The latest episode of Rick and Morty begins with a warning that the episode contains strong conversations and depictions of suicide that may be disturbing to viewers; this similarly applies to this review. “Analyze Piss” incorporated comedy and dark material to develop Rick’s character in new ways.
Rick, voiced by the show’s co-creator Justin Roiland (Solar Opposites), and Morty, also voiced by Roiland, are battling the familiar foe of Mr. Nimbus. Rick decides to concede and blows up the fortress Morty was defending. As they head back, a new whacky nemesis, Cookie Magneto, challenges Rick, who declines to engage and then melts him with a laser after being harassed a little more. Rick explains his tiredness concerning fighting these ridiculous enemies to Morty, who suggests he examine what he is doing to attract them to him. He initially dismisses this as ridiculous before another shows up. He then claims he’ll look into it.
Rick speaks to Dr. Wong, voiced by Susan Sarandon (Thelma & Louise, Stepmom), who advises him to ignore the enemies and uses his urge to prove her wrong to get him to agree to do it. At dinner, Piss Master shows up to hurt Rick. After making a perverse sexual comment towards Summer, voiced by Spencer Grammer (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Jerry, voiced by Chris Parnell (Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, 21 Jump Street), goes outside and fights him. Jerry eventually wins the fight and forces an apology out of Piss Master. The whole family is proud as Jerry goes viral with success. Two floating beings appear outside and give Jerry a sticky orb with infinite power and an invitation to join their organization. After being pressured by the rest of the family, Rick harnesses the orb’s power into a suit for Jerry to control. Jerry immediately seeks to enact his new role as a superhero by going to a “Space Hitler” meeting. After receiving some counterfire, he blows up their entire planet and kills only Hitlers and nobody else. He is paraded as a galactic hero.
Rick goes back to Dr. Wong and complains about his problems. She makes him realize that what is happening is positive and what he wants. He recognizes not reacting is his best course of action. He implements his strategy before being bored in a bar, overhearing a conversation about how much of a loser Piss Master is. He tries to console him but finds that he has committed suicide. About to leave, Piss Master’s daughter shows up worried about him. Rick feels obliged to lie to her, pretend everything is alright to stop her blaming herself and promises not to do anything bad. He then finds the suicide note left by Piss Master, which states that his only goal was to succeed and prove everyone wrong. Rick takes this as inspiration for his next move and becomes Piss Master.
Rick, as Piss Master, goes on a rampage of doing good and saving people. He speaks to Wong and explains his actions, who supports him. Jerry is tasked with presenting Piss Master with “orbship” for him to remain a member of the group. As Rick is about to fake a heroic death for Piss Master by flying away with a bomb he placed on an island filled with only orphans; Jerry tries to stop him. Rick sends the suit and bomb to explode and complete Piss Master’s heroic death.
Jerry and the orb beings discover that Rick was Piss Master, and Jerry’s membership is revoked. The family concludes that Rick was Piss Master all along and praises him for giving Jerry his moment in the spotlight. Just as all is well at home, Rick can’t help but tell Morty the truth. He shows him the suicide note, which Morty finds horrifying. The grandson then immediately reveals it to the rest of the family because he doesn’t want to carry the burden of that knowledge. They all argue about what should have been done, and Jerry feels immensely guilty.
“Analyze Piss” examined Rick’s mindset and effectually developed a seemingly unchangeable character. His interactions with Dr. Wong were fantastic, and it is refreshing for him to have someone who can intellectually challenge him. The dark content of the episode created space for moral conflict that was complex and challenging. Rick acted entirely as the best possible version of himself right up to the moment that he shared his secret with Morty. It is completely understandable for him not to be able to keep everything to himself, which gives Rick more room to grow.
Rating 9.0/10