It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 6 Review: Overage Drinking: A National Concern

When in doubt, use an old idea and improve on it. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 Episode 6, “Overage Drinking: A National Concern,” does just this. It’s the sequel to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 1 Episode 3, “Underage Drinking: A National Concern.” Those familiar with the series will immediately recognize the setup.

The title itself should immediately set off alerts that this one will use at least some references to the original episode that aired almost exactly 20 years ago.

It’s a brilliant homage to the show’s rich history and 20-year legacy. Season 17 has had numerous references to past seasons, but this one feels like the most direct tribute to the 20th anniversary.

It takes one of the first season’s initial storylines and builds on a story that is even funnier than the original. “Underage Drinking: A National Concern” isn’t one of the top-tier Sunny episodes, but it has a lot of great moments. “Overage Drinking: A National Concern” has even better ones.

The whole plot of Dee and Dennis trying to seduce the adult versions of the teens they once tried to sleep with makes so much sense for the hot mess twins. Then, for them to pivot to the teen counterparts is uncomfortable in a way only Sunny can do and do brilliantly.

Charlie starts the episode basically letting us know this will probably end in sexual assault and murder. It doesn’t quite, but it goes pretty close and dark.

Dennis sleeps with a teen. The teen then tried to die by suicide with her boyfriend. It’s grotesque but somehow hilarious and watchable.

It also once again proves that Dennis, if It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia ever ends, will find himself in a straitjacket or imprisoned. The psychopathic tendencies are in full force in “Overage Drinking: A National Concern.”

These come across even stronger when Dee finds herself too repulsed by the idea of sleeping with a child. Dennis is just mad that the child he slept with is inexperienced and can’t satisfy him.

It sends so many shivers.

The main storyline is very dark, but nicely balanced with the pure goofiness of the Charlie and Mac subplot. They’re on a quest to find Frank.

Nevertheless, it’s a search for some entertainment. They want to live out a real-life movie genre. Instead, it became a promo for the next episode. It’s Golden Bachelor-themed.

We don’t often see It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episodes end in a cliffhanger. Therefore, this one automatically feels a bit more special than many of the previous in the season.

It also makes us more excited to see how insane things become with Frank as The Golden Bachelor.

Season 17 has been such a mixed bag thus far. However, “Overage Drinking: A National Concern” is one of the standouts of the season. It’s referential, hilarious, and gets to some of the essence of the Gang and this highly unhinged series.

Stray Thoughts

• Loved seeing Robert Adamson and Jaimie Alexander return to reprise their roles from 20 years ago. It was a welcome surprise and treat.
• The teens looked so much like teens, it was uncomfortable. Brilliant.
• Charlie’s whisper narration is one of my favorite parts of the episode.
• I loved that we had multiple cameos, including Cricket and Uncle Jack.
• Cricket’s culture appropriation is such an evolution that I did not expect. I hate it, but also love how funny David Hornsby plays it. Full commitment.

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!

Critic Rating:

Audience Rating:

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

Check out our latest TV recommendations, updated weekly!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!