[7.4/10] Good example of this show satirizing all sides of an argument by having this group take seemingly reasonable positions only to argue in the most self-serving, bad faith manner possible. This one started a little slow, with the episode going through the usual “we’re all bad people discussing something topical” notes, but gained steamed as it went. The third act in particular was really strong, with Dennis trying to shrug off Frank’s racist support, everyone twisting the basic principles to suit their needs, and Charlie being swung by hats and shiny shirts.
I also got a big kick out of the humor at the margins. Again, Charlie’s failure to understand what’s going on is always a funny note. The Gang mixing up what songs were actually written/performed by Jimmy Buffet (replete with amusing Pina Colada stingers) got a consistent laugh out of me. And everyone admitting that they would just violate the rules to suit their own needs anyway was amusing in the group’s typically awful way.
I don’t know if there was all that much effective commentary here, though there was something a little potent about Mac and Dee not wanting to go to the concert that speaks to people being left out in one area not feeling enough a part of their community to participate in others. But on the whole, this was more a commentary on the gang’s ability to twist anything to fit what they want than any real position, which just makes it something of a rorschach test. Still, the solution is random but kind of sweet in a solid late era IASIP way.
Overall, not as strong a topical episode as some others this season, but still solid work.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2018-10-17T05:09:54Z
[7.4/10] Good example of this show satirizing all sides of an argument by having this group take seemingly reasonable positions only to argue in the most self-serving, bad faith manner possible. This one started a little slow, with the episode going through the usual “we’re all bad people discussing something topical” notes, but gained steamed as it went. The third act in particular was really strong, with Dennis trying to shrug off Frank’s racist support, everyone twisting the basic principles to suit their needs, and Charlie being swung by hats and shiny shirts.
I also got a big kick out of the humor at the margins. Again, Charlie’s failure to understand what’s going on is always a funny note. The Gang mixing up what songs were actually written/performed by Jimmy Buffet (replete with amusing Pina Colada stingers) got a consistent laugh out of me. And everyone admitting that they would just violate the rules to suit their own needs anyway was amusing in the group’s typically awful way.
I don’t know if there was all that much effective commentary here, though there was something a little potent about Mac and Dee not wanting to go to the concert that speaks to people being left out in one area not feeling enough a part of their community to participate in others. But on the whole, this was more a commentary on the gang’s ability to twist anything to fit what they want than any real position, which just makes it something of a rorschach test. Still, the solution is random but kind of sweet in a solid late era IASIP way.
Overall, not as strong a topical episode as some others this season, but still solid work.