Ep 12. Stan of Arabia Part I

Stan of Arabia Part I is the 12th episode of the first season of American Dad. The show follows the life of a CIA agent named Stan Smith and his family, which includes his wife Francine, their children Hayley and Steve, and an alien named Roger. In this episode, Stan is sent to Saudi Arabia on a mission to take down a terrorist group.

The episode begins with Stan being briefed on his mission by his boss, Deputy Director Bullock. He is told that a terrorist group has taken over a mall in Saudi Arabia and is holding hostages. Stan is tasked with infiltrating the group and taking them down from the inside. He is excited to go on the mission and feels proud of himself for being chosen for such an important task.

Before he leaves, Stan has a conversation with his family about his mission. He tells them that he will be gone for a while and that he will miss them. Francine is worried about him and Hayley is angry that he is going to a country where women have no rights. Steve, on the other hand, is thrilled that his dad is a spy and asks him how he can become one too.

Once in Saudi Arabia, Stan is quickly discovered by the terrorist group and is taken captive. He is thrown into a cell with a man named Mahmoud, who tells him about the harsh treatment that prisoners receive in the country. Stan is shocked by the conditions and thinks that he should try to escape as soon as possible. However, Mahmoud tells him that he needs to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.

As he waits to be rescued, Stan tries to make the best of his situation. He befriends Mahmoud and teaches him how to play baseball. The two even sing a rendition of "YMCA" together. Meanwhile, in America, the rest of the family is worried about Stan and decides to try to rescue him themselves.

Stan of Arabia Part I is a thrilling episode with plenty of action and humor. The show does a good job of balancing the serious subject matter of terrorism with its trademark irreverent and often absurd humor. The episode also includes some interesting commentary on the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia, which adds another layer of depth to the show's comedy.

Overall, Stan of Arabia Part I is a must-watch episode for fans of American Dad. It showcases the show's strengths in terms of sharp writing, great voice acting, and innovative storytelling. The episode sets up an exciting cliffhanger that leads into the second part of the story, making viewers eager to see how everything will turn out.