*Episode premise spoilers.*
I can’t remember when I stopped watching American Dad! I feel like it was after this point, because I think I have vague recollections of this episode, though I can’t say for certain. Compared to animated shows like The Simpsons or BoJack Horseman, which have featured their share of very deliberate guest stars, the old Seth MacFarlane shows on Fox feature prominent film actors showing up in surprisingly small or random roles. Diego Luna’s part in this episode isn’t quite a throwaway, but it’s not something I’d have expected to pop up in his filmography.
Not long after breadwinner Stan’s latest round of scheduled sex with his wife Francine, strange and paranormal things start happening around the house. It becomes clear that the family is being haunted by a ghost of sorts: the ghost of Francine’s long-dormant sexual pleasure. If they’re to escape its wrath, Stan is going to have to satisfy his wife for the first time in years.
Even though it’s been years since I’ve watched American Dad!, I fell back into the swing of the show pretty easily. Blustering alpha Stan. Unchallenged housewife Francine. Boundary-pushing daughter Haley. Nerdy son Steve. Kooky alien in the attic Roger and dryly sarcastic East German spy in the body of a fish Klaus (Stan works for the FBI, just go with it.)
There are some amusing bits in this episode, like Stan putting on the national anthem as mood music—“Ah, Frankie Scott Key, he’s like the white Marvin Gaye”—and a training montage for Stan to get “in shape” for foreplay. This is a fun line: “Stan, just because a Jack-in-the-box doesn’t pop out, it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy you cranking the handle!”
Maybe it’s because, in the years since I used to watch Seth MacFarlane shows, I’ve seen stuff like Sex Education and Big Mouth, but this definitely feels less “edgy” to me than it once would have. It’s actually kind of nice, the idea that Francine going along with a dissatisfying sex life actually manifests a physical presence to voice its frustrations. She’s been prioritizing Stan’s ego over her own needs for so long that her pent-up energy needs an outlet, while Stan is so impressed with his alleged prowess that he hasn’t stopped to pay any attention to what his wife really wants.
Part of the reason this “poltergasm” is manifesting now is due to Haley’s new hook-up buddy, which is where Luna comes in. As his character Mauricio explains to Francine, he and Haley are “benefits,” a.k.a. friends with benefits, but without the friend part. As they conduct their ongoing sex marathon, Francine’s long-ignored desires are reignited.
Mauricio isn’t a complicated character, or a very original one. His basic function is to be hot and have lots of sex, which he does. As per the animation, he’s hunky, tireless, and inventively acrobatic. Luna gets in a few entertaining line readings, such as when Mauricio carries Haley up the stairs to her bedroom, telling her, “Please, save your legs for spasming.” But there’s nothing special here.
Recommend?
In General – A mild maybe. This is a decent episode of an okay show, and it has its moments.
Diego Luna – Not a must. Luna gets the job done, there just isn’t much to it.
Warnings
Sexual content/references, violence, disturbing images, and language.
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