Television’s darkest comedy and most narcissistic gang of underachievers is back for season 11 on FX. The season premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia gave fans exactly what they were hoping for from executive producers and lead actors Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day, as well as the brilliant Danny Devito and University of Oregon alumni Kaitlin Olson.
The Always Sunny season 11 opener on Jan. 6 was a dream for longtime fans. With Charlie’s frantic voice and panicky movements, Frank’s violent and offensive schemes, Dennis’s extreme vanity, Dee’s crippling insecurity and obsessive behavior, and Mac’s emotional monologues, the Gang really is back. Beautifully written, and completely morally corrupt, characters cater to a cringing (but secretly laughing) audience already looking forward to the rest of the season.
The first episode, “Chardee McDennis 2: Electric Bugaloo,” relies on fans’ knowledge of previous episodes to understand long-running jokes within the series, like the second coming of the fictional board game created by the Gang called “Chardee MacDennis.” This game (which first appeared in season 7) has a complex set of rules that can be made up on whim. Without watching this season 7 episode at least once before, new viewers may not be able to laugh at as many one-liners and old references in the premiere episode as those who have been with the series for all 11 seasons.
The second episode of the new season also recalls past gags. After Frank falls out of a window and experiences a concussion, he repeatedly has flashbacks to past antics with the Gang. Additionally, Dee and Dennis’s attempt to gain welfare (in the most inappropriate manner, of course) calls back to the second season of Always Sunny.
The writers, Howerton (Dennis) and Day (Charlie), try nothing flashy with these first two episodes, which is fine for those who have already watched the show. However, it may be difficult to capture a larger audience by continuing with old bits from previous seasons.
Thankfully for new viewers, the first ten seasons were recently added to Netflix. While there is barely a continuous plot running through the entire series, it is important to understand the characters through previous episodes to have a greater appreciation for each little comment.
Still, the show remains one of the funniest on television today, for those with a taste for darker comedy. The series has also been contracted for at least one more season after this, so there is a lot more of the Gang to look forward to.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia airs Wednesdays on FX at 10 p.m.