In the catbird seat…
By Matt Fowler
Warning: Full spoilers for the episode below.
The McPoyles (including the return of Guillermo del Toro as Pappy!), Ponderosa, Uncle Jack, “The Lawyer,” Charlie’s love of Bird Law, and guest star Reginald VelJohnson all got smashed up together in the decently amusing courtroom episode, “McPoyle vs. Ponderosa” – a years later fallout/follow up to the dreaded bath salt frenzy from Season 8’s “The Maureen Ponderosa Wedding Massacre.”
More of a chucklefest than anything, “McPoyle vs. Ponderosa” still had a good build to it as the best part of the entire chapter came right at the end when Charlie, who’d been growing increasingly frustrated with everyone, finally brought in his bird expert and dropped his own “bombshell” about who was truly responsible for Liam McPoyle (the absent Jimmi Simpson) losing an eye. The crazed family’s even crazier bird, “Royal” – a Poconos Swallow trained to rip out eyes at Pappy’s command. A silly, savage ending as Royal then flew from atop Pappy’s head and pecked out The Lawyer’s eye. Courtesy of the “best goddamn bird lawyer in the world.”
The rest of the episode featured the court case quickly and dramatically falling apart, coddled by the judge’s propensity to allow insanity (despite claiming not wanting to deal with it). Dee proved to be an unreliable (bribed) witness, Frank (and his fake giant hands) was inept on every front, and Mac’s attempt at his own “bombshell” backfired. Dennis was only there to (smartly) watch the entire thing become a trainwreck and to try and get out of paying any more alimony to Maureen – who’s now transitioned to full cat. So…perhaps the first semi-smart move Dennis has ever tried to accomplish?
Side note: This episode’s airing just a few weeks after that news story broke about the Swedish woman who feels she’s a cat born in a human body. This has nothing to do with the episode, really. I’m just drawing attention to the fact that the “transition to cat” arc that Always Sunny put into play a few years ago isn’t all that outrageous anymore, by 2016 standards. I suppose that’s the way of the show.
Overall, this wasn’t a particularly strong episode. The fake hands gag worn thin, the “put upon” judge isn’t a thing that evokes laughs anymore, and Pondy’s drug abuse has always played more disturbing than hilarious. I will say though that it nicely brought together a lot of Always Sunny callback elements in a way that other episodes have sort of strained to do. Everyone who was a part of this one felt like they needed to be there. And – sure – there were funny moments. I loved Mac and Dennis giving the “awesome!” thumbs up to the judge after the gavel bang. And then Dennis using the laser pointer to make Maureen scramble around the floor. Plus, there was Charlie getting more and more furious about the case going to s***. Naturally though, the best part was the closing argument and the attack bird.
“McPoyle vs. Ponderosa” was almost a swing-and-a-miss had it not been for the final five minutes. Charlie wasn’t the “one day a year” savant that he was during last season’s amazing “Charlie Work,” but the show does often shine when he’s given a chance to shine. And prove his niche worth to the group. Whether his antics intentionally, or accidentally, save the day (while losing an eye or two).
