Rick And Morty Episode Opens With Rare Content Warning
The newest episode of Rick and Morty carried a warning, as the villain in the episode commits suicide.
Rick and Morty has never shied away from controversial content and adult themes, but their most recent episodes is raising eyebrows nevertheless. The eight episode of season six, “Analyze Piss” (a take on the Robert De Niro flick Analyze This), Rick decides to seek advice about his life and why he is constantly being attacked by an odd assortment of supervillains. However, according to a report by ComicBook.com, the episode opens with a warning: “The following episode contains strong conversations and depictions of suicide that may be disturbing to viewers.”
Warning: spoilers for the episode follow!
After killing a particularly annoying villain, Rick complains that he’s not The Tick, and is tired of killing 90’s style goofy bad guys. He goes to a therapist to talk about his life, and at first, he really isn’t open to growth. Susan Sarandon voices the therapist.
After a villain called Pissmaster goes too far, Jerry Smith (voiced by Chris Parnell) goes out and becomes a hero adored by the media, especially when he destroys a planet full of Hitlers. The situation causes Rick to question his life even more, jealous that Jerry makes it look easy. Pissmaster, embarrassed after being humiliated by Jerry, kills himself, and Rick takes the Pissmaster suit and goes around committing good deeds, in an effort to redeem his reputation.
Rick succeeds in making Pissmaster a hero, but Jerry and his family find out about Rick’s efforts, who are angry about his actions.
It’s an odd way to end the episode, and some fans online were not particularly happy over the flippant way suicide is dismissed and everyone moves on without much thought about the life lost. Others, however, felt it handled the subject with its trademark irreverence, while still making a powerful statement. Some called it the best episode so far this season.
After the episode ended, a second on-screen message told viewers that if they or someone they knew were struggling, help was available. A suicide text resource and website were posted for those who felt the need to talk to someone.
After several seasons that many fans felt were sub-par, the sixth season was met with favorable reviews from viewers. Season six premiered in September, and Cartoon Network has already ordered a seventh season, as part of a larger, long-term deal.
Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon created Rick and Morty for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, and was an immediate hit since its premiere in December of 2013 as it followed the adventures of scientist Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith in a flying saucer that travels across space, time. and multiple dimensions. It has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program and has even birthed a spinoff.
Justin Roiland voices Rick and Morty, and the cast also includes Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke, Kari Wahlgren, Maurice LaMarche, and Tom Kenny.
The series’ popularity has also meant new opportunities for the creative team. Jeff Loveness, one of the show’s writers, was recently signed by Marvel to write the script for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
