It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has delivered a sequel episode to a season 1 classic. It’s Always Sunny season 17, episode 6, continues the new season’s success streak, though now with some aspects that will leap out to long-time fans of the series.
The latest episode isn’t just reminiscent of or a spiritual successor to a past episode; it’s a direct sequel. This show has been on the air for twenty years, making it the longest-running sitcom of all time, but this is an unprecedented gap between connected narratives.
Many of It’s Always Sunny’s best episodes feature notable returning guest stars, like Cricket or the Lawyer, but the latest episode delivers character returns that 99% of fans won’t recognize at first.
It’s Always Sunny Season 17’s “Overage Drinking” Is A Direct Sequel To Season 1’s “Underage Drinking” Episode
Tammy and Trey are back in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia for the first time in twenty years, and they’re played by the same actors. Their first appearance was in “Underage Drinking: A National Concern,” the show’s third episode, which sees Paddy’s attract a crowd of teen drinkers, ending with the Gang attending a high school prom.
The season 17 episode, with the copied title “Overage Drinking: A National Concern,” begins with Paddy’s Pub looking more populated than usual, though the Gang quickly realizes many of its customers are underage once again. While this narrative similarity is instantly apparent, there’s an immediate twist that plays on the Gang’s aging.
Despite their evidently toxic behavior in season 1, the episode reveals that Tammy and Trey have gotten married and now have a teenage son. That son is one of the teenagers who is now drinking at Paddy’s, prompting a repeated situation.
How Dennis & Dee’s Stories With Tammy & Trey Are Repeated In Season 17
While Tammy and Trey have grown up and had a child (even if they still have problems of their own), Dennis and Dee are still competing in a similar fashion. Dee pursues Trey, although she’s quickly put off by his submissive behavior. Dennis tries his luck with Tammy, but she promptly rejects him.
The Reynolds siblings pursue an alternate route, with Dee ending up with Tammy and Trey’s son while Dennis sleeps with the son’s prom date. Dennis and Dee’s desperation to stay young is still prevalent, and the ultimate, pathetic sadness of their behavior is, once again, the end result they’re forced to reckon with.
“Overage Drinking” Technically Creates An Episode Trilogy For It’s Always Sunny
Season 1’s “Underage Drinking” episode sees the Gang reflect on high school, but it’s not until season 7 that we really get the full lore on their experiences. In a sense, “The High School Reunion” has been the soft sequel to “Underage Drinking” for years.
Now, season 17 takes this a step further. It was sad when these characters were 30 and willing to go to a high school prom, but it’s even worse now that they’re almost 50. The It’s Always Sunny Gang is the butt of its own joke, now more than ever.
