Family Guy’s biggest question is finally answered

WE’VE been waiting 16 seasons for the truth about Stewie Griffin, but finally some of those questions are answered in the latest episode of long-running animated comedy Family Guy.

In an episode that aired in the US without commercial breaks, the very adult cartoon allowed viewers to peek into the psyche of the world’s favourite one-year-old smartass.

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After pushing a boy down the stairs, Stewie is sent to therapist Dr Cecil Pritchfield, played by Sir Ian McKellen. It is here that we learn a lot about the animated boy, including his hopes, dreams and many insecurities. And while he never quite comes out as gay, there is a lot to suggest what an older Stewie might be facing, or repressing, when it comes to his sexuality.

“I only pushed Tyler down the stairs because I like him and I’m afraid he won’t like me back,” Stewie admits. “And not like him, like him. I’m not gay. This whole thing isn’t because I’m gay, so calm down. I can already see you licking your chomps. I’m sure you live for the coming out sessions. If anything, I’m less gay than I used to be, not that anybody in this school would care. But do I think that Grant Gustin and I would make the most adorable Instagram couple? Yes, I do.”

After that confession, it’s pretty clear to determine where Stewie might fall on the sexuality spectrum, even though he goes on to say, “Fluid is something I hear being tossed around now, but I’m confident in my heterosexuality. That’s a word, right?”

Seth MacFarlane has previously talked about why an episode where Stewie comes out as gay was scrapped years ago. “We decided it’s better to keep it vague, which makes more sense because he’s a one-year-old,” he told Playboy. “Ultimately, Stewie will be gay or a very unhappy repressed heterosexual. He has a lot of aggression, which comes from confusion and uncertainty about his orientation.”

And while many viewers already formed their own opinions on what Stewie’s future sexual orientation might be, they perhaps didn’t see this fun fact dropping: We hear Stewie’s real accent for the first time. That’s right, the tot cops to his real American accent, dropping the fake British one he’s been putting on for years.

“The accent is nothing more than an affectation, a coat of armour to get me through the day, an image I cultivated so I could feel special,” he admits. “Wow, what a relief for once, to talk with my real voice without the burden of trying to sound like someone I’m not.”

Not that anyone should get used to hearing Stewie’s real accent — despite his many breakthroughs in the therapy session, Stewie snapped back to the potty-mouthed, precocious toddler we all know and love.

This story originally appeared on Decider and is republished with permission