[7.4/10] This one started out slow but gained strength quickly. The whole auditing and fake dependent thing with Dee seemed like a dead end, but the way it built to the final setpiece was brilliant. Similarly, The Gang trying to be a democracy and failing miserably seemed like a weak premise, but then, as usual, the show got kind of crazy with it, and things really picked up.
For one thing, I love Mac and Charlie forming their own party, and then Frank and Dennis finding wedge issues to keep them divided and ineffectual. It’s not underlined, but it’s a funny bit of political satire without going over the top. And Dennis talking about his “God hole” is another weirdly awful but kind of earnest moment from the character which I find really interesting.
It’s also a subtly meta-episode. There’s The Gang remarking about how the fake baby funeral is “the darkest thing we’ve ever done” and some central premise nods when they agree to stop trying to use reason and just stick to being overly emotional and yelling at one another to get what they want. It’s enjoyable how, after six prior season, the show’s getting vaguely reflective.
Plus that final setpiece is great. There’s so many payoffs, from the dead dog funeral, to wolf cola, to Dee wanting to be an actress, all coalescing into one pretty brilliant little clusterbomb.
Overall, one that had trouble holding my attention at first, but that eventually tied everything together in a fun and funny way.
Shout by shmosbyVIP 4BlockedParent2023-10-29T01:11:03Z
"This is a very sad day for the entire Paddy's Pub family. At times like this, I like to quench my thirst with a delicious Wolf Cola."