'Family Guy' Season 11, Episode 17: '12 and a Half Angry Men' Recap

“Family Guy”, season 11, episode 17, “12 and a Half Angry Men”

After one of Mayor West’s aides is found stabbed to death in his office, evidence is discovered; mainly a blackmail letter threatening to expose Mayor West’s corruption unless he pays him. He is arrested after giving a press conference covered in blood.

Peter and Brian are on the jury, along with Herbert, Mort Goldman, Tom Tucker, Carl, and others. And while the majority of the jurors see it as an open and shut guilty case, Brian urges them to go over the evidence: the blackmail letter, the weapon, and an eye witness. Everyone votes guilty except for Brian, causing lots of anger.

The press eagerly await an answer, but Brian holds firm on his decision. He urges the other jurors to consider the possibility of his being innocent. Carter Pewterschmidt argues that Mayor West was the only one with the motive, but Brian asks if that’s really true. They point out that he’s a politician, and politicians always lie, so he must have been lying, despite claiming to never have seen the letter before. Brian urges them to get over that stereotype, since his life is on the line.

They decide to look over the victim’s blackmail letter. Tom Tucker says it’s proof of Mayor West’s motive, but Brian is convinced that stationary the letter was written on wasn’t from the Mayor’s office, but from the Marriott. And since the victim had access to Mayor West’s stationary, using stationary from a hotel casts doubt on the whole thing.

They call for a new anonymous vote. Once again, one juror votes not guilty. They demand to know who changed their vote, and Herbert admits it was him. The jurors all want to go home, and they call for a recess.

Quagmire targets Brian about not voting with the majority and letting them all go home. He says that there was an eye witness, so there shouldn’t be any doubt. But Brian argues that her testimony doesn’t add up, she was at an orgy when the crime happened, and likely wouldn’t have been able to look out the window to witness it. After they recreate the scene of the orgy, Quagmire realizes she couldn’t have seen out the window.

They call for a new vote, and it’s tied at 6 to 6. Tom Tucker argues that since he doesn’t have a moustache, he must have done it. Dr. Hartman pulls off his moustache, causing Tom Tucker to rethink his stance on the non-moustached. He changes his vote to not guilty.

Another revote leaves them 11-1. Carter is the only one who still finds him guilty. When probed, Carter reveals that he got Mayor West elected and let him marry his daughter, and he’s done nothing but let him down. He feels betrayed, but changes his vote to not guilty.

Mayor West, an innocent man, address the public. He thanks the public and the justice system. He resumes his duties as mayor.

Stewie points out that there’s still a murdered on the loose, and they’ve found 8 new bodies since the trial. But Brian is more happy that he let an innocent man go free.