Ep 17. The Fighting Irish

In the 17th episode of the first season of 30 Rock, titled "The Fighting Irish," Liz Lemon's ex-boyfriend Dennis Duffy returns to her life, causing a stir in the workplace. Dennis was Liz's former boyfriend and has a reputation for being a slacker, liar, and cheater. Despite their history, Dennis tries to win Liz back but faces difficulty when he realizes Liz has moved on and is now seeing Floyd, a fellow employee at TGS.

Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy is forced to deal with the network's newest employee, Devon Banks, who has been assigned to "trim the fat" from the budget. However, Devon has a hidden agenda and is actually there to sabotage Jack's job. As a result, Jack begins to feel the pressure, and he fears that Devon's scheme will be successful in getting Jack fired.

Tracy Jordan also has his storyline in this episode. He wants to attend a cooking school in order to learn how to make his favorite dish: funnel cakes. However, his request is denied by Liz, so Tracy tries to bribe Pete, one of the writers, to let him attend the school. This leads to a hilarious negotiation, as Pete tries to milk as much money as possible from Tracy before agreeing to let him go to the cooking school.

As the episode progresses, the tension between Devon and Jack reaches a boiling point, with Devon making a bold move that puts Jack's job at risk. Meanwhile, Liz finds herself caught between her past and her present, as she tries to navigate her feelings for Dennis while she is in a relationship with Floyd. And Tracy fights to pursue his culinary dreams, even if it means breaking the rules.

"The Fighting Irish" is a classic episode of 30 Rock, featuring the show's trademark humor and witty writing. It is a showcase for the fantastic performances of the show's talented ensemble cast, including Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, and Judah Friedlander. Viewers will enjoy the clever and hilarious dialogue, as well as the unexpected twists and turns that keep the episode engaging from beginning to end.

Overall, "The Fighting Irish" is a memorable episode that showcases the best of 30 Rock. It is a must-see for fans of the show, and for anyone who appreciates smart, clever comedy that is delivered with a sharp wit and a smile. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this hilarious episode of one of television's most beloved comedies.