Ep 10. LGBSteve

In American Dad season 10 episode 10, titled LGBSteve, the series focuses on the character Steve Smith. Steve has been extremely close to his best friend Snot, and he starts to second guess their relationship when he notices that Snot has a constant extreme curiosity about Steve’s sexuality. His friends start to question if Steve is hiding something from them, although he has never expressed any interest in men. Steve’s parents Stan and Francine, who are known for their conservative values, find out about the situation and become extremely suspicious of Steve’s friendship with Snot. They go to great lengths to 'vet' Snot’s background, and go as far as hiring a private investigator to dig up dirt on Snot.

On the other hand, Snot becomes the victim of bullying in school, and his only solace is his friendship with Steve. However, when Snot finds out that Steve’s closest friends are now questioning their friendship, he becomes quite hurt and upset. It doesn’t help that Steve himself is not completely sure about his sexuality and that he might have been misleading his best friend for years.

Things become even more complicated when a gay school guidance counselor approaches Steve and tries to convince him to accept his sexuality and come out to his friends. Through a process of self-discovery and a brush with homophobia through Snot’s tormenters, Steve eventually comes to terms with who he is and makes a monumental decision about his relationship with Snot.

The episode is a rare exploration of LGBT issues in an animation sitcom like American Dad, and it could almost be described as a ‘very special episode’ of the show. The writing is bold but also sensitive to the topic, and it is particularly gratifying to see how the usually unsympathetic characters like Stan and Francine become moved by their teenage son’s plight.

All the characters, from Steve to Snot, from the school guidance counselor to the private investigator, are given the opportunity to grow and explore their own beliefs and values regarding sexuality. As ever in American Dad, there are plenty of jokes and gags, but the episode never loses sight of the serious issue it is addressing.

As the episode develops, it becomes clear that it is a story about friendship and acceptance, and ultimately about the capacity for people to change. Steve’s journey is both heartfelt and amusing, and by the end of it all, there is a strong sense of closure that is not always present in episodic animation.

LGBSteve isn’t just a triumph of smart writing, though, as it also boasts excellent animation that captures all the nuances of the many emotions that the characters experience throughout the episode. All in all, LGBSteve is an excellent episode offering a great mix of satire, sentimentalism and social relevance, and it is a must-see for fans of American Dad.