The Gang might never learn, but that does not mean they cannot change. Out of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia's five main characters, Mac grows the most throughout the series. In fact, Mac became practically a different person as the show progressed, a transformation that allowed him to move away from the straight man role he frequently accepted during the show's earliest seasons. Nowadays, Mac might just be the funniest character in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a statement that is not made lightly.
As It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an ensemble comedy, Mac has a part to play in every episode; however, there are a handful of segments that represent the character at his absolute best. Here are the 10 best Mac episodes.
Honorable mention goes to "Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom."
Reynolds vs. Reynolds: The Cereal Defense
Despite McDonald not being included in this episode's title, Mac steals the show. When Frank and Dennis get into a fender bender, The Gang stages a fake trial to see who is to blame. Dee uses this opportunity to settle an argument with Mac about genetic mutation, a train of thought that naturally leads to the latter proving the existence of God.
In an exquisite sequence that ranks among the show's funniest, Mac systematically denounces a range of famous scientists as liars en route to a hilarious conclusion worthy of a standing ovation.
How Mac Got Fat
Season 7 saw the emergence of Fat Mac, a storyline that brought many of the year's biggest laughs. In all honesty, "How Mac Got Fat" is not one of the show's strongest episodes, but it serves as an adequate representative of the character's season 7 brilliance.
In a confession with a priest, Mac explains how he ended up putting on so much mass. Unsurprisingly, it was all due to a scheme conjured up by The Gang. It is an amusing episode that highlights It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia's underappreciated filmmaking.
Mac And Dennis Break Up
Dennis and Mac have an unhealthy relationship. While subsequent years greatly amplify this dynamic and tend to present Mac as the only dependent member of the two, season 5's "Mac And Dennis Break Up" takes a more balanced and grounded look into this peculiar friendship.
Along with highlighting the character's insecurities and jealous tendencies, this episode also brings Mac's bossy nature to the forefront when he takes a break from Dennis and tries to spend more time with Charlie and Frank.
Mac & Dennis Move to the Suburbs
In the best episode of season 11, Mac and Dennis put their friendship to test when they move to the suburbs together. Without the rest of The Gang to act as the occasional buffer between the two, Mac and Dennis need barely any time to grow tired of each other.
Mac is a delight as the disgruntled housewife waiting for Dennis to come back from work, and this episode highlights the character's darker traits for everyone to see.
Mac And Dennis: Manhunters
When Mac and Dennis get the urge to hunt a human, they unsurprisingly elect Rickety Cricket for the role. Dressed in camouflage gear and filled with enough beer to ensure they are 100% focused, Mac and Dennis stake out Rickety Cricket on the streets from the safety of a large cardboard box.
Compared to the later seasons, Mac and Dennis are presented as equals in this episode, which allows both characters to shine as a double act.
Mac's Banging the Waitress
"Mac's Banging the Waitress" might as well be called "Backstab: The Episode," and the string of mind games and betrayals are triggered by Mac. In order to get back at Charlie, Mac begins to sleep with the Waitress. Things get a touch more complicated when Charlie realizes that someone is seeing the Waitress, so he asks Mac to find out who.
As is usually the case, Charlie overshadows most of the other characters once he begins to go off the deep end. Nevertheless, all of Mac's scenes are hilarious.
Mac Is A Serial Killer
When Mac begins to act strangely, The Gang starts to believe he might be a serial killer. Naturally, that is not the case, but that does not stop the episode from devolving into an array of misunderstandings. In many ways, Mac fuels this storyline without necessarily producing its funniest moments; however, everything that happens in this episode is thanks to him.
Even all these years later, season 3's "Mac Is A Serial Killer" is still among the show's best episodes.
Mac Finds His Pride
Season 13's finale is beautiful and poignant, two characteristics not often associated with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. After coming out, Mac initially struggled to find his place in the LGBT+ community, which he believed was due to his father not knowing about his sexual orientation.
In this episode's stunning final sequence, Mac stages an interpretive dance that leaves Frank and a prison's population in awe. This moment presents Mac stripped of any barriers or insecurities. This is Mac at his most honest.
Mac And Charlie Die
Fearing retaliation from Mac's father after they tried (and failed) to derail his parole board hearing, Mac and Charlie fake their own death in order to start a new life. A two-part episode, "Mac And Charlie Die" is a comedic tour de force. Highlights include a sorrowful funeral, Mac forgetting to roll out of a car destined to crash into a wall, and everything to do with the wedding dress.
While Mac and Charlie share the spotlight in the first part, the former is undoubtedly the star of the second segment.
Mac Day
Inspired by the Bible's seven days of creation, Mac uses his special day to force the rest of The Gang to bask in his badassery. While he does have to share the spotlight with another, arguably better Mac, Ronald McDonald is at his unshackled best in "Mac Day."
With karate, totally real and amazing stunts, and an overabundance of denial, "Mac Day" lives up to its name by giving the world more Mac than it could possibly hope to handle.