This episode relied much more heavily on storytelling than usual, and it turned out pretty well. But first let me say that I am not a fan of the Amish, and I was hoping that Family Guy would be a little bit more biting on the topic. 

 

The Amish are portrayed as the embodiment of peaceful, pastoral idealism, like a Thomas Kinkade painting come to life. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Amish treat their animals notoriously badly. They are the primary source of puppy mills in the United States. They insist that their girls get less education than the boys. Sexual abuse, rape, and incest are all common - but reporting it to the police is forbidden.

 

And imagine a religion so strict that if you decide to drop out of the church, none of your friends, family members, or extended community will ever speak to you again.

 

So yeah, I was a little disappointed when Family Guy decided to stick to jokes about how the Amish wear funny hats and build barns. Although I have to admit, the Looney Tunes-style war sequence with the barn building was pretty funny.

 

Meg had an oddly middle-of-the-road role to play in this episode. There are certain things you would expect from an episode where Meg plays a pivotal role, after having fallen in love with a boy. First of all, you have Meg's reputation as a stalker and a dangerous sex offender (not to mention her transgender future as a man named Ron). But they played her romance straight in both senses of the word. Instead of being disturbing or played for laughs, it was laid out as a perfect example of sweet young love.

 

Second of all, I don't think anyone made fun of Meg even once. Not counting the horse named Dumper, of course. And given that it would have been so easy for Meg to just step aside, I was kind of thinking they might do some kind of freaky poop fetish joke. But no. 

 

For those who have never seen an episode of Family Guy before, or who suffer from amnesia regarding past episodes, this was a pretty solid outing. It had laughs where it needed them, was sweet when it had to be, and if it missed the perfect opportunity to trot out "Surfin' Bird," at least "Highway to Hell" was a pretty good choice.

 

Two Random Observations

1. Is anyone surprised that Quagmire's pie tried to rape Peter? 

 

2. Would you consider it poetic justice if everyone on a roller coaster called "The Holocaust" died?