TVSquad

(S05E09) Well. This episode was certainly successful in further quelling the doubts of any audience members that are still, for whatever reason, unconvinced that all the guys from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia are actually super-gay for each other. Yeah, not just "gay" but "super-gay." Considering the adorable, almost symbiotic nature of the guys' relationships, I would probably just refer to them as "hetero lifemates," but Frank and Charlie play Nightcrawlers and we all know what happened onstage between Dayman and Nightman in "The Nightman Cometh." Don't fight it.

It was fascinating how protective -- almost a little motherly -- Mac acted toward Dennis. Peeling his apples, making him "check-in" all the time... I half-expected him to wipe schmutz off Dennis's cheek at some point. If anything, I would have expected this relationship to work the other way around. I suppose Mac's sleeveless tops and Dennis's Oxford shirts fooled me.

Frank and Charlie's relationship was equally fun, albeit a little less adorable. More creepy. And a little dirty (in that gross-germy way, not hot-filthy). Take a few moments to consider Frank's toe knife and their candy wrapper first-aid techniques, and then try not to gag. I realize that you've also probably repressed the idea that Frank and Charlie are more than likely father and son, but that's an important detail too.

Still, all creepiness aside, their living situation is what works for them and any interference, as shown by Mac desperately trying to clean up after them and covering their bed-couch in plastic, throws everything off-balance. I like to imagine them walking through Philly together, with a herd of furious cats trailing behind them.

Then... Dee. Oh, poor Sweet Dee. She, on the other hand, is the only un-matched member of the gang, which is a shame because I love episodes where she and Charlie team up. In fact, I enjoy that combo more than I do Dee and Artemis, who has just been kind of getting on my nerves lately (her Coyote Ugly audition was her high point). It also seems like Dee's frustrations and misery are part of the glue holding together Mac/Dennis and Frank/Charlie.

All in all, this was an all right episode. It wasn't nearly as quotable as some other installments from this season, but it was fun to see how far they could push the chemistry between the guys. Also: More cat humor.

In other news, can we just get the Christmas special over and done with, already? I don't think I can handle seeing ads with a sweaty Danny Devito writhe out of a sofa like a giant furniture baby anymore.

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