It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 5 Review: The Gang Goes to a Dog Track

Is there a boundary that shouldn’t be crossed? It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 5, “The Gang Goes to a Dog Track,” tests those limits. It’s one outrageous act after another.

Are there no limits in the quest for comedic gold?

When Frank introduces the idea of getting dog semen, you know at some point Dee and Dennis will fall so low that they do it. However, the show surprises you when it’s all part of a cruel intentions type plan by Frank.

The man’s lack of morals shouldn’t surprise anyone. Yet, we remain shocked and horrified. “The Gang Goes to the Dog Track” is basically a test of how far the series can push the boundaries. They go far to the point where you have to sit with all you just witnessed.

It’s definitely a polarizing episode. Some may enjoy the bold, no holds barred approach, and others may think it goes too extreme.

Your enjoyment level may depend on your comedic taste. This also matches the premise and setup. Dee, Dennis, Charlie, and Mac expect a highbrow, sophisticated day.

Instead, it goes to the pits of hell with the gags and comedy.  This leads to another mixed results episode. Some storylines are funnier and better than others.

The Charlie and Mac raw storyline has so many hilarious moments. The dog guru is a very entertaining character that’s just ridiculous enough but not to the point of being a degenerate like the Gang.

You actually grow to like him.

This makes his end so shocking, and maybe “The Gang Goes to a Dog Track” goes a bit too far.

Before you go, that’s the line? Yes, the Gang has done baby death, sexual coercion, incest, dog murder, racism, and child molestation, so very taboo and risky topics. They’re not new to this; they’re true to this.

Something about the death by suicide storyline at the end feels a bit too far in this context.

This reviewers admits maybe that’s just a sensitive subject for her, but something about it feels like it completely shifts the vibe of the episode in a very uncomfortable way.

It feels even more grotesque than the dog jiz.

Then the end shot of the burnt trailer, which may have had the dog, makes it worse. This season feels like a test of how awful the Gang can become before someone says enough already.

The death by suicide turns the funny encounters into a very dark storyline. Some may love it and laugh, but it was stunning in the hardest to digest way.

And that’s the point.

“The Gang Goes to a Dog Track” is a love letter to the art of shock value and testing limits.

They have been freed from almost any boundaries and plan to capitalize on that, as we have seen the entire season. This is just another in a long line of polarizing episodes.

We can appreciate how funny some of “The Gang Goes to a Dog Track” scenes and lines are, but also be a little horrified by some of the choices. That’s also the point, and you can either love it or be disturbed. Either way, it elicits a reaction.

Stray Thoughts

• I thought maybe the dog guru-raw guy was about to be a hallucination, and he was actually a dog.
• You can only feel so bad for Dee and Dennis. They’re so awful.
• I chuckle when Frank calls Dee and Dennis his kids or whatnot. 

What did you think of this episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia airs Wednesdays at 9/8 C on FXX.

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