10 Best Charlie Kelly Episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

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The five main characters from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” are each distinctive in their own ways, but it’s Charlie Kelly who tends to capture fans’ hearts the most. Despite his questionable actions such as pursuing the Waitress or threatening to damage someone’s bike, there’s something endearing about him that makes you root for him. None of the gang members are particularly admirable individuals, but Charlie seems to be the closest. He often carries an innocent demeanor, largely because he frequently doesn’t understand what’s going on around him. His friends might be discussing him directly in his presence, and yet Charlie will respond with “I don’t even get it, man.

Among the Charlie Kelly episodes that offer insights into his past and highlight his distinct personality, these stand out as the best in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Other exceptional episodes, such as “The Janitor Always Mops Twice” from Season 14, “The Gang Tends Bar” from Season 12, and “The Gang Saves the Day” from Season 9, didn’t quite make the top list but are still worth watching.

1) “Charlie Got Molested” (Season 1, Episode 7)

One standout feature of Charlie’s character is his complex feelings towards his mother – affection mixed with frustration. A significant contributor to this dynamic was the excellent acting chemistry between Charlie Day and the late Lynne Marie Stewart, whose absence in future seasons will surely be felt deeply.

However, let’s delve into his bond with her sibling, Uncle Jack. The episode “Charlie Got Molested” from Season 1 plays a crucial role for multiple reasons. Not only does it introduce the McPoyle family, but it also brings Uncle Jack into the picture. Furthermore, it subtly suggests that Jack had molested Charlie, a theme that resurfaces throughout the series, from Season 1 to the final season, Season 16.

2) “Mac’s Banging the Waitress” (Season 4, Episode 4)

Although “Mac’s Banging the Waitress” suggests that the focus is on Mac and the waitress, the episode predominantly revolves around Charlie and Dennis.

While the title implies that Mac and the waitress are central characters, it’s actually more about Charlie and Dennis in this episode.

When Charlie openly refers to Mac as his closest friend in front of Dennis, the latter appears puzzled. Charlie clarifies the straightforward explanation: Dennis had an encounter with the Waitress. However, it turns out that Mac has been attempting the same (believing Charlie destroyed his “Project Badass” tape). Dennis reveals this to Charlie, leading him to stay up all night at Dennis and Mac’s apartment, consuming a whole pizza and case of beer. Two exceptional scenes from ‘Sunny’ unfold in this episode. One is when Charlie initially shows up at Dennis and Mac’s place. Dennis attempts to keep Charlie company, like suggesting Chinese Checkers, but Charlie refuses and explains it’s too exotic. The other scene occurs when Mac returns home, revealing Charlie, who is drunk and full from pizza, sprawled out in a disheveled state.

3) “The Nightman Cometh” (Season 4, Episode 13)

Instead of merely being among the outstanding Charlie-centric episodes, “The Nightman Cometh” stands out as one of the finest It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episodes overall. From start to finish, it is absolutely perfect.

However, the captivating story wouldn’t have unfolded without Charlie and his latest attempt to win over the waitress. Unfortunately for him, his scheme doesn’t work out, likely due to the fact that the plot he devised was about himself being abused by his uncle as a child (an event he either denies or can’t recall clearly).

4) “The Waitress Is Getting Married” (Season 5, Episode 5)

In the romantic setup of “The Waitress Is Getting Married,” Charlie’s behavior is a treasure trove for his fans, providing valuable insights into his character. Alternatively, this scene offers a wealth of understanding for those aiming to grasp Charlie’s personality.

He desires to sport a plaid hat and carry a cane to emulate the style of Sherlock Holmes. When inquired about his preferred cuisine, he casually mentions “milk steak” and assumes potential dates would recognize it. His pastime? Collecting magnets, nothing but magnets. He’s fond of spooky creatures like ghouls, specifically the “cute little green ghouls,” while expressing disdain for people’s knees. In essence, his responses make him an unconventional choice for a date, leaving a member of the Manson Family thinking, “He’s just too eccentric for me.

5) “Paddy’s Pub: Home of the Original Kitten Mittens” (Season 5, Episode 8)

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase that as follows:

“In ‘Paddy’s Pub: Home of the Original Kitten Mittens’, the narrative beautifully interweaves all five characters, but it’s Charlie who steals the show right from the start. The episode opens with his homemade commercial for “Kitten Mittens,” and let me tell you, it’s his clever wordplay that captivates us from the get-go. What truly impresses is that he managed to spell ‘kitten’ correctly in this ad!

In the closing scenes, it’s amusing that the kitten named Mittens manages to find a buyer, but what truly makes this episode stand out is the Lawyer receiving the money. Since he had to be compensated somehow, it was inevitable. The false advertisements on Sunny are consistently entertaining, and the ones in “Kitten Mittens” might even surpass the others as the best in the series. However, Charlie’s attempt to quiet his cat is also endearing and adorable. He could simply stop eating cat food each night, which might discourage the cats from scratching at his window, but the kitten mittens serve as a clever alternative solution.

6) “Charlie Kelly: King of the Rats” (Season 6, Episode 10)

As a movie enthusiast, it’s fascinating to note how Charlie’s inability to read or write is consistently highlighted throughout the story. For instance, he spell’s “Super Bowl” as “sooper bol,” and when referring to Paddy’s being closed due to salmonella, he writes “Klozed 4 salmonella becoz sooper bol” with roughly a quarter of the letters reversed.

Additionally, there’s his personal journal, often referred to as the “Dream Book.” This detail is unveiled in the episode titled “Charlie Kelly: King of the Rats,” where Frank manipulates the group into organizing a surprise gathering for Charlie, which turns out to be a surprise party intended for Frank himself.

7) “Flowers for Charlie” (Season 9, Episode 8)

Flowers for Charlie” is a playful reference to the novel “Flowers for Algernon“, where we follow the journey of a character with intellectual disabilities undergoing a procedure that enhances his intelligence significantly. However, the same procedure proved fatal for Algernon, the mouse upon whom the experiment was initially conducted. It appears that the protagonist, named Charlie, may face a similar fate.

It turns out that Charlie from Always Sunny never actually became a genius, despite his belief in his own intelligence. He thought he could master Mandarin in a single night, which was just wishful thinking. The pills he’s been taking all along have been placebos, and by the end of the episode, even this realization brings him amusement similar to the Police Academy movies.

8) “Charlie Work” (Season 10, Episode 4)

The ‘Charlie Work’ episode is often considered one of the series’ finest, and this is largely because it features an extended scene lasting nearly ten minutes, which makes up around half the total length. However, what truly sets it apart is that it’s just an outstanding episode featuring Charlie.

As a devoted movie-goer, I find myself captivated by the tale of a man like Charlie, who diligently tends to the toilets in a modest, rundown bar. Despite its humble nature, he approaches his job with a sense of duty and seriousness that’s hard to ignore. When the annual inspection rolls around, he springs into action with an unwavering determination. However, this year, two obstacles threaten to derail his efforts. The first is the Gang’s cunning chicken airline miles scheme, which seems to be causing quite a stir. The second, and perhaps more daunting, is the arrival of a new, stern inspector who has no qualms about enforcing rules. It’s fascinating to watch Charlie single-handedly keep the bar afloat amidst these challenges, even if his friends remain oblivious to the tension he’s facing.

9) “Charlie’s Home Alone” (Season 13, Episode 8)

Over time, numerous films and television programs have taken inspiration from or poked fun at the ’90s movie “Home Alone”. However, it’s “It’s Always Sunny” that does it most brilliantly.

In the initial installment of a two-part series titled “Charlie’s Home Alone”, the plot unfolds brilliantly due to a simple misconception that puts Charlie in various troubles. With the gang departing Paddy’s Pub for the Super Bowl, Charlie is unintentionally left behind as Rickety Cricket donned his Greenman suit. Upon seeing two strangers attempting to enter Paddy’s, Charlie assumes they are burglars and proceeds to set up a chain of defenses. However, in a series of unfortunate events, he ends up injuring himself with each trap he sets up. To adhere to his superstitious belief, he even consumes a live rat, an act that, as one might anticipate, does not turn out well at all.

10) “The Gang Carries a Corpse Up a Mountain” (Season 15, Episode 8)

A significant recurring theme for Charlie in the show “It’s Always Sunny” revolved around his longing to discover his father’s identity. For a while, he believed that Frank could be his father. However, it wasn’t until Season 15 that he found out his pen pal, Shelly Kelly, was actually his biological dad.

Sadly, Charlie barely had time to build a relationship with the man, as he passed away during the seventh episode of the season titled “Dee Gets Stuck in a Swamp,” followed by the finale “The Gang Hikes a Corpse Up a Mountain.” The storyline unfolds as one might expect, and as the plot develops, Charlie feels more and more isolated as the other gang members abandon their respectful farewell. Even Charlie becomes frustrated, and during a heavy rainstorm, he breaks down in tears, anguishing to the heavens about Shelley’s absence. This performance is undeniably the best the series has ever showcased. The fact that Day was not Emmy-nominated underscores the organization’s puzzling bias against the show.

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2025-06-25 23:40