TVSquad

(S05E07) This episode brought back many things that fans of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia have already come to know and love: nearly aggressive patriotism, needless shirtnessness, songs sung in falsetto and, of course, Rickety Cricket. I would like to also submit that the Birds of War get-up (pictured above) would be perfect for this Halloween, especially if you're desperate for few high-fives or silent nods of approval. It covers a wide range, as it appeals to both Always Sunny fans and people who like America and/or chickens. I mean, eagles.

Overall, this was a pretty solid episode, though not the funniest of the season. The guest appearance by Rowdy Roddy Piper (sans kilt) as Da' Maniac was especially great, possibly the funniest part being his interrupted tender moment from the back of a cop car. Also, Da' Maniac supposedly calling Mac the n-word for no reason and Charlie's extremely literal "Look at this, dude! That's just a bucket of chestnuts" made me laugh way harder than they should have.

Dee's Desert Rose storyline culminated in her getting smacked across the face with a folding chair, right in the middle of singing "Kiss from a Rose." Comedy gold, right there. Also, am I the only one that liked Artemis the best when she did her Coyote Ugly audition and not quite as much any other time? I'm not against her character at all, but, I don't know, maybe licking Dennis' face during her first appearance just set the bar too high.

Oh, and Rickety Cricket. Poor, poor Rickety Cricket. I was foolish to think, even for an instant, that Rickety Cricket would emerge triumphant against the gang. He rode the high of victory for a brief moment (as the Tali-bum), only to get slit in the neck with Frank "The Trash Man" Reynolds' rusty trash can. Isn't that how things always end?

Now, for your imagined-singing pleasure, here are the lyrics to the Birds of War intro song. Make sure you warm up before you attempt those "Ahh-aa-aa-ahh"s (the actual epicness of which have been approximated in my write-up).

Stomp, clap. Stomp-stomp, clap.
Stomp, clap. Stomp-stomp, clap.
Stomp, clap. Stomp-stomp, clap.
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
The eagle's born out of thunder
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
He flies through the night
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
Don't you mess with his eggs now
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
Or you'll see him fight
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
Yes, we have feathers
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
But the muscles of men
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
'Cause we're Birds of War, now
But we're also men!
Birds of War!

Don't forget the over-enthusiastic cawing.

[Watch episodes and clips of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and other shows over at SlashControl.]