Written by Charlie Johnson
With writing as sharp, witty and contentious as what we have seen in previous weeks, you would be within your rights to think that this week’s episode of Philly was less than amazing. The title of this one tells you all you need to know, really. But in classic style, this show always provides its own twist on tired television tropes.
Memory is Fallible
The episode kicks off with The Gang all on their phones until an update forces them to stop using the internet and actually interact with each other for about twenty minutes. So, they start to reminisce on all these great memories. Namely ones where Dee physically harms herself or no one knows what’s going on. Finally, The Gang remembers the time when Dennis left them last season and they get into an argument over who turned off the bar lights. When Dennis tells the story again, he tells the version where Dee and Charlie are flicking the lights off and on while dancing in the strobe. For the rest of the episode, The Gang is constantly creating alternate memories and effectively rewriting the history of the show. Outside of this interesting discussion of reality being a subjective (and not objective) experience, the episode peters out except for THE SCENE…
THE SCENE!
I have no idea how they got onto the set of Jerry Seinfeld’s apartment, but they did. The Gang share a collective memory thinking that they are the characters from Seinfeld in the most known episode The Contest. For anyone familiar with Seinfeld, this quick scene is a carbon copy and it’s amazing to see these actors we know replicate one of the best pieces of comedy history of the past thirty years. Here’s the clip if you’re interested in watching it.
Apart from this amazing nugget of sitcom folklore, that’s pretty much it for the episode. So, I thought I should compile a list of my favourite character moments from the show. It only seems fitting if we’re talking about memories.
Dennis: The Implication
As you may have figured out by now, Dennis Reynolds is by far my favourite character on the show. He is charismatic, smart, and manipulative and that makes him fun to watch. It doesn’t mean I agree with his ethos. Far from it! But it’s heaps of fun trying to figure out how this possible psychopath will behave next. This is the first moment we realised that Dennis was more of a predator than a creep: The day he discussed “The Implication”.
Charlie: The Nightman Cometh
Sometime in the murky depths of Charlie’s childhood, we think (though this has never been confirmed) that he was raped by his Uncle Jack and has repressed the memory. Charlie Has since created this story about The Dayman and The Nightman two beings that inhabit his body at the same time, like a ying vs. yang persona. One day he writes a musical about it to try to propose to The Waitress who he has stalked for years. The results are hilariously uncomfortable.
Sweet Dee: Stand Up Comedy
Deandra Reynolds is possibly one of the least observed characters from a writing perspective. Despite being the twin sister of Dennis, we know less about her than anyone else. Constantly the butt of everyone’s jokes, she seeks approval from the rest of the world as she strives towards becoming an actress. The only thing stopping her is chronic stage fright.
Frank: Unzipped in Therapy
Frank has been through a lot. In his younger days he operated large corporations with ruthless efficiency. He found himself running from the feds and living on cocaine and fruit in Columbia. He made millions and didn’t give a cent to anyone after his divorce. Danny DeVito plays an absolute madman who is out of touch with reality and it makes for some scintillating viewing. All of this craziness seems to stem from a childhood trauma in the “Nitwit School”.
Mac: Living in the Suburbs
In an attempt to find some cheaper rent, Mac and Dennis move out of their central apartment and go to a larger house in the suburbs outside of town. As time goes by, the quiet and routine of suburban lifestyle slowly drive them insane. In an attempt to get some attention, Mac does the unthinkable.
There you have it. Those are my favourite character moments from the show to date. Let’s hope that it has more seasons after this to continue the insanity. As for this week’s episode, I give it a 6/10. Not a strong standalone episode, but a fun look back on some zany moments.
