9x02 Gun Fever Too: Still Hot

[9.4/10] Man, when this show is on, it’s just on. I love how this one tackled both sides of the gun debate while managing to make it about how The Gang (sans Frank in this instance) are a pack of idiots, who will do stupid things regardless of whether or not they have access to deadly weapons.

Dennis and Dee trying to prove how easy it is to get an assault rifle, only to be stymied because of their erratic histories, threatened when they idiotically try to strongarm people at a gun show, and bilked when they try to buy one on the black market is a wonderful comic progression. The pair’s growing frustrations over their lack of success is hilarious, particularly Dee’s roommate backstory and related threats.

I also loved Mac and Charlie trying to protect elementary schools with predictably disastrous results. The return of Principal Dave Foley as their beleaguered straight man is a welcome sight, and whether they’re debating guns vs. swords, harassing kids who are playing on their phones, or being shocked at how vicious children can be with common implements, it’s the sort of loony, mildly shocking comedy the show does well.

Then there’s the great conclusion, where after all of these misadventures, Dennis and Dee on the one hand and Mac and Charlie on the other have totally switched sides on the issue. The fact that Frank was manufacturing the whole crisis to begin with for cash is a little too easy of an out for the show to be able to avoid taking a real position on the issue and retreating into cheap commercial cynicism. But Frank’s escapades with Charlie’s uncle do a nice job at making fun of how these frenzies are manipulated, and The Gang knowing Frank’s shtick but still wanting to buy his water filters is a nice button.

Overall, the show took a fraught-as-hell issue and managed to make it utterly hilarious without coming down firmly on one side of the gun debate or the other, while still making fun of both. That’s no small feat and makes for an outstanding episode.