Ep 1. 100 A.D., Part 1 of 2

American Dad season 6 episode 1, titled "100 A.D., Part 1 of 2," kicks off the season-long story arc that follows the Smith family on a wild ride through the past and present. The episode opens with Francine Smith's exciting news of her high school reunion and her desire to coordinate the entire event with perfection. Meanwhile, Stan Smith is less than thrilled at the prospect, as he looks back on his high school years as the beginning of his monotonous, suburban life.

The plot thickens when the family discovers their ancestry and learns that Francine is actually descended from royalty from the distant year of 1010, and they are all in line for a massive inheritance. However, the inheritance comes with a catch: they must travel back in time to the year 1010 and stop the Smith family ancestor from being murdered, thus securing their future and the inheritance.

As the Smith family travels back in time, each member learns more about their own past and struggles with the challenges of the time period. The episode does an excellent job of immersing the viewer in a historically accurate portrayal of life in the early 11th century. The characters engage in sword fights, speak in Old English, and navigate the complex hierarchy of medieval society.

While the family battles to ensure that their ancestor is not murdered, Stan realizes that his own legacy is in jeopardy, as he may disappear altogether if his ancestor does not survive. This realization leads him to another existential crisis and forces him to confront his own fears of becoming just another boring Smith.

The episode is chock-full of humor, both silly and witty, and maintains the series' signature satirical tone throughout. The animators do an excellent job of bringing historical figures and events to life, while still keeping the characters' personalities and quirks intact.

Overall, the season 6 opener of American Dad is a fun, engaging romp through time and history that sets up the rest of the season beautifully. The story arc twists and turns through various time periods and events, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats and ready for more. While the episode does end on a cliffhanger, it only serves to heighten the anticipation for part two and the rest of the season.