They Are So Afraid To Commit Anymore.....dee Moving In With Charlie And Frank Couldve Been Such A Romp

Thinking about the way Mac misremembers Dennis leaving. In his own mind, he wishes he left with Dennis, but in reality he didn't. He let Dennis walk away and out of his life. He didn't chase after Dennis, but he wishes he did.

A theory for why Dennis acts different towards Mac after returning from North Dakota is that Dennis is resentful towards Mac for this very reason. Mac let him walk away. He had always thought Mac would be there by his side, to catch him when he faltered, but Mac had failed him. Dennis was waiting for someone to chase him, and it should have been Mac, but Mac didn't. Mac didn't even bat an eye. Mac let Dennis slip away, and this is something he will never forget.

When Dennis was away, he never checked in with Mac. We know he gave Mac a fake number, so Mac couldn't contact him, but Dennis has Mac's number memorized. He could've called Mac, but he never did. Maybe he was avoiding Mac. Maybe he didn't want to show that he cared for Mac when, in his mind, Mac didn't care about him.

I wonder if Mac is aware of this. I wonder if this is why Mac wishes he had chased after Dennis. I wonder if Mac remembers that night this way because it's what he so badly wishes had happened. He wishes he had followed Dennis, but he didn't.

Maybe he thinks Dennis would love him if he had.

"It's a shame 'cause you've been looking so great lately. So sexy!"

I have so much to say about this scene oh my god.

Starting with the fact Mac is just casually watching shirtless men workout on TV. But this scene is SUCH good proof that Dennis 100% knows what he's doing, aka nurturing Mac's dependence on him, aka literally using the SINNED system on Mac right before our eyes.

The use of the word "sexy" here is so interesting to me, because Dennis could've used so many other words to describe how he views Mac's physical form. He could've said Mac's been looking so strong, or ripped, or tough, or manly, but instead he lands on the word sexy. And he says it so deliberately!! He knows it's the best word to describe Mac. It's the most effective word he could use to convince Mac to go back to the cult, because if Mac is in the cult getting fit and not eating Thin Mints, then Dennis will think he's sexy. We can tell Dennis' verbiage works too because of the way Mac cocks his head. He's almost surprised at the descriptive use of the word "sexy." He straightens his posture. "Oh, Dennis thought I was sexy?"

Mac is visibly upset at the notion that Dennis is disappointed in him. This is such an obvious use of Dennis praising and then withholding praise from Mac. Dennis is fully aware that in giving the dog a bone, Mac will do whatever it takes to earn the more significant prize. Dennis allows Mac a fragment of his praise because he knows in doing so Mac will believe it's possible to earn more. Mac knows what it feels like to earn Dennis' affections and now he wants nothing more than to have that back. If Mac can please Dennis just enough, he might be praised by Dennis again.

The absurdity comes in later seasons when Mac follows Dennis at his heels like a lost puppy, desperate for Dennis' love and affection, and Dennis acts as if he didn't purposefully and meticulously train this man to act this way. Dennis Reynolds truly is a bastard man.

A "Den" I Missed

mac calling dennis "den" and "bitch" in one scene, in the span of 10 seconds was really special to me

my welfare queen

:0 >:(

Mac's Shirts Appreciation Post

the way dennis grabs onto mac has me unwell

can we talk about mac slapping dennis' ass for a moment