16x04 Frank vs. Russia

[8.0/10] Now that’s more like it! I would never have asked for IASIP to return to one of its most iconic bits with the Dennis System. But turning it around with the “Sinned” system to attract men was a hilarious inversion.

I enjoyed the hilarity of Dennis turning the whole thing into a weird Oedipal complex approach. But honestly, the best humor came from Mac and Dee being tota dunces about it, and Dennis’ increasing frustration and frantic efforts to cover for their duncery in both the explanation and execution. Something about an uptight stiff having to deal with blithe idiots just tickles my funny bone, and that was this to a tee.

I especially love how oblivious Mac was to the reveal that Dennis is, in fact, “Johnny,” the mysterious suitor who is signaling Mac through anal beads, as a ploy to get Mac out of the house. The whole thing is wonderful comic nonsense.

The bit with Charlie trying to turn Frank into a master chess player through vibrations was good too. It’s an amusingly deranged homage to the recent kerfuffle involving Magnus Carlsen. There’s a nice synchronicity between Mac’s situation and Charlie’s “ingenious” plan to beat a grandmaster. And I got a kick out of Dennis only getting on board when he realizes she can get his jollies out of using someone else like a puppet.

I’ll admit, I’m pretty well over the Uncle Jack humor at this point, and so his return isn't welcome/ But my god,the physical acting from Danny DeVito is outstanding. He really goes for broke here. The broken buzzer routine has the rhythms of a Looney Tunes cartoon, and DeVito is more than up to the challenge.

Overall, this is the clear stand out of the season so far, with the humor, storytelling, and characters clicking on all cylinders.