Review: American Dad “Holy Shit, Jeff’s Back!”

Posted on May 19, 2015August 20, 2019 by Tommy North

SPOILERS BELOW

Two things returned last night: new American Dad episodes, and Jeff! This is the first of the last three episodes on the show’s twelfth season. As fans of the show may recall, Jeff was sent into space by Roger back in season nine. Many fans have wondered if the character would ever make a return to the show, and it appears they finally have their answer. But was his return episode even worth the watch? Continue on for the review! Just another warning that there will be spoilers!

In “Holy Shit, Jeff’s Back!” Jeff makes a triumph return from space… or does he?

“Holt Shit, Jeff’s Back” is a rather strong episode in a season that has overall just been fantastic. The big event of the episode alone will be enough to cement it in the memories of fans, plus there is a lot more that makes the episode one to remember. We’re introduced to a new alien race named the “Dissectors” who also can go by the name “Collectors”. They share the same hobby as the Collector in the Marvel comic books, essentially travelling the cosmos collecting whatever they can. They also have a habit of dissecting the various life forms they come across. They aren’t the most interesting characters, but they do serve a needed purpose for the story.

If you’ve seen the episode then you know the Jeff that makes a return to Earth isn’t actually Jeff, it’s an alien that his taken his form in order to capture Stan for dissection and simultaneously learn about mankind.

The best part about the episode is Jeff and Stan’s relationship. Typically polar opposites previously in the show are now bonding over frozen yogurt… a lot of frozen yogurt. The episode could have taken the obvious route and have the entire episode focus on Jeff and Hayley, but instead there are various twist and turns in this episode that keep you engaged. You wonder why these aliens are doing what they’re doing, and the bigger question is where the real Jeff is? Ultimately that question gets answered, and it seems Jeff will be returning to the show again. I think the plot device they used to have him come back was a little too convenient, and it just seemed forced. I would have preferred is Alien Jeff stuck around, even though he kind of is. It’s confusing, I know.

The writing in this episode was also spot on. Great jokes, really interesting narrative and the story was really better than what you would usually get in an episode of American Dad, but the episode wasn’t completely flawless. There was a forgettable subplot in this episode involving Steve and Klause. It wasn’t funny at all, and by the time it wraps up at the end of the episode, I sort of forgot it was even going on. I think the time they used on that story could have gone to more buddy time between Jeff and Stan or even developing these alien characters we are being introduced to. There is also a lot in this episode you need to get your head around. American Dad isn’t an intellectual show, so when they throw a lot of confusing concepts your way to explain what exactly is happening, it can be off-putting. On the other side of the coin this can be a good thing because it shows that the writers have confidence in the intelligence of their viewers.

Overall, this was a really great episode. It’s good to have Jeff back, Hayley just isn’t as good of a character without him. There are a lot of elements of this episode I hope carry over into future episodes. There was a bit of fat I think could have been trimmed off, and replaced with something of substance but at the end of the day I think this episode will make you laugh and maybe even think a little.