Underage Drinking: A National Concern

"Underage Drinking: A National Concern" is the third episode of the American situation comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It aired on August 18, 2005 on the FX Network in the United States. The episode was the first to be directed by Dan Attias. Its story was developed by Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day, and written by Rob McElhenney.

Plot

The episode opens in Paddy's Pub during a very successful and busy night. Slowly, Mac, Charlie and Dennis notice that the young looking crowd is not merely college students, but vastly underage patrons. After their realization, Dennis quickly pulls the plug on the evening, kicking out all of the underage drinkers.

While the gang is initially upset at their lack of professionalism, they soon conclude that they may have a social responsibility to provide a safe environment for these high school students to spend a night drinking. After Dennis suggests that they can also water down the drinks and jack up the prices, the Gang decides to permit underage drinking at Paddy's.

Meanwhile, Dee receives a phone call from Trey (Robert Adamson), a popular and athletic high school student she met at the bar. Desperately lonely, and never having enjoyed her own high school experience (due to her scoliosis), Sweet Dee goes on a number of dates with the student. However, Trey's former girlfriend Tammy (Jaimie Alexander) becomes jealous of Dee's involvement. As a result, Tammy attempts to seduce Dennis to even the score.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Mac, bored from an evening of huffing Elmer's glue, (which they lament to see is clearly labeled non-toxic) receive a phone call from one of the high school students, inviting them to a house party. After Mac and Charlie purchase a keg for the party, Trey arrives with his date; Sweet Dee. Surprised to see one another, the three engage in a night of extreme drinking to curb any awkwardness. During the party, Charlie and Dee are both asked to prom, while Mac is excluded.

Dennis, on the other hand, is blackmailed by Tammy to attend the prom with her. While Dennis is hesitant, he agrees in order to prevent the authorities from learning of Paddy's illegal practices. Since Dee and Charlie were unable to attend their own prom, they also decide to attend. Mac, pathetically, decides to go to the prom stag. When the Gang hosts a pre-prom party at Paddy's, both Trey and Tammy arrive for their dates (with Dee and Dennis respectively). During the encounter it becomes clear that both Trey and Tammy were merely using Dennis and Dee to make one another jealous; which as Charlie would proclaim, is "Classic Tammy".

The episode ends with Charlie dancing alone at the prom, allowing his date to rekindle her romance with her former boyfriend.

Music

In what is likely an allusion to the prom scene in the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite, the song that plays at the end of the episode while Charlie dances alone is "Forever Young" by Alphaville.