Reynolds vs. Reynolds: The Cereal Defense

Last updated
"Reynolds vs. Reynolds: The Cereal Defense"
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode
Episode no.Season 8
Episode 10
Directed byRichie Keen
Written by
Cinematography byPeter Smokler
Editing byTim Roche
Production codeXIP08010
Original air dateDecember 20, 2012 (2012-12-20)
Running time22 minutes
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Gang Dines Out"		Next →
"The Gang Broke Dee"
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 8
List of episodes

"Reynolds vs. Reynolds: The Cereal Defense" is the tenth and final episode of the eighth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 94th overall episode of the series, and was written by Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by Richie Keen. It originally aired on FX on December 20, 2012, and was the last episode of the series to be aired on the network before it was moved to FXX the next year. [1]

Contents

The series follows "The Gang", a group of five misfit friends: twins Dennis and Deandra "(Sweet) Dee" Reynolds, their friends Charlie Kelly and Ronald "Mac" McDonald, and Frank Reynolds, Dennis' and Dee's legal father. The Gang runs the fictional Paddy's Pub, an unsuccessful Irish bar in South Philadelphia.

In this episode, Frank and Dennis stage a mock trial after Frank crashes his car into Dennis' while Dennis was eating cereal at a red light. Dee intititally acts as Dennis' lawyer, and Charlie as Frank's, with Mac being the judge/bailiff.

Plot

While parked at a red traffic light, Dennis (Glenn Howerton) is eating cereal in his car when Frank (Danny DeVito) crashes into him. This causes Dennis to spill his cereal all over the inside of his car. Due to their dispute over whether or not Frank will pay for the damages, The Gang decides to throw a mock trial to decide the outcome. Dee (Kaitlin Olson) acts as Dennis' lawyer, and Charlie (Charlie Day) acts as Frank's, with Mac (Rob McElhenney) as the judge/bailiff.

Firstly, Charlie, defending Frank, gets Dennis to admit that anyone who is "donkey-brained" would be unsafe to drive. Charlie then produces a legal document from Frank's childhood which says Frank doesn't have "donkey brains" after he was wrongfully committed to a mental institution. Charlie uses the document to prove Frank's sound state of mind, while arguing that Dennis' lack of such a document means he could be a "donkey-brained man".

Dennis begins his argument by offering Frank a glass of wine. He then hits Frank, causing him to spill the wine. Dennis claims the accident was his fault, and that he'd pay for the damages. Mac then argues that Frank assumed responsibility when he took the wine, and that he knew risks, meaning it was his fault for the incident. Dee then challenges the argument by questioning Mac's credibility as a witness. Dee manipulates Charlie's feelings towards Mac by bringing up their disagreements on superheroes. Dee attempts to get Mac to admit that he believes he could create a race of superhumans through evolution to change Charlie's opinion, but Mac explains he was joking, and that it could never happen in the real world. Dennis questions Mac's reasoning for not believing in superhumans, to which he answers that evolution doesn't exist.

Three hours later, Mac brings out a poster he made in an attempt to convince The Gang that evolution is a lie. Dennis tells Mac that he'll never convince them that evolution isn't real because all the smartest scientists say it's real, to which Mac lists examples of when scientists have been wrong, discrediting Aristotle, Galileo and Isaac Newton. Mac compares his faith in the Bible to Dennis' faith in science, which sways The Gang to have doubts about evolution. After not reaching an agreement, Frank and Dennis perform a re-enactment of the incident, where Frank crashes into Dennis' car again. The Gang (except Dee) unanimously decides that Dee is at fault, and should pay for the damages.

Production

The episode was directed by Richie Keen, and was written by executive producers Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton, with series creator Rob McElhenney, all of whom are main actors in the series. [2]

Reception

The episode was watched by 0.94 million viewers on its initial airing. [3] The episode received positive reviews from critics. IGN called the episode "doing what they do best", and rated it 8.6/10. [4] Paste rated the episode 7.9/10. [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia</i> American sitcom

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an American sitcom created by Rob McElhenney and developed with Glenn Howerton for FX. It premiered on August 4, 2005, and was moved to FXX beginning with the ninth season in 2013. It stars Charlie Day, Howerton, McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito. The series follows the exploits of a group of narcissistic and sociopathic friends who run the Irish dive bar Paddy's Pub in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but spend most of their free time drinking, scheming, arguing among themselves, and plotting elaborate cons against others, and at times each other, for personal benefit, financial gain, revenge, or simply due to boredom or inebriation.

"Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare" is the third episode of the second season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the tenth overall episode of the series, and was written by series creator Rob McElhenney, from a story by executive producers Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton and McElhenney. It was directed by executive producer Dan Attias, and originally aired on FX on July 6, 2006 back-to-back with the following episode, "Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom".

<i>Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the American television sitcom series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia premiered on FX on June 29, 2006. The season contains 10 episodes and concluded airing on August 17, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Nightman Cometh</span> 13th episode of the 4th season of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia

"The Nightman Cometh" is the thirteenth and final episode of the fourth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 45th overall episode of the series and was written by co-creators Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and Rob McElhenney and directed by Matt Shakman. It originally aired on FX on November 20, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Work</span> 4th episode of the 10th season of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia

"Charlie Work" is the fourth episode of the tenth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 108th overall episode of the series, and was written by Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by Matt Shakman. It originally aired on FXX on February 4, 2015.

"The Gang Solves The Gas Crisis" is the second episode in the fourth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 34th overall episode of the series, and was written by executive producer Charlie Day and Sonny Lee and Patrick Walsh, and directed by executive producer Matt Shakman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac and Charlie Die</span> 5th and 6th episodes of the 4th season of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia

"Mac and Charlie Die " are the fifth and sixth episodes of the fourth season of the FX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The two-part episode was written by Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by Fred Savage and Matt Shakman. They are the 37th and 38th overall episodes of the series. Both parts originally aired back-to-back on FX on October 2, 2008.

"The Gang Goes to Ireland" is the fifth episode of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 159th overall episode of the series and was written by main cast members Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton and directed by executive producer Megan Ganz. It originally aired on FXX on December 15, 2021, airing back-to-back with the follow-up episode, "The Gang's Still in Ireland".

"The Gang's Still in Ireland" is the sixth episode of the fifteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 160th overall episode of the series and was written by main cast members Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton and directed by executive producer Megan Ganz. It originally aired on FXX on December 15, 2021, airing back-to-back with the previous episode, "The Gang Goes to Ireland".

"The D.E.N.N.I.S. System" is the tenth episode of the fifth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 55th overall episode of the series, and was written by executive producer Glenn Howerton and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by series producer Randall Einhorn. It originally aired on FX on November 19, 2009. The episode features Howerton's real life wife, Jill Latiano, as the subject of the titular system.

"The Janitor Always Mops Twice" is the sixth episode of the fourteenth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 150th overall episode of the series, and was written by executive producer Megan Ganz, and directed by Heath Cullens. It originally aired on FXX on October 30, 2019. The episode is a neo-noir parody, with its title being a reference to the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain.

"The Gang Does a Clip Show" is the seventh episode of the thirteenth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 141th overall episode of the series, and was written by co-executive producers Dannah Phirman and Danielle Schneider, and directed by producer Todd Biermann. It originally aired on FXX on October 17, 2018.

"Hero or Hate Crime?" is the sixth episode of the twelfth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 130th overall episode of the series, and was written by Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by Jamie Babbit. It originally aired on FXX on February 8, 2017.

"Chardee MacDennis 2: Electric Boogaloo" is the first episode of the eleventh season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 115th overall episode of the series, and was written by series creator Rob McElhenney and executive producer Charlie Day, and directed by Heath Cullens. It originally aired on FXX on January 6, 2016, and is a follow-up to the seventh season episode "Chardee MacDennis: The Game of Games". The episode's subtitle is a reference to Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.

"The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award" is the third episode of the ninth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 97th overall episode of the series, and was written by executive producer David Hornsby, and directed by Richie Keen. It originally aired on FXX on September 18, 2013. The episode is a commentary on how the series had not yet received a single Emmy nomination as of its initial airing, and features many meta references and parodies of other sitcoms.

"The Gang Buys a Boat" is the third episode of the sixth season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 22nd overall episode of the series, and was written by executive producer Charlie Day and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by producer Randall Einhorn. It originally aired on FX on September 30, 2010.

"The Gang Gets Held Hostage" is the fourth episode of the third season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 22nd overall episode of the series, and was written by series creator Rob McElhenney from a story by Lisa Parsons, and directed by producer Fred Savage. It originally aired on FX on September 20, 2007, airing back-to-back with the previous episode, "Dennis and Dee's Mom Is Dead".

"Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab" is the fifth episode of the sixteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 167th overall episode of the series and was written by series developers Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton, and directed by executive producer Megan Ganz. It originally aired on FXX on June 28, 2023.

"The Gang Goes Bowling" is the seventh episode of the sixteenth season of the American sitcom television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 169th overall episode of the series and was written by series creators and main actors Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton, and directed by executive producer Megan Ganz. It originally aired on FXX on July 12, 2023.

"Chardee MacDennis: The Game of Games" is the seventh episode of the seventh season of the American television sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is the 78th overall episode of the series, and was written by executive producer Charlie Day and series creator Rob McElhenney, and directed by executive producer Matt Shakman. It originally aired on FX on October 27, 2011. It is a bottle episode, taking place in Paddy's Pub.

References

  1. ↑ "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Episode List | TVmaze". www.tvmaze.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  2. ↑ "Writers Guild of America Directory". directories.wga.org. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  3. ↑ "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Jersey Shore' Wins Night + 'Burn Notice', NBA Basketball, 'Beyond Scared Straight', & More - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". 2012-12-22. Archived from the original on 2012-12-25. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  4. ↑ Fowler, Matt (2012-12-21). "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: "Reynolds vs. Reynolds: The Cereal Defense" Review". IGN . Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  5. ↑ Bonaime, Ross (June 27, 2024). "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: "Reynolds vs. Reynolds: The Cereal Defense" (Episode 8.10)". Paste .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.