Everyone Loves Mac’s Emotional Dance From The ‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’ Season Finale

Patrick McElhenney for FXX

In the show’s 12th season, Mac (Rob McElhenney) revealed to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s deplorably hilarious cadre of characters that he was gay, thereby proving that the long-running comedy series was still growing. For season 13, however, Mac has been struggling with his sexuality — specifically, how he was going to tell his imprisoned father Luther (Gregory Scott Cummins), and if such a monumental admission would even be possible.

Wednesday’s season finale, “Mac Finds His Pride,” proved once and for all that Mac just couldn’t find the words to tell Luther the truth, a fact that Frank (Danny DeVito) couldn’t understand. So instead of using the words that weren’t there, he opted instead to perform a modern dance to the tune of Sigur Rós’s “Varúð.” A professional ballerina, Kylie Shea, accompanied Mac for the performance, and the final result is incredible. Then again, as McElhenney and others told Vulture, everyone really wanted to make it work.

“We got a really overwhelming emotional response from the LGBTQ community last year,” said the actor and show creator. “I took it seriously and I felt it would be completely unexpected to have this much more emotionally resonant end to the season. You would expect that Mac would express himself through the art of contemporary dance and it would go horribly wrong, until you realize that’s not the direction we’re taking.” And he’s right, because It’s Always Sunny has trained its audiences to assume the worst, but judging by everyone’s reactions online, that’s not at all what happened.

— Gia Farruggia ✨ (@giaface) November 8, 2018

The sheer power of that episode is just overwhelming. Thank you cast and crew of @alwayssunny #SunnyFXX for a fantastic season and for truly caring about us.

— paige says mac rights (@bicharliekelly) November 8, 2018

I’m not 100% sure “I get it,” but I sure as shit understand that tonight’s @alwayssunny was epic af. That last scene explored whole new #AlwaysSunny boundaries. True art.

— Maine Accent (@Toddy_Blanch) November 8, 2018

@RMcElhenney @alwayssunny That was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I wept. Holy shit. I don't even know what else to say.

— Kevin Skinner (@KevinDontDance) November 8, 2018

I’m just…. I’m just floored. Completely moved. I never thought I’d experience such catharsis from @alwayssunny. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for handling this episode with such care @RMcElhenney and Charlie Day. You deserve all the Emmy’s for this one.

— Timothy Huneycutt (@timothuney) November 8, 2018

Sitting here sobbing over the #SunnyFXX finale. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the writers and cast for that episode. ❤️

— Courtney Smith (@youneedahug) November 8, 2018

@alwayssunny is and has always been High Art.

— RedEqualsGreen (@AbeMedina) November 8, 2018

I hope @RMcElhenney and the rest of the @alwayssunny crew knows how much this episode means to lgbtq+ fans. It was handled so beautifully and respectfully, and was the best version of a coming out episode I’ve ever seen. Thank you. I’m so proud to call this my favorite show. ️‍

— Mary Alvarez (@alvarezmaryash) November 8, 2018

McElhenney playfully acknowledged the It’s Always Sunny love the following day.

— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) November 8, 2018