10 Most Controversial American Dad Episodes (So Far)

3. Camp Refoogee €“ S2E01

In this episode, Stan mistakes a refugee camp for a summer camp and instinctively packs Steve off to have the summer of a lifetime. When Francine and Hayley tell him it's not Camp Refoogee, it's a refugee camp, Stan sets off to Africa to fetch Steve back to the US; meanwhile Hayley takes the opportunity to do some charity work. But when Stan arrives at the refugee camp, he doesn't think it's as bad as everyone always makes out and sets out to make it a summer camp of his very own. Is it really OK to make light of such desperate situations? This episode might make audiences laugh but it's the kind of laughter where you're not really sure whether it's OK. He diminishes their suffering because they have sun and sand, and gives all the refugees nicknames because he can't be bothered to learn their real names. When he's decided to convert it in to a summer camp, he demands cheques from all the refugees' parents and gets them E! t-shirts and tether balls rather than malaria pills or water. When one of the refugees informs him about the militant rebels that forced them out of their homes and into the camp in the first place, Stan dismisses it as the rich kids' camp which is made even more awkward when they invade the camp, killing people and burning down tents and Stan laughs it off as a 'panty raid', making light of the violence and death. Not even Haley escapes this one, as she turns hypocrite as soon as she learns they're staying there longer than she thought and dives in to the buffet and hotel. The writers try and make out like they're making a statement about how Stan (AND the rest of the world) likes to act oblivious to third world plights but, fearing it was going to be too obvious, they make a joke out of this too as someone fetches Stan a soapbox to stand on during his realisation. Some funny moments but this episode is mostly too close to the truth.