In which American Dad! gets to emphasize the Dad part
We all presumably have parents right? And what those parents do for us or not do for us defines who we are and who we become. On TV that usually means that a character can have an episode(s) dedicated to the trauma they endured from bad parents that then shaped them into the character we’ve come to know and love (or hate depending). Today’s episode deals with Roger and his generational family drama with help from a special guest voice.
The family is driving Steve to what he says is practice for sports but is actually orchestra practice. And of course Roger is the conductor. And what starts out as a Roger pushes Steve to reveal his secret to Stan turns into a deeper examination of Roger. After hearing music Roger freaks out and stabs Steve. This happens repeatedly until Roger finally uncovers the fact that he’s trying to find his father.
Stan, Steve and Roger set out to Germany to find his persona’s father. They find him but Roger is still unfulfilled. Going to the bathroom, he discovers his real father (voiced by Christopher Moltisanti himself, Michael Imperioli) is actually in Germany at the same time. He realizes that it’s his real dad who he’s been looking for the whole time. Elated he introduces his Dad to the Smiths but it turns out that of course the guy who sired Roger is also kind of a jerk. He tries to run away, chased down by Roger. Eventually, he catches up but realizes he doesn’t need him any more.
Over on the B-plot, the rest of the family takes up hobbies from the community college. Jeff takes up constructing a birdhouse and Hayley and Francine take up meat grinding. Jeff tries to make a nice home for the family of birds but realizes that they’re all too crazy. He eventually drives them away with a fake snow storm, thanks to Franny and her shaved meat bones. It’s a slight story but it was better this way in order to emphasize the A-plot
Notes
- The return of Denuda, Buckle and Jenny! in Roger’s orchestra
- Next Week is the AD! Christmas episode so tune in Dadders.
Final Thoughts– solid Roger episode. I liked the runner of stabbing Steve and I thought the reveal of Roger’s real dad was nice.