It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia wouldn’t be what it is without Frank. So what happens without him?
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 2 asks the question of what might happen if this beloved character were to die.
For an episode that covers the heavy topic of someone you love dying, it’s as lighthearted as the FXX hit can make it.
At a high level, this episode features a Dee solo storyline and a subplot involving Mac, Dennis, and Charlie getting back on their trio shenanigans. As suggested by the title, Frank’s presence in this episode is limited to his limp body in a coma.
I actually quite enjoyed this episode. Even though I was initially skeptical of the season after the premiere, this episode reinstated my faith in Season 17.
From a surprise guest star to a classic Dee crash-out, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 2, “Frank is in a Coma,” is a decently fun mid-week watch.
Frank Pulls Another Fakeout
The classic sitcom set up at the beginning of the episode (where Dee jokes Frank should die and he falls into a coma) is fantastic.
The episode takes a much more serious turn when The Gang gathers around Frank’s unconscious form and wonders what to do.
The rest of the episode is framed through the five stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Sadness, Bargaining, and Acceptance.
As Dee progresses through these stages, her genuine care for her father becomes increasingly evident. Even though Frank can be nasty, at the end of the day, Dee will always care about him, just as we viewers grow attached to the characters in It’s Always Sunny.
Dee’s solo storyline gave Kaitlin Olson a chance to shine with her acting. A common issue that later seasons of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia have faced is underutilizing Olson’s acting chops.
The writing, on the other hand, falters. There’s a running joke about BBLs and plastic surgery that doesn’t stick the landing and even detracts from the overall story.
Perhaps it’s just me, but the show could have really tapped into something more interesting than plastic surgery as a coping mechanism. I’m sad that it didn’t take the opportunity to get outlandish with it.
At the very end, Frank reveals that the body in the bed is actually a cake replica of himself, circling back to the opening sequence. It’s certainly an unexpected callback, but this diabolical ploy is right up Frank’s alley.
In typical It’s Always Sunny Fashion, Sweet Dee is left to pick up the pieces as the gang makes fun of her.
I enjoyed this storyline and hope that we get to see Dee shine more this season.
The Gang Meets Their Match on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Mac, Dennis, and Charlie go on a fun side adventure that quickly devolves into a crazy rabbit hole.
They meet a wealthy man named Simon, played by Alex Wolff from Hereditary. He overhears the Mac, Dennis, and Charlie talking about Frank’s presumed death and sympathizes by offering them drugs and parties.
My favorite part of this segment was when Charlie suggests that they pretend to be the Smucker’s Brothers, who are presumably the masterminds behind jams and jellies.
For some reason, I laughed out loud at this one-off joke. Charlie Day’s delivery is so earnest, and the joke came so out of left field that it totally won me over.
Surprisingly, I also found that I quite enjoyed Simon’s character too.
The gang is comprised of all uniquely horrible people that people rarely encounter.
But Simon is the type of annoying, entitled guy that many of us have definitely met at least once in our lives. He’s a great counterpart to match The Gang’s insanity.
All in all, I thought the episode did a good job. Most of the jokes landed, and I loved getting to see Charlie, Mac, and Dennis dressed up in fancy suits.
I wouldn’t say that this episode is particularly memorable, but I do think it was a fun watch. Out of the two-episode premiere, I thought this was a much stronger episode than the first.
What did you think about this episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and tune in next week for another new episode!
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