Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 8, Episode 5)

The Gang Gets Analyzed

Kerri Kenney (Reno 911!) guest starred this week as Dee's therapist, who made the mistake of recommending that Dee have a "cooperative dinner" with the gang to resolve some of their issues. As one might expect, things took a nasty turn when it was time to wash the dishes. According to Dee, there was screaming, tears, physical threats, Frank pulled out his gun, and somebody dropped the N bomb. So the gang agrees to let Dee's therapist decide who is responsible for cleaning the dishes. The dinner itself sounded really hilarious. I would like to have seen flashbacks of that.

I have to admit, overall, I was a little disappointed with this episode. I didn't hate it but I felt it was a bit lackluster, especially compared to the other episodes this season. I thought the idea was interesting but the execution was mediocre. There were definitely some funny parts, though.

Mac complained about not being fat anymore because he felt like he was more intimidating as "a monster". He also had an unusual reaction to the pen sitting on the table in the therapists office, claiming she deliberately put it there to make him think of a penis. Initially, he seemed almost offended by the idea but ended up sticking the pen in his mouth.

Charlie is annoyed that everyone keeps telling him what to do. The therapist tries to help him embrace his unique identity but inadvertently convinces him that he needs to be weirder. Taking a cue from her, Charlie reveals he has been hiding a pigeon in his jacket. He throws the bird up in the air, encouraging it to fly, but it plops down on the table. In classic Lenny (Of Mice and Men) fashion, he had hugged the pigeon to death.

Frank munches noisily on a bag of pistachios while the therapist tries to coax him into a discussion about why he does not trust therapists.  Disgruntled, he spits the shells all over her office. Eventually the therapist gets Frank to share his story about how he once opened up to a therapist and, as a result, was sent to a facility for the mentally disabled. Despite his initial reluctance, Frank tells her everything and then bursts into tears. Then he rages at her for making him feel exposed and vulnerable.

Dennis is still under the impression that he is well versed in the subject of psychology and tries to flaunt his supposed expertise. He shares a stack of files with the therapist, which he claims are accurate psychological profiles of the gang, and insists they will be beneficial to her. During their session, he appears to be taking notes. When asked about what he is writing, he proudly shows her a drawing of him fondling her breasts.

The therapist asks Dee about her fantastical claim that she was originally chosen as the lead for The Notebook but, because of scheduling conflicts, she had to decline. Dee insists it is true and compliments Rachel McAdams as her replacement. The therapist,  clearly fed up, still believes she is lying. Dee responds by reciting a scene from Good Will Hunting.

In the end, as expected, Dee had to clean the dishes.