American Dad! Season 1 Episode 2
American Dad!
Season 1

Ep 2. Threat Levels

  • TV14
  • May 1, 2005
  • 22 min
  • 7.1  (1,030)

In American Dad season 1 episode 2, titled "Threat Levels," the audience is taken on a satirical journey through the lives of the Smith family and their encounters with various terrorist threats.

The episode, which initially aired in May 2005 on Fox, opens with the news of an imminent terrorist attack on America and the government's response to it. Stan Smith, the overzealous and devoted CIA agent, takes charge of the situation and starts beefing up his family's protective measures. He sets the household's terror alert level to red, the highest possible level, and initiates his family's preparedness drills.

As the family tries to adapt to their new lifestyle, clumsy mistakes and miscommunications lead to several comical moments. Meanwhile, Stan enlists the help of his co-worker, Lewis, to scour the city for any sign of the terrorist cell. He uncovers a potential lead in a convenience store, which sets off a chase scene that ends in the store's annihilation.

Stan's pursuit of justice clouds his judgement, and he begins to suspect his neighbors' intentions. Meanwhile, his wife Francine tries to comfort their son Steve, who's dealing with anxiety caused by his father's terror alert system.

The Smith family's problems escalate when Stan discovers a bomb in their backyard, which pushes the plot into a more serious direction. As the family waits for the bomb squad to arrive, they evaluate their love and devotion to each other.

The episode wraps up with a heartwarming scene that's a testament to the show's excellent writing. We see that even the most dedicated agent needs a break from being paranoid and that family should always come first.

The episode "Threat Levels" sets the stage for American Dad to poke fun at America's post-9/11 fear and anxiety. Series creator Seth MacFarlane uses his trademark style of blending slapstick humor with biting satire to provide viewers with intelligent yet entertaining content.

The voice acting from the cast is also outstanding, and it's clear they have fun with the show's witty writing. Seth MacFarlane voices the protagonist Stan Smith, who's a mix of macho bravado and ridiculous vulnerability. His wife Francine is voiced by Wendy Schaal, who portrays just the right amount of affection and ditziness to provide a stable balance to the show's craziness. The couple's children, Steve and Hailey, are voiced by Scott Grimes and Rachael MacFarlane, respectively, and they provide the show with plenty of adolescent awkwardness and sass.

Overall, "Threat Levels" is a solid second episode that follows up on the pilot's promise of unconventional humor and social commentary. The episode itself is an excellent example of how the show uses absurdity to make more significant points about society and politics, and how it never takes itself too seriously. The episode, along with the rest of the show, is well worth watching for anyone who enjoys edgy humor and sardonic insights into the world.

Description
Watch American Dad! - Threat Levels (s1 e2) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
American Dad!, Season 1 Episode 2, is available to watch and stream on TBS. You can also buy, rent American Dad! on demand at Amazon, Hulu, Vudu, Microsoft Movies & TV, Google Play, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    May 1, 2005
  • Content Rating
    TV14
  • Runtime
    22 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.1  (1,030)