After Meg's ID is given to another girl who dies in a car crash, it's announced on the news that she's dead. After coming to the realization that nobody really cares, she decides to start a new life somewhere else, with a changed name.
I really enjoyed this premise. Considering Meg has been severely underused in the last couple seasons I'm glad to get an episode where she takes up most of the screentime. I liked seeing her hang out with Bruce (the one guy who doesn't have a mean bone in his body), gaining some new friends and scoring at bowling games. Finding out that bowling is her form of escapism is a pretty interesting revelation.
The reactions to her death were also funny, such as Quiznos dedicating all their food bags to Meg since she ate there often, Brian and Stewie commenting on the fact that nobody is there at Meg's funeral only to turn out to be holograms, plus the family attempting to hold a minute of silence while someone yells at his dog.
I can see how the ignorant and even flatout mean reactions to Meg's death can put some people off, but given that this is Family Guy this isn't much of a surprise. As long as the humor works it remains entertaining.
And they didn't have everyone react to her death the same way either. Even if it's just for being a loyal customer, the Quiznos employees are still sad she's gone, and most surprisingly Lois also had the moral upper hand. In most episodes since season 8 she's been neglectful and abusive towards her, so to finally get some proof again she loves her daughter deep down is a breath of fresh air. Near the end when everyone cheered on Chris instead of Meg she stood by and hugged her. How sweet.
The ending with everyone faking their orgasms, with Lois to Peter and even a random raccoon was hysterical. A good case for how to do an extended gag.
Stewie selling "dong cookies" at a bakery and ironically denying gay customers from buying some for their wedding (possibly a reference to a similar real-life incident) was funny too, though it went on for slightly too long.
As for negatives, I will say I highly disliked the unnecessary bit where Bonnie wishes Joe was dead in place of Meg, followed by him "comforting" her by saying he probably will be soon. It was very bizarre and I've never been a fan of this recurring gag in the first place.
I also have a problem with the third act, which unfortunately forced me to lower my rating. While Chris using Meg's death to make himself more popular at school was within the realm of his character, kidnapping and leaving her for dead so he can stay cool was *way* too much. They do have a decent sibling bond from time to time, does he care so little that he's willing to literally kill her if that gets him on the jocks' good side? Even the "apology" ended up being a trick.
In general, although they could've made some improvements it was a very good exploration of Meg's role in the series nevertheless. I guess those fan fiction writers who wanted Meg to get away from her family got what they wanted. ... If maybe in a different way than they expected.
5 out of 10 found this helpful.
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