Family Guy Season 16 Episode 17 Review: Switch the Flip
Lisa Babick
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Are we too dependent on technology?
After Brian becomes addicted to "Brandi" (aka "Alexa") on Family Guy Season 16 Episode 17 pushing him further into loserhood, Stewie thinks he can change Brian's life by swapping bodies with him.
Stewie always has Brian's best interests at heart, but sometimes he's way too smart for his own good.
Brian hit it on the nose when he warned Stewie that his machines always seem to fail at the worst time, but it didn't stop the two from swapping bodies so that Stewie could turn Brian's life around.
Or at least try. Once a loser, always a loser.
Stewie couldn't do anything to help Brian out, and his little venture into Freaky Friday territory ended up causing havoc throughout Quahog.
Brian was the first one to complain about our dependence on technology, but it didn't take him long to become addicted to Family Guy's version of Alexa.
I think the whole idea of Alexa is creepy. For some people, it's essentially taken the place of another person. Why bother interacting with people when you can interact with a machine?
It's just one more step towards complete isolation.
Brian: There was a time, not to long ago, when people would talk with each other.
Peter: Yeah, the bad time. The sucky ages.
Brian: Our society is doomed. People and technology are a bad match. Just like moms and Radiohead.
Our society is in a sad state. Stores are closing left and right because of technology and mega stores like Amazon which has become a one-stop shop for everything. Is there anything you can't get on Amazon?
Related: Family Guy Season 16 Episode 6 Review: The D in Apartment 23
Now, Amazon's solved another problem. Feeling lonely and lazy? Just get yourself an Alexa app, and you'll have a forever friend.
Stewie realized that his friend needed to change his life. I'm surprised Stewie didn't think of creating a body swapping machine sooner.
Brian was excited at the thought that Stewie would turn his loser life around, but not even Stewie could work miracles.
It didn't take Stewie long to realize that being Brian wasn't easy and that no matter how he tried, there wasn't any hope for Brian having a successful life.
Related: Family Guy Season 16 Episode 10 Review: Boy (Dog) Meets Girl (Dog)
But if Stewie thought it was going to be easy just to switch back bodies, he had another thing coming. Leave it to Peter to screw things up.
Being in Brian's body was bad, but having to be Peter was even worse -- especially because it was the weekend Peter and Lois were going to a sex seminar.
I loved how cool Chris was with the whole body swapping thing, but where was Meg? I know I've asked this before, but is she even part of the Griffin family anymore?
I would have loved to have seen her switch bodies with someone. Quagmire would have been a good switch for her. It would have been more tasteful than Glen switching bodies with a guinea pig.
Quagmire is a bigger pervert than I ever imagined. Why would he need a guinea pig when he has women throwing themselves at him left and right?
Whatever. That's not even the point.
I can't imagine what it would be like to end up stuck in someone else's body. It might be fun for a while, but I'd rather be in my own skin. Still, it would allow for a better perspective of what someone else is experiencing, and that's what Stewie realized when he swapped bodies with Brian.
It's not easy being someone you're not.
It was funny that Brian finally got his ultimate wish when he ended up in Peter's body. You'd think he would have spent a little more than three minutes in bed with Lois.
He could have made a whole night of it, but it showed Brian's true nature -- he's selfish and immature. Even if Stewie had gotten him a job and a girlfriend, it wouldn't have changed Brian's essence.
Related: Family Guy Season 16 Episode 16 Review: Family Guy Through the Years
It's not that people can't change, but it takes a hell of a lot of effort to change your life.
And if you don't have to interact with other people because you have a friend like Alexa, what would be the point of making a significant change?
The answer is there is there is no point.
My favorite part was when Brian was in the bar, and the hooker took him into the bathroom. Brian's reaction to what she was about to do to him was hilarious.
What was your favorite part?
Do you agree with Brian that we are too dependent on technology? Are apps like Alexa taking the place of real friends?
Would you switch bodies with anyone? Who?
Hit the comments and share your thoughts!
If you need to catch up, you can watch Family Guy online right here via TV Fanatic!
