Review: American Dad “Stan Fixes A Shingle”
Overview:
A tense science contest at school brings out Steve’s most insecure and overprotective tendencies when it comes to outside help and interference. Francine’s hopes to bond with her son through this project turn into a laborious lesson in babysitting when Steve’s mom proves to be more of a hindrance than a help. While Steve and Francine figure out how to balance trust into their equation, Jeff, Hayley, and Roger go through hell and high water to reunite the comedian Gallagher with his legendary mallet.
And Stan, finally, makes moves to fix that one problem shingle on the roof. Maybe.
Our Take:
Stan and Francine Smith are chaotic characters whose parenting skills fluctuate as American Dad sees fit. They may not always have the best advice for their children, but their actions come from a genuine place of love. “Stan Fixes A Shingle” is one of the stronger examinations of Stan and Francine–independently–as parents once they’re pulled in opposite directions. Stan is frequently presented as self-centered and oblivious, so it’s refreshing to see him provide genuine insight and understanding over Steve when it comes to Francine’s excitement over her parental supervisor role in his science project. Francine is then put in a position where she strives to prove Stan wrong, but more importantly prove to herself and her son that she’s not the pushover that she’s perceived to be. It’s a quality premise that’s built upon well-defined characters that’s entertaining without having to jump through the heightened hoops that American Dad occasionally creates for itself. “Stan Fixes A Shingle” doesn’t get lost in grandiose ideas because at the end of the day there’s nothing more important than a supportive family. And Gallagher.
“Stan Fixes A Shingle” is a well-written episode on a plotting and character level, but there are also some excellent background jokes that help punctuate most scenes and increase the gag quota. It’s a simple detail, but the fact that all of Stan’s tools are stolen from his friends is the type of economical joke telling that Tim Saccardo routinely brings to the table. There’s not a moment wasted here. Even the decision to call this episode “Stan Fixes A Shingle” and position his mundane obstacle as the episode’s centerpiece, when in reality it’s a roving background element that never amounts to anything of substance beyond incessant hammering is wryly comedic. Every other member of the Smith family goes through a whole identity crisis in the time that it takes Stan to (almost) fix one pesky shingle.
Alternatively, there are certain fun touches in “Stan Fixes A Shingle” that the episode could have done more with so that they don’t just feel like disconnected gags. There’s a lot of attention given to how Francine’s attempts to help Steve feel like an I Love Lucy episode and American Dad goes so far as to transform one sequence into a black-and-white ode to the classic ‘50s sitcom. It’s a cute moment on its own, but an entire episode that’s presented in this manner could have been even more interesting. Even returning to this device one or two more times in “Stan Fixes A Shingle” would have made a difference and helped this stylized moment feel more justified (and better contextualize an extended, unnecessary musical sequence that’s in the middle of the episode).
“Stan Fixes A Shingle” fumbles some of its bigger decisions and not everything properly comes together. However, it becomes an important opportunity for Francine to grow, but it’s just as much an exercise for Steve to loosen up and better trust his mother. Both characters come into this story from a disadvantaged place–whether physically or emotionally–and it’s cathartic to see these two gain better empathy for each other. In doing so, Francine and Steve are both able to broaden their horizons and be their best selves, which ultimately makes it irrelevant whether Steve’s ethanol project wins or not. Ethanol may be temperamental as a sustainable fuel source, but Steve and Francine prove that love and family can be eternal.
