The Astonishing Family Guy Characters Capable of Fully Grasping Stewie

The mystery surrounding which Family Guy characters can understand Stewie Griffin is one of the show's most enduring jokes. Stewie's ability to speak sets him apart from characters like Maggie Simpson in The Simpsons, who remain silent. However, besides Stewie's best friend Brian, it remains unclear which other characters can comprehend the baby. Series creator Seth MacFarlane has established rules on this matter, although these rules are often adjusted for comedic purposes. This ongoing question of who understands Stewie is a recurring theme in the show, with references made in various episodes. For example, in season 11, episode 17, "Bigfat," Hank Hill ponders this issue in a dream, while in season 19, episode 1, "Stewie's First Word," it is suggested that people can only understand Stewie when he experiences strong emotions. Prior to this episode, MacFarlane had already provided an explanation regarding who can understand Stewie.

Seth MacFarlane Has Explained Who Understands Stewie

According to Seth MacFarlane, the question of which characters can understand Stewie is the most commonly asked about the show. MacFarlane stated that everyone in Family Guy can hear and comprehend Stewie's words, but due to his status as a baby, they don't take him seriously. However, during a 2011 panel at San Diego Comic-Con, MacFarlane provided a slightly different answer. He mentioned that Brian always understands Stewie, Chris occasionally does, and Peter, Lois, and Meg do not. MacFarlane noted that these guidelines are not set in stone, as the Family Guy writers often break the rules for the sake of comedy. If a joke or storyline would be better served by a character who typically doesn't understand Stewie suddenly understanding him, they will disregard the usual rules. This flexibility extends particularly to situations where Stewie interacts with characters outside of the Griffin family, such as Connie D'Amico and Jillian Russell, who have been shown to understand Stewie.

Family Guy Is Inconsistent With Characters Hearing Stewie

Similar to its consistency in storytelling and character development, Family Guy purposefully disregards which characters can comprehend Stewie, depending on the plot demands. For instance, Meg is not initially expected to understand Stewie, but she eventually comprehends him in season 10, episode 20, "Leggo My Meg-O," when he comes to her aid against European kidnappers. Furthermore, in season 15, episode 4, "Inside Family Guy," when Stewie compliments Peter, he specifically acknowledges, "Thank you, Stewie, who I can understand." The writers of Family Guy grant themselves the utmost creative freedom, bypassing any regulations, even their own.