It Takes a Village Idiot, and I Married One

It Takes a Village Idiot, and I Married One
Lois runs for mayor of Quahog against Mayor Adam West.

Season: 5 Episode: 17
Total Episode Count: 97
Prod. no.: 5ACX12
First Aired: May 13, 2007

Guest Starring: Keith Olbermann, Don Most
Featuring: Lois Griffin, Mayor Adam West, Peter, Brian, Stewie
Also Appearing: Meg, Chris, Cleveland, Quagmire, Joe, Tricia Takanawa, Jason Voorhees
Musical Numbers: Cowboy Gay Sex (Cowboy Butt Sex on Adult Swim)

Director: Zac Moncreif
Writers: A. bo.


Plot: The Griffin family is vacationing at Quagmire’s cabin. While there, the family goes swimming in Lake Quahog, but something in the water causes all their hair to fall out. They see that the Quahog Oil Refinery is dumping toxic waste into the lake. Lois complains to Mayor Adam West, who admits that he sanctioned the dumping in exchange for free oil for his hair. Outraged, Lois decides to run against West in the upcoming mayoral election.

Though clearly more intelligent than her opponent, Lois’ campaign falters as Mayor West proves more politically savvy than she is—while Lois bores voters with detailed plans to improve the city, Mayor West garners support simply by avoiding answering questions and acting in a patronizing manner. Brian, observing that “undecided voters are the biggest idiots in the country,” advises Lois to dumb down her campaign. She soon discovers that she can generate support merely by dropping controversial terms such as “Jesus” and “terrorists” in meaningless ways, and by answering questions about her policy plans only by saying “9/11.” She wins the election, and continues to use fear tactics to raise funds for cleaning up the lake.

After the cleanup is completed, Lois has cash remaining, and embezzles $600 to purchase a new purse. Later she is tempted by a $4,300 fur coat, and Bob Grossbeard, the president of Quahog Oil, offers to buy it for Lois if she will allow him to resume dumping into the lake. Lois accepts the bribe and the waste flows again. As the lake is once again spoiled, Lois realizes how power has corrupted her and resigns as mayor. Adam West declares himself to be mayor again, despite the fact that, as one onlooker points out, there is no legal justification for him to do that. West pulls a gun and shoots the objector, and a few other onlookers as well.

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