It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’slatest episode introduces a new character who feels reminiscent of a season 5 classic.It’s Always Sunnyseason 17has had its hits and misses so far, but “The Gang Goes to a Dog Track” is a complete win, with the episode feeling like one of the classics.
While the latest season certainly hasn’t breached the list ofIt’s Always Sunny’sbest episodesso far, it’s evident that the show is still hilarious and ingenious. The new episode, in particular, felt like something I was shocked they hadn’t done before, as many of the elements felt like quintessentialSunny: gambling, manipulation, men spitting in dog bowls, etc.
While I haven’t loved every guest star inIt’s Always Sunny’slatest season, I’ll admit that Sparky might have instantly become one of my all-time favorites. As a one-off character, he’s absolutely perfect to show Mac and Charlie the ropes of the dog track.Sparky’s dark endingmakes it even better.
Sparky’s Role In It’s Always Sunny Season 17 Episode 5 Is Similar To Maniac In Season 5
These Characters Are Absurd - Even To The Paddy’s Gang
Da' Maniac, played by the late great Roddy Piper, appears inIt’s Always Sunnyseasons 5 and 9, and he’s undoubtedly one of the classics. He plays an aging wrestler who’s a bit of a wildcard (even more than Charlie), and his instability makes for some of the funniest lines in the entire series.
It’s hard to top, “Oh, you have kids, Maniac?”… “Nah… not anymore…,” but practically every line Sparky had cracked me up in a similar way. The profound wisdom surrounding the words “raw” and “dog” contributed so much to the episode’s ongoing bit, and Charlie and Mac’s reactions made it even better.
There’s something to be said about a guest character who makes theIt’s Always SunnyGang the straight man in the comedy dichotomy. When someone freaks out Charlie and Mac with their weirdness, that’s when you know we’re in wacky, absurd territory, and it often makes for some of the show’s best humor.
Sparky’s It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Ending Is Much Darker Than Maniac’s Story
Spark Won’t Be Making A Second Appearance
Da' Maniac’s mysterious lack of children suggests that the character had quite a dark life, and the “demons in Da' Maniac’s head” probably aren’t happening. That said, he gets off easy with an arrest for unpaid parking and a job as an Invigaron rep.
Sparky, on the other hand, was not so lucky. The latest guest star met his tragic end at his own hands after Charlie and Mac confirmed that the dog track would be shutting down. Even forIt’s Always Sunny, this was a dark send-off to a brand new character.
