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== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Stewie breeds a winning pedigree pig for Quahog Clam Day, and reveals to Brian that he got the pig from a parallel universe. He shows Brian the remote that allows him access to different parallel universes, each depicting Quahog in the same time and place, but under different conditions. They travel to different worlds as a demonstration, but having never traveled to more than one other paralell universe Stewie is unaware of how to return them home. Brian is set to return until they reach a universe where humans are subservient to dogs, and changes his mind. An argument between the two results in them destroying the remote, trapping them in this universe, so they head on to the universe's Griffin family (as dogs) and Brian (as a human) to find a solution. They discover that Dog Stewie has also invented the same remote in a parallel story (Stewie finds out he just left the 'shuffle' button on), and they use that to return home. Human Brian, tired of living a harsh life under dogs, goes with them, but gets hit by a car before he can achieve any of his goals.
Stewie breeds a winning pedigree pig for Quahog Clam Day, and reveals to Brian that he got the pig from a parallel universe. He shows Brian the remote that allows him access to different parallel universes, each depicting Quahog in the same time and place, but under different conditions. They travel to different worlds as a demonstration, but having never traveled to more than one other paralell universe Stewie is unaware of how to return them home.
Brian is set to return until they reach a universe where humans are subservient to dogs, and changes his mind. An argument between the two results in them destroying the remote, trapping them in this universe, so they head on to the universe's Griffin family (as dogs) and Brian (as a human) to find a solution. They discover that Dog Stewie has also invented the same remote in a parallel story (Stewie finds out he just left the 'shuffle' button on), and they use that to return home.
Human Brian, tired of living a harsh life under dogs, goes with them, but gets hit by a car before he can achieve any of his goals.

==Multiverses==
Here are the universes Brian and Stewie visit:
* A futuristic universe where Christianity never existed and the Earth became more advanced.
* A universe based on ''[[The Flintstones]]''.
* A universe where the USA never dropped the Atomic Bomb on [[Hiroshima]], [[Japan]] meaning that the Japanese never surrendered.
* A universe where everyone has two heads: a happy head and a sad head.
* A universe that is mostly ice.
* A universe where everyone has to take a poop just now.
* A universe where everything is drawn by [[The Walt Disney Company]].
* A universe based on ''[[Robot Chicken]]''.
* A universe where [[Frank Sinatra]] wasn't born to influence [[John F. Kennedy]]'s election, [[Richard M. Nixon]] won the election and botched up the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] plunging the Earth into World War III, and [[Mayor McCheese]] was assassinated by [[Lee Harvey Oswald]].
* A universe where everything is blocky and crudely-drawn; possibly a shot at the TV show ''[[South Park]]'', which had [[Cartoon Wars|previously attacked ''Family Guy'']].
* A universe that is mostly fire hydrants.
* A universe that consists of hunky men with balloons and rainbows.
* A universe that is live-action (Brian is depicted as a [[Labrador Retriever]]).
* A universe where everything is animated like a [[Washington Post]] [[political cartoon]].
* A universe where it's only inhabitant is a far away guy that yells compliments.
* A universe of misleading portraits.
* A universe where humans and dogs have switched roles.


==Cultural reference==
==Cultural reference==
{{unsourced|section}}
{{unsourced|section}}


The [[Robot Chicken]] universe is a reference to [[Seth Green]], who is the creator of ''Robot Chicken'' and voices [[Chris Griffin]]. Stewie even asks RC Chris "How does it feel to be on a major network for 30 seconds?", to his frustration, before he and Brian escape the universe, a reference to it being on [[Adult Swim]], a cable channel.
The [[Robot Chicken]] universe is a reference to [[Seth Green]], who is the creator of ''Robot Chicken'' and voices [[Chris Griffin]]. Stewie even asks RC Chris "How does it feel to be on a major network for 30 seconds?", to his frustration, before he and Brian escape the universe, a reference to it being on [[Adult Swim]], a cable channel. There are also cameos by [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], [[He-Man]], Lion-O, and [[Optimus Prime]].


In the Disney universe many Disney cliches are employed. The characters break into the song "It's a Wonderful Day for Pie." Family Guy characters are designed to resemble famous characters from Disney movies: Lois as [[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs|Snow White]], Meg as Ursula from [[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)| The Little Mermaid]], Peter as Prince Eric from [[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)| The Little Mermaid]] , Chris is eating [[honey]] from a [[beehive]] like [[Winnie the Pooh (Disney)|Winnie the Pooh]], Joe as a coffee pot similar to the tea kettle from [[Beauty and the Beast]], out of which Brian pours "a cup of Joe," Cleveland as [[Flower the Skunk]] from [[Bambi]], news anchor Tom Tucker as [[Brer Rabbit]] from [[Song of the South]], Bruce as [[Tinker Bell]] and, as a surprise, Herbert as the witch from [[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs|Snow White]] makes an appearance. Brian comments on how perfect this universe is, as Mort enters wearing a Star of David. All the occupants (except Brian and Stewie) turn angrily and snarl, "Jeeeeeeew!" then beat Mort to death, a reference to [[Walt Disney]]'s anti-Semitism.
In the Disney universe many Disney cliches are employed. The characters break into the song "It's a Wonderful Day for Pie." Family Guy characters are designed to resemble famous characters from Disney movies: Lois as [[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs|Snow White]], Meg as Ursula from ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', Peter as Prince Eric from ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', Chris is eating [[honey]] from a [[beehive]] like [[Winnie the Pooh (Disney)|Winnie the Pooh]], Joe as a coffee pot similar to the Mrs. Potts from ''[[Beauty and the Beast]]'', out of which Brian pours "a cup of Joe," Cleveland as Flower the Skunk from ''[[Bambi]]'', news anchor Tom Tucker as [[Brer Rabbit]] from ''[[Song of the South]]'', Mayor Adam West as a mouse, Bruce as [[Tinker Bell]] and as a surprise, Herbert as the witch from [[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs|Snow White]] makes an appearance. Brian comments on how perfect this universe is, as Mort enters wearing a Star of David. All the occupants (except Brian and Stewie) turn angrily and snarl "Jeeeeeeew!" then beat Mort to death. That was a reference to [[Walt Disney]]'s alleged anti-Semitism.


In the universe where humans are subservient to dogs, a dog-policeman tells Brian to put Stewie on a leash. When Brian is about to do so, Stewie says, "Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty dog!", which is a reference to a scene in [[Planet of the Apes]].
In the universe where humans are subservient to dogs, a dog-policeman tells Brian to put Stewie on a leash. When Brian is about to do so, Stewie says, "Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty dog!", which is a reference to a scene in [[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|Planet of the Apes]].


When Stewie hopes that their "next leap will be the leap home", it is a reference to the opening sequence in the series [[Quantum Leap (TV series)|Quantum Leap]].
When Stewie hopes that their "next leap will be the leap home", it is a reference to the opening sequence in the series [[Quantum Leap (TV series)|Quantum Leap]].
Line 36: Line 61:
When Stewie shows Brian the ceiling of the [[Sistine Chapel]] in the world without [[Christianity]], it is revealed the ceiling was plastered in pictures of [[Jodie Foster]] as a child star by [[John Hinckley Jr.]].
When Stewie shows Brian the ceiling of the [[Sistine Chapel]] in the world without [[Christianity]], it is revealed the ceiling was plastered in pictures of [[Jodie Foster]] as a child star by [[John Hinckley Jr.]].


In an [[alternate history]] universe, it is revealed that [[World War III]] occurred due to [[Frank Sinatra]] not being born and his influence not being able to help elect [[John F. Kennedy]] (referring to the singer's friendship with Kennedy before and during during the [[United States presidential election, 1960|1960 Presidential Election]]) causing [[Richard M. Nixon]] to win and botch up the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]]. On a related note with this story, [[Lee Harvey Oswald]] had assassinated Mayor McCheese.
In an [[alternate history]] universe, it is revealed that [[World War III]] occurred due to [[Frank Sinatra]] not being born and his influence not being able to help elect [[John F. Kennedy]] (referring to the singer's friendship with Kennedy before and during during the [[United States presidential election, 1960|1960 Presidential Election]]) causing [[Richard M. Nixon]] to win and botch up the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]]. On a related note with this reality, [[Lee Harvey Oswald]] had assassinated Mayor McCheese.


In another alternate history universe, it is revealed that Japan won [[World War II]] due to the fact that the [[U.S.]] never dropped the atomic bomb and the fact that Japan would never surrender.
In another alternate history universe, it is revealed that Japan won [[World War II]] due to the fact that the [[U.S.]] never dropped the atomic bomb and the fact that Japan would never surrender.

Revision as of 21:26, 28 September 2009

"Road to the Multiverse"

"Road to the Multiverse" is the season premiere of the eighth season of the American animated series Family Guy. The episode aired on September 27, 2009 on Fox.[1] It is Brian and Stewie's fifth road adventure, following "Road to Rhode Island", "Road to Europe", "Road to Rupert" and "Road to Germany". The episode is inspired by the TV show Sliders,[2] which focused on alternate realities. The original title for the episode was "Sliders".[3]

Plot

Stewie breeds a winning pedigree pig for Quahog Clam Day, and reveals to Brian that he got the pig from a parallel universe. He shows Brian the remote that allows him access to different parallel universes, each depicting Quahog in the same time and place, but under different conditions. They travel to different worlds as a demonstration, but having never traveled to more than one other paralell universe Stewie is unaware of how to return them home.

Brian is set to return until they reach a universe where humans are subservient to dogs, and changes his mind. An argument between the two results in them destroying the remote, trapping them in this universe, so they head on to the universe's Griffin family (as dogs) and Brian (as a human) to find a solution. They discover that Dog Stewie has also invented the same remote in a parallel story (Stewie finds out he just left the 'shuffle' button on), and they use that to return home.

Human Brian, tired of living a harsh life under dogs, goes with them, but gets hit by a car before he can achieve any of his goals.

Multiverses

Here are the universes Brian and Stewie visit:

  • A futuristic universe where Christianity never existed and the Earth became more advanced.
  • A universe based on The Flintstones.
  • A universe where the USA never dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan meaning that the Japanese never surrendered.
  • A universe where everyone has two heads: a happy head and a sad head.
  • A universe that is mostly ice.
  • A universe where everyone has to take a poop just now.
  • A universe where everything is drawn by The Walt Disney Company.
  • A universe based on Robot Chicken.
  • A universe where Frank Sinatra wasn't born to influence John F. Kennedy's election, Richard M. Nixon won the election and botched up the Cuban Missile Crisis plunging the Earth into World War III, and Mayor McCheese was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald.
  • A universe where everything is blocky and crudely-drawn; possibly a shot at the TV show South Park, which had previously attacked Family Guy.
  • A universe that is mostly fire hydrants.
  • A universe that consists of hunky men with balloons and rainbows.
  • A universe that is live-action (Brian is depicted as a Labrador Retriever).
  • A universe where everything is animated like a Washington Post political cartoon.
  • A universe where it's only inhabitant is a far away guy that yells compliments.
  • A universe of misleading portraits.
  • A universe where humans and dogs have switched roles.

Cultural reference

The Robot Chicken universe is a reference to Seth Green, who is the creator of Robot Chicken and voices Chris Griffin. Stewie even asks RC Chris "How does it feel to be on a major network for 30 seconds?", to his frustration, before he and Brian escape the universe, a reference to it being on Adult Swim, a cable channel. There are also cameos by Duke, He-Man, Lion-O, and Optimus Prime.

In the Disney universe many Disney cliches are employed. The characters break into the song "It's a Wonderful Day for Pie." Family Guy characters are designed to resemble famous characters from Disney movies: Lois as Snow White, Meg as Ursula from The Little Mermaid, Peter as Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid, Chris is eating honey from a beehive like Winnie the Pooh, Joe as a coffee pot similar to the Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast, out of which Brian pours "a cup of Joe," Cleveland as Flower the Skunk from Bambi, news anchor Tom Tucker as Brer Rabbit from Song of the South, Mayor Adam West as a mouse, Bruce as Tinker Bell and as a surprise, Herbert as the witch from Snow White makes an appearance. Brian comments on how perfect this universe is, as Mort enters wearing a Star of David. All the occupants (except Brian and Stewie) turn angrily and snarl "Jeeeeeeew!" then beat Mort to death. That was a reference to Walt Disney's alleged anti-Semitism.

In the universe where humans are subservient to dogs, a dog-policeman tells Brian to put Stewie on a leash. When Brian is about to do so, Stewie says, "Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty dog!", which is a reference to a scene in Planet of the Apes.

When Stewie hopes that their "next leap will be the leap home", it is a reference to the opening sequence in the series Quantum Leap.

In one universe, the setting of Family Guy is now similar to the cartoon show The Flintstones, complete with laugh track and sound effects with Peter as Fred Flintstone and Lois as Wilma Flintstone. The frog that they use as protection makes a side comment to the audience, breaking the fourth wall, referencing the one liners the Flintstones' animal technology would state when being used.

When Stewie shows Brian the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the world without Christianity, it is revealed the ceiling was plastered in pictures of Jodie Foster as a child star by John Hinckley Jr..

In an alternate history universe, it is revealed that World War III occurred due to Frank Sinatra not being born and his influence not being able to help elect John F. Kennedy (referring to the singer's friendship with Kennedy before and during during the 1960 Presidential Election) causing Richard M. Nixon to win and botch up the Cuban Missile Crisis. On a related note with this reality, Lee Harvey Oswald had assassinated Mayor McCheese.

In another alternate history universe, it is revealed that Japan won World War II due to the fact that the U.S. never dropped the atomic bomb and the fact that Japan would never surrender.

Reception

On the night it aired, the episode was watched in 10.2 million homes, and had a Nielsen rating of 5.7/9.[4]

Ahsan Haque of IGN gave the episode 9.6/10 saying that "With plenty of memorable lines, some truly stunning animation (even a great live action sequence with Stewie and Brian as a real baby and dog), and a relentless non-stop barrage of witty jokes, "Road to the Multiverse" not only manages to stand up to every other great "Road to…" episode, but is right up there with the best of the early episodes we've seen on the series. This episode absolutely sets the bar extremely high for the coming season."[5]

References

  1. ^ "Fox Primetime". Fox Flash. 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  2. ^ http://www.fox.com/futurefox/blogs/index.php/2008/07/28/notes-from-the-con-macfarlane-edition/
  3. ^ http://www.buddytv.com/articles/family-guy/live-from-comiccon-family-guy-21498.aspx.
  4. ^ Nguyen, Hanh. "TV Ratings: Football scores Sunday despite Fall TV premieres". Zap 2 It. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  5. ^ Haque, Ahsan. "Family Guy: "Road to the Multiverse" Review". IGN. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
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