A Video Game Takes Over at Paddy's. Retrospective: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie Rules the World"

IASIP – S8 E8

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2012, 10:00 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

Focusing on a topic that isn’t as laugh out loud funny as those in recent Sunny episodes, the show tackles online gaming, and how easy it is to succumb to the virtual world. That’s not to say “Charlie Rules the World” doesn’t have its moments, because it does. While Mac (Rob McElhenney), Frank (Danny DeVito), Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Charlie (Charlie Day) are immersed in the game, “Techpocalypse,” Dennis tries to keep a foothold in real life.

Observations and Thoughts:

A Video Game Takes Over at Paddy's. Retrospective: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie Rules the World" 1

Mac and Charlie can’t stop playing Techpocalypse

Dee has been “gamin’ like a loon,” and wants Charlie to take over her avatar so she can go run some errands. Dennis, on the other hand, wants everyone to go dancing but Mac and Frank are too busy watching The Real Housewives. I can’t tell you which installment though because I don’t recognize any of the women in the show (yes, I confess I’m a fan). Leave it to Sunny to do a send-up of this popular franchise.

With the Gang clamoring for Charlie’s help, I don’t blame him for becoming so frustrated. But Charlie decides to help Dee with Techpocalypse, mostly because she’s promised him “five bucks.” We all know there’s nothing Charlie won’t do when there’s money involved. The best part of the game is the characters Dee’s created—they’re versions of the guys. Her explanation of what roles they have in the game really tickled my fancy. Indeed, her name is “Zinging Cutie 23,” and she claims the 23 is just a random number, not an age she’s pretending to be, as Charlie suggests. Right, Dee. Charlie may look and act dumb at times, but sometimes he’s smarter than anyone could imagine.

Olson cracks me up almost every time she’s on screen. This time, it’s the manicure she’s sporting. I don’t know how she plans to play a video game with those nails. To say her hands look like “Flo Jo’s” is putting it mildly. Hell, never mind playing the game, how about things like cleaning up after using the toilet?! If that were me, I’d surely end up in the hospital!

Not only does Charlie take care of Dee’s crops, he’s makes her more successful in the game, gaining more followers. Everyone knows the more followers you have, the more successful you are in life, right? No, Charlie, that’s not the way it works! But Dee falls for it, and makes Charlie the king to her queen. The moves he makes online to consummate the relationship are so funny!

The new avatars Frank and Mac create while playing Techpocalypse crack me up. I should have guessed Frank’s would have “big cans.” I swear, that man is more obsessed with women’s breasts than anyone I’ve ever known, including my husband! But what Frank and Mac do to convince Dennis to play the game with them is the highlight of the episode, and almost made me choke on my tea. Let’s just say it involves Dennis, a girl, and a b.j.

I can’t believe Charlie screws up the date he has with a girl he meets in the game. At first, I was thinking this is a relationship that can go somewhere, what with her bringing him “the best cheesesteak in Philly.” Too bad Charlie wouldn’t know the real deal if it bit him on the ass!

Memorable lines:

Charlie: “I’m getting sick of this shit, I really am. You treat me like a dumb-dumb and a grunt, and I have potential, you know? I can go places, I can do things. Who knows? I might even rule the world one day.”

Dennis: “Rule the world, huh? If that happens, I’ll blow myself.”

Additional Thoughts:

What a slob Frank is when he and Dee connect online. Remember how your mom taught you to never talk with a mouthful of food? Well, not only is the juice from the peach Frank’s eating smeared all over his face but while eating, he talks with his mouth wide open, and the chewed pieces almost fall out of his mouth! Eww—disgusting!

The scene with Dennis at the mall is a real gem. It involves a sensory deprivation unit and his British-speaking doppelganger. ‘Nuf said, other than Howerton does a pretty good English accent.

Love the flying turtle in outer space while Lionel Ritchie’s song, “All Night Long,” is playing in the background.

As a commentary on the virtual reality world, “Charlie Rules the World” succeeds. In real life, however, it’s a fact that our teens have become way too dependent on their computers, laptops, iPads, and gaming devices. Gone are the days when they learned to socialize and connect with people in real life. And that is a very sad realization. OK, your trusty reviewer is getting off her soap box now.

Tune in to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Thursdays at 10:00 pm ET/PT, only on FX.

LIKE Sunny on Facebook, and follow the show on Twitter @FXNetworks, using the hashtag #sunnyfx. You can also follow Frank @DannyDeVito, Mac @Robmcelhenney, Dee @kaitlin_olson, and Dennis @Glenn_Howerton. You can also submit questions to The Gang via the Sunny mailbag @SunnyMailbag.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!