The Gang tries to profit from the housing crisis after Frank buys a foreclosed house, but squatters refuse to leave. Meanwhile, Dee attempts to become a surrogate for a wealthy couple. The episode ends with the Gang failing to sell the house and Dee's surrogacy deal falling apart.
Set List
Interiors bar, Frank's bought house, Dee's surrogacy interview house
Exteriors Frank's bought house exterior, Dee's surrogacy house exterior
Placement
- Season 5 premiere
- Follows the Gang's previous schemes in Season 4
- First episode to directly address the 2008 financial crisis
References
Legal References
OctomompersonDee references Nadya Suleman, who had octuplets, to suggest having multiple babies.- Charlie's invented legal field, used to argue about keeping a hummingbird.
Callbacks
- Charlie's bird law references back to earlier episodes where he claims expertise
- Mac's obsession with being a tough guy and legal knowledge
Tropes used
- Gang exploits a current event for personal gain
- Charlie's nonsensical legal arguments
- Dennis and Mac's overconfident incompetence
- Frank's impulsive and destructive behavior
Tropes subverted
- The Gang's scheme to flip a house fails because they can't handle squatters
- Dee's surrogacy plan is dismissed by the Gang despite potential profit
Threads planted, where they pay off
- Sets up Charlie's bird law as a recurring joke
- Foreshadows the Gang's later real estate schemes
Production file
- Written by Becky Mann and Audra Sielaff, directed by Randall Einhorn, aired September 17, 2009 on FX to an unrecorded number of viewers.
- Season 5, episode 1 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Scene by scene
Scene 1
Bird Law Argument
BarScene Summary
- Charlie insists he can keep a hummingbird as a pet, citing bird law.
- Dennis argues it's illegal; Mac and Dee ignore them.
- Frank announces he bought a foreclosed house.
Recap Girl play-by-play
- Charlie and Dennis argue about bird law.
- Frank interrupts with news of buying a house.
- Dee tries to announce her surrogacy plan but is ignored.
Color Host notes
- Charlie's bird law is a classic example of his made-up expertise.
- The Gang's inability to focus on one scheme is highlighted.
Scene 2
Dee's Surrogacy Interview
Dee's surrogacy houseScene Summary
- Dee meets with a couple, Kate and Sean, to discuss being a surrogate.
- She lies about her health and family history.
- She pitches having twins or more for extra money, but they decline.
Recap Girl play-by-play
- Dee answers questions about her health and family.
- She suggests having multiple babies for a discount.
- The couple is uncomfortable and sticks to one baby.
Color Host notes
- Dee's desperation for money is clear.
- The couple's discomfort with Dee's pushiness is played for laughs.
Scene 3
Squatters Confrontation
Frank's bought houseScene Summary
- Frank, Mac, and Charlie find a family living in the house.
- The family claims they own it; Frank threatens violence.
- Dennis suggests getting the deed to avoid legal trouble.
Recap Girl play-by-play
- The Gang enters the house and finds a family.
- Frank threatens the family with an umbrella.
- Dennis calms everyone down and proposes getting the deed.
Color Host notes
- The Gang's violent tendencies are shown but restrained.
- Dennis's manipulative calm contrasts with Frank's rage.
Scene 4
Dee at the Pool
Dee's surrogacy house poolScene Summary
- Dee sees the couple's pool and wants to swim.
- She pressures them to let her swim to stay relaxed.
- The couple reluctantly agrees to find her a swimsuit.
Recap Girl play-by-play
- Dee admires the pool and asks to swim.
- She threatens that stress could affect her tubes.
- The couple gives in and gets her a suit.
Color Host notes
- Dee's entitlement is on full display.
- The couple's discomfort is played for awkward comedy.
Scene 5
Failed Door Smash
Frank's bought house exteriorScene Summary
- The Gang returns with the deed but finds the locks changed.
- They try to kick down the door but fail.
- A lawyer appears and tells them the squatters have 90 days.
Recap Girl play-by-play
- The Gang attempts to kick down the door.
- They fail and complain about the unsatisfying result.
- A lawyer arrives and explains the squatters' rights.
Color Host notes
- The Gang's physical incompetence is comedic.
- The lawyer's calm authority undermines their plans.
Scene 6
Charlie vs. Lawyer
Frank's bought house exteriorScene Summary
- Charlie tries to argue bird law with the lawyer.
- The lawyer dismisses him and points out his ignorance.
- Charlie filibusters but fails to make a point.
Recap Girl play-by-play
- Charlie claims knowledge of bird law.
- The lawyer asks where he went to law school.
- Charlie tries to filibuster but doesn't know the word.
Color Host notes
- Charlie's legal arguments are absurd.
- The lawyer's Harvard education contrasts with Charlie's lack thereof.
Scene 7
Honey and Vinegar Realty
Frank's bought houseScene Summary
- Mac and Dennis pose as real estate agents to sell the house.
- They use a good cop-bad cop routine with potential buyers.
- The buyers are scared off by Mac's aggressive behavior.
Recap Girl play-by-play
- Mac and Dennis introduce themselves as Hugh Honey and Vic Vinegar.
- Mac insults the husband and threatens to show the wife the house.
- The couple leaves, and the Gang fails to sell.
Color Host notes
- Mac and Dennis's real estate act is a parody of sales tactics.
- Their incompetence ruins any chance of a sale.
Scene 8
Dee's Maternity Leave
BarScene Summary
- Dee announces she's going on maternity leave for surrogacy.
- The Gang is jealous of her access to a pool.
- They decide to focus on selling the house first.
Recap Girl play-by-play
- Dee collects money from the Gang for her leave.
- Charlie and Mac express desire to swim in the pool.
- Dennis refocuses them on selling the house.
Color Host notes
- The Gang's jealousy of Dee's situation is petty.
- Dennis's attempt to lead is undermined by the others' distractions.
Verbatim lines
Bird law in this country, it's not governed by reason.
I just bought a house at a foreclosure auction.
You guys want to go for an Octomom thing? Huh? I'm game.
Look for shit on the walls, 'cause that's what they do.
I'm Hugh Honey, and this is my partner, Vic Vinegar.
I'm going on maternity leave.
Sources: It's Always Sunny Wiki 路 transcript saved locally (tv-scripts corpus) 路 trope/callback data from the AlwaysSunny trope index