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1[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/family_guys_heartwarming_moment.PNG]]
2[[caption-width-right:350:"I guess this is goodbye." "For now." [[note]]This is really HarsherInHindsight now that we think about it...[[/note]]]]
3
4Despite being known as a darkly comedic semi-sketch show that pushes the limits of good taste, ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' does have the occasional [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments heartwarming moment]].
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6[[foldercontrol]]
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8[[folder:General]]
9
10* Even though it's typically always PlayedForLaughs, every time that Peter or one of the others forgets that Joe is handicapped. It speaks volumes about their friendship that they don't even think about it.
11* Lois and Chris' relationship in the early seasons.
12* Doubles as FridgeHorror, but in recent seasons (such as "Trading Places" and "Leggo My Meg-O"), Stewie (who, mind you, has a rather noticeable body count) is nicer to his sister than Peter and Lois ([[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness despite that earlier episodes establish that Stewie doesn't know who Meg is and thinks she's disgusting and socially awkward]], as seen in "Petarded," "Ready, Willing, and Disabled,"[[note]]when he searches her purse and prays that a picture of Meg in a bikini won't be his first memory[[/note]] and "8 Simple Rules for Buying My Teenaged Daughter"). Aside from Lois it's usually Meg that holds him as well and he doesn't seem to mind.
13** Adding on, basically anytime Stewie spends with Chris in later seasons, as well as revealing that Chris can also understand him perfectly like Brian (though, supposedly, [[WordOfGod everyone can always understand him but simply ignore most of what he says]]). More recent episodes have implied that Meg does as well.
14* Since the fourteenth season, Peter and Lois have treated Meg (and all their children for that matter) with ''much'' better care (as demonstrated when they try to convince her to stop drinking in "Crimes and Meg's Demeanor").
15* Brian and Stewie's friendship, and the fact that two characters who started out as [[SitcomArchNemesis mortal enemies]] went on to become such an inseparable pair.
16* The fact that in later seasons they considerably tone down the Meg-bashing immensely with the family treating her better is this.
17[[/folder]]
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19[[folder:Season One]]
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21* The first season was far more ripe in these. In the first episode "Death Has A Shadow" for example, after being put on trial for tax fraud, a defeated Peter expresses to court that he simply saw the scam as the first opportunity to provide his family with what they deserve, and apologizes rather poignantly for lying to Lois.
22* "I Never Met The Dead Man": Peter and Lois telling Meg they are proud of her for getting her driver's license.
23* In "Brian: Portrait of a Dog"
24-->'''Peter:''' Hey. My wife's beef-a-roni casserole. ''Out of this world.''
25[[/folder]]
26
27[[folder:Season Two]]
28
29* A small one, but Cleveland's theme he submitted for the annual Harvest Festival Parade.
30-->'''Cleveland''': I submitted "togetherness". A simple theme, but powerful, nonetheless.
31* There is a brief moment in "If I'm Dyin', I'm Lyin'", where during the whole "Chris is dying" ruse, Meg cries over it. Considering that they were known to squabble around that time period, AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther applies in full there.
32* The ending to "Fifteen Minutes of Shame."
33-->'''Meg:''' ''(typing)'' Dear Diary, I'm stuck with my lame family in this crummy motel room for six months... and I couldn't be happier.
34** Which turns into a moment of ''funny'' when it's replaced by Stewie complaining that he wants to kill them.
35* Near the end of "Road to Rhode Island", Brian finally finds his mother after being separated from her for 7 dog years[[note]]that's nearly 5 human decades![[/note]]-only to find her dead, stuffed and used as a table. What follows is a perfect example of EvenEvilHasStandards being used for pure tenderness- Stewie[[note]]who was still his "classic" evil persona at this point and had been a complete bastard to both Brian and Biscuit (Brian's mother)[[/note]] takes some time to respect Brian's wishes by burying his mother, and trying- ''twice'', mind you, as the first one was an awkward attempt, to deliver a heartfelt eulogy to someone that meant nothing to Stewie, and who he had never met in his life, followed by a rather tender speech in attempt to comfort his grieving best friend.
36** Afterwards when Brian and Stewie are riding a freight train to Rhode Island, Brian thanks Stewie for helping him out during the trip and we go into one of if not the most memorable of the show's musical numbers, "Rhode Island Bound", which is a beautiful moment of camaraderie and friendship between the duo.
37* In "There's Something About Paulie," Peter unwittingly has a hit called on Lois, putting her life in danger for half the episode. Near the end of the episode, during the mob boss' daughter's wedding, Lois is about to be killed, but Peter begs The Don for one more favor; to kill him instead of Lois. The Don is touched by the devotion and decides to call the hit off!
38* Meg in "He's Too Sexy For His Fat" complimenting Chris on the weight he's lost, after Chris has become frustrated because his exercise and diet regimen isn't going well.
39** Then [[InnocentlyInsensitive Chris genuinely compliments her on her mustache]], Meg panics and Lois (who was watching in awe) says "it makes her look distinguished" and tells Meg she loves her children the way they are. It's quite a mile away from the Lois who seems to resent Meg's existence.
40** Small moment but when Lois is comforting a crying Chris after Peter body shames him.
41* The "Stewie's Big & Tall Man Shop" cutaway gag in "The Story on Page One". Aside from it being a [[Funny/FamilyGuySeasons1To3 funny moment]], Stewie imagined himself as being the owner of a Big & Tall clothing shop and taking genuine pride in helping his customers find what they need, instead of using a larger build for world domination. Interestingly, this was what his mind came up with ''before'' he TookALevelInKindness.
42[[/folder]]
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44[[folder:Season Three]]
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46* "The Thin White Line": When Brian snaps at Meg for asking what happened to Tina (the woman he brought home), Stewie retorts, "Just because you can't feel your teeth doesn't mean the girl can't feel your insults."
47* "Mr Griffin Goes to Washington": Peter and Lois got suckered into supporting the crooked tobacco company, letting the perks go to their heads, [[PapaWolf up until they saw Stewie]] [[MamaBear smoking and coughing]].
48** Although it's a gag, a low-level employee is compassionate enough to donate his money to the less fortunate is pretty nice.
49* "The Kiss Seen Round the World:" When Stewie breaks down into tears after finding out that his tricycle was stolen, Brian sits down next to him and comforts him by gently rubbing his head.
50* This short scene in "A Fish out of Water":
51--->'''Chris:''' ''(answering phone)'' Hello Stevenson residence.
52--->'''Lois:''' Chris, honey we've been over this a thousand times, its pronounced Griffin.
53--->'''Chris:''' ''(enthusiastically)'' Hi Mom!
54--->'''Lois:''' ''(smiling)'' Hi Chris!
55* "Emission Impossible":
56** Peter's interactions with Carol. She thanks him for coming over, and he cheers her up by destroying one of her ex-husband's shirts. He then drives her and Lois to the hospital when she goes into labor (turns into a SugarWiki/{{Funny Moment|s}} when he stops at a fast food drive-thru along the way, and he orders a kids' meal for the baby). After Dr. Hartman mistakes a glove drawer for a used needle drawer, Peter delivers Carol's baby. Lois tells him that he looked so cute holding his newborn nephew.
57** Stewie and Bertram were known to be fierce rivals, but in this episode, they eventually found out that they have quite a lot in common. From that point, everything from the montage of memories that they plan to share to their escape from [[ItMakesSenseInContext Peter's testicles]] just makes it wonderful to watch them bond and work together like that. All this as they sing "Up Where We Belong" together. Provides the page image.
58* The citizens of Bumblescum helping out the Griffins in "To Love and Die in Dixie" is rather sweet, in contrast to the unflattering way Southerners are usually portrayed on this show.
59** Despite the initial awkwardness surrounding [[SamusIsAGirl Sam's real gender]], she and Chris have a surprisingly tender relationship.
60* In "Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows", doubling as a TearJerker, we got Brian spending Pearl Burton's last moments with her, using the VR goggles from earlier in the episode to give her a simulation of a happy life they could've had before she passes on.
61** This scene is actually played around the exact same time that Peter lets the baby chicks he was taking care of in his beard fly off on their own, like a mother bird letting her young leave the nest. Even better in that he considered them like his own children.
62* In "Road To Europe", Lois is worried that Peter doesn't love her anymore after it's revealed she's been lying about being a KISS fan. When she tells Peter this, he tells her that his love for her is too strong for him to be angry and decides to take it upon himself...[[TakeThat by going to Denny's.]]
63[[/folder]]
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65[[folder:Season Four]]
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67* "Fast Times at Buddy Cianci Jr. High", Brian ends up teaching the remedial English class at Chris' school, just after he started enjoying himself with the regular class. The remedial class is full of absolute degenerates, one of the girls is pregnant (and that at least one other girl has had so many that it's routine for them!), one of the boys is literally unable to speak coherently and is kept in a cage wearing only a diaper, and the rest all dress and act like gangsters to be, to the point of shooting at Brian when he first tries to teach. Despite all of this, Brian tries his hardest to teach them nonetheless, even admitting to Stewie when he's frustrated at their abysmal work that "Society has given up on these kids, and I feel like I'm the only one who can help them...". At the end, Brian is more than bit worn down, and responds to their apathy by saying they would end up in low-level jobs like ditch-digger or hooker if they don't get a decent education. This ends up actually inspiring the kids in another way, as one of the boys admits that he's the ''first'' teacher who ever told them that they could do ''anything'', and they are actually excited at the idea that they could get even the lowest-level jobs. They then stand up on their desks in respect for their teacher and recite "Oh Captain, my captain". To add to it, there is a deleted song where Brian sings to them about how much they can mean to the world as "low-level men".
68* "Don't Make Me Over": When Meg loses her virginity to Jimmy Fallon and ends up being used for television comedy, [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Peter]] [[PapaBear bursts onto the set and beats him up]]. He sort of only did beat him up for Fallon's horrible acting and constant cracking up when he was a cast member on ''SNL'' and didn't even know that it was the same guy he just beat up, but it's the effort that counts.
69* "The Perfect Castaway": When Peter returns home after being stranded on an island for several months. And the first thing that the family (sans Brian) does when they see him is come for a big hug. Even Stewie (even if he forgot his name)! And Peter's line sells how much he missed them.
70-->'''Peter''': Oh, it's so good to see you guys!
71** Also keep in mind, everyone thought he alongside Cleavland, Quagmire and Joe died for that time. Lois even noted that the entire family had given up hope. Which made it all the more happier for them to see Peter alive.
72* "The Courtship Of Stewie's Father", Peter taking Stewie all the way to Disney World as an apology. The little genius is as delighted as any other little kid would be.
73* The end of "The Father, The Son, And The Holy Fonz": Even though Peter's hope of starting a religion based on [[Series/HappyDays Fonzie]] came crashing down, Brian, Peter, and Francis manage to find to find some common ground (their hatred of pop singer {{Music/Madonna}}). Disappointed that his religion failed, Lois tries to comfort Peter by giving him hope that there was a shred of hope that the messages of the Fonz, through his religion, managed to touch someone in a meaningful way. Cut to Francis, where he kneels in prayer in front a picture of Fonz, closes his eyes, and claps his hands in the first few notes of the ''Series/HappyDays'' theme song.
74** The fact that Peter basically created a variant on religion that used a sitcom character and his adventures as an allegory for the Bible and as way of connecting to God. It sounds crazy in theory, but in practice it did work-- Fonzie and his friends being characters people could relate to and know about-- and, had it not been for [[FollowTheLeader other former TV stars coming in to capitalize on Peter's idea]], it could've been a real success.
75* In "I Take Thee Quagmire", with the help of Peter and his friends, Quagmire tries FakingTheDead to get out of a relationship with Joan, a crazy, suicidal {{yandere}}. But when Mayor West orders all caskets to be encased in concrete for fear of zombies, Peter abandons the plan, and Joan, instead of [[AngerBornOfWorry yelling at Quagmire for doing something so stupid]] or threatening to kill herslef again, hugs Quagmire, overjoyed to see he's alive. As if that wasn't enough, when [[TheGrimReaper Death]] comes and says he still needs a body, Joan defends him, and when Joan accidentally kills herself by [[TouchOfDeath touching Death's arm]], Death decides she's good enough. Joan has [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificed]] [[TakeMeInstead herself]], even unknowingly, so Quagmire would live. Wow.
76* "Brian Sings and Swings":
77** Meg forms a friendship with a lesbian named Sarah, who crushes on her. While she doesn't reciprocate, they at least part on good terms. Plus, she's one of the few characters who's nice to Meg and finds her attractive.
78** Brian singing with Stewie and the great Frank Sinatra JR cannot be overlooked.
79* In "Deep Throats" Meg and Mayor West are in a relationship and when Brian finds out and threatens to go to the press, Mayor West offers to take the fall for both of them (and Mayor West adds that he'll wait to have sex with Meg when she's either 18[[note]]The age of consent in some, but not most, American states, including California[[/note]], 21[[note]]The legal age to drink and purchase alcohol[[/note]], or 25[[note]]the age in most states when you can legally rent a car[[/note]]), which touches Brian enough for him to give up on his plan.
80* In "You May Now Kiss the... Uh... Guy Who Receives", while Lois makes her feelings about being uncomfortable with gay marriage known and doesn't want Jasper (Brian's cousin) and his boyfriend, Ricardo, getting married in their backyard, Peter jumps in and defends them saying that he doesn't see the problem with a same sex couple getting married. Just the mere thought that Peter Griffin (who's become known for his various {{Jerkass}} moments) is perfectly fine with gay marriage is heartwarming alone.
81** And a bit later, when Lois, after she discovers that her parents' marriage is a total sham (they raised her to believe that two heterosexual people who hate each other have more of a right to be together than two homosexual people who actually love each other), changes her mind about gay marriage and admits to Brian that as long as two people, no matter what kind of relationship it is, genuinely love each other, they should get married if that's what they really want.
82** Brian's UndyingLoyalty to his cousin Jasper in this episode. He goes through so much trouble to get the petitions in order to ensure Jasper can be happy. He is even willing to pull a gun on the mayor and hold him hostage, risking a lengthy prison sentence or even his own life. He does all of this totally out of his love for his cousin.
83* It was really brief but in the episode "Petergeist" Peter hugs Lois before she goes into the spirit world because Stewie can't find his way out of Meg's ass (ItMakesSenseInContext). A little strange because of all the Flanderization of the show at that point but still heartwarming.
84[[/folder]]
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86[[folder:Season Five]]
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88* In "Barely Legal" even though he was drunk there's that moment when Brian stood up for Meg and [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech told Connie exactly why she sucks]] before telling Meg that she doesn't deserve all the abuse she gets from people.
89* There's also the ending of ''Barely Legal''. After Meg develops an obsessive crush on Brian, Quagmire invites her over to his house, saying that he'll give her "what she needs." When she gets there that night, he lights candles, strips down to his underwear...and gives her a heartwarming talk about how special she's grown up to be, and why she shouldn't be in a hurry to grow up. He then gives her a copy of Shel Silverstein's "The Missing Piece."
90** Quagmire again helps out Meg when she is forced to fight a bully. It seems of all their neighbors Quagmire is the one Meg trusts the most. And in return Quagmire is completely kind and supportive.
91* After Lois sleeps with Bill Clinton in "Bill & Peter's Bogus Journey", Lois concludes that the only way to save their marriage is for Peter to sleep with somebody of his choosing - and that somebody is Lois' mother Babs. And Babs is perfectly willing to go along with it. But at the last minute Peter backs out and runs back to Lois, unwilling to sleep with anyone else.
92--> '''Peter''': Screw our marriage; I love ''you''!
93** And when Peter confronts Bill Clinton about sleeping with Lois....[[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Peter ends up sleeping with Bill too.]]
94** Carter saying "You're alright, Griffin" to Peter when he makes an awkward response to his question about why he's naked in his house is pretty sweet.
95* The ending of "Meet The Quagmires". Just as Peter is about to give up, he finally stands up to Quagmire, punches him in the face and kisses Lois. He tells her that he made a huge mistake going back to the past because he thought he missed out in something, but in reality, the one thing he almost missed was her. He then asks the question, "Lois Pewtershmidt, will you be my wife?" Lois' response? "Yes! Yes, I will!"
96[[/folder]]
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98[[folder:Season Six]]
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100* The end of the White House battle in "Lois Kills Stewie", when Stewie is about to blow Lois' brains out all over the rug in the Oval Office. From out of nowhere Peter shows up and shoots Stewie twice, killing him. Then after he and Lois embrace, Peter reaches out and gently closes Stewie's eyes. Sure it turned out to be [[AllJustADream only a simulation]], but it shows once again the depth of Peter's love for Lois.
101* Herbert singing "Proud To Be An American" with a choir of school boys in "Padre de Familia". It really tugs your heartstrings...right up until he asks the boys, "Anybody want to see my Purple Heart?"
102* ''The Former Life of Brian'': Brian looks up an ex, who reveals that he had a son with her, 13 year old Dylan. He moves in with the Griffins because he was troubled. He was a total bully to the family, and when enough is enough, Brian confronts Dylan and tells him to leave, but then a bag of pot falls out of one of their pockets (the fact that both Brian and Dylan both say, "My pot! ...''your'' pot?!" in unison makes it ambiguous) and the two of them bond while being high. When they break down in tears, that's where it gets heartwarming.
103* While [[StatusQuoIsGod it's short-lived]], "Peter's Daughter" sees Peter [[JerkassRealization realizing just how horribly he's abused Meg once she falls into a coma from his negligence]], and promises to treat her with utmost respect and dignity if she wakes up. When she actually does, he ends up making good on that promise -- [[KnightTemplarParent perhaps a little too much at times]] (namely intruding on her relationship with the orderly she fell in love with), but even then, [[PetTheDog it's clear he's doing it entirely out of concern for what he feels is best for his daughter]]. When he discovers Meg (incorrectly) realizing she was pregnant, Peter ''flips his shit'' and [[PapaWolf tries to get her now-ex to make up with her with a shotgun]], yet when the man ends up actively proposing to Meg, Peter seems to have nothing but approval for their relationship.
104[[/folder]]
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106[[folder:Season Seven]]
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108* In "Love Blactually", after Loretta makes a plea for Cleveland to forgive her for the affair, despite the others' insistence she will never change, he takes up her invitation, upon which he gently lets her down, telling her what they had was special but is now over and he wants nothing more than for her to move on and live a happy life.
109* In ''Baby Not On Board'', Peter suggests the family sing to pass the time during driving...which ends up being a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqcvJQ3XdVQ played-straight rendition of "The Rose."]] Awww...
110[[/folder]]
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112[[folder:Season Eight]]
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114* Quagmire deciding that while he wanted to keep his daughter, Anna Lee, he decided that she will be much happier with her adopted parents in "Quagmire's Baby".
115* On "Jerome is the New Black", after Quagmire's [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech tirade on why he hates Brian]], the final scene of the episode shows Stewie letting a broken-down Brian sleep next to his crib. '
116--> '''Stewie:''' Knock, knock.
117--> '''Brian:''' Who's there.
118--> '''Stewie:''' Your friend, Stewie, and he'll always be there for you
119** Not to mention Peter apologizing to Jerome for his behavior during the episode, simply because it is delivered in earnest without getting ruined by some joke in the middle of it all (though Jerome does mention that he had sex with Meg and Peter dismisses it).
120* Stewie gets another, bigger one in "Dog Gone" when he makes the rest of the family think that Brian's dead so he'll see how much they appreciate him.
121* In "Business Guy", there's the cutaway with the Hamburger Helper, and the fact that it's oddly played straight.
122* In "Dial Meg for Murder", Brian stops Meg from robbing Mort Goldman's pharmacy by reading his kind Teen People article he wrote about her. This moment is then ruined by a lame joke, which in itself was a TakeThat at ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''' tendency ruin heartwarming moments with dumb jokes.
123* The end of "Peter-assment". Sure, it involves Peter having sex with his boss Angela (well, actually Mort...don't ask) even when he didn't want to, but he does it to prevent her from committing suicide out of shattered self-esteem; he does out out of genuine care for Angela.
124* The episode "Brian and Stewie" is arguably a crowning ''episode'' of heartwarming (once you get past the obligatory poop joke, anyway). It's even made more poignant in that, unlike many other heartwarming or tearjerking episodes that have a joke at the very end, this one does not.
125-->'''Stewie''': I love you. Not in like a 'hey let's have an underpants party' or whatever grownups do when they're in love, I mean I love you as one loves another person whom one simply cannot do without. You give ''my'' life purpose, and maybe that's enough.
126-->'''Brian''': I love you too, Stewie.
127[[/folder]]
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129[[folder:Season Nine]]
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131* "Road To The North Pole" is very depressing. First there's the revelation that Santa's workshop is in fact a hellish, polluted workshop. Then it turns out Santa himself is a jaded, sickly, suicidal man due to humanity's ever growing demands. Then Stewie and Brian blow the SubbingForSanta bid, beating a married couple to death. But at the end, after seeing how broken Santa is, everyone agrees to cut back on their demands, and by next year, Santa and his elves have made a great recovery.
132* The episode "New Kidney in Town" features many, different [[TearJerker tearjerking]] and [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments heartwarming scenes]], due to the fact that Brian has to donate a kidney to keep Peter alive, but since dog kidneys are weak, he needs BOTH of them. So yeah, if Brian gives them obviously he will die. Brian is not only okay with it, but he ''volunteers!'' He said that the Griffins saved him from dying in the streets and gave him a better life, that he only has 8 more years to live at best, and that he's willing to give that up so the father of the family can have another 40.
133** Of course it ends with the usual twist: Dr. Hartman winds up giving Peter his kidney instead because it turns out he's a perfect match, thereby saving Brian, and returning hope to the Griffins! Being Dr. Hartman, it turns out he wasn't even sure dogs have kidneys to begin with (they do)!
134** And the ending, which perfectly sums up the episode in a truly beautiful MeaningfulEcho: Chris, after finally making up to Meg for plagiarizing her poem, has decided to not only present it in front of the entire populous of James Woods High, but read it along with Meg. As the camera pans along the audience with very sweet, uplifting music in the background, we can see Doctor Hartman, Peter, Brian, Stewie (who is gently sucking his thumb and tugging at Brian's ear) and Lois looking on with a look of both tenderness, understanding, love, and compassion.
135** For a Brewie fan, Stewie capturing Brian simply because he wouldn't let him die, and than crying over him telling him that he loves him (even if it was gross.)
136* As creepy as [[DirtyOldMan Mr. Herbert]] is, he gets a moment in "German Guy" that shows a ''slightly'' more positive side to him: After saving Chris from former Nazi Mr. Guttentag, Herbert makes it clear that he genuinely DOES care for Chris, and doesn't just want to take advantage of him. Chris then says that he considers Herbert a friend.
137* A relatively minor one but in "Tiegs For Two", sure Brian hooked up with Cheryl Tiegs just to spite Quagmire, but when the latter comes to his house enraged and tries to attack Brian, ''Peter'' actually steps in to block and prevent Quagmire from trying to attack his dog/best friend. Not once, but twice too. It's sweet to see Peter actually defend his best friend from getting attacked by another friend.
138* The second half of "Brothers and Sisters" qualifies for this trope. Adam West finally got what he deserved after 10 years of being arguably the most consistently funny character on the show in general. Thank you, Seth.
139* In "Trading Places", as the Griffin's anticipate Meg's cooking, Peter and Lois say it's crap (in short, the usual Meg-bashing). Stewie retorts, "Hey guys, give her a fucking chance, alright?"
140* In "Foreign Affairs", when Joe tells Bonnie he loves and needs her to stop her from leaving him for a disabled Frenchman, he momentarily stands up with great difficulty to hug her. But when they turn to leave the room [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments we see Quagmire is tied in great discomfort to Joe's back, walking for him]].
141[[/folder]]
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143[[folder:Season Ten]]
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145* In "Seahorse Seashell Party" the whole episode we have Stewie taking care of Brian when he is completely high on psycothropic mushrooms.
146** And Meg spends most of the episode ripping into her family for all of their problems and severe Jerkass tendencies they've developed over the series combined with their heaps of abuse on her - only to realize that without someone like her to serve as the ButtMonkey the family would've torn itself apart far sooner. Despite utterly loathing her situation, she willingly accepts falling back into it again just so everyone remains stable.
147* In "Screams of Silence: The Story of Brenda Q.", the topic of DomesticAbuse was treated more delicately than the show is usually known for. Quagmire's speech to his sister definitely qualifies as a moment of heartwarming since he's the last person you'd expect a speech about the value of women to come from.
148** It gets better when you realize that October (when this episode premiered) is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
149* In the episode where Joe's son Kevin returns home for Thanksgiving after he was thought to have been dead, it turns out he went AWOL after his unit was attacked with a bomb, naturally Joe is severely disappointed, until Kevin tells Joe that HE was the very reason he made that decision in the first place-the heartwarming parts comes in the flashback when it's revealed that Joe decided not to arrest a man for stealing since he was only trying to feed his family and he gives a speech on how the law isn't always right, and that even though he doesn't agree with Kevin's decision, he'll still look after him.
150* Meg and Eli's relationship in ''Amish Guy''. Even though they break up at the end because Eli chose to stay where he thought he belonged, it wasn't just some worthless excuse to make Meg the ButtMonkey again. He genuinely cared about her and if they weren't from different worlds he would still love her unlike all her other boyfriends. She still ends up brokenhearted, but at least it was because the guy knew their relationship wouldn't work not because she's the show's ButtMonkey.
151* In ''Quagmire and Meg,'' the Family went through so much effort to get Quagmire away from Meg. This may seem like a YankTheDogsChain, but we have to remember who [[MemeticMolester Quagmire]] is here. It was cute seeing Stewie tell Quagmire [[MySisterIsOffLimits to leave her alone]], considering earlier in that episode, he made crude pictures of her sleeping. It shows that despite all the CharacterDerailment and {{Flanderization}}, they still care about Meg.
152** Despite treating Meg like dirt for much of the series, Peter [[EveryoneHasStandards notably draws the line at Quagmire, a much older man and sexual predator, sleeping with his daughter.]] He storms Quagmire's cabin with Lois, demands that Quagmire stay away from Meg, and orders Meg into the car, showing a majorly heartwarming and [[PapaWolf Papa Wolf]] moment.
153--> '''Peter:''' Meg, get in the car. We're going home.\
154'''Meg:''' I'm not going home! I'm 18, and you can't tell me what to do anymore!\
155'''Peter:''' Meg, I'm only going to say this once. You may be an adult, but you're still my daughter, and it's my job to protect you from errant wieners. So I don't care how old you are. You're going to do what I say and '''''GET IN THE DAMN CAR!'''''
156** Stewie punching Quagmire's shins and shouting, "Stay away from mah sis!" was probably the most hilarious and heartwarming thing ever.
157* In "Tom Tucker: The Man And His Dream", Lois sees Chris' new girlfriend (who looks exactly like her), cheating on him, she sadly breaks the news to him. Chris then reveals he knows, but wants to date her because if a total trainwreck like Peter can marry a hottie like Lois, he can. Lois then assures him that any woman would be right for him and takes the parental lock off his computer.
158* "Mr. And Mrs. Stewie" Stewie can create catastrophic events and nuclear detonation just for the hell of it, creating worldwide chaos, but when Penelope tells him to kill Brian, he just can't do it.
159* While it [[StatusQuoIsGod ended]] in a way [[BittersweetEnding predicted]]; "Leggo My Meg-O" was probably one of the rarest showings in the newer seasons to prove that the family (other than Brian) love Meg. Even going as far to contact the FBI and [[EnfantTerrible Stewie]] going to save her.
160** And how Meg wasn't going to be a sex slave, but a bride to an Arabian prince, who is okay if she wants to be his princess or not.
161* In "Point of Stew" from "Family Guy Viewer Mail #2", Stewie ends up [[ItMakesSenseInContext riding Brian's car from its tailpipe.]] During this ride, we see Herbert hanging from the undercarriage of a school bus. After Herbert greets him, Stewie says, "Stay away from my brother's butt."
162** In the same short, Stewie also goes back in time to stop Music/KurtCobain from killing himself and instead gives him Haagen-Dazs ice cream. When he returns to the present, he finds that he's still alive, [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments albeit now really fat.]]
163** Stewie also recognizes that Meg is going to try to kill herself, and he's worried enough that he tries to let the others know.
164* Joe and Bonnie re-uniting at the end of ''Internal Affairs'' to Toto's "Africa." Lois and Peter warmly smiling as they make up sells the scene even further.
165-->'''Joe:''' Will you ever forgive me?
166-->'''Bonnie:''' It's gonna take some time, Joe.
167-->'''Joe:''' Is the rest of your life okay?
168[[/folder]]
169
170[[folder:Season Eleven]]
171
172* The entire family saving the Fischmans in ''Into Fat Air''
173* Season 11, Episode 4. Yug Ylimaf (the 200th episode). At the end of the episode, we see the Griffons leaving the hospital just after Stewie's birth. Chris is pushing Lois's wheelchair, and he and Meg share the same expression of content. Peter leans over to Lois with a concerned look and asks, [[Film/ForrestGump "Is he smart? Or is he... Like me?"]] Lois responds, "He's perfect." Peter's concern over his son's mental health is a rare glimpse of what kind of father he really is. Double points for having the Dramatic Irony of all the viewers KNOWING that Stewie is such a genius and has matured so much during his short life, that it's very likely he'll revolutionize technology and life as we know it when he's old enough to be understood and taken seriously by anyone but Brian. Yes, Peter, he's smart.
174* In ''The Old Man and the Big "C"'', Brian, despite their mutual hatred of each other, suggesting that Quagmire get a hair transplant, instead of making fun of him or ribbing on him
175* In "Lois Comes Out Of Her Shell", Peter telling Lois that he loves her just the way she is and doesn't need her to act young all the time.
176* "Friends Without Benefits" has Chris showing Meg a photo of themselves from years ago and saying that he always kept it to cheer himself up.
177** Meg mentions a free hug coupon Chris gave her for her 9th birthday. Thinking Meg is cashing it in, Chris immediately gets up with open arms to hug her. It's very sweet when you recognize the emotional distance between most of the Griffin members.
178** After Meg almost gets run over by a car, her friends come rushing to her side to see if she's okay.
179** Peter's tweet earlier in the episode about Meg going out on a date, and how he wished there was a "slow-down button on this life-thingy".
180** Also, Brian's advice to Meg at the end of the episode, stating that she will find love one day, but the moment is ruined when he says "even if you becomes some drunk guy's alcohol-hazed hook-up." (though by ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' standards, that ''is'' considered heartwarming, and Meg already said in an earlier episode that the only way she's going to get a man is if she becomes some drunken guy's last resort).
181*** Though, from a certain perspective, it's still kind of heartwarming: Brian is essentially telling her that, no matter what, there will always be hope for her.
182* The fact that Quagmire, after everything he said to Brian, was willing to go to his play in “Brian’s Play.” Sure, it was for a date, but he even applauded at the end.
183** Also, Stewie purposely sabotaging his own play so that Brian will be able to enjoy his success.
184* The end of "Valentine's Day in Quahog". [[ThrowTheDogABone Even for]] [[ButtMonkey Meg]], who was able to hit it off with the organ harvester, and he even gave her back her stolen kidney.
185* Meg and Chris making up at the end of "Chris Cross"
186[[/folder]]
187
188[[folder:Season Twelve]]
189
190* Peter apologizing to Lois for acting like a jerk in "Finders Keepers".
191** Chris throwing away the diamond pinkie ring Peter gave to everyone but Meg and quickly changing the subject to avoid hurting her feelings.
192** Peter actually pulling over and being concerned when Meg jumps out of the car.
193** Stewie arranging a balloon ride with a cheese plate for him and Brian, considering it the "real treasure".
194** Bruce and a male companion windsurfing together to Christopher Cross's "Sailing".
195* Peter and his brother Chip making amends at the end of the episode "Vestigial Peter".
196* Peter mending his relationship with Lois while in Italy in "Boopa-Dee Bappa-Dee".
197* Although many view it as a DownerEnding, the now non-canon "Life of Brian" has plenty of these. Highlights include: Brian's dying words (that he loves his family, despite the times he's screwed them over, belittled them, or otherwise didn't care) and Vinnie trying to comfort Stewie, who still misses Brian.
198* And in its sequel, Christmas Guy: Vinnie willingly helps Stewie go back in time to rescue Brian. The fact that they didn't have a lot of time together and only knew of Brian from the supporting cast just shows that, love him or hate him, Vinnie seems to be a genuinely good character.
199** Stewie saving Brian from ever being killed. After three of the darkest weeks of the show, fans were just crying with happiness. And Stewie from the future fading away, leaving Brian's death nothing but a WhatCouldHaveBeen in Brian's memory. The fact alone that Stewie even ''would'' pull a HeroicSacrifice like that to save Brian. A far cry from their SitcomArchNemesis relationship at the beginning of the series.
200 --->'''Stewie''': Merry Christmas, Brian!
201** "Hey, who were you talking to out there?" "A pretty awesome guy."
202** And Brian's gratitude towards Stewie for saving his life by calling him his best friend.
203** The showing of Road to the North Pole on Adult Swim shortly after this episode aired had a bump that had this and a SugarWiki/{{Funny Moment|s}} when it gave its first Bump CORRECTION, crossing out the tribute they had given Brian and replacing it with 1999 - and assuring all the angry internet hordes that their talking cartoon dog friend was alive for now and insisting they step away from the ledge.
204* At the end of 'Grimm Job', Peter tenderly putting Stewie to bed, then saying good night to him, Chris and Meg. Even if he missed that Herbert is lying in wait in Chris' room, and Meg has hung herself.
205* Chris and Carter bonding in "Fresh Heir" was pretty sweet, and Carter has such a good time that he's willing to rewrite only Chris into his will.
206* Meg and Peter actually getting along in "Meg Stinks!" and Peter telling Meg that he does love her (even after all the crap he's put her through, though he did admit it before in the subplot of "Road to Rupert," where he confesses to Meg that he only rags on her because the rest of the family does it).
207* The montage of Peter and Cleveland's friendship in "He's Bla-ack!" (all actual clips from the show's past) to the piano version of the theme to "The Cleveland Show".
208[[/folder]]
209
210[[folder:Season Thirteen]]
211
212* In "[[Recap/FamilyGuyS13E1TheSimpsonsGuy The Simpsons Guy]]", Lisa saying "Shut up, Meg" in the kindest way to Meg when she makes a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech about herself. Then, they smile and hug each other.
213* In "Turkey Guys" Peter tells Brian that he deserved TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Brian earlier. Especially touching because any other time he receives such a speech he either blatantly ignores it or lashes out at the person delivering it.
214** To make it better it's probably the fact that Brian is saying that leads him to accept being ranted at. Lois and Meg have had no luck whatsoever when delivering such tirades at Peter but the fact that he admits Brian was entitled to doing so shows how much their friendship means to him.
215* In "The 2000 Year Old Virgin" there's an adorable moment where Peter and Lois are talking in their room when Stewie runs past their ajar door, laden with gifts and wrapping paper shouting "don't look, don't look!" The fact that [[EnfantTerrible Stewie]] of all people would go to the trouble of buying his family gifts is extremely heartwarming.
216** In the same episode, one cutaway gag shows the Tazmanian Devil reading a bedtime story to his son. Afterwards, he tucks his son in and, instead of doing his usual spinning, very slowly spins out the room while tiptoeing and says good night to the boy before quietly closing the door. Awwww.
217* In "This Little Piggy", Meg becomes a foot fetish model, because she feels unappreciated. She ends up at a party where 50 guys are about to have sex with her foot. Peter and Lois show up just in time, apologize to Meg for treating her badly and take her home.
218** Also in "This Little Piggy", when Meg comes home to find Peter and Lois slow-dancing in a room full of candles to "Faithfully" by Journey.
219* In #JOLO, after the [=McRib=] comes back, Meg tells Peter she loves him and he actually says he loves her back, and that none of the past matters.
220* In "Once Bitten", Meg allowed Neil to help her with her homework. She even agreed to go on a date with him, a stark contrasts to the early episodes where Meg always turns him down despite being the only guy who likes her. It seems [[CharacterDevelopment Meg is finally starting to come around and started to treat Neil better]]. A shame for [[FanPreferredCouple MegxNeil shippers]] it didn't last.
221[[/folder]]
222
223[[folder:Season Fourteen]]
224
225* In "Peter's Sister" it revealed that Peter's got a jerkass older sister named Karen who treats him WAY WORSE than Peter's ever treated Meg. At first, Meg's amused by this and feels her dad deserves it, but after seeing Karen taking things too far, Meg feels bad for her dad and advises her to stand up to his sister. Meg even knocked out Karen with a chair when she was about to break Peter's arms in the wrestling match.
226** Despite the way he treated her, Meg would usually stick up Peter since he is her dad. In the above-mentioned episode, Peter admits that the main reason he always treated her so badly was because he never got over the abuse Karen gave him when they kids--Meg forgives Peter and the two of them share a hug.
227*** The best part about this is that Peter--and, by extension, a majority of the other characters, including the rest of Peter and Meg's family--stop abusing Meg and start treating her way better than before.
228* In ''Hot Pocket Dial'', we have Brian telling Peter to delete the voicemail Quagmire accidentally sent, telling him to not let it get in the way of his (Peter's) and Quagmire's friendship.
229** A day later, Brian puts himself in the middle of Peter and Quagmire and uncharacteristically helps Cleveland restrain Peter. Normally, one would expect that Brian would help Joe restrain Quagmire considering his mutual enmity towards Quagmire, but no, he defends Quagmire the whole way through. It’s very refreshing to see Brian actually doing something genuinely nice to Quagmire, especially considering how he scammed him of most of his entire life savings a season earlier.
230* "The Peanut Butter Kid": Brian actually showing concern over Stewie's well-being when Peter and Lois force him to be a child actor and teaming up with him to get fired.
231** After Stewie's "meltdown" that got him fired, Lois and Peter realized that it was their fault for making Stewie pushes to his limits and taking advantage of his fame by spending the money on themselves. They both apologized to Stewie and admit Brian was right about pushing Stewie too hard.
232** Although it is played for laughs, Peter shows his protective side when it comes to his baby, getting freaked out when Brian winks at Stewie, and angrily telling him to never do that again.
233* In "Take a Letter" Peter ask Meg to help him translate a message his ex-girlfriend Gretchen send him and she read for him. After that he pets her on the head saying she a good dog. This shows that even though he called her a dog, he is trying to treat Meg better.
234** Peter and Lois being on good terms.
235[[/folder]]
236
237[[folder:Season Fifteen]]
238
239* "American Gigg-olo" sort of has this when it's revealed that when Peter left Meg's recital to help Quagmire, we learn that he was the last person to leave--it's kind of nice that he at least stuck around the longest and he only left to help a friend.
240* One of the rarer 'the whole family's here' moments, in "Passenger Fatty-Seven," the Swanson, Brown, and Griffin wives and children share a reunion hug with their husbands/fathers. It's a very intimate scene complete with an orchestral melody. It's also nice to see in contrast to the constant fighting and passive-aggression that they all really do love each other.
241* The most heartwarming Meg-Stewie moment of all so far is in "Peter's Lost Youth" where Meg apologizes to Stewie when he gains genuine fear of her after she left him in timeout too long and the two hug and make up.
242* In "The Peter Principal", Peter started being abusive to the popular kids for one good reason: They were bullying Meg.
243** When Principal Shepherd is not in good shape from his divorce, Meg is the only one to show concern. All the other kids look on they're bored out of their minds.
244* In "Dearly Deported", after having their plane and car stolen, the Griffins, Quagmire and Isabella are travelling across the Mexican desert, when they happen to run across a pack of coyotes. Chris defends Isabella and [[PapaWolf her two babies]] from the coyotes, getting injured in the process. Afterwards, Lois points out that she and Peter just stood by and did nothing to help their son and feel guilty about it.
245** After bringing the babies to Isabella, first Lois coldly told Chris that to say goodbye to Isabella and her kids, but Chris pointed that they can't leave Isabella and the babies in her village because how horrible it is. Lois have a change of heart and realizes Chris is right and decided to smuggle Isabella and her babies back into the USA despite the risk of getting arrested since she doesn't want Isabella and her babies to have a bad future in the village.
246** Chris taking care of the babies.
247** Lois apologize to Chris for not believing that he can take care of two babies. Chris admits that it was hard and wasn't ready for kids, but glad that Lois have given the chance to realize that. Even when he broke up with Isabella, she understood and thanks Chris and his family for everything.
248[[/folder]]
249
250[[folder:Season Sixteen]]
251
252* After some conflict between Peter and Lois in "Nanny Goats," they arrive home in silence, giving each other [[SilentTreatment the cold shoulder]]. Their kids and Brian come to greet them at the driveway where they smile in anticipation, clearly happy for their return. It's all they need for the ice to melt, and the couple shares a warm glance before holding hands.
253** Note that it's ''Peter'' who reaches for Lois' hand first. The neglectful father and husband whose family man-ship is often put up to question, ''he's'' the person who reaches first.
254** Meg picking up Stewie as a mother would, and he doesn't mind at all. He keeps smiling and waving to his parents while adorably swinging his feet in Meg's arms.
255** Brian's tail is wagging the entire time, just as a happy dog would when its owners come home.
256** This is all played to "So Far Away" by Music/CaroleKing.
257-->''Long ago I reached for you, and there you stood; holding you again could only do me good.''
258* In the episode, ''Crimes and Meg's Demeanor'', is another rare instance of a {{Throw The Dog A Bone}} episode for Meg, starts off with Peter actually treating Meg like she's somebody. Hell, later on the episode, Peter even invites her into the Drunken Clam! At the start of the episode, he is basically the one who encourages her to crash a Senior Year party that she wasn't even invited to and, consequently, cause her to start taking up drinking in order to look cool. What happens when Meg gets there? The worst that happens to her is that the party just glare at her and her friends, and they just go back to what they were doing. The party-goers become impressed after Meg effortlessly chugs down a bottle of booze, then two more and have said bottles land upright after throwing them and for once, she seems like she's genuinely enjoying herself. When Peter and her go to a drinking party, he shows concern for her and even walks her out like a normal dad.
259** Even Lois is concerned about Meg's newfound habit, and asks Peter to try and intervene. Despite the fact that he initially made the drinking problem for Meg much worse, given the kind of man Peter is, he manages to get her to knock it off when she learns the hard way how nasty a hangover can be and that they're basically stranded in the middle of the ocean because of it, Peter has this to say to his daughter, probably one of the most sound pieces of advice he's ever given to her ''and'' confesses to her the reason he encouraged her to go to that party at the start as well as apologize:
260-->'''Peter:''' Look, don't worry, we're gonna be okay. ''This'' is why you shouldn't drink. Booze is nothing but trouble, and you don't need it! You got a good brain in your head.
261-->'''Meg:''' Thanks, dad... and if ''this'' is what drinking makes you feel like, you don't have to worry about it. I am done with booze.
262-->'''Peter:''' Aww, I'm glad to hear that, and I'm sorry I pushed it on you. I just... I just wanted to watch TV. I don't wanna see you waste opportunities 'cause you were out partying. That's what ''I'' did. You just worry about being you.
263** Immediately after this talk, a helicopter comes to save them both after being stranded for God knows how long. In the same episode, Brian is finally welcomed home after his spying on the principal managed to save the school $200 because of embezzled food from the place, [[StatusQuoIsGod freeing him from his status as a pariah]].
264* The ending of "Dog Bites Bear". Brian realizes just how much Rupert meant to Stewie and knows he fucked up by destroying him, so he buys Stewie a new Rupert doll on the way back from Vermont. Once they return home, Brian carries a sleeping Stewie back to his room and places the new Rupert in his arms. When Stewie wakes up, he believes Rupert has returned (unaware it's not the original doll) and is elated as he cradles him in his arms. It makes for a very tender moment.
265* "The Woof of Wall Street" is a generally cynical episode, but one cutaway depicts Brian in his final days, a very elderly dog barely able to move or eat on his own. This is a TearJerker in how sadly realistically it is conveyed, but what hits it home is that Peter is conveyed as unusually patient and doting over Brian, carrying and feeding him without making a single complaint or cruel quip.
266* "Don't Be a Dickens at Christmas" has Peter being guided through YetAnotherChristmasCarol by the ghost of Creator/PatrickSwayze. Usually mocking any celebrity, living or dead, is fair game for the the show, but here Swayze is given nothing but respect, is drawn without any exaggerations and is even voiced by Swayze's younger brother Don.
267** After showing him his BadFuture where he died and the fact that most of the family, particularly [[{{Jerkass}} Lois]], has all but forgotten him, the one member that is shown to [[UndyingLoyalty remain loyal to him is Brian, who slept at the foot of his bed in life and now sleeps at the foot of his grave.]]
268** The fact that Carter, who's usually such a prick, is hospitable to Lois, Brian and the children and is genuinely enjoying their company, even with his poor decision of [[{{Squick}} not wearing pants underneath his robe on Christmas day.]] Also, when Peter finally arrives, he gives all of the family gifts, even Meg.
269** The final scene has a ShoutOut to the well-known Chippendales audition from ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' where Peter and Patrick dance together to Loverboy's "Working For the Weekend" (with the latter even citing how Creator/ChrisFarley won't do the dance with him in Heaven). Seeing how many times the show has mocked Farley, it was sweet to give him his own PetTheDog moment (and possibly respect the fact that towards the end of his life, he was wishing to be taken more seriously and [[FunnyCharacterBoringActor beginning to learn that he didn't have to be "on" all the time.]])
270* During "Are You There, God? It's Me, Peter" while the family is eating at [=FuddRuckers=] and Peter [[{{Jerkass}} loudly bullies the family for their "boring" burger choices,]] Joe (who's also eating at the restaurant with Bonnie) takes sympathy on the children and earnestly compliments Chris' burger.
271[[/folder]]
272
273[[folder:Season Seventeen]]
274* Just the shear fact that Brian is willing to marry Jess just to make her feel happy during her dying days. Of course it all goes straight to hell following the wedding but it still was incredibly sweet.
275* After 9 seasons of bitter hatred, when Brian proposes to Jess and a special on the two of them airs on TV, Quagmire FINALLY admits to Brian that, despite their differences, he's a good guy and he even calls him pal! Thank. You. Seth!
276** Brian's simple "Thank you, Quagmire." is soft and genuine, as if this means the world to him, which after seeing how much he cried in "Jerome is the New Black", it very likely does!
277** Made even better by, despite the downer ending of "Dead Dog Walking", not once does Quagmire get mad at Brian for letting himself go. Status Quo is God has been played with Jess dying (somehow), but averted with Quagmire and Brian's feud FINALLY coming to an end.
278* Despite being packed with the usual gags, Peter's eulogy for Angela (And by extension, VA Creator/CarrieFisher) is a touching sendoff.
279-->'''Peter''': I may have lost a boss, but heaven has gained a Princess.
280* In "Throw it Away", ''Stewie hugs Lois'', along with the rest of the family.
281** From the same episode, though it's a rather dark joke because he gets shot with a crossbow over it, Peter was going to give Stewie a present "from Dad" purely out of the goodness of his heart.
282* Big Trouble In Little Quahog: Peter actually saving Meg and Chris is a nice touch.
283* The ending to "Adam West High" where we see a slow panning shot of the new sign for the school followed by a live-action clip of Adam West himself. The music that accompanies it really makes that much more touching.
284--> '''Adam West:''' I wanna be a mayor in real life...So I'm here to ask you to make me the mayor of ''your'' town! Vote for me, Adam West. It'll be a home run!
285* Everyone learning to appreciate Meg after she saves Peter's life in "Griffin Winter Games"
286* Quagmire's relationship with his daughter in "No Giggity No Doubt"
287* In "Pawtucket Pete" after Brian becomes famous and Peter by proxy becomes his 'sidekick', they attend an autograph signing. Two ladies receive autographs from Brian and spit on Peter. Given how this show is, you'd think Brian (especially his 'current' incarnation) would simply ignore this, but when a 3rd gal comes, Brian gives her his autograph and politely asks her not to spit on Peter; a small moment (and pretty much all but downplayed when Peter's response to this is to tell Brian to "mind his f**king business), but still shows Brian cares for his friend.
288[[/folder]]
289
290[[folder:Season Eighteen]]
291* After a 10-year long rivalry, Brian and Quagmire develop a mutual understanding of each other in "Cat Fight." After learning that Quagmire opened the cat-themed restaurant as a means of having a legacy, Brian offers him emotional support by allowing Quagmire to walk him.
292* Peter telling Meg that he works as a mall Santa because he doesn't want to disappoint Lois by not having enough money for Christmas.
293[[/folder]]
294
295[[folder:Season Nineteen]]
296* After dealing with their issues (in Family Guy's usual dark way) in "The Talented Mr. Stewie", Stewie and Chris are clearly close as brothers in the following episode, "Boys and Squirrels". Watching these episodes back-to-back is an unexpected source of good feelings.
297* The ending to "Wild Wild West" where the aptly named new Mayor of Quahog gathers the Griffins, their friends and even his opposing candidate for a campfire song of Film/ThreeAmigos "Blue Shadows on the Trail" while also summoning just about every animal character in the show's history to sing along with them. Even The (not so) Evil Monkey makes his return after 11 years.
298* Peter saving Ernie the Giant Chicken's life in "Fecal Matters". Despite being long time enemies ([[MoodWhiplash and also his admitting that if Ernie had died, Peter would be the one to face all the blame for the collateral damage]]), Peter does so out of a sense of acknowledgement that his life would be incomplete without him.
299* In "Boy's Best Friend", Brian goes from spending time with Kyle to get close to his mother to actually bonding with the boy, to the point where he misses hanging out with him more when Holly breaks up with him. In the end, she allows Brian to keep in touch with Kyle as his official babysitter. Even Stewie is impressed that this time, Brian wasn't motivated out of self-interest.
300* Peter singing "The Mail Song" from ''WesternAnimation/BluesClues'' in "Meg Goes to College." Instead of just parodying it and making it into some BlackComedy sketch, it comes off as being earnestly heartfelt reminding many of watching the show at a young age. Another layer of Fridge Heartwarming comes in when you results that, although Seth himself has said the show has become exhausting, there's moments that he still loves to do to show that Family Guy isn't just a sociopath show.
301* " In Family Cat In Beginning, Brian didn’t seem concerned about Meg on her snack problem but when an evil cat controls her tries to turn her into Crazy Cat Lady. Brian and Quagmire put their differences behind them and team up on rescuing her. Quagmire even sacrifice himself to take Meg’s place. Brian does show that while he doesn’t show it, he does care for Meg deep down.
302* "And Then There's Fraud" has a surprisingly wholesome ending, probably to offset the borderline JumpScare FacialHorror combo that is Stewie's school picture--it shows Stewie as an adult, his face perfectly healed, apparently dating/married to a young man named Tyler and both [[ChildhoodFriendRomance fondly reminiscing about the day the picture was taken]]. While Stewie does end it on a punchline about his sexuality (which honestly, ''is'' pretty on-brand for him), the moment still feels oddly sweet and sincere.
303[[/folder]]
304
305[[folder:Season Twenty]]
306[[/folder]]
307
308[[folder:Season Twenty One]]
309* "The Stewaway" involves Quagmire bonding with Stewie after the latter accidentally winds up in France with him.
310** The ending. After Quagmire and Brian [[EnemyMine settle their differences]] to search for Stewie, they eventually find him in a cemetery. Stewie and Brian have a heart-to-heart talk before hugging it out...then Quagmire gets in and ''hugs Brian''. The episode concludes with the trio holding hands as they exit Paris.
311[[/folder]]
312
313[[folder:Season Twenty Two]]
314* "Baking Sad" has Meg finding success making delicious cookies with her tears as the secret ingredient. Eventually, she's unable to cry due to being genuinely happy for the first time in her life and thus can't make the order, and Brian, Chris and Stewie are forced to choose between [[FriendOrIdolDecision $50,000 or her happiness]]. And unlike what you'd normally expect from this show, they choose ''her'', and all four walk away content over having spent time together.

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