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Facebook, Rape and a Virus. Review: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – “The ANTI-Social Network”

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  • November 3, 2011

  • 6 mins to read

IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA: L-R: Rob McElhenney as Mac, Kaitlin Olson as Sweet Dee, Charlie Day as Charlie, Danny DeVito as Frank and Glenn Howerton as Dennis. CR: FX

Season 7, Episode 8 – “The ANTI-Social Network”

Air Date: Thursday, November 03, 2011, 10:00 pm ET/PT

Rating: ★★★★★

Frank interrupts Mac and Dee as he tries to shoot a video

When Dee (Kaitlin Olson) receives an invite to a bar—via a link on her Facebook page—she, Mac (Rob McElhenney), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Charlie (Charlie Day), and Frank (Danny DeVito) go check it out. It’s one of those specialty bars—it only serves gin—and has no signage out front, which begs the question, how do so many people know about the place? When Mac figures it out—“the only reason that people are here is because Facebook tells them to come here”—the Gang sets out on a mission to get Paddy’s “connected” via a viral video.

Before they do that, however, everyone but Frank becomes obsessed with locating the rude guy (John F. Beach) who “shushed” them at the gin bar. I wonder sometimes whether they ever listen to themselves. Charlie’s voice, in particular, can really grate on the nerves, but it’s also one of the things that make his character so funny.

Highlights:

Frank in the video he shot to take Paddy's viral

Frank’s lines and the way he delivers them when he tries to get Dee and Mac to shoot the viral video give me a lot of hearty chuckles—especially when he refers to the video as a “virus.”  What Frank creates as a viral video totally has me belly laughing, particularly the use of Dee and Mac’s comments (see below). The Gang – not so much!

I can’t believe the lengths Charlie and Dennis go to in their hunt to find Dylan, the “shusher” guy. Although going outside the norm is one of the things that make Sunny so successful. Don’t we all exaggerate the truth from time to time? But reporting a rape to the police? Too funny!

Mac and Dee track Dylan to a fancy clothing store via his Facebook page. When they get there, they find out his page was set up by Sally (guest star Rosalie Ward, It’s Complicated), an ex-girlfriend who’s trying to get back at him for being such a “douche.” Mac’s reaction when he finds out Sally’s angry at Dylan because he posted naked pictures of her online is stellar. Not only does he commiserate with her, he tries to find out exactly where the pictures are posted. Of course, we all know the first thing he’s going to do when he gets to a computer is check them out! Typical guy, right?

Dennis and Charlie take a look at the poster Dennis plans to put all over the neighborhood

Dennis puts posters all over town with Dylan’s likeness, as created by a street artist, with the message “Rude man who shushes. Please call,” along with Dennis’ phone number. While Dennis wants people who recognize Dylan to call him, that’s not exactly what happens.

Funny lines:

The conversation among Frank, Dee and Mac when Frank comes in with a video camera:

Frank: “Alright, Mac, say ‘I got infected.’”

Mac: “What?”

Frank: “Say it!”

Mac: “I got infected! Get that away from me.”

Frank: “Deandra. Ok, now say, ‘I got the bug.’”

Dee, waving him off: “I’m busy, Frank.”

Mac: “Say bug!”

Dee: “Bug! What are you doing?”

Frank: “I’m shooting the virus thing.”

Mac: “What virus thing?”

Frank: “The virus thing that you guys said we’re gonna infect all our friends with on Facebook or whatever.”

***

Charlie and Dennis talking to Detective Larson (guest star David Marciano, Homeland) insisting they were assaulted by Dylan:

Charlie: “You know what happened is that he only raped my friend here. I actually shook him off in time. The guy never really made it inside of me, but my friend here…”

Larson to Dennis: “So he was only raping you?”

Charlie: “Yeah. He kinda made soup of your insides.”

Dennis: “No, no, no. He barely made it in there so trust me, I’m fine.”

Charlie: “Yeah, but he bit his dick.”

***

Mac to Dee when they find out Sally’s never actually met Dylan: “OK, you know what? This chick is douchier than Dylan! Let’s get outta here. I’m not even going to look for those nude photos!”

***

Dee: “Is anybody online the person who they say they are?”

 

“The ANTI-Social Network” is a wonderfully funny commentary on the state of social networking—in particular, Facebook—as it addresses the problems inherent with setting up fake accounts, the dangers of posting online when and where you’ll be, and what happens when an older person, Catfish (guest star Luenell, Borat), gets a computer for the first time. The writing of this particular episode is eminently sharp, and the acting is brilliant as always. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed this episode so much, I’m going to watch it a second time!

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

All photos courtesy of Patrick McElhenny / © 2011 FX Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.

LIKE Sunny on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alwayssunny and follow the show on Twitter @FXNetworks using the hashtag #sunnyfx.

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!

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!