It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Forum

 
Guys, guys guys...It's finally here!  All of that crap you had to sit through and watch this summer on TV will now be a distant memory, because It's Always Sunny is back and TV is starting for real. So I figured we should have a single thread to discuss all aspects of the new season: the episodes, characters, etc.  
 
Here's a list of the currently announced episodes: 

1. Mac Fights Gay Marriage
2. Dennis Gets Divorced
3. The Gang Buys a Boat
4. Mac's Big Break

 
So until the show starts share some of your favorite It's Always Sunny moments or what you want to see this season. 

One of my favorite moments is Dayman (ahhh ahhh ahhhhhhh)
 
  

MAC FIGHTS GAY MARRIAGE: Alright... well... personally, I felt like the episode tread the line between stupid and moderately clever. The humor may have not been as loud or in your face as past seasons, but I felt a bit of subtlety in the acting, which payed off heavily for Mac and Dennis. Also, in a way, it was kind of sad, the whole "is Mac gay?" thing, and him getting kicked out of Dennis'. It kind of reminded me of the first season, where it was ridiculous, but in a toned down manner.
 
I'm glad that the next episode ties in to this one, because before knowing that, I was just confused about the abrupt ending. Hopefully, the second episode can clear up this storyline in a satisfying manner. Also, Charlie and Frank seem to be turning into cartoon characters, or hyperbolic "Kramer and Newman"s. Not that it's a bad thing, but it's just surprising on how far they've strayed from the earlier seasons.

@nofx4208:  I felt the same way.

I liked the episode, and they should do more of these mutli-episode storylines. Those guys are as good as always if you ask me.

@nofx4208: You summed it up perfectly, it did feel like a season one episode for sure, and I feel like they can only go up from here.  
 
One of my favorite parts was:
 

DENNIS GETS DIVORCED: Uh... what the fuck was that?
 
that was kind of disappointing... though I do like Uncle Jack.

That episode really went nowhere, I sat there wondering when the jokes would show but they really never came. The only redeemable part of the episode was when Uncle Jack came into the mix. Still have hopes that the season will pick up.

@TheBootlegSaint: agreed, i also really like Dead Tooth's callback to that Marky Mark movie, because obviously while Dennis is out, she's watching his movie collection XD

@nofx4208: 
@TheBootlegSaint: 
 
I think the reason why this season has felt a bit different so far and not quite as funny is because Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton haven't written them. It also looks like they won't be writing any episodes this season at all, which is a real bummer. They hired some chick to write at least the past couple episodes. This almost seems like what happened with Entourage a couple seasons back when Ally Musika started writing a lot of the episodes. Hopefully I am wrong, and Charlie and Glenn do end up writing epsidoes this season, but unfortunately it doesn't appear so =(
 
I saw a comment from a user on HBO.com who also thought the show felt different because hey are now using a different editing style. Previous seasons used many quick cuts to make it seem more sporadic, but now more long cuts are being used.
 
I thought the firs two episodes were decent, a little lack luser, not bad but nothing too great (The Uncle Jack parts were very funny and the best parts of ep. 2) I have definitely seen worse episodes than these two in previous seasons of Always Sunny. I'm sure the season will just go up from here, at least I hope so. There are still 11 more episodes this season and a Halloween special I heard too.
 
What do you guys think about the writing/editing situation?

I did notice that the editing style has changed considerably to make the scenes feel longer. Additionally, Mac and Dennis specifically seem to be acting less naturally than in past seasons. Actually, from the first time Mac opened his mouth in 'Mac Fights Gay Marriage' something seemed off...the episodes aren't bad by any stretch of the imagination, just not as great as some of their past episodes. I hope they get back to their hilarious ways soon.

@ckal: That's terrible. I think the show works best when Glenn, Charlie or Rob write together. It also seems like they are doing less improv in the episodes, which are some of the funniest parts of the series.

@Darkstorn:  Yeah, actually I've thought Mac has been by far the most off. It doesn't even seem like we have seen a lot of him. What I've always liked most about his character are his facial expressions and way of speaking, but I can only think of two instances off the top of my head where he's acted like that. One when he was showering in the bar was funny, and the other when he did the typical blank stare awkward situation thing when he was trying to leave the apartment in the second episode. Dennis wanted him to stay and Mac said, "Uhhh yeah...I don't want to"
 
I wonder if Rob and Kaitlin being married and having a kid during filming had any sort of impact on it?
 
@TheBootlegSaint said:

" @ckal: That's terrible. I think the show works best when Glenn, Charlie or Rob write together. It also seems like they are doing less improv in the episodes, which are some of the funniest parts of the series. "

Completely agree. They are really the only ones who I think actually get their characters and know how to make them act the funniest. I remember Charlie Day saying how about 1/4 of the show is improv, and although it is early in the new season, I hope we see more of it. Maybe we will be lucky and the chick writer will have better episodes or Charlie and Glenn/Rob actually have written episodes for this season.
 
I just really want to know why they aren't writing episodes anymore! It can't be pure laziness now that the show is more popular, can it? (I know Charlie just did a movie so maybe that had some impact)

Episode 3 - The Gang Buys a Boat

 
This is more like it. This episode had the charm and humour I've come to know from this show, who would have thought that all they had to do was get Charlie and Rob to write instead of some random. While it wasn't on par with the greats from earlier seasons, it was miles better than the first two episodes and overall really enjoyable. I think we can officially say Its Always Sunny is back and i now have high hopes for the rest of the season.

I'm gonna start calling myself "The Implication".

@TheBootlegSaint: I thought this episode was decent, but much better than the first two. Mac, Dennis and Frank still seem off to me.  I'll have to rewatch it and see if I like it more.
 
What site do you use to find writer credits (or did you just happen to see it before the episode on Thursday)? On IMDB, writing credits go to Kristi Korzec (staff writer) and Rob (creator), but I guess that is wrong. It gives writing credits to them for the first two as episodes as well which is incorrect. I had to check wikipedia to get the right information.

@ckal: yeah, I saw it at the beginning of the episode.

@TheBootlegSaint: Always Sunny has been getting better every week now for the past few weeks. 'Mac's Mom Burns Her House Down' was hilarious. Great ep, easily the best so far this season. Looking forward to finding out who knocked up Dee!

@ckal: Totally agree, it was an instant classic. This weeks episode is my most anticipated episode this season, I can't wait to see the ridiculous costumes the gang wears for halloween and to find out who knocked up Dee. 
 
This picture alone has doubled my anticipation:
 

@TheBootlegSaint:  Haha yeah. Tonight's episode was another really good one. Very funny. I couldn't stop laughing when Frank came in in his Spider-Man costume and was going FZZZ! FZZ!!