Perhaps the most dimwitted dad in animated TV, Peter Griffin’s foolery knows no bounds. From selling his daughter to pay off his debt to forgetting how to sit or breathe, the Family Guy protagonist is truly “Petarded” as established in Season 4, Episode 6, where it was conclusively proven that he’s mentally retarded. His idiocy is central to the show’s brand of shock humor and overall appeal.
Although Peter Griffin is a tenacious dolt, he’s had some smart moments, exceptionally in Season 12’s “The Most Interesting Man in the World.” The episode depicts a classy Peter Griffin after he embarks on business trips to show his wife he isn’t an idiot. He returns smart and unbearable, compelling his family to long for the stupid Peter. Apart from that lone episode, here are instances the Griffin patriarch stumbled into a stroke of brilliance.
1. When He Rejected $1 Million To Remain With Lois
Lois Griffin is arguably the best thing that’s happened to Peter. She’s the woman of his dreams, someone he never imagined he could ever marry. While Lois loves Peter, it seems she tolerates him to spite her family, especially her affluent father, Carter Pewterschmidt.
“Death Lives” (Season 3, Episode 6) captures Carter’s resentment of his daughter’s choice of partner, setting up Peter for one of his amusing, foolish-smart moments. The episode has a scene that depicts Carter offering Peter $1 million to stay away from Lois. Peter rejects the offer because Lois is priceless to him, but conveys his refusal thusly: “…No deal! Lois may be worth a million to you, but to me she’s worthless.”
2. His Conversation With Brian At The Site Of 9/11
The scene from “Baby Not on Board” (Season 7, Episode 4) features a conversation between Brian and Peter Griffin in a satirical critique of America’s response to the 9/11 terrorist attack. While being his usual dense self, Peter reenacts the widespread sentiment about the Bush administration misleading Americans into believing Iraq deserves to be invaded for the attacks. Upon visiting the 9/11 site while traveling to the Grand Canyon, the following exchange ensued between Peter Griffin and his dog:
Peter: Ground Zero? So this is where the first guy got AIDS?
Brian: Peter, this is the site of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Peter: Oh, so Saddam Hussein did this?
Brian: No.
Peter: The Iraqi Army?
Brian: No.
Peter: Some guys from Iraq?
Brian: No.
Peter: That one lady who visited Iraq that one time?
Brian: No! Peter, Iraq had nothing to do with this. It was a bunch of Saudi Arabians, Lebanese, and Egyptians, financed by a Saudi Arabian guy living in Afghanistan and sheltered by Pakistanis.
Peter: So you’re saying we need to invade Iran?
3. His Witty Retort When Lois Called Him A Child
Family Guy Season 3’s finale, “When You Wish Upon a Weinstein,” has a notable scene where Lois expresses her frustrations with Peter Griffin. In need of cash to purchase new glasses for their daughter, Lois confronts her husband over his reckless financial decision that has jeopardized her rainy-day fund. “I can’t believe you squandered that money! I swear, sometimes I feel like I’m married to a child,” Lois tells Peter, who silly-cleverly retorts: “You better watch who you’re calling a child, Lois, because if I’m a child, then you know what that makes you? A pedophile, and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna stand here and be lectured by a pervert.”
4. When He Was Stuck In An Elevator With God
Peter Griffin’s foolish ways land him in a coma in “Are You There God? It’s Me, Peter” (Season 16, Episode 20). He finds himself stuck in an elevator with God and engages Him in an interesting but occasionally silly conversation. For a guy who has been unapologetically dumb, Peter asks God questions that are rather too intelligent, betraying his devotion to buffoonery as deliberate. Meaningful questions about reincarnation and atheism aren’t what you’d expect from someone who’s mentally retarded.
5. When He Outshone Tom Tucker At His Job
@thatboyku You know what really grinds my gears? Lmfaooo #petergriffin #familyguy #whatreallygrindsmygears
♬ original sound – ThatBoyKu🥷🏾❤️🔥
Frustrated over the difficulty in accessing pornography in “Stewie B. Goode” (Season 4: Episode 28), Peter Griffin goes off in a tirade in front of Quahog’s news anchor, Tom Tucker. Surprisingly impressed, Tom offers Peter a job at the station to host “What Really Grinds My Gears,” a segment where he gets to rant about petty, nonsensical irritants. Unfortunately for Tucker, the segment becomes popular with Peter’s rantings on random but relatable issues that annoy him. He outshines Tucker and smartly ignores the newscaster’s efforts to get him fired. Check out 5 times Family Guy’s Glenn Quagmire was way out of line.
