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The Drinking Game to End All Games. Review: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – “Chardee MacDennis: The Game of Games”

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  • October 28, 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 7 – “Chardee MacDennis: The Game of Games”

Air Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011, 10:00 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

Dee and Dennis' games pieces sit on Level 2, while Charlie and Mac's almost demolished pieces lay on Level 1

With nothing to do on a rainy day in Philly, Charlie (Charlie Day) and Mac (Rob McElhenney) reluctantly agree to play a game of Chardee McDennis with Dee (Kaitlin Olson) and Dennis (Glenn Howerton). Basically, Chardee MacDennis is a drinking game that combines all of the gang’s favorite board games. Like the game itself, the title is a combination—of their names. Since Frank (Danny DeVito) has never played before, the rest of the gang explains how to play using some great props. There are three levels to the game: Level 1 consists of mind games: trivia, puzzles and artistry. Level 2 covers the body: physical challenges, and pain and endurance, while Level 3 is for the spirit: emotional battery and public humiliation. I love that Dee has to nail the game board to the bar because everyone knows, at some point, Mac’s going to get angry because he’s losing and will try to “flip the board over.”  I knew from the beginning it was going to be very silly; I just didn’t realize how silly! Frank opts to join Charlie and Mac’s team—a good idea since they’ve never won throughout the history of the game.

Highlights:

One of the best parts of this episode is the “Pre-Game Wine and Cheese Reception.” It’s absolutely hysterical when they all speak with a British accent, pretending to show respect for their opponents.

As the game begins, everyone smashes their wine glasses on the floor, beginning the funniest ritual ever. As Dee explains, “it’s our Māori war dance; it’s how we demonstrate intimidation,” followed by Dennis, “it shows off our physical prowess.” While it’s mean to be a take on the Kapa Haka, a traditional Māori art performance, to me, it looks like a bunch of gorillas jumping around screaming at each other. Funny stuff!

The minute Charlie and Mac tell Frank he can’t ask any questions out loud once the game starts, I know he’ll be asking one—which, of course, he does.

Dennis shows no emotion whatsoever as Charlie's, Mac's and Frank's darts come flying at him

I can’t believe the look on Dennis’s face when Charlie and Mac are throwing darts at his hand. I love how stoic he is, not flinching at all—not even when Frank finally nails him.

Putting Frank in a dog crate because the ‘Chance’ card he pulls says “Go to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200” is hysterical. I wonder what they would have used to simulate a jail had someone other than Frank pulled that card. He’s the only one who could fit in a dog kennel that size. Even with that, Frank has to keep his head bent, looking a lot like what a dog would look like when he’s a bit too bit for the kennel.

Charlie and Dee do the “Grape Gobble” and when it’s over, Charlie looks like the smart kid in class who knows the answer, jumping around and yelling, “Pick me! Pick me!” He knows he’s eaten more than Dee, but what he forgets is he’s not supposed to swallow the fruit—he’s supposed to spit the grapes out to be counted. Mac performing the Heimlich on Charlie to force him to throw up the grapes is priceless. Of course, this causes Dee to win by default, advancing her and Dennis to Level 3.

Charlie, Mac, Dennis and Dee get ready to hear what the "black card" says as Frank reads it to them

The way Frank advances his team to Level 3 is brilliant. I thought for sure they would win the game. Damn that “black card!” After all the whooping, shouting, and ridiculousness of Chardee MacDennis, having to flip a coin to determine the winner is so anticlimactic! But it’s exactly what one would expect with this show.

Memorable lines:

Charlie insists he’s not playing the game.

Frank: “Why? What’s the big deal? It’s only a game.”

Charlie: “It’s not just a game. It’s a war.”

***

During the “Pre-Game Wine and Cheese Reception, in their best British accent:”

Charlie: “Good luck to you, Sir.”

Dennis: “And you, Sir.”

Mac: “I do hope you have a good game, Miss.”

Dee: “And you, Sir.”

Dennis: “Gentlemen, suck my dick!”

When I watched this episode last night, it didn’t really tickle my funny bone. But knowing what Sunny is capable of, I decided to watch “Chardee MacDennis: The Game of Games” a second time to be fair. I’m so glad I did. Where I only chuckled once or twice last night, especially when they put Frank in the dog crate, today I was laughing practically non-stop. Another hit episode, don’t you agree? Let’s discuss!

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!