In "Under (and over, and beside) the Boardwalk," American Dad!'s fifth episode of its 21st season, the Smith family finds itself at the newly reopened Langley Boardwalk, a setting that promises excitement but delivers a mixed bag of experiences. The episode is a tapestry of subplots, with each family member embarking on their own adventure without delving deeply into any one storyline.
The Smiths are thrilled about the Langley Boardwalk's reopening, an event that holds the promise of fun and relaxation for the family. The boardwalk, a symbol of community and leisure, serves as the backdrop for the family's various endeavors. Stan indulges in his love for skeeball, a game whose mysterious composition even he doesn't understand. Roger and Klaus aim to secure a table at Skimboardos, the boardwalk's most upscale restaurant, while Jeff finds employment in taffy making, and Steve inadvertently becomes a childminder.
Meanwhile, Francine is determined to enjoy the boardwalk without her daughter Hayley, fearing she might cramp her style. Hayley, left to her own devices, begins to notice odd occurrences around the boardwalk. Her investigation reveals a grave danger: the boardwalk was built over a fault line that will trigger a tsunami, threatening to destroy the entire area. Hayley faces a moral dilemma: inform Francine and ruin her fun or keep the secret to herself. In a bid to prevent the disaster, Hayley tries to assist the lifeguards, who bear a striking resemblance to Baywatch's heroes, but her efforts end in tragedy as they all perish.
In the end, Hayley decides to tell Francine about the impending disaster, and together they rush to save the boardwalk. Their plan involves using Jeff, who has become stuck in his own taffy, to stretch it along the boardwalk, effectively saving the day and redirecting the tsunami's path. In a twist of international relations, the tsunami is briefly redirected to France, which then sends it back to Langley.
The episode is sprinkled with observations that add depth to the narrative. The presence of a child in the arcade who wasn't alive for 9/11 adds a meta level of humor, considering the original premise of American Dad! and its long run. Tuttle's appearance, cut short by a Hitchcockian bird attack, provides a moment of dark comedy. The episode also explores the family's relationships and individual pursuits, from Hayley's struggle with her discovery to Francine's desire for freedom.
The episode is sprinkled with observations that add depth to the narrative. The presence of a child in the arcade who wasn't alive for 9/11 adds a meta level of humor, considering the original premise of American Dad! and its long run. Tuttle's appearance, cut short by a Hitchcockian bird attack, provides a moment of dark comedy. The episode also explores the family's relationships and individual pursuits, from Hayley's struggle with her discovery to Francine's desire for freedom.
"Under (and over, and beside) the Boardwalk" is an episode that, while not a standout, offers a balanced view of the Smith family's dynamics. The boardwalk serves as a microcosm of their lives, with each member pursuing their own interests and eventually coming together in a moment of crisis. The episode's strength lies in its character-driven subplots and the way they intersect, providing a snapshot of the family's interactions and the absurdity that is inherent in American Dad!'s humor.
While the episode may not have offered a groundbreaking narrative, it maintained the show's signature blend of absurdity and heart. The boardwalk's reopening was a backdrop for the family's individual and collective journeys, reflecting the show's ability to explore character depth while maintaining a light-hearted tone. In the end, the Smiths' adventures, though disjointed, come full circle, reinforcing the bonds that hold the family together, even amidst the chaos.