Five minutes in, I'm already bored. Snowball's back. That's not enough, though - the episode needs to actually do something with him, and "Jer Bud" just doesn't deliver, meandering through a dull storyline involving the Mups, a concept that sounds interesting on paper but falls flat in execution, lacking the clever writing and dark humor that typically makes Rick and Morty episodes, even the weaker ones, worth watching.
It's a thing. The Mups idea is cool. You'll think about sentience, it's deep. They've tried to make Morty the star, with Rick in the background, which is a nice change of pace. The plot is weak, though. Morty gets to shine, which is the real feel we've been waiting for, in a way that's worth mentioning, even if it's not fully used. The episode "Jer Bud" falls short, it's a key issue, for Rick and Morty Season 9, Episode 5, where honesty about the story's flaws is necessary, and we've got a crossover of disappointment and boredom, unfortunately.
<strong>"Rick's Arrogance Ruins the Best Bit"</strong>
It's a thing. The Worm Jerry subplot is the real feel. You'll get some crazy scenes with Jerry. He's possessed by worms, which is weird. The character's typical persona is still there, it's just amplified. We've seen him in tough spots before, but this is different. Chris Parnell's performance is worth mentioning, it brings vitality to the episode, for sure. The job interview is chaotic, the plane sequence is surreal, with an in-flight childbirth - it's a lot to take in, and that's what makes it key.
You'll get depth. It's in the characters. The subplot is pretty great, actually, with both versions of Beth and Rick himself playing key roles, which adds the real feel and humor, for sure. We've seen this before, yet it works here. They've given more screen time to underused characters, like Beth, which is worth mentioning, even if Summer is still in the background, it's a start. The episode's writing is on point when it's focused on the family, like with possessed Jerry, that's when it's at its best, with a lot of honesty in the character interactions, making it more enjoyable, in a way that feels genuine.
Jer Bud" Proves Rick's Writing Fell Off
You'll notice a big difference in "Jer Bud". It's off. The Worm Jerry part is funny. The Morty/Snowball story is slow. They've made it feel weird. It's a shame, because the idea was good. We've seen better from Rick and Morty in Season 9. This episode is the weakest so far. The real feel is missing in the Morty/Snowball part. It's a key issue with "Jer Bud".
It's a letdown. You'll get some laughs, mostly from Worm Jerry. That said, the real feel of Rick and Morty is missing in "Jer Bud". With a key plotline like this, honesty is needed - it falls short. The episode had potential, we've seen it before, it's just not here.
It's a letdown. You'll still find some laughs in "Jer Bud". The episode is weak, for sure. Rick and Morty can entertain, even when it's not at its best, which is worth mentioning, especially considering the show's usual high quality, and we've seen it bounce back from similar missteps in the past, with the remainder of Season 9 likely to redeem this lackluster outing.
Rick and Morty's Slimiest Episode Yet
- "Jer Bud" revisits Snowball from Season 1 but fails to leverage the character effectively.
- The Morty/Snowball storyline with the Mups lacks humor and impact.
- The Worm Jerry subplot is the episode's highlight, offering bizarre and entertaining moments.
- The episode is considered the weakest of Season 9 due to its inconsistent quality.
The Bad Gamer Take
Adult Swim will prioritize character development over plot complexity because the Worm Jerry subplot has shown that focusing on quirky character moments can elevate an otherwise dull episode. This approach will lead to more screen time for underused characters like Beth, making the show more engaging. Watch for how the writers balance character-centric storytelling with the need for a compelling narrative in future episodes.
Rick and Morty Season 9, Episode 5 Review Score (as per source): 5
