This renewal, which was announced on Monday, was a bit of a shock, considering that reception of the series was almost universally poor. Alan Sepinwall of Hitfix, for example, wrote of the series: “Though its title and its cast suggest a hangout comedy in the vein of Happy Endings, the actuality of Friends From College is a shrill and unpleasant dramedy about the dangers of maintaining youthful friendships deep into adulthood.”
More eloquently, Maureen Ryan of Variety wrote: “Once in a while, members of the cast are able to lend a poignant or bittersweet note to the proceedings. But far more often, they are asked to pitch their performances in gratingly large and loud ways. Everything is oversized in ‘Friends From College’: Characters scream, shout and gesture wildly, to the point that other people on screen repeatedly ask them to rein in their sweaty hyperactivity.
Sepinwall and Ryan clearly were not the only critics to express distaste with the series, considering its volatile 24% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
As Sepinwall mentions, the show boasts a stellar cast. Cobie Smulders, Keegan-Michael Key, Annie Parisse, Fred Savage, Nat Faxon, Jae Suh Park, and Billy Eichner all are featured prominently in the series as a group of Harvard alumni who make up the titular friends from college. These performances were by far the least criticized element of the show, however.
Friends from College is only the most recent in a stream of Netflix renewals. Ozark, Netflix’s diet-Breaking Bad crime drama, was renewed last week, and GLOW, a comedy about women’s wrestling in the 80’s, was renewed the week before. The Naomi Watts drama Gypsy was not so lucky, however, joining the ranks of Bloodline, Sense8, and The Get Down in the cancellation pile. Perhaps with a second season, however, the show will have the opportunity to improve itself.
What do you think of this news? Do you think the critics were wrong about this one?
Paul Greengrass is hopping aboard the Netflix train for his next film, the story of Norwegian terrorist Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway back in 2011. Should be hysterical.
Here’s the Cliffs Notes version of the atrocities Breivik committed, from the Deadline report:
The horrific violence was inflicted by Anders Behring Breivik, a self described right-wing Christian extremist with a hatred for Muslims. He started the carnage by detonating a fertilizer bomb outside the headquarters of the prime minister that killed eight people. After that, Breivik dressed in a police uniform, took a short ferry ride to Utoya Island outside of Oslo, and methodically murdered teens attending a Labor Party Youth Camp as they tried to escape. The madman, who wrote a 1500 page manifesto critical of Muslim immigration and European liberalism that he was not permitted to read at trial, was sentenced to 21 years. That was the maximum possible sentence in a country that doesn’t have the death penalty.
So… holy shit.
Paul Greengrass has never shied from heavy material, and he tends to tell horrific stories with some class and appropriate tone. United 93 was especially tasteful given its harrowing subject matter.
As for this one, well, I’m not entirely sure who the audience is supposed to be here. Greengrass needs a comeback after the Jason Bourne misfire, and this could be it, but good lord who is eagerly anticipating sitting down for movie night with this one?
Steve Carell, suprise candidate for “Silver Fox of the year”, turned a very handsome 55 last week. In his honor, I’ve been rewatching The Office on Netflix (I mean, I’m always rewatching The Office but this week it felt special.) and thinking about all Carell’s other work. Even before he was the boss everyone loves to hate, Carell had a career in comedy. From his bit role in Bruce Almighty to his loving depiction of The 40 Year Old Virgin, his talent showed every time he was on screen. Here are five performances proving Steve Carell really can do it all.
Early on, it seemed Carell was stuck behind a news desk. His aforementioned appearance in Bruce Almighty was followed just one year later by his role as Brick Tamland in Anchorman. At this point, much of his appeal was in physical comedy and inappropriate yelling. And in case you’ve forgotten (who could forget??) it’s Brick that brought us the now meme-worthy “I love lamp”. Soon after Anchorman, Carell became a more nuanced actor, and began showing his range.
4. Crazy Stupid Love
Imagine if you will: a sex symbol, America’s latest sweetheart, and a middle-aged man who once waxed a clown’s face into his chest hair for a punchline. Which of these three would you imagine the runaway star, should they all appear on screen together? Unless you guessed the hairiest man alive, you would be wrong.
Crazy Stupid Love is one on Steve Carell’s best dramatic performances. He plays Cal Weaver, average American white guy, as he navigates life after his wife leaves him. Ryan Gosling’s reaction to a velcro wallet? Iconic. But Carell carries the movie while keeping his character from toppling into a repeat of any number of other hapless husbands he’s played before.
3. Despicable Me (and 2 and 3)
The Minions. Depending on who you ask, they’re either a scourge on the world, or the best thing since sliced bread. Personally, their appeal waivers on me about every six months or so. What never changes, however, is how much I love Despicable Me. All three of these movies have trailers that made me laugh so hard I cried, and that’s largely the fault of Steve Carell.
Alright, to be fair, it’s got a lot to do with the animators, since much of the trailers are silent or lack dialogue. I’m digressing. The point I’m trying to make here is that while the Minions wax and wane in and out of my good graces, Gru is always a delight. Once again, Carell brings a complexity to a character who could have become a hyperbole. His voice work shows that he’s come a long way from the slapstick performance in Bruce, considering he can no longer pull faces or lay on the floor for a laugh. Gru is the best part of the Despicable Me empire.
2. Little Miss Sunshine
One of Carell’s most serious roles came out of the early 2000’s obsession with indie movies. Little Miss Sunshine, Juno, Into The Wild, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,Adventureland… all movies that focus more on character development than plot, and all with acoustic guitar playlists to keep you appropriately gloomy until you’re offered a glimmer of hope at the end.
Carell plays Frank Ginsburg, a man who has failed at killing himself. He’s released from the hospital into the (overly?) concerned hands of his family, and then joins them on an old-fashioned, pile-in-the-van road trip. While he has performed dramatic roles since Sunshine, it’s easily his darkest project. Ginsburg is nearly the polar opposite of Michael Scott: no smiles, no self-esteem, and no love for those around him. It’s a fascinating study into Carell’s full range.
1. The Definition of “Aging Gracefully”
No matter what, Steve Carell has always been a goofball, and he looks the part. Even in tuxedos and on red carpets, Carell has a consistent air of “friendly uncle” to him that he’s never been able to shake. Recently, however, Carell seems to have undergone some full-body transformation that took him from “yeah okay” to “holy crap WHAT?”. Does he deserve to be appreciated for more than his looks? Yes, all humans do. But does he also deserve to catch up on a lifetime of being ogled? I think yes also. Steve Carell is the ultimate Silver Fox because NO ONE SAW IT COMING, and his magical silver hair seems to truly have powers no mortal can understand.
That’s literally what she said. Happy belated birthday, Steve Carell, from all of us here at Monkeys Fighting Robots. All of us, but especially me.
Netflix released the official high definition version of ‘Marvel’s The Punisher’ trailer – titled ‘Demolition,’ Monday morning.
Coming to Collect. It’s the Devil you’ve sold your soul to. He’s coming.
About ‘Marvel’s The Punisher’ After exacting revenge on those responsible for the death of his wife and children, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York’s criminal underworld. Now known throughout the city as The Punisher, he must discover the truth about injustices that affect more than his family alone.
Steve Lightfoot is the showrunner, with the cast comprised of Jon Bernthal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ben Barnes, Jason R. Moore, Daniel Webber, and Deborah Ann Woll.
‘The Punisher’ hits Netflix this Fall.
Are you looking forward to ‘The Punisher?’ Sound off in the comments below.
Before DragCon Snatches New York, RuCall These Episodes!
Preparing for something like RuPaul’s DragCon is exciting. After packing (or during packing if you wait till the last-minute), you need something to hold you over. What better way to kill time by watching the very best of RuPaul’s Drag Race!
Honorable Mentions:
– “The Fabulous Bitch Ball” Season 4 Episode 11
– “Dynamic Drag Duos” All-Stars Season 1 Episode 5
– “Divine Inspiration” Season 7 Episode 9
“Drag-On A Dime” Season 1 Episode 1
So let’s start at the very beginning. Looking back at the first episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race is a trip down memory-lane, but it’s rough around the edges. Walking into a massive pop-culture convention like DragCon is crazy when you look at these humble beginnings. Stop by and say hello to the Season 1 winner Bebe Zahara Benet when you are there!
“The Snatch Game” Season 2 Episode 4
The first isn’t always the best, but the inaugural “Snatch Game” is still noteworthy. Many of the queens hilariously didn’t understand the challenge and the ones who did (Pandora Boxx and Tatianna) stole the show. Can’t forget to mention the sickening lip-sync battle between Sonique and Morgan Michaels! That is an endlessly rewatchable clip.
“Keeping It 100” Season 8 Episode 1
What makes the Season 8 premiere feel so special is the nostalgia. Something like this is perfect for your DragCon preparations. This premiere showcases the past, present, and a look towards the future of drag. The mini-challenge photo shoot is now iconic with previous winners returning. Nothing beats a runway and challenge about past Drag Race challenges!
“Make Dat Money” Season 3 Episode 13
Seeing queens rock multiple looks in one night is something normal by now, but this Season 3 challenge was no joke. The “Ballroom culture” of showcasing different looks is expertly on display with this money-theme runway. Raja’s final look stands out as a signature fashion moment in Drag Race. There’s also a dramatic lip sync between friends.
“Shade: The Rusical” Season 6 Episode 4
This soundtrack needs to be on a playlist for anyone going to DragCon! “Shade: The Rusical” is unique as the live singing works. The highlights are obviously Courtney Act and Adore Delano, but the Rusical is solid as a whole. All you have to do is ignore that mini-challenge, which sparked massive controversy.
“RuPaul Roast” Season 5 Episode 7
Comedy roasts are standard on Drag Race now. The first Roast occurred during the fifth season and became an instant favorite. So many famous sayings start here! It also helps that the iconic Roxxxy Andrews vs. Alyssa Edwards lip-sync is from this episode. The Roxxyy wig reveal isn’t the only reason this places so high, but that moment sure helps.
“Snatch Game” Season 4 Episode 5
Name a more iconic Snatch Game? Sure, it gets a little messy at times, but there is nothing better. Chad Michaels does a transcendent performance as Cher. Latrice Royale provides some of the best quotes. And of course, Willam is there existing wonderfully. Season 4 is a standout season, and this is its standout episode.
“Oh. My. Gaga!” Season 9 Episode 1
Questioning why this is so high? Season 9 is new and slightly polarizing, but this Gaga-themed event is perfection. The format of this premiere breaks the mold for the series and features an extended guest judging from Lady Gaga. No wonder this episode is Emmy-nominated and record-breaking for its ratings! How can Season 10 top this?
“Black Swan: Why It Gotta Be Black?” Season 5 Episode 4
There is no greater rivalry in Drag Race history than Alyssa Edwards and Coco Montrese. The two queens walked into the competition with baggage, and this performance allowed them to let it all out. They carried this entire ballet number to untouchable heights. Other seasons still struggle to top what the Season 5 queens did here.
“Revenge of the Queens” All-Star Season 2 Episode 5
From top to bottom, there is no better episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race than this. If you live for drama and love seeing hilarious comedy, then this is the episode for you. All-Stars 2 is an insane season, and this episode is at the epicenter of it all. “Revenge of the Queens” gives viewers a jaw-dropping opening, fun challenge, and an iconic lip-sync battle!
What do you think of this list? What will you watch to prep for RuPaul’s DragCon?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Follow Monkeys Fighting Robots for exclusive press coverage of RuPaul’s DragCon. The event is September 9th and 10th in New York.
Stories about heroes need villains and stories about superheroes need super-villains. But beyond simply being somebody to punch out, a memorable super-villain should stand in stark contrast to the superhero. If the public responds favourably to the hero/villain match-up, an arch-enemy or nemesis is born. Batman has the Joker. Superman has Lex Luthor. Spider-Man has the Green Goblin. Captain America has the Red Skull, and the list goes on.
The first iteration of the Flash, Jay Garrick, despite being a super-efficient crime-fighter never really earned the obsessive ire of a specific villain. Instead, his lineup of Golden Age villains was fluid, peppered throughout with Nazis and villainous speedsters.
Unlike his predecessor who went 11 years without a super-villain, the second incarnation of the Flash, Barry Allen, found his villainous counterpart in the second comic he appeared in. Showcase #8, cover date June 1957, introduced the dreaded Captain Cold, and, just like a bad cold, he stuck around. Recently featured in a DC Rebirth story, it’s been sixty years and he’s still causing problems in Central City.
The Frosty Origin of Captain Cold – Bad to the Bone
Although some super-villains have honest origins, only turning to crime once circumstances force their hands, Captain Cold was always a crook, just not a very good one. Captain Cold started out as a low-level crook named Len Snart.
Sadly, though he made it through this encounter with Captain Cold, Jerry Lewis passed away recently
Snart, presumably concerned that the Flash might apprehend him at some point, reads the newspaper hoping to find a way to defeat the scarlet speedster. In his search, Snart finds a story about a scientific magazine that recently wrote a comprehensive article on the Flash. Wasting no time, Snart breaks into the magazine offices and learns that a cyclotron could potentially interfere with the Flash’s abilities. Although his exact plan isn’t clear, Snart figures that he can somehow imbue a gun with the cyclotron’s power.
Snart makes a stealthy trip to the local cyclotron and, finding that he can’t control it after turning it on, gives up on his harebrained scheme. On his way out the door, though, Snart runs into the night watchman and, accidentally squeezing the trigger on his gun, flash freezes the unlucky rent-a-cop on the spot. Apparently the gun’s brief interaction with the cyclotron gave it freezing powers. If this sounds strange, you should keep in mind that the Golden Age Flash got his powers from hard water, so the level of scientific realism in Flash comics is historically low.
The Frosty Origin of Captain Cold – What’s in A Name?
After mulling over a few name options, all better than Len Snart, that include Mr. Arctic and Human Icicle, Snart eventually picks the alliterative Captain Cold. As a new reader of the Flash, I had assumed that the honorific “Captain” would relate to Captain Cold’s backstory but not so.
After settling on an appropriately goofy name, the good “Captain” experiments with liquid helium and finds that when it is used in combination with his gun it brings ambient temperature down to absolute zero. This extreme cold causes hallucinations in anyone exposed to it, giving Captain Cold the idea he thinks he needs to defeat the Flash.
The Frosty Origin of Captain Cold – What You Can See Can’t Hit You
Meeting the Flash on a frozen lake in the middle of July, Captain Cold fires his liquid helium at the scarlet speedster. The Flash battles illusion after seemingly deadly illusion until he realizes that everything he sees gives off extreme cold. Realizing that Captain Cold must be at work, the Flash passes through a mirage of giant spinning blades and creates an illusion of his own. Using his super speed to make it look as if there are hundreds of him, the Flash tricks Captain Cold and brings him to the police. Back in his laboratory, a nonchalant — some might even say “cool” — Barry Allen listens to his assistant Stan recount the tale of the Flash’s heroics as Barry warms his hands over a Bunsen burner.
The Frosty Origin of Captain Cold – Final Thoughts
Although Captain Cold eventually grew into his role as the Flash’s archenemy, his first appearance in Showcase #8‘s “The Coldest Man on Earth” is a bit clunky in places. It doesn’t make a lot of sense that a low-level crook is familiar enough with a cyclotron to know what it does and how to use it. Plus, Snart’s apparent familiarity with refrigeration and sub-zero temperatures is a bit of a non-sequitur for a run-of-the-mill mobster.
And even though the Flash’s hallucinations caused by exposure to absolute zero provided some interesting opportunities for Carmine Infantino to go wild with his art, the mirage sequence was pretty tame aside from a carousel of mystical creatures — during the illusion sequence the Flash is also waylaid by a ring of spinning saw blades and a bunch of escalators(?).
That said, based on the year it was published this isn’t a bad comic. Considering that contemporary stories include such inane subjects as “The 100 Batarangs of Batman” and “The Girl from Superman’s Past,” the Flash’s creative team certainly shouldn’t be singled out for being corny or providing a less than airtight backstory for its villain.
Netflix and Marvel unite their titular heroes in The Defenders. Much like The Avengers films, the latest Marvel seriesunites its solo shows into a single mini-series. The product hits neither the highs nor lows of the individual shows. The Defenders unites the four heroes, but it isn’t nearly as exciting as the other Netflix superheroes. The majority of The Defenders is retreading material covered in better ways on the individual shows.
In The Defenders, our heroes go up against the evil ninjas of The Hand. The four main characters are forced to come together and stop the destruction of New York. It’s a fairly simple set-up, and unfortunately, it never gets more interesting. The Hand is already uninteresting, since we’ve seen them in both Daredevil and Iron Fist. The show hits predictable beats of characters squabbling, keeping secrets, even sharing a meal. Considering how shows like Jessica Jones and Luke Cage played with the superhero format, The Defenders feels very paint-by-numbers.
The Defenders makes an interesting move letting the team-up happen slowly. Since the team only has four members, it’s nice to get quality time with each. However, it reminds viewers how great those individuals shows are. The strongest part of The Defenders is watching how these heroes interact individually, before the team-up. The characters are interesting on their own, but their group dynamic is off.
One element of The Defenders that works is the heroes. The primary heroes get quality screen time, reminiscent of their solo outings. The spirit and characteristics of each protagonist feels pleasantly familiar. Daredevil’s identity crisis works, as does his pursuit of Elektra. Jessica is as sarcastic and sloppy as ever, which makes her all the more endearing. Luke is noble, and cares about the common man. These heroes retain the qualities that made them exciting, and they bounce off each other well.
While three heroes rock the team dynamic, one character is just as lame as ever. Poor Iron Fist can’t catch a break, even in a new show. Danny Rand is more annoyance than asset, constantly clashing with the others. The solo Iron Fist series was the least well received of the four Netflix shows. While the showcould’ve lifted him up, the show keeps him down. At first, his earnestness is endearing, and helps bring the four together. However, he quickly becomes childish and angry, and a pain to watch. Whether you enjoy Finn Jones’ performance or not, the character he plays is terribly written. Iron Fist’s resolve in the end is nice, but takes far too long.
The big villain of The Defenders is also a let-down. Sigourney Weaver is a fantastic actress, but her character is horrifically boring. She plays Alexandra, one of the vaguely powerful Fingers of The Hand. We know she’s evil because she talks slowly and likes old things, but that’s about it. She stops Elektra from punching her once, but otherwise, Weaver’s kept out of the action. Sigourney Weaver is horribly wasted, stuck in the role of a lackluster villain.
The biggest problem with the series is how unnecessary it feels. We’ve known that this series was coming since Daredevil first premiered. However, none of the events in Defenders feel important enough to warrant a team-up. The big deaths in the show were deaths that already happened. The new villains are easily defeated – Madame Gao even escapes YET AGAIN. We’ve seen these heroes hang out when Luke Cage showed up in Jessica Jones. The Defenders never justifies its existence beyond the four heroes sharing in the same city.
(By the way – “I’m all outta calm” is the new “I’m always angry”)
STAND-OUT PERFORMANCES: Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, Elodie Young
STAND-OUT EPISODES: “Royal Dragon,” “Worst Behavior,” “Fish in the Jailhouse”
The first full-length trailer for George Clooney’s Suburbicon trailer features the familiar, repressed, disturbing post WWII suburban landscape… and one extremely pissed off Matt Damon.
This is not unfamiliar territory for dark comedy or drama, but this one has a terrific cast and Clooney behind the camera, so it should be worth your time. Check it out:
‘Suburbicon’ is a peaceful, idyllic suburban community with affordable homes and manicured lawns… the perfect place to raise a family, and in the summer of 1959, the Lodge family is doing just that. But the tranquil surface masks a disturbing reality, as husband and father Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon) must navigate the town’s dark underbelly of betrayal, deceit, and violence.
George Clooney is clearly inspired by his frequent collaborators, the Coen Brothers because… well… Joel and Ethan Coen wrote this thing. Suburbicon looks like a dozen other films, but told with what should definitely be great style. And the hints of noir are prevalent as well, especially the fact that Damon’s character appears to be increasingly beaten and battered as the story unfolds.
Aside from a super angry Matt Damon, the film stars Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac, and a wonderfully eclectic collection of character actors. It opens October 27.
The penultimate episode of Game of Thrones’ seventh season stays true to the formula. In many seasons, the series saves many huge battles or events for second-to-last. “Beyond the Wall” delivers some of the biggest CGI fighting we’ve ever seen. There’s some things that happen inside the Wall, but most of it was boring. What happens beyond the wall promises insane repercussions for the show moving forward.
Jon Snow and his squad have a fantastical outing against the Night King. From a storytelling perspective, their mission is a little too easy to accomplish. Why did one walker not disintegrate with the rest? Perhaps their was an explanation casually mentioned. But storytelling doesn’t change the fact that their action is fantastic. Watching the Westeros force take on the zombie hordes is exciting. Game of Thrones is delivering some of the finest visual action we’ve ever seen.
Dany entering the fray is also phenomenal. Her argument with Tyrion is a little forced and cliche. Her infatuation with Jon Snow also seems a bit rushed. However, it’s hard to be angry about rushed storytelling when dragons start torching White Walkers. In fact, having one of Dany’s dragons die is better for her character. Dany losing a child adds real stakes to her conquest of Westeros.
An aspect of the episode that falls flat is the Stark sisters’ argument. There’s no dragon action in Winterfell, so the rushed argument between Arya and Sansa is obnoxious. This season, each of the Stark kids have been too smart for Littlefinger’s games. To see Arya and Sansa turn on each other so quickly, considering how much they’ve grown, is a bummer. Their fight caters to the worst aspects of their characters, and calls back a period that should’ve been over a while ago.
Game of Thrones didn’t tell the greatest story with “Beyond the Wall.” The show is clearly sprinting to wrap up all the plot lines next season. But this episode is filled with so much amazing action and fan service. From zombie dragons to Benjen Ghost Rider, so much was so cool. Odds are, the Stark sisters will resolve their argument soon. Getting to see such a crazy zombie-dragon battle is hard to forget.
Rick Teams Up With Jerry For The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy!
After taking a pit stop from the divorce storyline, Rick and Morty dive back into the family drama. This episode plays differently than most though as it focuses on Rick and Jerry’s relationship. There is also more of Beth’s mother problems, but “Whirly Dirly Conspiracy” digs deep into some longstanding Rick/Jerry issues.
Rick’s problems with Jerry stem from Jerry’s marriage to Rick’s daughter Beth, but things got even worse for them during the end of Season 2. Rick blames Jerry for his arrest by the Galactic Federation. His revenge started with pushing the Beth & Jerry divorce. It looks like it goes much deeper than that! Seeing depressed Jerry at the beginning of “Whirly Dirly Conspiracy” is quickly undercut by Rick ripping him out of bed. It mirrored the very first episode where Rick pulled Morty out of bed.
Rick and Jerry start a “pity adventure” that Morty insists. They end up in a restaurant with immortality and attempt to bond. Well, as much as someone can bond with Jerry. That’s until a mysterious man offers Jerry the chance to kill Rick. As soon as Jerry decides to do it, he quickly regrets it. Things go wrong, and Rick turns this pity adventure into a real adventure. As soon as things look good for the two, another attempt on Rick’s life draws a wedge between them. If this happened one or two episodes ago, the outcome of the “Whirly Dirly Conspiracy” would look very different.
Rick pushes through his hate for Jerry to survive. Even Jerry tries to be a hero, though he still fails as you’d expect. As much as viewers are trained to hate Jerry, this episode shows we can have more adventures with these two. They make it out alive and a little closer, but it will still take more to get these men on the same page.
“Mind your own god-damn business, Gene.”
-Morty to Gene, the neighbor
Other than the wild adventure between Jerry and Rick, things are just as insane back home. Beth is feeling depressed, and Summer is having body issues. Those two things collided as Summer becomes a giant due to Beth’s interference. Even when Morty isn’t with Rick, he still has to deal with sci-fi madness like this.
While “Whirly Dirly Conspiracy” isn’t really a direct parody of anything, you can’t help but get a feeling of ‘Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.’ Overgrown Summer is a manifestation of her emotions and the perfect jinx to counteract Rick’s insanity. Beth doesn’t want to involve Rick with this situation to “prove herself, ” and Morty is still the only one who is calm under pressure. If this season is showing anything, it is that Morty is an essential member.
Poor Summer just wants to look better, and she’s inside-out by the middle of the episode. All of that because of Beth’s similarities and blindness to Rick’s errors. Morty points it out, and it will hopefully put Beth on a path to make her a more tolerable human.
Final Thoughts:
Last week’s superhero parody works, but episodes with a focused narrative like this are what makes Rick and Morty shine. The drama between Rick and Jerry is what fans want and starts importantly showcasing secondary characters. Not every episode can solely focus on the misadventures of Rick and Morty, so episodes like this build up characters like Jerry and Beth for their solo episodes.
