Review: Family Guy “Phony Montana”

Overview:

Fox has released the latest episode of Family Guy, “Phony Montana,” which sees Brian get a new voice. Meanwhile, Peter and Lois learn something surprising about a couple they’ve just befriended.

Our Take:

While attending a rally for migrants, Brian hits it off with a Cuban immigrant. Unfortunately, after a night out at a Cuban club, an accident leaves him speaking with a Cuban accent. Worried that his new girlfriend will think he’s mocking her, he and Stewie have to come up with ways of hiding it.

Unfortunately, keeping quiet won’t be easy, especially after Brian is invited to a family wedding. Stewie develops an AI pendant that simulates Brian’s regular voice. Unfortunately, it’s ad-supported. And a few pesky squirrels leave Brian with his new voice while sharing a wedding speech.

If the title didn’t give it away, things end up in a parody of Scarface. Of course, Brian survives and regains his original voice, but things don’t work out with his new love.

Meanwhile, Lois and Peter befriend a couple who they learn are local swingers. However, when they don’t seem interested in a tête-à-tête, the two will do anything and everything to change their minds. Sitcom logic suggests that this is all just some misunderstanding, like they got them mixed up with another couple, but they simply are uninterested. Still, the Griffins manage to get a bit of revenge that’ll mean an asterisk on the record.

Brian’s subplot brings to mind “The Blind Side,” where he had to hide that he was a dog from a blind date. Here, however, the situation is awkward enough that it kind of makes sense for Stewie or Brian to never explain what’s going on. Though when Brian finds himself giving a speech at a wedding to people he’s never met before, fans should just tell themselves it’s a plot device and move on.

One highlight from the episode is that Carlos Alazraqui appears to take over for Brian’s voice when he switches to a Cuban accent. Older fans will especially appreciate this, as the veteran voice actor was part of the show during its early years, being the voice of Mr. Weed, Peter’s boss, before the character’s death. And, if nothing else, Seth MacFarlane probably enjoyed a little rest during this story.

One visual gag that fans will likely remember is Peter and Lois dressing down after meeting with their friends, eventually being drawn more and more grotesque than usual. It’s also interesting seeing them share a goal throughout the story. Overall, their story is a reminder of why these two have stood the test of time: they kind of deserve each other.

Ultimately, both side-plots give an interesting little story, and the return of one of the series’ old cast members really makes the episode a highlight of the season. Of course, there’s bound to be a few fans upset that this wasn’t a Hannah Montana parody. But, if that’s the case, there’s always “Hannah Banana.”