6x08 The Gang Gets a New Member

[7.6/10] Tons of guest stars in this one, and each of them put to good use!

I love the (brief) addition of Jason Sudekis as a lost member of The Gang. The way that his raucous, playful attitude makes Dennis, Mac, and Frank nigh-instantly value him over Charlie, and then watch things degrade as he doesn’t buy into the nonsense and rhythms that have become a day-to-day reality for their friend group, is delightful. The way Sudekis’s character is the life of the party, then the doubting thomas, and finally the pariah, is amusing, and speaks to the weird ecosystem The Gang lives in that can brook no disruption.

I also got a kick of Charlie feeling left out and striking out on his own as a janitor at their old high school. His enthusiastic interview with the principal (Dave Foley) was funny for Charlie’s typically demented but excited approach to things and the dynamic between the two. And I like that the show is sticking with him walking away when the rest of The Gang comes running back, even if fences will inevitably be mended.

Dee’s story is probably the weakest, but even there, you have Rene Auberjonois (from Deep Space 9, Avatar the Last Airbender, etc.) as Dee’s old, checked-out drama teacher, revealing that however inspiring he may have been in his heydey, it can all be attributed to booze. Dee trying to inspire the next generation of high school theater kids is chuckle-worthy enough, and her back-and-forth with Auberjonois’s character is a delight.

Overall, a strong episode buoyed by the guest actors in the fold.