Meg, Stewie and Brian go to Russia.
Season: 21 Episode: 19
Total Episode Count: 408
Prod. no.: MACX16
First Aired: April 30, 2023
Guest Starring: Martha Plimpton
Featuring: Brian, Meg, Stewie
Also Appearing: Lois, Peter, Chris, Quagmire, Stephanie, Elmer Hartman, Joe, Bonnie Swanson, Susie Swanson, Donna Tubbs-Brown, Ivan
Musical Numbers: N/A
Director: John Holmquist
Assistant Director: Rick Del Carmen
Writers: Polina Diaz
Storyboarders: Jonathan Gebhart, Helen Kim, Paul Nam
Plot:
Despite his family's indifference, Brian goes on Instagram Live to hold a discussion about writing, but gains a very minuscule audience. Undeterred, Brian soon discovers that he's eligible to become a verified user, but Stewie notes that his new checkmark is green rather than blue, signifying that he's been hacked. With Meg's help, the two discover that the hacker is based in Chelyabinsk, Russia, and the trio agrees to head there to restore Brian's account. There, they meet the hacker, named Ivan, who quickly starts to hit on Meg. He also reveals that his life at home has been bleak, and that he only hacked Brian's Instagram so he could feel like he was living a good, American life. While the trio ultimately accomplishes their goal, Stewie and Brian are shocked to learn that Meg has decided to stay behind with Ivan, knowing that her unusual body is considered very attractive in Russia. The group parts ways, although Meg continues to keep in touch with her family.
Meanwhile, Quagmire drops by and invites Peter and Lois to a double date with a new woman he's met. The two agree, but Lois is shocked to see that Quagmire is dating her junior high school bully, Stephanie, who once pushed her into the water at a pool party back in the day. Stephanie manages to hit it off with the others, but Lois is unable to get over her middle school trauma, not helped by the humiliating stories being told about her. She remains on edge throughout the rest of the evening and then has a panic attack much like the ones she used to get, with even her body reverting to its awkward, teenage form. Lois is diagnosed with Severe Nerd Damage and must cope with it while attending a pool party at Joe's house; when she is shoved into the pool again, she is convinced that Stephanie hasn't changed. Stephanie reveals that she never bullied Lois and that the times she fell into the pool were both accidents. In fact, Lois' childhood imperfections were actually an inspiration for her, as she has since opened a foundation for kids with scoliosis.
