Family Guy (1999) has taken audiences on a laugh-out-loud adventure complete with absurd antics, deep philosophical inquiries, and controversial commentaries on society. However, it has also given fans their share of sweet and wholesome moments amidst the chaos.
A cartoon about an Irish-American family living in Quahog, Rhode Island, the Griffins make up the kooky clan voiced by actor and creator Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Mila Kunis, and Seth Green.
Family Guy has proven they can — and do — demonstrate occasions of profound love, fond nostalgia, and happy acceptance that fans can never forget.
Chris Saves Peter In "And The Wiener Is..."
"And the Wiener Is..." sees Peter struggle with his inadequacies compared to Chris as his son begins to overtake him in sports, skills, and other areas. Corrupted by doubt and jealousy over his insecurities, Peter looks for ways to mend his ego and maintain a relationship with his son.
By the end of the episode, and after Chris has been privy to his dad's irritation for quite some time, he saves them from a bear on a winter hunting trip. Peter has never been more proud of his son, tells Chris he handled that like a real man, and his bodily endowment is a blessing; something he'll never have to worry about. They walk off into the sunset laughing over Peter's name (in typical Peter and Chris style).
Francis Tells Peter He Loves Him In "Holy Crap"
In season 2's "Holy Crap," Francis Griffin, father to Peter, comes to visit — and stay — upon his retirement, which causes trouble for the rest of the Griffin family. Francis has much disdain for his son, who married a Protestant, golfs on Sunday, drinks excessively, and generally cuts corners at his job and in his life.
When the Pope comes to visit, Peter kidnaps him and asks for his divine intervention, asking how to handle his dad in relation to him and his family. After Francis insults his Holiness, he commends Peter for his patience, calling him a 'saint.' He also reminds Peter that he only has to honor his father, not like him.
At that point, Peter defends his choices and his life, but also tells his father he loves him. In a moment of brief sadness overcome by tenderness, Francis tells Peter that even though he doesn't like him either, of course he loves him, too.
Peter's Acceptance In "The Son Also Draws"
Season 1's "The Son Also Draws" follows the Griffins as they fight to get Chris back into the Youth Scouts after his ejection (as well as Lois developing a nasty gambling problem at a casino and losing the car to a bet). In order to get it back, Peter has to go on a sacred spiritual journey with no shoes, food, or water until he can communicate with nature and realize a great personal truth about himself.
While joining his father, Chris admits he doesn't like Scouts and wants to draw instead. Initially, Peter is devastated, but then realizes that this is his great recognition: to listen to his son and accept him for who he is.
Chris shows Peter some drawings and he tells them they look good; that no one else in the family can do this, and that although he doesn't say it often enough, he is proud of him.
Stewie And Brian Hold Hands In "Stuck Together, Torn Apart"
As the title suggests season 3's in "Stuck Together, Torn Apart," Stewie and Brian, after a mishap in the store with some super industrial adhesive glue, get stuck together by the hand for two weeks until a dissolving solution arrives by mail. Throughout this time, they have to do everything together.
When they help save a little woman from the bottom of a well, and after having put on the dissolving solution, they finally become unstuck. Initially they are happy and relieved; then Stewie asks Brian if he wants to hold hands on their way home, to which Brian responds with a 'sure' and they walk off hand-in-hand.
Stewie Loves Brian In "Brian And Stewie"
In the appropriately titled "Brian and Stewie" from season 8, the two get locked in a bank vault on a Saturday when Brain takes Stewie with him there on a personal errand. With so much time together and in a cramped, confined space, they get to know one another on a brand new, highly intimate level with many moments of cringe, tension, disgust, and, by the episode's end, wholesomeness.
Brian is dejected when he feels unloved, unwanted, and without a purpose. After discovering a pistol, Stewie asks Brian why he has it in the first place. When he tells Stewie why, he professes to Brian he is his only friend; that he makes Stewie's life bearable, and that he would be lost without him. He also tells Brian he cares only for him, likes him a lot, loves him, and cannot do without him.
At the end of the episode, tired and worn, Brian shows Stewie his first edition of Charles Dickinson's "David Copperfield." They snuggle in, Stewie with one hand on Brian's ear, the other in his mouth, and Brian begins.
Lois In Love In "Peter, Peter, Caviar Eater"
In season 2's "Peter, Peter, Caviar Eater," Peter and family receive a windfall of luck when Lois's recently deceased aunt leaves them her famous mansion in Newport. As Peter tries to change and acclimate to the new posh surroundings and people, Lois recounts the first time she and Peter met.
At a party in Newport, Lois wanders off and goes downstairs to a hole-in-the-wall place and sees Peter dancing with a blondie. When their eyes meet, he (literally) drops the woman and heads towards her, taking her into his arms and dancing the night away.
Lois tells her children that he was so unlike anyone else she had ever met, and that this is exactly the reason why she loves him so.
Stewie Loves Brian . . . Again In "New Kidney In Town"
Season 9's "New Kidney in Town" treks the Griffin family's coping with Peter requiring a new kidney in order to live, and Brian unquestionably offering his own. To Stewie's astonishment — as the family had been keeping it from him — he abducts Brian and takes him to the playground where they will live forever, designating different areas of the park as a grocer, mall, post office, and more.
Brain demands Stewie take him home and that his mind is made up; Stewie needs his dad more than he needs a dog. Sobbing, Stewie tells Brian he loves him and begs for a hug in classic baby style: runny nose, wet face and all.
Peter And Lois' Anniversary In "Death Lives"
In "Death Lives" in season 3, Peter goes to great lengths to show Lois he loves her. When Peter decides he is going to go golf instead of spending the day with Lois for their anniversary, he distracts her with a scavenger hunt. However, he then gets struck by lightning and is paid a visit by none other than Death himself.
Death takes Peter on a time-traveling mission to the past in order for Peter to have a revelation that will save his marriage. Once he succumbs to said epiphany — and with Lois steaming mad on her way to confront Peter — she is surprised with singer Peter Frampton who sings Lois and Peter's song, "Baby I Love Your Way," leaving her softened and smitten.
Brian And Meg Connect In "Dial Meg For Murder"
In Season 8's "Dial Meg for Murder," Brian gets a job for a magazine in which he has to write an article about the everyday life of a teenage girl. Deciding to follow Meg around for research purposes, he discovers her boyfriend is a convict. When she herself is thrown in prison for aiding and abetting him, she turns into a hardened young woman upon her release.
In a last-ditch effort to keep Meg from destroying her life again, Brian shows her his article, which explains Meg is kind, hopeful, sweeter, and far from a typical teenager.
Stewie Saves Brian's Life In "Christmas Guy"
In one of the show's most shocking moments, the beloved Brian is killed in a fateful car accident in season 12. Fans were outraged by not only his death but bringing in another talking dog, Vinny, as Brian's replacement.
Brian's departure was short-lived as Stewie found a way to save his best friend. Long story short, Stewie altered with time in "Christmas Guy" so Brian would still be alive and none the wiser to the fact he even died in the first place.