The gang at Paddy’s Pub continues to be as outrageous as ever inIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaseason 17, capturing hints of the show’s glory days. This long-running FXX comedy, where a group of morally narcissistic misfits scheme their way into chaos, features a new batch of episodes that proves there may be life in this dark satire yet.
With more seasons than any otherlive-action American sitcom, many may have grown weary of the increasingly bizarre antics of The Gang, but the highs outweigh the lows in a delightfully wild new season. With sharp writing, committed performances, and even acrossover episode withAbbott Elementary,there are plenty of reasons to tune intoAlways Sunnyagain.
The Always Sunny Gang Taps Into Glimmers Of Their Former Glory In Season 17
The Highs Outweigh The Lows In Season 17
The biggest criticismAlways Sunnytypically faces is that it should have already ended a long time ago. Yet, returning to The Gang this season, I’m struck by how much fun the cast seems to be having and that they’re still trying to push the envelope with episodes that bring to mind the golden age of this cult-favorite sitcom.
Things start on shaky ground with the crossover episode “The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary.” This will be a treat for fans of both shows, especially those who have already checked out Part 1, which aired back in January. However,the episode mostly takes place in the world ofAbbott Elementary,which makes the crossover feel one-sided.
It would have been nice to see the Abbott Elementary crew interact with the world at Paddy’s Pub more,
InAlways Sunny’ssection of the crossover, it would have been nice to see theAbbott Elementarycrew interact with the world at Paddy’s Pub more. The result was an interesting but ultimately unsatisfying crossover. It’s only after this that the season gets into gear, and we’re treated to some ofthe best episodes the show has donein years.
With a reduced eight-episode run, the season quickly finds its stride asThe Gang goes through the stages of grief when Frank is in a coma, Dennis and Mac seek thrills by becoming EMTs, and in a classicAlways Sunnyadventure, Dee and Dennis find themselves battling a gross and off-putting gambling addiction at the dog track.
The lore ofAlways Sunnyhas always been a big part of its charm, and old characters like Rickety Cricket, Jack Kelly, Artemis, The Lawyer, and The Waitress reappear, although those hoping for the McPoyles will be left disappointed. First-time guest stars like Caitlin Reilly and Carol Kane also add some new energy to this latest season.
A two-year delay between seasons does mean there are some cultural timing issues, as a character inspired by Hawk Tuah already feels incredibly dated. However, other references, such as Charlie frantically cooking smash burgers while high on chili peppers and requiring everyone to respond with “Yes, chef,” like they’re onThe Bear,were on point.
At its worst,The Gang’s cartoonish mayhem lacks the narrative setup to work. But at its best, season 17 recalls the show’s early brilliance, especially in a standout episode where The Gang continually rehearses a dinner in front of a live audience. Seeing them perform like this even brought to mind theAlways Sunnyclassic, “The Nightman Cometh.”
The Chaos Of The Gang Is Balanced With Some Genuinely Compelling Emotional Moments
Always Sunny Season 17 Pays Tribute To A Late Cast Member
Always Sunnyhas never been overly sentimental, often takingSeinfeld’s“no hugging, no learning” mantra to whole new extremes. But season 17 stood out with some rare emotional moments, most notablya touching tribute to the late Lynne Marie Stewart, who played Charlie’s mom.
This show has been around for a long time, and although it’s lost its way on occasion, the truth is it always delivers something special with each season. Having followed the misadventures of Charlie, Dennis, Mac, Dee, and Frank for 20 years now, it’s understandable some might think the chaos of Paddy’s Pub has run its course.
I’m glad to know that the show has already been renewed for at least one more season.
However, season 17 is a high point of recent years, and I’m glad to know the show has already been renewed for at least one more season. We don’t know how many yearsAlways Sunny in Philadelphiahas left, so I’m thankful that they’re committed to getting real weird with it.
