It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - S1E4

Charlie Has Cancer
First Aired: Tuesday August 23, 2005

The gang finds out that Charlie has cancer and the guys try to find a woman to sleep with him, settling on the waitress. Mac starts a "friendship" with a hot transsexual while Dee tries to find cheap help at the bar.

Up until this point, I felt Charlie had the best storylines and acting. This episode, however, shows the finer points of Mac. He is what makes this episode as good as it is.

Charlie confides in Dennis that he has cancer, which he then tells Mac and Dee. The guys decide to get Charlie something he never gets (laid) and decide to go after the waitress. In the process, Mac meets Carmen, a gorgeous transsexual, here played by Brittany Daniels (Dawsons Creek, That 80's Show), and falls for her/him. In the process of trying woo her into going out with Charlie, Dennis sleeps with the waitress. Mac, however, is able to convince her to sleep with Charlie anyway ... for $250. Charlie later reveals that he was lying in order for Dennis to get the waitress to go out with him, but reveals she didn't sleep with him. As for Mac, he accidentally hit Carmen and was chased by a group of guys for the act. The episode ends with Dennis and Mac trying to get their money back from the waitress, who doesn't relent.

I felt that the main storyline was good, but not great. Charlie did some wonderful somber acting for sure, but I still think I am not a big fan of Dennis unless the others are ripping on him. Mac's storyline, however, was hilarious. His comments and the looks of shame that he gives are classic. They are what make this episode stand out. I feel this one is a bit better than the previous episode dealing with the prom, but only by a little.


Score: 8.6 / 10