When in Purge, do as the Purgers do.
Warning: full episode spoilers follow.
Based on the title alone, I expected this episode of Rick and Morty to revolve around an eating disorder of some kind. That would likely have made for a gross but funny adventure, but in this case the “purging” was of the Hollywood horror/suspense variety. Our heroes stumbled onto a seemingly peaceful world just in time for their annual festival of bloodshed, looting and catharsis. The end result wasn’t one of the more creative episodes of Rick and Morty, but it sure hit the spot all the same.
In a lot of ways, this episode felt more like an early Season 1 installment, when the show was a little more blatant about paying homage to a specific piece of pop culture. This wasn’t a Hunger Games parody or a Battle Royale parody – it was a Purge parody. It helped that Rick, ever fond of breaking the fourth wall, was quick to point out just how similar this world was to the Purge movies. Plus, the idea that these strange humanoid cat people are simple, good-natured farmers by day and ruthless murderers by night lent the whole Purge concept and extra touch of the surreal.
It also helped that, even though a lot of the beats in the conflict were predictable, the episode subverted expectations just enough to keep things interesting. It was obvious from the start that Rick and Morty would find themselves trapped on the planet and forced to participate in the festival. But rather than mechanical failure being the source of their predicament, it was Morty’s poor decision-making. The duo could have safely watched the carnage unfold from high above if Morty hadn’t made the uncharacteristically proactive decision to rescue an innocent girl.
This really was a Morty-driven episode with Rick just along for the ride. Rick has no problem abandoning the rules about interfering in alien cultures and laying waste to some farmers when given half a chance. But for Morty, it was a journey to embrace that inner rage and let it out. After all the tragedies and indignities he’s suffered in his adventures with Rick, it’s not hard to believe that a cold-hearted killer lurks within. And again, the episode subverted expectations in how it triggered Morty’s inner killer. It wasn’t because he was placed in imminent physical danger. Morty’s dark side only emerged because he was forced to sit through a reading of a terrible screenplay.
It was great to see Evil Morty unleashed and taking out all his pent-up aggression on the local populace while Tony! Toni! Toné!’s “Feels Good” played. It was even funnier when Arthrisha and Rick teamed up for some hyper-violent mech-suit carnage followed by a little dancing. Rick busting a move in his armor while an unconscious Morty flopped around behind him made for a terrific visual gag.
While all of this was unfolding, “Look Who’s Purging Now”” featured a minor subplot involving Jerry trying to reconnect with Summer. This material could easily have become grating if it were more a focus, but Jerry was included just enough to mine a few laughs out of his sad, sorry state. Meanwhile, even if Summer didn’t join in on Rick and Morty’s latest adventure, she still proved herself a valuable member of the team by dispatching the mech suits despite Jerry’s incessant whining. The post-credits scene and its reveal as to the identity of Taddy Mason was appropriately funny and pathetic. You have to wonder if Jerry will ever find a way to permanently bounce back from the rut he’s been in since losing his job.
Subversive elements notwithstanding, this episode was pretty straightforward and simple by Rick and Morty standards. This might have been a problem if not for the strong emotional resolution to Rick and Morty’s purging. Several times in the past we’ve seen Rick show a genuine affection for Morty and even go out of his way to spare his grandson from emotional suffering. That trend repeated here as Rick led Morty to believe that the boy’s murderous behavior was the result of a drugged candy bar rather than latent emotional trauma and teenage hormones. For all that Rick seems intent on using these adventures to toughen up his grandson and expose him to the horrors of the universe, there’s also a sense that Rick mourns his own loss of innocence (hence the alcoholism, crippling depression and suicidal behavior). And even as he’s trying to help Morty mature a little, Rick also seems intent on preserving the boy’s innocence. The show rarely shines brighter than when it taps into that element of their relationship.
“Look Who’s Purging Now” will never be remembered as one of the more creative episodes of Rick and Morty. The show didn’t veer too far from convention as it spoofed the Purge franchise. However, the combination of a few clever twists, a lot of violent action and dancing and a poignant resolution resulted in another memorable Season 2 installment.
