The episode featured a story that is very similar to other stories that similar shows have done in the past, but a less satirical and more outright humorous take on the idea of mega-stores. The Simpsons and South Park both excellently took jabs at stores like Wal-Mart, analyzing the role and effect of superstores within a community… and Family Guy really is no different. Even though it is done less satirically and more outright (much like the rest of their product), the show still presents how these type of stores are taking away small business and are costing the community. But Family Guy (like the other two shows mentioned) also showed the convenience of these type of stores… which helps to balance the argument. But I suppose it is obvious as to where the show stood on this topic as they level the store with a tank bringing electricity back to the rest of the city. As mentioned, not as smart or clever as, let's say South Park, but it got its point across regardless.
As always it is the random gags and throw-away jokes - which the producers of the show have lovingly referred to as manatee gags since South Park's "Cartoon Wars" (check out our Comic-Con article where this is mentioned) - that make or break an episode. Even a show with a bad premise or main story can still be salvaged by a good secondary story or a couple manatee gags. Fortunately for this episode it had a good (although not original) main story, and some extremely funny gags. From the Electric Company bit to making fun of people who drive Hummers and watch movies like Madagascar, this episode had it all. My personal favorite gags were - excluding the Peter taking down Yogi, the Ghost Whisperer, the gay Iceman, and Sloth from The Goonies getting fed a Baby Ruth (which were all great) - the disco roller-skating and the Red Dawn musical. The roller-skating bit was much akin to those from some current movies like the ATL and Roll Bounce… but much funnier. And the funniest bit was the one-man Red Dawn musical featuring Peter. It has been a while since I laughed that hard at a manatee gag like that - I mean "I'm a Wolverine and my hatred keeps me warm."
All in all, this episode may have lagged a little in the middle, but the hilarious beginning and the nice ending (Meg bonding with Peter - only to have things go back to the way they started) made it worth watching. Now let's all just hope and pray that the show stays on this current path - because we really want to love it.
