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« It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Episode Recap: "Mac Is a Serial Killer"
The ending for this week’s episode has to rank up there as one of the most memorable for the show, and that’s saying something. It was so memorable for me because it was definitely one of the most shocking.
Before we get to that, let’s start at the beginning: There’s a serial killer on the loose and Mac is acting suspicious, so, of course, the rest of the gang comes to the conclusion that he must be the serial killer. Of course, they don’t want to know because they want to stop the murders. Their reasons are entirely selfish: Dennis and Dee want a chance to use their vague psychology skills (that didn’t turn out so well in the "Charlie Gets Molested" episode), Charlie wants to play lawyer thanks to a really good Law & Order episode he recently saw, and Frank is just looking for any reason to use his chain saw. I admire the ability of the writers to find new ways for everyone’s selfishness to surface every week. It’s so predictable that this is what drives their actions, and that’s what makes it even funnier.
We find out early on that the real reason for Mac’s shady behavior is he is dating Carmen the transsexual again. If you remember the "Charlie Gets Cancer" episode from the first season, you know that Mac was punching Carmen in the face last time they were together. Kudos to them for finding a way to make it work again. Though unfortunately for Carmen, making it work means just sleeping together but never going out because Mac is too embarrassed by the fact that she still has a penis.
Charlie and Frank decide to do some investigating on what exactly is going on with Mac, and what they find isn’t promising. First they find an anatomy book with highlighted sections on removing genitalia (little did they know this was more for dating tips than a way to torture victims). Then they interview Mac’s mother and find out she thinks he would kill someone (though she didn't seem to be paying attention and was more concerned with having another cigarette). Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Charlie still wants to earn his Sam Waterston badge and help Mac. When they meet to discuss whether Mac is committing the murders, it is a miscommunication scene that would make diehard Three’s Company fans happy: While Mac is talking about seeing Carmen, Charlie thinks he’s confessing to murder.
Dennis and Dee decide to use the little bit of nondegreed psychology experience they have to catch the killer. First, they use Dee as bait, but she’s dressed so scantily that a pimp demands she start working for him. I think my favorite part of the episode was the thermos Dennis had to trade away to get her back. It’s nice to imagine a world full of Fraggle Rock-loving pimps. When the bait doesn’t work, they decide to "profile" the killer and get inside his head. This leads to stealing potential weapons from a hardware store thanks to Gary, an employee there who is so smitten with Dee (the good news for Dee is that she is the serial killer’s type!), he’ll let her take anything.
When none of their efforts work (including Dee dressing as a killer clown), they decide to join forces and lure him someplace so they can confront him directly. Unfortunately that someplace turns out to be the real serial killer’s apartment. I admit I did guess that Gary was the killer, but I was not prepared for how they revealed it. Remember the scene in Jaws where Roy Scheider is shoveling chum, cracks a joke and then the shark appears? I was reminded of that abrupt switch from humor to shock when Charlie casually opens the fridge to reveal all those severed heads. Good stuff. So is the very end of the scene as well, as Gary the serial killer returns home and finally (finally!) gives Frank the chance he’s been waiting for to use his chainsaw.
One last note: Day Man. AAAAHHHH! Fighter of the Night Man. AAAAHHHH! Champion of the sun. AAAAHHHH! You’re a master of karate and friendship for everyone.
Yes, this song is still consistently popping up in my head a full week after the episode.
See you all next week.
For more Sunny clips, visit our Online Video Guide.
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Oct 19, 2007 6:15 AM
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That video of "Day Man" still makes me laugh! Brilliant. And I agree, a world full of Fraggle Rock-loving pimps is a happier place.
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Oct 19, 2007 9:14 AM
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I love how Charlie always gets really into whatever mood he is in that week. Like the entire episode he was wearing a short sleeved button down shirt and a too short tie because thats what he thinks lawyers wear. The commitment is everything. "Objection! Heresay!"
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Oct 19, 2007 10:42 AM
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"Day Man" has been popping up in my head all week too! AWESOME episode Frank with the chainsaw and Dee as the serial killer clown with squeaky shoes...hilarious. I don't know how they come up with this stuff but I love it.
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Oct 19, 2007 10:50 AM
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I watched this episode on MySpace before the season premiere and I say it's just as funny the second time. Definitely the best one this season so far. And being followed up by a rerun of Dennis and Dee go on Welfare was just great.
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Oct 19, 2007 11:30 AM
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