curmudgeon86

This was an instant classic. Definitely one of the series' most brilliantly written episodes.

On the surface, it follows Dennis hiring focus groups to critique the Gang's rehearsal for a prime-time appearance. Beneath this lies a sharp satire on the creative bankruptcy of trying to please everyone. The episode skewers the studio mindset Dennis embodies when he declares that endless focus group feedback guarantees a final product "that will appeal to the widest possible audience and offend no one. That is how you make great art."

The audience feedback likely mirror some of the critiques the show itself has received (the jabs about Dennis "looking old"). When the gang ditches the safe play to embrace their chaotic roots (Badass Mac makes a long overdue return, as does the iconic duster!), its clearly a statement from the creators.

But the real star is Dennis. His psychotic need for control drives the story. The inevitable meltdown, when it comes, leads to the greatest monologue in Sunny history, one that is sure to be quoted by fans for a long time.

Glenn Howerton STEALS IT. He turns the "Glenn is looking old" comments into props for comedy. The monologue is such a perfect tightrope walk--hilarious yet almost touching.

This was a really solid episode. It drove home how the gang refuse to grow up, even as they grow old.

The gang run into Trey and Tammy, the high schoolers from season 1 who had asked Dennis and Dee to prom. They are now a married couple. While Tammy and Trey have grown up in these 20 years, Dennis and Dee clearly have not. They immediately start chasing drama by pursuing sex with Trey and Tammy. But is adult drama as fun as teen drama? And is there a line Dennis and Dee won't cross? This is the first episode this season which gives us a glimpse of Dennis' dark, psycho side.

The B-side gets meta with it. Mac and Charlie look for a missing Frank while trying to figure what kind of story they are in. Is it a thriller, a tragedy or something else? This was good meta fun, felt like the writers navigating the story themselves, and asking stuff like: would this be a good arc? Are we comfortable with this bit? There is a hilarious bit where Mac argues how even a tragic arc could be satisfying and Charlie completely shoots it down. We also meet some old favorites in this plot line. The plot resolution was maybe not the best but again, they were going for a meta joke.

Overall a hilarious episode. Watching it back to back with the Season 1 episode Underage Drinking is great fun to see how far the gang has evolved, or rather devolved since.