Our take
Half a decent Scrooge story and half the most anticipated rescue in the show's history, and the second half is why anyone remembers it. The grumpy grandfather plot is serviceable, but the real event is the baby's time-travel plan, which undoes a death the show had milked for three weeks with a surprising lump in the throat. Vinny deserved better, but Brian's thank-you gift is a lovely final beat.
What happens
Brian has been killed by a car and the family has a new dog, Vinny, so Christmas in the Griffin house is a subdued affair. On a family trip to the mall the Griffins discover that the annual Christmas carnival has been cancelled by Lois's father, Carter Pewterschmidt, who hates the holiday because people expect so much from his wealth and give him nothing back. Peter sets out to turn his father-in-law from a Scrooge into a hometown hero and win the carnival back. Stewie tells the mall Santa that the one thing he wants for Christmas is his friend Brian, and Vinny does his best to cheer him up. Then Stewie spots his own past self in the mall, buying a toy, and with him the time machine Stewie no longer has. With Vinny distracting his younger self, Stewie takes it, says goodbye to Vinny, travels back and pushes Brian out of the path of the oncoming car. Christmas morning arrives with Brian alive and the family none the wiser: only Brian knows he died, and he gives Stewie a framed photo of the two of them to say thank you.
Can the kids watch it?
Not for children: the BBFC rated it 15 for strong sex references and comic bloody violence.
Cast and crew
Starring
- Seth MacFarlane as Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin, Quagmire and Carter Pewterschmidt
- Alex Borstein as Lois Griffin and Carter's Secretary
- Seth Green as Chris Griffin
- Mila Kunis as Meg Griffin
- Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown
- Patrick Warburton as Joe Swanson
Guest stars
- Tony Sirico as Vinny
Writer
- Patrick Meighan
Director
- Greg Colton