Ultimate Duo: Unveiling the 15 Most Memorable Stewie & Brian Episodes in Family Guy

Summary

Brian and Stewie's relationship is the heart of Family Guy, bringing depth and emotion to an otherwise comedic show.

The "Road To..." episodes starring Brian and Stewie are beloved by fans for their exciting adventures, hilarious comedy, and touching moments. Their special bond and willingness to look out for one another make them the ultimate dynamic duo of the show.

Brian and Stewie episodes in Family Guy are considered some of the best in the show's history, showcasing their strong bond that sets them apart from other characters. While Peter, Quagmire, Meg, and Lois provide humor through quick jokes, Brian and Stewie bring depth and emotion to the series. Over time, their connection has grown stronger, making them the ultimate duo on the show. Initially, the central pair was Peter and Brian, with Peter's outlandish actions and Brian's rationality providing comedic moments. However, the writers discovered that Brian's partnership with the scheming baby Stewie offered even more comedic potential. Their escapades, like reversing time or Stewie becoming pregnant with their hybrid offspring, have left a lasting impact on Family Guy's storytelling.

15 Road To Rhode Island (Season 2, Episode 13)

The "Road To..." installments of Brian and Stewie are the most beloved episodes. These episodes cleverly spoofed the adventure and comedy style of the "Road To..." movies, which featured Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour. Like the films, the Family Guy episodes were filled with hilarious gags and had little plot, making them a perfect match for the show. "Road to Rhode Island" marked the first of these episodes and had a heartwarming Family Guy moment when Brian discovered the puppy mill where he was abandoned as a baby and reunited with his mother. In this episode, Brian agrees to pick up Stewie from his grandparents' summer home but their plans go awry when they get drunk and misplace their plane tickets, leading them on an eventful road trip back home. The exceptional writing of the episode earned it an Emmy nomination, although it ultimately lost to The Simpsons.

14 Road To Rupert (Season 5, Episode 9)

If one character could come between Brian and Stewie on Family Guy, it would be Rupert. Stewie's beloved teddy bear is constantly by his side, creating an unusual bond between the two. In "Road To Rupert," Brian mistakenly sells Rupert at a family yard sale, prompting Stewie to embark on a cross-country journey to retrieve him. While the episode may not possess the same level of excitement as other "Road to" episodes, it offers numerous memorable moments. One such moment features Stewie joining forces with the legendary musical movie icon Gene Kelly in a delightful song and dance number.

13 The Tan Aquatic With Steve Zissou (Season 5, Episode 11)

Brian and Stewie often find themselves in caretaker roles for each other throughout their episodes. In the memorable "The Tan Aquatic with Steve Zissou" from season 5, Stewie becomes interested in tanning after Peter exposes him to the sun without sunscreen. Unfortunately, Stewie goes too far and worries that he may have developed cancer. This standout Family Guy episode showcases Brian's support for Stewie during this anxious time by helping him complete his bucket list while they await news from the doctor. However, since Stewie's diagnosis is uncertain, Brian becomes increasingly frustrated with his elaborate and demanding final wishes. Alongside its engaging plot, the episode also incorporates a delightful nod to the film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," as Stewie expresses his desire to visit the Art Institute of Chicago.

12 Saving Private Brian (Season 5, Episode 4)

Brian confronts the military recruiter who had tried to recruit Chris, intending to express his anger. However, things take an unexpected turn in season 5’s “Saving Private Brian” when both Brian and Stewie end up enlisting themselves. This particular episode of Brian and Stewie showcases their journey through boot camp and their subsequent deployment, cleverly satirizing the Iraq War. While initially serving as a platform for comedic elements, the episode gains depth as Stewie persuades Brian to persevere, highlighting his tendency to quit. As a result, this installment of Family Guy stands out with its emotional narrative arc.

11 Stewie Is Enceinte (Season 13, Episode 12)

10 Yug Ylimaf (Season 11, Episode 4)

In this episode featuring Brian and Stewie, Stewie becomes aware of Brian's growing emotional distance in season 13's "Stewie is Enceinte." In an unconventional attempt to reconnect with him, Stewie takes Brian's DNA and impregnates himself with a group of hybrid offspring mixing humans and dogs. This particular Stewie and Brian episode is highly regarded, although it stirs controversy due to its dark concept and explicit scenes. Throughout the episode, Stewie and Brian form a bond as they navigate the complexities of their offspring's biology, resulting in the arrival of seven hybrids who possess both human and puppy traits. As an additional element, the episode incorporates the common trope of oblivious adults who never acknowledge Stewie's pregnancy.

In an episode featuring time travel, Brian and Stewie experiment with a time machine in an attempt to impress women. However, things take a turn when Brian accidentally reverses time, causing chaos and leaving Stewie to desperately try to restore the timeline. In this exciting sci-fi adventure of Family Guy's season 11, titled "Yug Ylimaf," the responsibility falls on Brian to save the day and fix the repercussions caused by the reversed time. This twist adds an enjoyable element to the storyline, especially when the reversed time eventually reaches Stewie's birth.

9 Stuck Together, Torn Apart (Season 3, Episode 19)

8 Peter’s Daughter (Season 6, Episode 7)

The relationship between Brian and Stewie is showcased in various episodes, highlighting their inability to separate. In the season 3 episode "Stuck Together, Torn Apart," while Peter and Lois explore a trial separation, Brian and Stewie find themselves unintentionally attached to each other using a high-strength adhesive. Initially, the constant togetherness leads to mutual disdain, but as time progresses, they use the opportunity to strengthen their bond. Surprisingly, even after the adhesive is dissolved, they continue to hold hands, demonstrating their newfound closeness.

Stewie's character on Family Guy is defined by his crafty nature. In season 6's "Peter's Daughter," Stewie manages to persuade Brian to invest in a run-down property. However, their lack of knowledge in home renovation becomes evident, leading to numerous communication issues (highlighted by the infamous "over" walkie-talkie joke). As the situation worsens, Stewie proposes a daring solution: blowing up the building. The subsequent explosion is captured from multiple camera angles, reminiscent of the dramatic sequences found in action movies, ensuring maximum visual impact.

7 North By North Quahog (Season 4, Episode 1)

6 Movin’ Out (Brian’s Song) (Season 6, Episode 2)

During Peter and Lois' vacation to revive their marriage in the episode "North by North Quahog" (which followed the show's revival after being canceled by Fox), Brian is entrusted with taking care of the kids and quickly proves to be an ineffective disciplinarian. Stewie comes to the rescue, and as a result, Brian and Stewie assume the roles of a quarreling married couple. This pivotal episode marked the beginning of Brian and Stewie's journey as the influential comedic duo at the heart of Family Guy.

In "Movin' Out (Brian's Song)," Brian decides to move in with his girlfriend. Little does he know, Stewie tags along to assist with the rent, quickly establishing himself as a highly irritating roommate. Brian's initial annoyance at Stewie's behavior at the Griffin's household pales in comparison to the chaos of sharing an apartment with him. Despite being a baby, Stewie insists on sleeping in Brian and Jillian's bed whenever he feels scared, causing even more frustration. Ultimately, through his countless poor choices and actions, Stewie undoubtedly proves himself to be an absolutely dreadful roommate.

5 Back To The Pilot (Season 10, Episode 5)

4 Brian & Stewie (Season 8, Episode 17)

In the episode "Back to the Pilot" from season 10, Stewie takes Brian on a time-travel adventure to the pilot episode of Family Guy. They journey back to uncover where Stewie buried a bone, but things take a dramatic turn when Brian decides to use the opportunity to prevent the tragic event of 9/11, causing significant consequences across multiple universes. Throughout the episode, there are clever and self-referential jokes that highlight the evolution of Family Guy and its characters since the pilot episode. The contrast between the sophisticated and modern Stewie and Brian in the earlier, less refined animation style of the show's early seasons adds an extra layer of humor. "Back to the Pilot" is undoubtedly the one Family Guy episode that truly emphasizes the immense changes the show has undergone over the years.

One of the most outstanding episodes in the history of Family Guy, aside from the “Road to...” specials, is an extended episode that centers around the remarkable friendship between Brian and Stewie. It also includes one of the most heart-wrenching moments of the show. In the eighth season’s “Brian & Stewie,” these two iconic characters find themselves trapped in a bank over the course of a weekend. Breaking away from typical Family Guy style, this episode is a bottle episode that defies tradition. It exclusively focuses on Brian and Stewie, with no other characters, cutaway gags, or additional music besides the opening theme. As they sit together in the bank’s safe deposit box room, their relationship takes center stage, revealing Brian's occasional contemplation of suicide and Stewie's dependence on Brian as his reason to continue living.

3 Road To The North Pole (Season 9, Episode 7)

"Road to the North Pole" has earned its place as one of the top "Road to" episodes and is also considered one of the finest Christmas episodes in the Family Guy series. The storyline revolves around Stewie's disappointment with Santa after a negative encounter at the mall, leading him to venture to the North Pole with the intention of eliminating him. This episode perfectly showcases the exceptional qualities that make Family Guy an outstanding adult animated show. It incorporates a plethora of dark humor and delivers some of the most remarkable musical numbers ever produced by the series. It furthermore showcases Brian and Stewie's mischievous exploits, particularly their ill-fated endeavor to take over Santa's responsibilities.

2 Roads To Vegas (Season 11, Episode 21)

One of the most amusing and audacious episodes in the "Road to..." series of Family Guy is "Roads to Vegas" from season 11. This particular installment is also noticeably grittier compared to other episodes of the show. In an attempt to teleport themselves to a Cher concert in Las Vegas, Stewie and Brian become the subjects of a failed experiment. As a result, duplicate versions of Stewie and Brian find themselves in Sin City. While one pair enjoys an unforgettable experience, the other pair faces the consequences of their actions.

1 Road To The Multiverse (Season 8, Episode 1)

This episode served as an integral part of the two-part season finale for the popular animated sitcom, Family Guy. The narrative featured an unfortunate twist of fate for one of the Brian and Stewie pairings, leading to the demise of one character from each duo. Surprisingly, the episode veered away from the typical relentless humor that usually permeates Family Guy, allowing for a well-crafted parallel story. When viewed alongside the preceding episode, "No Country Club For Old Men," it showcased the show's exceptional performance during its eleventh season.

"Road to the Multiverse" by Family Guy beat all other superhero movies and the MCU in popularizing the concept of the multiverse. Stewie's ability to invent a device that enables him to explore different realities within the multiverse comes as no surprise. Equally unsurprising is the chaos that ensues when he and Brian decide to test out the device.

Brian and Stewie find themselves caught up in chaos, jumping between various realities in their desperate quest to get back home. Along the way, they stumble upon amusing situations, such as an unexpectedly grim yet comedic Disney universe, a world reminiscent of the Flintstones, and even a reality dominated by dogs instead of humans. This episode flawlessly combines the trademark style of Family Guy, with its rapid-fire jokes, and weaves them into a compelling narrative built around these hilarious scenarios.