type them all up. Check out the episode (in 5 parts) and see for yourself!

Did anyone else watch? What did you think? What did you love or hate?

Final Verdict: Freakin’ SWEET!

Posted on Monday, September 24th, 2007 at 4:28 pm by Sabrina Jalees and is filed under We <3 TV.

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