I think it's possible that you and your father have a very specific dynamic. I don't think it's one that rewards emotion or vulnerability. I think it may punish them. I think it's possible that dynamic eroded your marriage and is infecting your kids with a tendency to misdirect their feelings." This was a twist for the ages. Rick, in attempting to skip therapy, transforms himself into a pickle and devises an elaborate contraption to get himself out of it, once the family has left for the appointment. Unfortunately, this doesn't go as planned as Beth decides to ensure her father's incapacitation by taking the syringe containing the potion required for Rick's reversion. Events spiral out of control as Rick embarks on a journey to the therapy room to regain his Human form. On the way, he fights an underground infestation of rats, infiltrates a European top secret base and saves a prisoner - Jaguar - from incarceration for the sake of seeing his daughter again. Meanwhile, the Sanchez family are enjoying a somewhat less-than-convivial chat with Dr. Wong, their therapist, as they rapidly get to the bottom of their problems.
Bolstered by Roiland's wonderfully wacky voiceovers, and a decidedly star-studded cast of other voices including Susan Sarandon and Peter Serafinowicz, this was quite a funny episode. Rick especially had a few wonderful zingers that rolled off the tongue with nary a second thought - reinforcing his insulting expertise. One of the best moments though, has to be its darkest, as Rick absent-mindedly mentioned how he abandoned his daughter in an alternative Universe, and when Jaguar comes to question whether his own daughter could be infinitely distributed in other dimensions, Rick backtracks. It's incredible how the writers have easily infused another likeable character into the pathos of Rick and Morty that has an emotional back story and an authentic motivation. Hopefully we'll see more of Rick and Jaguar's relationship prosper, especially now that Rick has been saved from Concerto by his newfound friend in the after-credits scene. The journey to friendship, however, is paved with madness. I love Rick's natural compatibility with the science around him and how he can use his environment to his advantage. The fact that he has the capacity to build an entire laboratory underground to build himself a super-suit with weapon attachments may seem a bit far-fetched, but I particularly liked the fact that he used his mouth to control the brain and nervous system of a cockroach - that was genius. Everything following may seem like nonsensical violence, but it's just Rick enjoying his time as a pickle, decapitating, dissecting and disassembling rats to his delight. But even in the short space of twenty minutes, the show managed to introduce another B-plot, which was the old-wives tale about 'Solenya', the Pickle Man who steals the dreams of wasteful children. This concept was the basis for yet more hilarious gags and gave Rick the chance he needed to escape. Honestly, Rick needs to transform into a pickle more often - the possibilities are endless. The most important part of the episode, I suppose, is the actual therapy session. Less active than the other parts of the story, indeed, but just as funny. The return of Mr. Goldenfold offers another joke as we learn that Dr. Wong is also an expert on helping people with coprophagia - making the gag with the picture frame seem even more meaningful. But there's a darker tone to this part of the story as we learn that Beth has an unnatural relationship with her father in that she ignores his complete disregard of family. In truth, Rick does not like to show his loving side, not that there's much of it. But this disregard is indirectly causing her kids to be affected as well. This small, yet significant, detail gives a final note that could be the darkest of the series. Summer and Morty want to go back to therapy again, but Rick has convinced Beth that it is unnecessary. The overall arch is coming together in brutal fashion, as we would expect from this ridiculous show. Darkness comes before light and Rick would rather pain and suffering than boredom as it leads to an exciting adventure. However, there's evidence that his adventures are taking their toll on his grandchildren as they go through a period of sombreness with the absence of their father. Therapy sessions seem to be what's needed, and even Rick was taken aback with Dr. Wong's words of wisdom, but the kids may not get another chance. 9/10
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