HoH #6

Title: Kevin Swanson, AWOL (meant to be a play on Gomer Pyle, USMC)

Synopsis: After a failed suicide attempt, Kevin Swanson has struck rock bottom. Shunned by the community he lives in for going AWOL in Iraq and practically exiled from his family, he seeks comfort in fellow outcast, Meg Griffin.

After confiding in Meg for months, she and Kevin begin dating in secret, the pair decides to elope. This however is not kept secret for long. Upon over hearing a phone call between Meg and Kevin, Peter Griffin finds out about the marriage. Peter loses it; he calls in Bounty Hunter Mel Samuels to capture Kevin and have him tried for treason. Meg is able to warn Kevin, the duo steal Brian Griffin’s car and drive as far away from Quahog as they can. At a rest stop along their journey Kevin and Meg run into Hayley and Jeff Fischer at a truck stop. Jeff knows a woman named Guadalupe Roland who is setting up and underground community in the deserts of Nevada and decides to take Kevin and Meg to the underground community of Oculto.

Upon their arrival the colorful citizens of the community greet the pair. Kevin quickly builds friendly bonds between Earl, Billy, Shawn and Gustave. However, it is transsexual Cheryl Hoover that captivates Meg and Cheryl feels the same way. Meg is prepared to leave Kevin, admitting to herself that she married Kevin because he was the only person to treat her with respect, and begin living her life as Ron. Meg however finds out she is pregnant, and so decides to stay with Kevin until the baby is born.

One year later, baby Seth Swanson-Hoover is two months old and living with his newly married parents, Cheryl Hoover and the transitioning Ron Swanson. Kevin is distraught after the divorce and spends most of his days, drinking, adjusting to life in Oculto, and avoiding capture by Mel Samuels.

Characters:

Kevin Swason: Former U.S. soldier, who hoped to begin a new life in Oculto. His plans fell through when wife Meg Griffin decided to leave him and live her life a Ron with Cheryl Hoover. Kevin is depressed and suicidal but the support of his friends keeps him going. Kevin is notable for his half assed suicide attempts and pessimistic attitude.

Meg Swanson/Ron Swanson-Hoover: Fed up with her family, Meg leaves Quahog to begin a new life with Kevin Swanson. Meg intends to follow through with her plan, but when she falls in love with Cheryl Hoover, she opts to leave Kevin and begin life as Ron. A brief obstacle comes first with the pregnancy and birth of son, Seth. Ron now lives with his wife Cheryl and his son Seth.

Seth Swanson-Hoover: Seth is the son of Kevin Swanson and Ron Swanson-Hoover and as well as adoptive parent Cheryl Hoover-Swanson. Seth is often the victim of modern parenting fads. Unlike other babies in Seth MacFarlane’s universe, baby Seth is unable to talk.

Earl Weir: Earl Weir is a neurotic, self-professed ‘Warrior of Peace’ when Earl isn’t hanging out with the guys, he can be found creating new ways to take out ‘the man’.

Billy Perez: Young and energetic, Billy Perez is the living incarnation of Hispanic stereotypes. Working as a gardener at the Queen’s house, Billy aspires to become a professional soccer player and leave Oculto.

Shawn Beers: Bartender of the only common building in Oculto, Shawn is a popular person, but chooses to spend most of his time with fellow divorcee Kevin, drowning their sorrows in alcohol.

Gustave the Crocodile: A killer crocodile who committed a string of murders in Burundi. After a failed assassination attempt Gustave sought refuge in Oculto. Gustave is recognized for his sarcastic and dark sense of humour.

Mel Samuels: Bounty Hunter, called to Quahog by Peter Griffin to capture Kevin Swanson and have him tried for desertion. Mel is a delusional woman, she prefers to kill those she takes bounty on opposed to only capturing them who believes she is hot on Kevin’s trail, when in reality she is chasing a doppelganger of Kevin. Every time Mel attempts to kill ‘Kevin’ it always backfires. However, every attempt to kill ‘Kevin’ triggers a comical series of events that always ends with the real Kevin nearly being killed.

Cheryl Hoover-Swanson: Born Chester Hoover, transsexual Cheryl Hoover immediately takes interest Meg upon her arrival to their underground community. The relationship quickly escalates to a serious level. The two continue their relationship in secret until Meg gives birth to baby Seth. The pair marry shortly after.

Agnes Ryan: Cynical and grumpy, the ancient hippy enjoys berating citizens who do not share in all of her extreme leftist beliefs.

Queen Guadalupe Roland: A Hispanic woman who has created an underground community in the deserts of Nevada. Guadalupe has a highly inflated sense of ego and her power over the citizens of Oculto. She demands that she is referred to as ‘Queen’, among other ludicrous requests which are rarely followed.

Hayley Fischer: (cameo) Spouse of Jeff Fischer, Hayley briefly appears to help bring the newly forged Swanson family to the community of Oculto to seek refuge.

Jeff Fischer: (cameo) Spouse of Hayley Fischer, Jeff briefly appears to help bring the newly forged Swanson family to the community of Oculto to seek refuge.


What Makes it Unique: What sets Kevin Swanson, AWOL apart from Family Guy is mostly in the humour of the show, focusing more on black comedy. It also deviates from the standard fat guy, hot wife, three kids model.

However, it also has the same feel as other Seth MacFarlane shows due to familiar devices such as talking animals.