It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 16 Episode 7 Review: The Gang Goes Bowling
A bowling tournament gives us many things we love: the McPoyles, Artemis, unhinged Dennis, and Dee actually gaining confidence…only for it to crumble. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 16 Episode 7, “The Gang Goes Bowling,” has such a simple concept that brings plenty of laughs and offers a fun tribute to the battle of the sexes.
Dennis goes full cartoon/80s high school movie villain on this episode, and it’s a reminder of Glenn Howerton’s excellent acting skills. He always adds new layers to Dennis’s depravity. “The Gang Goes Bowling” really is a Kaitlin Olson and Glenn Howerton showcase episode as Dee and Dennis take center stage while the rest of the main cast offer some support.
However, that doesn’t mean that the entire cast, including guest stars, doesn’t have very funny moments. Gail the Snail has some of the funniest lines of the episode. Artemis is also hilarious as she jumps in and out of method acting.
Of course, we also can’t forget the McPoyles, who are as ridiculous as ever on “The Gang Goes Bowling.” Nevertheless, Dee and Dennis get to take their sibling rivalry to new levels. It gives us, once again, a tiny picture of their childhood.
The comedy goes up a notch when the women begin to manipulate the men. They sabotage them in ways we don’t exactly expect. For example, the Waitress doesn’t try to flirt with Charlie to make him lose focus. Instead, she knows a simple statement about his elbow placement will knock him off his game.
Snail questions Mac’s finesse abilities to throw him off and it works beautifully. These are all hilarious tactics and tricks. It’s great because we also get some good Ol’ physical comedy from Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day.
“The Gang Goes Bowling” also manages to surprise in some really entertaining ways. It’s a bit surprising that the gang seeks out the McPoyles to bowl for them. Obviously, they mess everything up but that hilarity of it comes from even seeking their assistance.
Additionally, the writers convince you (at least me) that Ryan’s story will be way more tragic. You completely expect some gruesome story involving bowling. The next surprise comes with Dee actually not choking completely in the end.
It’s a rare win for Dee that sticks the landing when no one cares. This is true to her story arc and even more entertaining when the Waitress is the only one left and admits she doesn’t care about women’s sports.
The response is awful but true to the character of the Waitress. It’s also a great callback to the beginning of the episode.
The Waitress may not be as bad as the gang, but she’s her own brand of terribleness. However, it’s a bit heartwarming when the Waitress sticks up for Dee (even with the millions of insults she adds to her speech).
“The Gang Goes Bowling” is a good It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode that showcases Dennis and Dee in a protagonist and antagonist way that is fun and brings back some familiar faces that we haven’t seen in a while.
It could become a future Sunny classic.
Stray Thoughts
- Mentioning Dee looks Carmen Sandiego feels right because that is also my immediate thought seeing her outfit.
- The bar customers questioning why they should tip Dee is hilarious for several reasons. One of them is the idea that they have multiple regulars. You have to be insane to frequent that bar.
- I would, in fact, buy a “Frigeit Bitches” bowling shirt.
- The gang not being able to afford $35 each without Frank’s help makes me feel better about my own financial situation, so thank you for that Glenn, Charlie, and Rob.
- Charlie and Mac are very good at playing the lackeys role of Dennis’s main bad guy person in “The Gang Goes Bowling.”
What did you think of this episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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t’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia airs Wednesdays at 10/9 C on FXX.
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Jerrica Tisdale
Jerrica Tisdale is your favorite neighborhood pop culture junkie. She will annoy you with random TV and film facts, while complaining about whatever is the hottest new book. She has been a TV fan all her life but writing about it for over a decade. You may find her work all over the internet especially reality TV rants. She is a senior writer at Tell-Tale TV.