It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18 Episode 6 Review: The War on Alcohol

This is the season of misleading titles. Well, it’s not like the series hasn’t done that many times before, but It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18 Episode 6, “The War on Alcohol,” showcases another instance of the series using a small mishap to explore a deeper discussion on a completely separate topic.

The title makes you believe that the gang will have some crazy antics while getting drunk. You think the entire episode will be about the importance of alcohol or something of that nature. Instead, it explores the changing times, specifically in the workforce.

Instead of people having dangerous jobs that lead to injury, many work remotely. Conditions have improved, and some people have a better quality of life. As the degenerates that they are, the gang tries to bring back drinking at work.

Instead, they have a rare moment of clarity where they realize the changing times actually may be for the best. However, they ignore that and return to their unproductive, unsuccessful lives. A typical gang response.

“The War on Alcohol” isn’t one of the gang’s funniest storylines, but it does work as a way to ponder whether things are getting better or worse in the workforce. These changes grant workers more freedom, safer working conditions, no drinking at work, and protection from sexual harassment.

However, the automatic workforce raises some questions. Is that exactly an improvement? It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia doesn’t seem to take a stand on that part. It shows some positives, like making the job a bit easier and improving working conditions.

However, the worker who becomes their friend seems lonely to the point of doing anything for attention. He still has a job, unlike many, but he is losing his sense of social norms.

The automatic, robots-takeover-workforce question remains a major topic of controversy. It has benefits, which is basically what the series says, but it may not be the perfect way to make things easier.

The topic at large makes “War on Alcohol” worth watching. The gang’s antics leave some room for improvement. Mac and Charlie’s plot is the funniest of the episode.

Mac wants to find a man to reward for his hard work. Charlie recognizes that Mac also might want to work him hard, if you know what he means. This is the second week in a row where Charlie has been disgusted by his friends.

First, Dennis and whatever he did to the women in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18 Episode 5, “The Gang Goes to the Ren Faire.” We cannot imagine how he would feel about Dee if he knew what she did to another poor man.

If the season ends with Charlie breaking up with the gang, it would make sense. He seems to be the only one truly disturbed by their behavior at times.

He may finally wake up one day and leave them. Now that he’s no longer obsessed with The Waitress, he’s probably the only member of the gang that could function in society.

“The War on Alcohol” is an okay episode that’s funny enough, but gets most of its intrigue from how it presents the question of the modern workforce. It seems to acknowledge that a lot has improved, but things aren’t perfect.

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 Mondays at 9/8 C on FXX. 

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