Review: ‘The Gang Group Dates’ to Predictably Awful Results on ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’

GameStop, Inc.

always-sunny-02

Last week, the gang from Paddy’s Pub tested themselves against the mythological drinking endurance of Wade Boggs, Hall of Fame 3rd baseman. The episode illustrated that the team behind It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia hadn’t lost a step in their depraved hilarity. This week, the gang ventures into the world of online dating. As with practically everything on Always Sunny, the gang begins this venture in earnest before devolving into spiral of their own delusions. The Gang Group Dates is another funny episode early in the going of Always Sunny’s 10th season, though it isn’t quite as solid as last week’s episode.

After Dee (Kaitlin Olson) finds a boyfriend using a group dating website Bunchers, Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney), Charlie (Charlie Day), and Frank (Danny DeVito) decide to give group dating a try. Hosting a Bunchers group date at Paddy’s, Dennis tries to coach Charlie and Mac on how to use the D.E.N.N.I.S. system. Dennis’ attempts to coach Charlie and Mac goes as well as could be expected. During the event, though, Dee discovers that her boyfriend wasn’t as committed as she thought since he’s there to participate in another group date. Dejected, Dee goes onto another site Raters, where women rate men on attractiveness. After discovering himself given a numerical rating of 1, Dennis splits from the group in an attempt to boost his rating. Meanwhile, Frank joins Charlie and Mac in trying to successfully close the deal on a group date. As Dennis is having an existential crisis over his low rating, Dee has started a system of her own where she sleeps with men and proceeds to give them a lower rating. This, in the warped mind of Dee, is an act empowerment. Since this is Always Sunny, none of the harebrained schemes follow through as expected.

The Gang Group Dates highlights that the longevity of the series is playing into the strengths of the writers. With each character thoroughly established over the previous decade, it’s easy to place the characters in situations that play to the characters’ quirks and egos. In this particular episode, the narcissism of Dennis and Dee’s misunderstanding of female empowerment intersect into the main story of the episode. It works so well because Dee is basing her entire notion of female empowerment on Dennis’ own self-absorbed nature. As the show reminds us again and again, these characters don’t operate under anything resembling normal or civilized behavior, so Dee’s attempts to hurt people in a manner that hurts Dennis could only backfire. While Charlie, Mac, and Frank’s quest for a successful group date is an entertaining subplot, the episode’s focus on the competing egos of Dee and Dennis is at the heart of the episode.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has always worked well when placing its egocentric characters in a reality based situation. It’s funny, 10 years later and these characters haven’t ever evolved. They’re not supposed to. The world is constantly changing around them, but within their own little bubble of solipsism and alcoholic depravity the gang is blind to change. That’s a key reason why Always Sunny can enter its 10th season and still crack us up.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia airs Wednesdays at 10pm on FX and is streaming through the FX Now app

Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
‘Wednesday’ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

‘Wednesday‘ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from Warner...

Toy Lei Talks About Playing Auntie Victoria in ‘The Brothers Sun’ – Interview Rewind

Asian-American actress Toy Lei stars as Auntie Victoria in the new...

Marcus Massey Talks ‘Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’ – Interview

Marcus Massey Shares his Wisdom as Owl in ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and...

Event News Event Reviews
‘MJ the Musical’ Chronicles the Life of the ‘King of Pop’ Running at Segerstrom – Review

‘MJ the Musical‘ is the Ultimate Stage Adaptation, Chronicling the life...

Aiden Sinclair and Michael Rangel Talks ’57 Ghosts’ Aboard the Queen Mary Séance

Aiden Sinclair and Apparitionist, Michael Rangel Discuss their new Theatrical Séance...

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open ‘Slashers Axe Throwing’ – Interview

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open Orange County’s first ever horror themed...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Olympic Runner Colleen Quigley ‘On The Road to Paris’

Team USA Olympic Runner, Colleen Quigley is On The Road to...

Paralympian Swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger On The Road to Paris

Team USA Paralympian Swimmer, Ahalya Lettenberger is On The Road to...

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre – Interview

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre on Sunday,...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse – SID SPEAKS!

"We Demons! Let's go CRUNK on this punk-ass world!"

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse: Escalation

When you said "Destroy" Kurt grabbed his mini-gun an AK-47 and...

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse, the continuing saga!

If cautious means being careful when I break a foot off...

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs & Sketches’ – Interview

Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs &...

Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her Career in the Arts

First Generation Assyrian-Chaldean, Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her...

Louden Swain Headlining Los Angeles Show at The Echo

Press Release – Louden Swain are headlining Los Angeles show at...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Chris Clews Is ‘Raised on the 80s’ and Shares Those Life Lessons

Chris Clews was ‘Raised on the 80s‘ and Shares Those Life...

Roye Okupe Brings Authentic African Representation to HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Nigerian-American, Roye Okupe brings authentic African representation to HBO Max and...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand Demo

The new ‘Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand‘ is ready to ship...

Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the ‘Good Flour’

Canadian Super Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the...

Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

The Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is now available to help...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...