Family Guy Season 22 Episode 7 Review: Snap(ple) Decision

Family Guy Season 22 Episode 7, “Snap(ple) Decision,” is a funny yet surprisingly heartfelt episode of the long-running Fox show. 

This episode, written by Seth MacFarlane, David Zuckerman, and Travis Bowe, contains plenty of one-liners and pop culture references. But, the show is at its best when focused on longstanding character relationships. 

This seventh episode of the season features two pairings of characters involved in typically crazy situations that are also quite new to them. 

Family Guy’s characters have often been the main draw of the Seth MacFarlane-created show,  and “Snap(ple) Decision” is no exception. 

This episode focuses on two pairs, one being Brian and Stewie — often hailed by Family Guy fans as one of the best relationships on the show. 

The two have certainly had their quarrels over the years, but things seem to come to a head on this episode. This is obviously not the first time this has happened, but Stewie’s decision to send them both to “friendship therapy” is something we’ve never seen before. 

Sure, casual viewers may wonder why/how the pair made up so soon, but longtime fans should know that this is typical for them and for the show, especially considering how many times we’ve seen them butt heads. 

The writers also show what happens when both Stewie and Brian leave their phones in the car and subsequently have seemingly nothing to talk about. Stewie’s line about them being “slaves to the screen” is obvious but fairly accurate, considering how addicted we humans have become to technology. 

Lois and Meg are also given some bonding time in “Snap(ple) Decision.” As this is a relationship we haven’t seen much of lately, it is refreshing to see their relationship evolve on this episode. 

Even though the Snapple contest story is a little dated, it’s a delight to see Lois in her element, showing Meg the supermarket and other “Mom stuff” that she usually does on her own. 

While the vacation kidnapping of Meg and Lois is hardly revelatory — it’s probably inspired by the film Snatched — it’s great to see Lois kicking butt once again. As you’ll remember, her previously-discovered Alpha personality was on display on Family Guy Season 22 Episode 5, “Baby, It’s Cold Inside.”

Perhaps Meg and Lois’ kidnapping adventure is resolved too quickly, but that’s what happens when an episode can only be a certain length. Lois is also much more active than Meg here, but that’s in line with how these characters have acted in the past. 

In addition, Meg admitting to Lois that she sees Peter as the “fun” parent enables them to have a more honest conversation than we’ve seen before. 

As has been the case this particular season of Family Guy — and, to be honest, throughout its entire run — there are a plethora of pop culture references. 

This episode pokes fun at Tom Brady, among others, in a cutaway that mentions his move to Tampa and is narrated by “Peyton Manning.” The show has never shied away from lambasting certain celebrities, and this is an example of a random reference that is funny simply due to its existence. 

Other references include The Gilded Age and Beetlejuice.

It makes sense that the former would be watched and referenced by Stewie and Brian, who seemingly reference modern-day entertainment and technology the most. Whereas the latter would be of interest to Peter, who is somewhat old-fashioned and, as mentioned earlier, childlike. 

This episode also makes jabs at corporations such as SUNY Albany and CVS, the latter occurring when Lois hilariously shows off her “extremely long CVS receipts.” This isn’t necessarily a takedown; rather, it’s a clever way to make fun of something to which many CVS customers can relate. 

Stray Observations:

• A broccolini cutaway is silly, as most cutaways are, but still unique. 
• The announcement at the airport that says that a flight with “Vacation Airlines to Vacation Destination” is boarding is a funny way to generalize the nature of Meg and Lois’ girls’ trip. 
• The idea of Meg and Lois’ kidnapping site as being a WeWork-like shared space is actually quite funny and topical. 
• This episode contains plenty of jabs at Peter’s infantile-like personality, including the need for a babysitter, which fits in with his behavior on Family Guy. We also see Meg undergo a “Peter Griffin Training Program” at the beginning of the episode, which is funny and clever. 

What did you think of this episode of Family Guy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Family Guy airs Sundays at 9:30/8:30c on Fox.

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