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What to do with a Nazi Grandfather on Life Support. Review: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, S8 Premiere – “Pop Pop: The Final Solution”

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  • October 11, 2012

  • 6 mins to read

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Season 8 premiere  – “Pop Pop: The Final Solution”

Air Date: Thursday, October 11, 10:00 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

 

If season eight’s first two episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are any indication of what’s to come, we are in for some of the funniest and most irreverent treatments of serious topics I’ve ever seen. As usual, Sunny wastes no time getting to the characters’ inappropriateness and political incorrectness. As “Pop Pop: The Final Solution” opens, Dennis (Glenn Howerton) and Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson) have to decide whether to pull the plug on their ailing Nazi “Pop Pop” (Tom Bower), while the rest of The Gang go in search of the Nazi treasure Pop Pop brought home from the war.

Thoughts and Observations:

Charlie relives Frank removing the painting he called “ugly.”

The “treasure” can only be one thing, as best as Charlie (Charlie Day) can remember: a portrait of a German Shepherd Dog Hitler probably painted, according to Charlie, which Frank (Danny DeVito) made him get rid of a long time ago. In their quest to locate the painting, Charlie and Mac (Rob McElhenney) rewrite history as only they can. The problem is Charlie can’t remember where he put the painting and that leads to some pretty ridiculous moments.

***

Check out all the leftover soup in Pop Pop’s hospital room!

As usual, Frank has a demented view on how to handle things. The leftover food in Pop Pop’s hospital room is so wrong on so many levels, as is the rest of the scene. But particularly when Charlie and Mac eat some of the “old rancid soups.” How gross! I’m not the only one who thinks that because the expressions on both Dennis’s and Dee’s faces make them look like they’re going to hurl any minute.

***

Then, there’s Frank’s search for the “treasure.” I don’t want to ruin it for you so I’ll just say it’s absurd, half-witted, and far-fetched, giving me my fair share of chuckles. Plus, it leads to Dennis and Dee uncovering an outrageous piece of history from their childhood that is so politically incorrect, I couldn’t believe it. Just the fact that Dennis and Dee think their youthful actions were normal put a grin on my face.

***

The bit with Mac’s new sunglasses, which he plans to use as “head of security” for Paddy’s Bar—“they’re perfect for ocular pat-downs”—is typical Sunny harebrained fare, and the bizarre way Mac’s brain works never ceases to amaze me. Might I say, however, McElhenney is looking mighty fine these days with his new slimmed down body!

***

Dennis, Dee, and the lawyer (Brian Unger) listen to the doctor’s (Scott Beenher) explanation.

I love Brian Unger (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart), who reprises his role as the attorney. His character’s overall demeanor and obvious disdain for Dennis and Dee when telling them of their grandfather’s condition cracks me up! Just the tone of his voice alone had me giggling. At first, I didn’t understand why Dee called him “that old Nazi bitch,” and then I realized it was Dee’s way of emasculating him.

***

Dennis and Dee watch as Cricket runs free.

The best part of “Pop Pop: The Final Solution,” in my opinion, belongs to Dennis and Dee as they go through the decision-making process. One of the things they do is visit the death row section of an animal shelter, to see how they’ll feel when “killing something less important first.” What happens is nothing more than sheer brilliance. Sunny couldn’t be more politically incorrect, and hysterical, if it tried.

***

There is one facet of Sunny I missed during this episode: the deep belly laughs, guffaws, and laugh-out-loud moments. That is not to say “Pop Pop: The Final Solution” isn’t funny; it’s just a different kind of funny, if you get what I mean.

I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Too often, people don’t heed this admonishment but thankfully, Sunny does. After seven extremely successful seasons, unlike some others, McElhenny, Howerton, Day, et al. decided to continue with their winning formula – putting their tried and true characters in situations where they end up making preposterous decisions that make us laugh.  Thanks, Sunny! All of your loyal fans appreciate it.

Next week, we’ll be following The Gang when the garbage men of Philadelphia go on strike, and Frank concocts a scheme to undercut the union in order to get the city’s contract to collect the trash. And have no fear, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in “The Gang Recycles Their Trash.”

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

All photos courtesy of Patrick McElhenney / © 2012 FX Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.

LIKE Sunny on Facebook and follow the show on Twitter @FXNetworks using the hashtag #sunnyfx. Also follow Dee @kaitlin_olson, and Dennis @Glenn_Howerton.

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!