Anna Katherine’s blogpost

One highly controversial moment in It’s Always Sunny is during season 5, episode 10, when Dennis informs the gang of his master plan to win the affection of women. He conjures up a six step plan, called D.E.N.N.I.S.: demonstrate value, engage physically, nurture dependence, neglect emotionally, inspire hope, then separate entirely.

Basically, his goal is to win over women and then cut them off entirely once he gets what he wants. First of all, this idea directly promotes the idea that women are valuable for sex only and aren’t worth any more of a man’s time. The objectification of women and women’s rights are two themes that are even more prevalent in this day and age, and are generally things that shouldn’t be joked about. This episode portrays the objectification of women as humorous, which is not acceptable. Dennis’ friends end up deciding that the idea is genius, and attempt to try it themselves. (Clearly, it doesn’t go well).

Although this scene is filled with controversy specifically regarding gender roles, Dennis’s “foolproof plan” doesn’t actually end up working. This highlights that while this episode objectifies women, it also shows that that kind of behavior doesn’t reward, and that it actually fails. While this is true, this opens up questions about whether it’s okay to humorize gender roles in order to advocate against them.

Then, later in the episode, Frank reveals how he is successful with the ladies.

His foolproof plan involves carrying around $100 bills and magnum condoms to attract women. Although this is a humorous part of the show, it implies that women value money and sex over anything else, and that money and sex alone can win over a woman. The implication that women don’t think about other things is an attack on their intelligence and capabilities, and a shallow portrayal of them. Just like with the last scene I described, this plan doesn’t work.

The fact that in the episode, the targeted women were not immediately drawn to the money and condoms can mean that this scene actually is promoting feminism and saying that women are worth more than looks and value more than money and sex.

Ultimately, this episode is pretty controversial and offensive towards women. Adding humorous aspects to gender roles and the objectification of women is generally unacceptable, although it may have been less frowned upon in the time period in which it was made. But also you have to consider the aspects of it that end up making it okay. For example, objectifying women doesn’t actually reward in the long run, meaning that this scene is actually feministic. Whichever way it’s interpreted, both sides bring up many questions about whether this show should continue to be watched by young people, and how controversial it really is.