Frank vs. Russia

I'm and avid sunny fan, and have been for a good couple years now. I have still enjoyed watching the newer seasons, and enjoyed 15 more than most did, though I still agree something felt off, from the characters, to being away from the bar for so long, even though I thought the Ireland setting had a certain charm, this is much closer to what I pertain as 'classic sunny' This episode really reminds me of my Favs of all time like the gas crisis and wrestles for the troops, so glad they're hitting their stride again. This was 100% my favourite episode of the season, and (after I rewatch it a bunch) a great contender for one of the best of the shop in my opinion, Ican't wait to see the rest of the season.

I also loved the callbacks to being frank, mac finds his pride, Charlie's American pride outfit, just great all round.

This one had so many callbacks. Dennis showed his creepiness so well. The two plotlines seemed disconnected, but connected completely by rhe end. This really felt like old-times IASIP as I hadn't felt foe a long time. The actors were also more energetic like they used to be up to season 12. Also, the music is back. I don't know who was responsible for the music in the first 3 episodes but its timing was so off. The episodes felt silent without the typical music instead of the laugh track. It really made me feel super uncomfortable as this show used to cause me to be in the past. Super cringe worthy.

This is a pretty great episode as far as performances go. It wouldn't have been as funny if Frank and Dennis weren't played so convincingly. This just proves to me how, by this point, these actors understand these characters so well that they still seem like actual people despite the crazier and crazier things they decide to do. This episode is all buildup to a joke that got belly laughs out of me for a solid 5 minutes. This season definitely shook it up a little. Not that the show was getting stale, but it's impressive to see them kinda regain some steam. The characters have always been funny, but the recent seasons have usually been missing the zany story ideas that always made Sunny so memorable. This season it's back in full force and this episode is a great example.

Some of the best It's Always Sunny eps have elaborate setups with solid callbacks and punchlines. "Frank vs Russia" is a strong reassurance that the guys at Sunny still got it.

Normally, in an It's Always Sunny episode, some of the jokes don't quite land but they barely register because the next scene is speeding into something more exciting. Here it all lands:

• Dennis' megalomania and strange predatory nature
• Mac and Dee's insanely horny behaviour
• DeVito's brilliant physical performance as Frank
• Charlie is well doing Charlie and that's cool too!

Long story short, modern It's Always Sunny is still fantastic. There were fears that some of the more confined episodes from S15 might be an indicator that the show has lost its edge. NOPE, it was just Covid compromise. In 2023 CE, everything's a'okay!

As a chess player, this whole thing was sloppy an unrealistic. I love every episode... Ever, except this one. The truth is Chess cheating could never ever work like that at all, you can't pick up the pieces and move them around, then change your mind, etc... Black does not move first... etc... A "big game" against the "Russians" wouldn't happen in a little place like that. The whole thing was basically bad writing... well very lazy and predictable and unrealistic

I really love every other episode though, and it makes me wonder what the heck happened with this individual episode. So much of it is just bad.