5 best Charlie Episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia that prove he’s the heart of the gang

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia isn't short on outrageous characters, but Charlie Kelly somehow still manages to stand out. He's chaotic, clueless, and probably toxic waste proof at this point, but underneath all that grime is a character who feels surprisingly genuine.

So, is Charlie really the heart of the Gang? Absolutely. These five episodes make it clear that while the others spiral into narcissism, Charlie brings the soul, however messy all the way to Paddy's Pub.

---

5 best Charlie Episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia that prove he’s the heart of the gang

#1. Sweet Dee has a heart attack - When Charlie cracked the Pepe Silvia Code:

There are iconic TV moments, and then there's Charlie unraveling "Pepe Silvia" in Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack (Season 4, Episode 10 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia). What starts as an attempt to get health insurance spirals into a frenzied, cigarette-fueled breakdown in a mailroom, complete with a chaotic wall of red string.

Charlie's paranoia hits record highs here. Watching him scream, "There is no Pepe Silvia!" as Mac watches in silent horror is unforgettable. And while the rest of the Gang is off chasing vanity (Dee nearly dies at spin class, Dennis just wants "that lean Jesus on the cross look"), Charlie gives us the true A plot. His intensity? Hilarious. His logic? Unhinged.

But Charlie Day's performance? Pure gold. The internet's still obsessed with this one for a reason because it's not just funny, it's peak Charlie.

---

#2. Paddy’s Pub: Home of the original kitten mittens - The cat whisperer with a business plan:

In Paddy's Pub: Home of the Original Kitten Mittens (Season 5, Episode 8), Charlie brings us one of the weirdest and most lovable ideas ever put on paper or videotape: Kitten Mittens. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like, and Charlie's commercial is a work of amateur genius.

From the shaky camcorder visuals to his deadpan delivery of "You'll be smitten!" this is Charlie at his most inventive. The kicker? He's dead serious. He wants to make quieter cats, and somehow that logic leads to Dee and Charlie harassing the Lawyer until he files a restraining order. But Charlie's enthusiasm never wavers, not even when no one else gets it.

This episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia captures the weird heart of Charlie. He's messy, he's misguided, but he cares. Even if that means gluing fabric to a kitten's feet.

---

#3. Charlie Got Molested - Trauma, tension, and Uncle Jack’s creepy hands:

Season 1 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia ends with Charlie Got Molested, and while the title alone raises eyebrows, the episode dives headfirst into dark comedy without flinching. This one's not just outrageous, but it's literally character-defining.

Charlie has been accused of being molested by a gym teacher, and while he insists he wasn't, the cracks in his memory and the introduction of Uncle Jack and his disturbing obsession with "normal-sized hands" suggest otherwise. It's also the first time we meet Bonnie Kelly, played by Lynne Marie Stewart, whose oddball mother/son chemistry with Charlie became a recurring delight.

There's no Frank yet, but this early episode manages to give Charlie real depth. Beneath the absurdity, you get the sense there's a wounded kid trying to keep it all together, and that's what makes Charlie impossible not to root for.

---

#4. Charlie rules the world - The time Charlie got drunk on power (In a video game):

In Charlie Rules the World (Season 8, Episode 8), Charlie finally gets a taste of authority, even if it's only in an online medieval role-playing game.

This episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia completely flips the dynamic. Normally, Charlie's the tag-along, but here he's the kingpin making shady deals, bossing Mac around, and refusing kindness from a girl who brings him a sandwich. He's insufferable in the best way, and Charlie Day plays it with unfiltered joy.

The fact that all his "power" exists in a pixelated fantasy makes it even funnier. He gets lost in it fast, like a kid with a crown made of tinfoil. It's proof that even when Charlie rises to the top, he still finds a way to self-destruct spectacularly, and we love him for it.

---

#5. Charlie’s home alone - Traps, rats, and one very lonely Super Bowl:

Charlie's Home Alone (Season 13, Episode 8) proves that Charlie doesn't need the Gang to carry an episode. Left behind during a Super Bowl trip, Charlie believes burglars are coming and transforms Paddy's Pub into a rat-infested death trap.

The whole thing is a chaotic tribute to Home Alone, but with more self-harm and raw meat. He eats a live rat (yes, actually eats it), injures himself with every trap he sets, and sticks to a ritual involving the color brown. It's gross, it's violent, and it's 100% Charlie. What makes it work is that you can see he's genuinely trying to protect the bar, even if his logic is warped.

This It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode is ridiculous in all the right ways, and Day proves again that he can carry the story solo.

---

Charlie Kelly may be covered in filth and constantly screaming nonsense, but deep down, he's the most sincere member of the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Gang. These episodes show us why It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia would feel completely empty without him. He's the glue. The glue that smells like cheese, maybe-but still, the glue.

Charlie Kelly’s chaos, loyalty, and strange sincerity make him the heart of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. These episodes show that beneath the grime and madness, he’s the glue holding the Gang—and the show—together.

---

Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more.