TV Recap: ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,’ “The Gang Wrestles for the Troops”

This week’s episode brought a strange mix of ridiculous songs (performed by Mac, Dennis, and Charlie), online dating, and US troops. And yet, in this concoction of assuredly funny material, something felt off.

It all begins when Dee reveals her current love interest- a soldier stationed in Iraq. He knows her as “Desert Rose,” her internet alter-ego. He’s coming to visit on his leave; they’ll be hanging out all week.

Talk of the troops gives Mac, Frank, Dennis, and Charlie a grand idea. Why not support the troops with a grand event? they ask themselves. Their idea? Hold a wrestling match. Invite all the troops. Be a real patriot.

Unfortunately, they can’t actually wrestle. So, they draft an actual wrestler: The Maniac. Unfortunately, his maniac ways do not stay in the ring. He appears to be completely broke, living in his car, and evading parking tickets.

Meanwhile, Dee, dressed in a red dress and holding a rose, waits for her soldier’s bus. And her soldier, beaming at her, rolls on over to her in a wheel chair. Groping for something to say, Dee explains that she is not actually Desert Rose and runs away.

Frank takes this opportunity to invite him to the wrestling match.

Dee decides to ask another woman to portray Desert Rose. As the other woman greets the soldier, the soldier rises to his feet and kisses her on the mouth. Gasping, Dee realizes she must fight to regain her soldier.

Before the wrestling match, the Maniac is arrested. So, Mac, Charlie, and Dennis don chicken feathers and sing a song about their portrayal of birds of prey in front of the troops.

Then, Dee runs into the ring to proclaim her love for the soldier! All of the sudden, the Talibomb (aka Cricket) chairs her! Dennis jumps into the ring to begin the fight.

The Talibomb throws sand into birds of prey’s faces, and the disaster continues. All of a sudden, a trash can flies through the air and crashes into the Talibomb. He falls to the floor, and blood pours everywhere.

Looking around, Frank realizes he is the champion. Mac, Dee, Dennis, Charlie, and the Talibomb lie in pools of blood. In amazement, Frank raises his arms in the air. And the people cheer!