SPOILERS
When at Comic Con this summer, it was revealed that one of the six main characters would be killed off this season, fans of the hit TV show were left wondering and writhing in anxiety. We did not know exactly when it would happen or who it would be. Chris or Meg were the sure bets however; Chris, because he's the least popular character and Meg, because she's Meg. As well as that, Seth Green was beginning to shoot a new TV show whilst Mila Kunis' career was continuing to thrive in Hollywood.
This past Sunday's episode enitled "Life of Brian" perhaps should have been a clue. I, like many other fans, did not want Brian to die however (I wanted it to be Chris). As the central cornerstone to the family for the last fourteen years, he served as the straight-guy to all the wackiness occurring around him. He was the dog who was played like a human. Naturally, like Meg, it took the writers awhile to make him funny on his own but when he grew into his liberal-douche fur, he became one of, if not my favourite character ever in a TV show, period. Despite that, the writers felt the need to shake things up and while the last couple of seasons have been mixed, this was a gruesome and risky solution. We do not know what the show will be like yet, but for now, we will revel in our favourite dog's best episodes; the Best of Brian.
"The Thin White Line"/ "Brian Does Hollywood"- S3 (2001)
A two-parter, these episodes saw Brian become a police-dog, develop a cocaine habit and move to Hollywood with the hopes of becoming a writer/director. While he was hardly the source of laughter throughout, his character managed to propel our interests throughout; perhaps the first Family Guy character who could that completely on their own. One of the funnier moments was when Chris wondered aloud whether Samuel Jackson was in Brian's movie (because he's in everything), only to find that yes, Samuel Jackson was in it.
The movie project, which Brian expected to be classy was in fact, a porno. This would be one of many instances which would reveal Brian's tragic failure in life to pursue his goals.
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"Brian the Bachelor"- S4 (2005)
This is an episode in which Brian, despite his distaste for reality shows, appears on one and ends up falling in love with the bachelorette. Even when the show is over and her affection for him is revealed as a ruse, he still decides to follow (or stalk) her. She throws her answering-machine out, he buys her a new one. It's classic Brian. It's also the first episode in which Stewie mentions the "novel"- Brian's greatest failure and a recurring joke from thereon in.
"Episode 420"- S7 (2009)
Brian finally manages to legalise marijuana, which he is criticised for smoking. Carter (Lois' dad) is not happy however because hemp is being used for many products, which hurts his business and promises to have Brian's novel, Faster than the Speed of Love published if he gets it re-illegalised. Brian does this with a typical-Family Guy show number, only to find his novel critically panned. It does not sell a single copy and Brian is left feeling lousy because he once again sold out. Hilarious stuff.
"Brian Griffin's House of Payne"- S8 (2010)
Brian discovers a pilot for a TV show he wrote once. Unlike the rest of his work however, this is one the family can agree is worthwhile. And so Brian gets to watch his vision come to life but thanks to studio interference and the casting of long-time nemesis James Woods, the joy is short-lived. This is one of his most enjoyable episodes because the show becomes a skit on others like Two and a Half Men.
"Brian Writes a Bestseller"- S9 (2010)
My personal favourite Brian episode. Fed up with with what's popular in literature, Brian decides to write some "chicken soup for the soul" in the form of a "self-help" book called Wish It, Want It, Do It. Despite the lack of effort he puts in, it actually becomes a bestseller and Stewie, who landed him the publishing deal with Penguin (run by an actual penguin) becomes his manager. Brian, of course, gets taken in by the hype surrounding his book and becomes a self-important boss to Stewie, eventually leading to a strain on their friendship. He even goes on Tonight with Bill Maher and embarrasses himself in one of the strangest but funniest scenes in a Family Guy episode ever.
Do you agree with these choices? There are of course many other possibilities; one cannot forget all Stewie and Brian's back-and-forths in the "Road To-" episodes for example or "Excellence in Broadcasting," but at the end of the day, I had to make the choice on what episodes define Brian's character best with hilarious repercussions. Who knows- maybe this new dog will get a list like this some day... Maybe...
