What Led to Brian Griffin’s Temporary Death on Family Guy?
Brian Griffin’s Temporary Death in Family Guy
Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, stated that the sudden, albeit temporary, death of Brian Griffin was an attempt to show audiences that nothing is truly sacred in the animated sitcom’s universe. He remarked, ‘It reminded people this is still a show where anything can happen despite the fact it’s been on for awhile.’
His death happened in an episode aired on November 24, when he was hit by a speeding car and died on the operating table. This led to an outcry from fans, resulting in a petition with over 128,000 signatures for his return. MacFarlane admitted that the move boosted the show’s ratings, but he was equally amazed by the outpouring of fan outrage.
- ‘We were all very surprised, in a good way, that people still cared enough about that character to be that angry,’ MacFarlane explained. ‘We thought it would create a little bit of a stir, but the rage wasn’t something we counted on.’
- Although the Griffins briefly replaced their beloved dog with Vinny, voiced by ‘Sopranos’ actor Tony Sirico, the new pooch ultimately assisted Stewie in going back in time to save Brian’s life in the Christmas episode.
In that episode, Stewie used a time machine to push Brian out of the way of the vehicle, reversing his death and highlighting the show’s tendency to embrace absurd plot developments. This time machine was reintroduced, despite prior indications of its destruction, with a different version of Stewie time traveling and borrowing the device—showcasing the show’s humorous approach to logic and continuity.
Additionally, the death was meant to teach viewers not to take their loved ones for granted. MacFarlane indicated that Brian’s demise would be a ‘fun way to shake things up’ amid a 21% decrease in viewer rates.
The events of ‘Life of Brian’ showcase Brian Griffin’s temporary death as a plot device reminding viewers that anything can happen within the show. After Stewie’s time travel escapade went horribly wrong, he destroyed his time machine—but felt regret when Brian was fatally injured. Fortunately, in ‘Christmas Guy’, Stewie went back in time and saved Brian, preventing his tragic fate.
How Did Fans React to Brian’s Departure from Family Guy?
Fans reacted strongly to Brian’s departure from Family Guy, particularly following his run-over incident, which led to his ‘death.’
- The reaction was characterized by overwhelming negativity, especially across social media platforms. Many viewers expressed their outrage, claiming the decision was poor and referencing ‘Jump The Shark.’
- A fan from Alabama even initiated a Change.org petition to demand the writers revive the character. This petition highlights that:
- “Brian Griffin was an important part of our viewing experience.”
- “He added a witty and sophisticated element to the show.”
- “Family Guy and Fox Broadcasting will lose viewers if Brian Griffin is not brought back to the show.”
- So far, the petition has gained nearly 2,000 signatures.
- Moreover, many fans did not appreciate Brian’s uncouth replacement, which intensified their dissatisfaction with the show’s direction.
Despite the outrage, some fans noted that Family Guy’s style, which often indulges in extreme plotting, makes it possible for Brian to be revived. After all, the character is voiced by creator Seth MacFarlane, suggesting that it’s tough to imagine such a popular character remaining dead.
Does Brian Return to Family Guy After His Death?
Brian Griffin’s Return in Family Guy
Brian Griffin, the beloved canine from Family Guy, returns in the episode ‘Christmas Guy’ after his death in ‘The Life of Brian.’ In this episode, Stewie uses a time machine from an alternate version of himself to travel back in time and prevent Brian’s fatal car collision. Fans were surprised by Brian’s death, but just two episodes later, he was brought back.
Specifically, in ‘Christmas Guy,’ which is the eighth episode of the twelfth season, Stewie realizes he wants Brian back. Vinny pretends to be Brian, acting like an intellectual and a writer, but fails to cheer up Stewie. Trying to raise his spirits, Vinny and Stewie return to the Quahog Mall, where Stewie spots his past self from a cutaway gag from a previous episode time travelling to purchase a gift. Remembering the time travel occurred prior to Brian’s death, Stewie realizes he can use Past Stewie’s return pad to save Brian.
Then, Stewie arrives in the past, saving Brian from being hit by the car. After explaining the situation to Brian, Stewie sends the return pad back to his past self in order to prevent a temporal paradox. Now unable to return and having altered his past, Stewie fades from existence as Brian thanks him for his actions. In the present on Christmas Day, Brian is still alive and well, thanks to Stewie’s time traveling skills.
Moreover, after Brian returned, Seth MacFarlane commented: “Thanks for caring so much about the canine Griffin, he is overcome with gratitude.” He also indicated that “we’d have to be fucking high” to kill Brian permanently, hinting that killing off Brian was a gag all along.
Additionally, less than a month after Brian was killed off, the character was resurrected due to a strong negative response from fans. The return of Brian was seen as a Christmas miracle, as Stewie’s time traveling abilities played a crucial role in bringing him back from the dead. This incident highlighted the show’s tendency to reverse significant plot twists.
What Was Seth MacFarlane’s Reasoning Behind Brian’s Death?
According to Seth MacFarlane, Brian died to teach all of us brats at home a valuable lesson. He stated, ‘And thus endeth our warm, fuzzy holiday lesson: Never take those you love for granted, for they can be gone in a flash,’ in a since-deleted tweet.
MacFarlane wanted to stir the pot after a long primetime tenure. He explained, ‘Brian’s death reminded people this is still a show where anything can happen despite the fact it’s been on for a while.’
Moreover, he intended to convey the message that viewers should appreciate the characters they love. Although fans were outraged by the sudden loss of a main character, Brian was resurrected just two episodes later, as it was never meant to be a permanent death.
The sudden, albeit temporary death of Brian was an attempt to show audiences that nothing is truly sacred in the animated sitcom. MacFarlane believes this was meant to teach viewers to appreciate their loved ones. Killing him off was supposedly his way of telling viewers, ‘Appreciate those you have.’
Brian died in extreme agony at the vet’s office, and the family held a funeral in his memory. He was promptly replaced with a new dog, Vinny, voiced by Tony Sirico, to shake things up and not permanently kill Brian. The episode revolves around the death of Brian Griffin after being struck by a car, and the family coping with the loss by adopting a replacement dog, Vinny.
The controversial killing off of Brian Griffin in the ‘Life of Brian’ episode of Family Guy caused an uproar among fans who were furious that MacFarlane and the writers had planned to kill off the beloved pet. This profound reaction highlighted Brian’s popularity and the show’s impact on its audience.
Seth MacFarlane also revealed that the sudden, albeit temporary death of Brian was an attempt to show audiences that nothing is truly sacred in the animated sitcom’s universe. MacFarlane added that Brian’s death under the wheels of a passing car had the desired effect, saying: “It did what it was designed to do — it reminded people this is still a show where anything that can happen despite the fact it’s been on for a while.”
Lastly, to MacFarlane, the outrage over Brian’s death was surprising, but not necessarily a bad thing. He remarked, ‘We were all very surprised — in a good way — that people still cared about that character to be that angry.’
How Long Did Viewers Experience Brian’s Absence on Family Guy?
Episode Overview:
“Life of Brian” is the sixth episode of the twelfth season and the 216th overall episode of the animated comedy series Family Guy. It aired on Fox in the United States on November 24, 2013. The episode revolves around the death of Brian Griffin after being struck by a car. As a result, the Griffin family copes with the loss by adopting a replacement dog named Vinny.
Brian’s Death and Family’s Reaction:
- Brian is killed in a car accident while preparing to play hockey with Stewie.
- Stewie destroys his time machine, but later regrets it when Brian dies.
- The family says their goodbyes as Brian nears death.
- Before passing, Brian expresses his love for the family.
- Stewie blames himself and considers rebuilding his time machine to save Brian.
- Despite his efforts, Stewie cannot find the necessary parts, leading to the belief that Brian is lost for good.
- The family holds a funeral for Brian, and a month later, Lois encourages them to adopt a new pet.
Duration of Brian’s Absence:
Although Brian Griffin’s death is a significant moment, he does not remain dead for a long period within the series. A month later, the family still misses him dearly before transitioning to life with a new dog.
