“The Gang Broke Dee” — the It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 9 premiere and inaugural FXX episode — felt apropos for a variety of reasons. It seemingly picked up right where Season 8 left off, with The Gang sh*tting on Dee one too many times. It’s rare for Sunny to not hit the reset button going into a new episode, but for a new season on a new network something about it just felt right.
Then there’s the delayed payoff. “The Gang Broke Dee” feels like a departure and a shot at high concept right until those last seconds when you realize things are still exactly how they should be. I don’t know if it was an intended FXX metaphor but it sure as hell jumps out as one.
Last night was a little light on random and hilarious Gang dialogue for my tastes but the long con and Dennis portion made it entirely worth it. And there’s plenty of that over the next two episodes to compensate (seriously, “The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award” is already one of my all-time favorites). Let’s get right to the Sunniest moments…
There’s really no better way than trash cake to open an episode entitled “The Gang Broke Dee.”
This might be my Halloween costume.
No one wants to live in a world where bird jokes get preempted.
Seriously, this is not the foundation on which Paddy’s was built.
Kaitlin Olson deserves an Emmy nom for her depiction of “broke” alone.
Charlie sells the comedy idea as only Charlie can.
Dee is sold. The couch is in danger.
It’s funny because a girl says “vagina,” you see.
“He’s got all of his skin still” — the compliment of compliments.
OH SH*T! HUELL SIGHTING.
My second favorite Huell cameo ever. And if you’ve never seen Lavell Crawford’s real life, non-Landslide stand up, check it out.
Dee gets her sweet sweet Dee revenge.
But the euphoria doesn’t last long.
And of course…
Just perfectly perfect. I’m pretty sure Mac has “The Game” on VHS.
Never forget — Dennis Reynolds: Comedy Critic.
Dennis’s commentary on sound effects is probably my favorite aspect of an all around solid, funny, and well-executed return episode. And I have a feeling the best is yet to come. So strap in boners, because like I’ve written for some time now, as long as The Gang refuses to evolve, Sunny can go on forever.
