"Hi, I'm a recovering crackhead. This is my retarded sister that I take care of. I'd like some welfare, please."
— Dennis
Dennis and Dee quit their jobs at Paddy's Pub and go on unemployment so they can plan for their dream careers, but end up getting hooked on crack cocaine in order to qualify for welfare after the unemployment runs out. Meanwhile, Frank hires two new workers under the "Work for Welfare" program and Charlie and Mac go on a spending spree with the money in Frank's secret bank account.
This episode provides examples of the following tropes:
- Addled Addict: Dennis and Dee both quickly devolve into these after getting hooked on crack.
- Bait-and-Switch: Dennis and Dee wake up after getting high on crack and note that they missed their doctor's appointment. They make comments about how they hope he'll see them on such short notice, before cutting to the two of them returning to the drug dealer to buy more crack.
- Bait-and-Switch Comment:Frank: Charlie, you got a lot of balls stealing my money... this shows leadership. I am promoting you to management.
- Blatant Lies: It's clear that the drug dealer is lying to Dennis and Dee about his "two for one" special. Neither of them pick up on this and quickly hand over the two hundred dollars.
- Brutal Honesty: Dennis admits that "the old Dennis" would have told Dee that she will never make it as an actress at her age. The new Dennis, however, is slightly more diplomatic about it.
- Compressed Vice: Dennis and Dee are addicted to crack for the space of a single episode, though it is occasionally referenced again later in the series.
- Continuity Nod: Frank is now the official owner of Paddy's after buying the land it's on in the previous episode.
- Didn't Think This Through: Dennis and Dee try to pose as being a drug user and mentally handicap to be eligible for disability. They go to the government office to apply, the receptionist says that they need documents and doctors letters to confirm that they are on drugs and handicap and they are forced to fill out a number of forms before they can even get any money. Just because someone says they are on drugs doesn't mean that people are going to take their word for it.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Mac calls out Dennis and Dee for abusing the welfare system, pointing out that it's for people who really need it, like drug addicts and disabled people, not "overprivileged pieces of shit" who just don't want to work. Justified, as Mac grew up poor and has some semblance of a moral code compared to Dennis and Dee.
- The Friend Nobody Likes: Frank wants to play video games and football with Mac and Charlie, who clearly don't want to play with him. Justified since Frank has only recently joined their group and hasn't become close with them yet.
- Genre Blind: Dennis and Dee are woefully out of their depth when it comes to buying drugs.
- Gilligan Cut:
- When Mac and Charlie decide to exploit Frank's money:
Mac: We're gonna hit up an ATM, take out just a little bit of cash.
Charlie: A little.
Mac: Just enough so he won't even notice it.
Charlie: Just enough to have a quiet night out.
(cut to the two of them dressed in top hats and tails, surrounded by prostitutes, drinking champagne and smoking cigars while throwing wads of cash around)- In the opening, Mac doesn't believe Dennis and Dee can make it without the bar:
Dennis: Don't worry about us, Mac. We'll be just fine. [cue title card] - Hookers and Blow: What Mac and Charlie end up spending Frank's money on (though it's more "hookers and champagne").
- Hypocritical Humor: Occurs when Mac and Charlie are looking for "slaves" at the "welfare store".Mac: In this country, we have to understand that [slavery] is a sensitive issue, okay? (points to a sleeping black man)...What about that one? He seems strong.
- Inherent in the System: Through both A and B plots the episode examines a vicious circle that happens with welfare. Because welfare is a steady payment Dennis and Dee see it as a ticket to springboard into what they really want to do in life, but to qualify requires a genuine destitution they don't have (them seeking an addiction to crack in order to game the system is an exaggeration of learned helplessness). The people Frank, Charlie and Mac hire in the welfare employment program briefly mention how difficult it is to become independent again when you have a family to take care of.
- Lower-Class Lout: Dennis and Dee start acting like this after they first get on unemployment, drinking outside Dee's apartment building in the middle of the day, blaring loud music in the street and wearing tacky gold chains.
- Mistaken for Racist:
- Dennis and Dee are afraid the drug dealer will think they're racists when they admit his appearance frightened them.
- Charlie opines that a black man would have a poor work ethic, which Mac interprets as racist. Charlie clarifies, however, that he said this because the man was asleep and not because he is black.
- Muscles Are Meaningless: Mac cant lift his end of the pool table while the much smaller Charlie has no problems with it.
- Obfuscating Disability: Dee pretends to be mentally disabled in an attempt to get on welfare.
- Parental Substitute: Frank insists that he's going to act as a father figure for Mac and Charlie, despite the fact that neither of them actually want him to.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: At the beginning of the episode, Dennis and Dee quit their jobs at the bar in protest over Frank being the new owner. Later, Mac and Charlie run from the hookers they hired after realizing that they can't pay them.
