Family Guyhas been delivering laughs since 1999 and has become one of the most popular animated sitcoms with over 400 episodes under its belt. The show is currently in its 21st season, and is still carried by creator,Seth MacFarlanewho provides the voice of several characters in the series, including Peter Griffin, Glenn Quagmire, and the sophisticated world-dominating baby, Stewie.
Known for his superior intelligence and musical routines, Stewie’s been the center of memorable moments, but episodes like “Stewie Loves Lois” and “Road to the Multiverse” are just a few of his best episodes. From his days of plotting Lois' demise to his escapades with Brian,it’s the perfect time to rank Stewie’s biggest, boldest, and best episodes in the long-running sitcom (so far).
Family Guy
30"Stewie’s First Word"
Season 19, Episode 1 (2020)
Despite speaking rather elegantly and fluidly throughout the entire series, Stewie says his first official word in “Stewie’s First Word,” which, to Lois' horror, is a curse word. When all the other moms shun Lois for what should have been a celebratory milestone, she decides to find out how and where Stewie had heard the word in the first place, looking at every potential culprit, including her own family.
For a baby with such a vast and extensive vocabulary,Stewie’s choice to say “f**k” as his first word is a classicFamily Guymove. While the episode eventually shifts more towards Lois' mission to find the source or person responsible for her baby’s poor choice of words, ‘Stewie’s First Word" still ranks as a first-rate Stewie episode that goes against the grain of Stewie’s usual posh and sophisticated demeanor.
29"Baby Stewie"
Season 18, Episode 15 (2020)
When Brian points out to Stewie that he will most likely lose his advanced intelligence once he hits puberty, Stewie tries to avoid the inevitable by building a machine that will keep him the same age forever. While Stewie’s new invention proves to be a success in keeping him the same age, it unfortunately turns him into exactly what he has always been: a baby.
“Baby Stewie” gives viewers a look at what Stewie would be like if he acted his age, providing a humorous and authentic view of the seemingly superior character who becomes more of a handful than anyone expected. Despite his lack of intelligence and motor skills, seeingStewie as an actual baby is not only hilarious but also a nice change fromthe traditional know-it-all characterwho still manages to be a pain in Brian’s butt.
28"Big Trouble in Little Quahog"
Season 17, Episode 4 (2018)
After returning home from a birthday party, Stewie finds a dog whistle in his goody bag, which he uses to torture Brian. When Brian eventually gets the whistle, he turns the tables on Stewie, holding it above the baby’s grasp, laughing at how he’s too short to reach it. To get back at him, Stewie shrinks Brian down to miniature size until he apologizes, but when Brian is faced with unexpected trouble, Stewie has no choice but to shrink himself to help him.
Brian and Stewie are always getting into some ridiculous trouble or scenario, but their dilemma in “Big Trouble in Little Quahog” is one of their most memorable. The episode feels like a subtle nod to the famous family comedy,Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, but witha traditional twist of the series’ notable style and outrageous humorthat makes “Big Trouble in Little Quahog” one of the best Stewie episodes in the show’s recent years.
27"Stewie Goes for a Drive"
Season 10, Episode 4 (2011)
When Brian leaves Stewie alone in his car to finish listening to a song, Stewie accidentally puts the car in drive but manages to stop it before any real damage can happen. Despite the close call, Stewie can’t stop thinking about the experience and the “rush” it gave him. He eventually sneaks out and takes Brian’s car for a quick drive, but when he drives it into a streetlamp, he is afraid of the consequences he might face and tries to play it off as if someone or something else is responsible for the damage.
There are severalFamily Guyepisodes where Stewie somehow loses his superior intelligence and reminds fans that he is still a kid, so when he takes Brian’s car for a joyride in “Stewie Goes for a Drive,” he ends up in a situation that almost every viewer can relate to from their childhood. Hopefully, no one decided to drive a car as an infant, butStewie’s fear and anxiety over getting in trouble is easily one of the series' most relatable momentsand one of the character’s rare instances of genuine vulnerability and remorse that fans seldom see.
26"Spies Reminiscent of Us"
Season 8, Episode 3 (2009)
WhenDan AykroydandChevy Chasemove into Cleveland’s old house across the street, Stewie and Brian suspect there’s more to their random arrival and eventually discover that they are spies who are searching for a sleeper agent who was programmed by the former Soviet Union. As Stewie and Brian accompany Chase and Aykroyd on their mission, they travel to Russia only to discover the sleeper agent is someone much closer to their home in Quahog.
“Spies Reminiscent of Us” is a spoof of Aykroyd and Chase’shilarious 1985 spy comedy,Spies Like Us, and follows a rather ridiculous plot that only Stewie and Brian would find themselves in. The episode tries to remain faithful to the movie, incorporating scenes and characters from the movie down to the finest detail, proving to be not only a great Stewie episode but alsoa prime example of the show’s ability to adapt original content while still forging its own creative path.
25"Stuck Together, Torn Apart"
Season 3, Episode 19 (2002)
Stewie and Brian are always getting into some kind of problematic situation and in “Stuck Together, Torn Apart,” the dog and baby end up gluing themselves together with an industrial-strength glue. As the two try relentlessly to separate themselves, they’re forced to put up with each other 24/7, leading to a series of comedic events.
“Stuck Together, Torn Apart” takesa common sitcom scenario but adds an uncensored, realistic twist to the situation that is in classicFamily Guyfashion. From having to stand by during Stewie’s diaper changes to Stewie being woken up in the middle of the night by Brian cleaning himself,the iconic animated duoendures some outrageously funny obstacles that never cease to surprise fans.
24"Sibling Rivalry"
Season 4, Episode 22 (2006)
After Peter donates his sperm, two women give birth to Stewie’s half-brother, Bertram (Wallace Shawn) who, like his sibling, is just as intelligent and diabolical. When the two meet for the first time at the local park, they immediately take a dislike for each other and engage in an all-out war.
“Sibling Rivalry” introduces Bertram for the first time, who makes several reoccurring appearances throughout the show. Even though the set-up is kind of unbelievable, it’s entertaining to see Stewie go up against someone who is almost exactly like him, putting him in an unpredictable and vulnerable situation.Between the two babies' over-the-top dramatics and a series of clever traps, “Sibling Rivalry” is one of the best Stewie episodes.
23"Killer Queen"
Season 10, Episode 16 (2012)
When Brian and Stewie are up in the attic going through things, Brian finds a Queen album, “News of the World,” among the clutter of boxes. Brian shows Stewie the album but is surprised at how the image on the album immediately terrifies Stewie. Considering the number of times Stewie has had his fun at Brian’s expense, Brian decides to use this new fear to pull a series of practical jokes on Stewie, terrorizing him at every turn.
“Killer Queen” is one of few that features Stewie in a vulnerable situation as well as a childish fear that reminds fans thathe is just a baby. Brian’s stunts are over the top and consistently catch Stewie off-guard, which, of course, aren’t funny to him, but are definitely hilarious for fans to witness.It’s not often that Brian has the upper hand against Stewie and considering the array of jokes he puts Stewie through, “Killer Queen” is undeniably a gem of a Stewie episode.
Season 11, Episode 21 (2013)
When Brian wins tickets to seeCeline Dionin Las Vegas, Stewie suggests they use his teleport device to send them to Las Vegas, but when the attempt fails, they assume it didn’t work and take a plane to Sin City. Unbeknownst to them, the device did work but not in the way they had expected. Instead of transporting them, the device made clones of them who make it to Vegas before the originals. As the duplicate pair seem to strike it lucky, the real Brian and Stewie can’t catch a break, leading them to resort to drastic measures to get back home.
All of Brian and Stewie’s “Road to…” episodes are highly entertaining, but “Road to Vegas” isone that takes an ominous turn when the original Brian and Stewie become in debt to a loan shark. Between a classic case of mistaken identity and an accidental switch of bags, things eventually work out for Brian and Stewie….well, at least one of each of them, deeming “Road to Vegas” to be a one-of-a-kind Stewie episode.
21"Stew-Roids"
Season 7, Episode 13 (2009)
During a backyard barbecue at the Swanson’s house, Joe and Bonnie’s baby, Susie, beats up Stewie, which results in Peter taking Stewie to the local gym to bulk him up and teach him how to defend himself. When a trainer notices Stewie struggling with some weights, he offers Peter steroids, which he injects into his son (intypicalFamily Guyfashion), leading him to become a beast with a serious anger issue.
Steroids are not a laughing matter, butwitnessing Stewie transform into this macho, body-builder hothead is pretty humorous, especially when he starts bullying and tormenting Brian. One notable scene is when Stewie refuses to let Brian go down the stairs, blocking his every move like an arrogant jerk and frustrating Brian to no end. Of course, when Stewie stops taking the drugs and is back to his normal size, Brian takes the opportunity to have his revenge, resulting in an unexpected and hilarious getaway by Stewie.
