The Vat of Acid Episode

Last updated

"The Vat of Acid Episode"
Rick and Morty episode
The Vat of Acid Episode.jpg
Rick drags Morty into the titular (fake) vat of acid.
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 8
Directed byJacob Hair
Written by
Production codeRAM-408
Original air dateMay 17, 2020 (2020-05-17)
Running time23 minutes
Guest appearance
  • N/A
Episode chronology
 Previous
"Promortyus"
Next 
"Childrick of Mort"
Rick and Morty (season 4)
List of episodes

"The Vat of Acid Episode", titled onscreen as Rick and Morty: The Vat of Acid Episode, is the eighth episode of the fourth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty . [1] Created by Dan Harmon, written by Jeff Loveness and Albro Lundy, and directed by Jacob Hair, the episode was broadcast on May 17, 2020, in the United States. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.

Contents

Plot

Rick and Morty meet with alien gangsters at a factory to exchange valuable crystals. The gangsters betray them and Rick fakes his and Morty's deaths by jumping into a vat of fake acid; however, the gangsters do not immediately leave, and instead discuss their feelings before testing the vat's acidity. Morty eventually grows impatient, revealing the ruse and forcing Rick to kill the gangsters. Morty insists the vat of acid was a bad idea and harangues Rick over never taking any of his own ideas seriously. He goads Rick into creating a portable "save point" button that one could return to escape death or correct their mistakes. Rick relents and crafts a special remote, which Morty takes without waiting for an explanation of how it works.

Morty uses the button to commit numerous crimes and pranks, resetting himself each time to avoid any consequences. Eventually, though, he begins a relationship with a girl, falling in love with her. When they end up stranded in the mountains after a plane crash, Morty considers using the remote, but calls for rescue instead, since the last save point was right before they met. However, after they are rescued, Jerry unintentionally activates the remote. Morty then fails to recreate the relationship and accidentally overwrites the save point.

Morty concedes to Rick that he has learned the hard lesson that consequences determine who a person becomes and give a person's choices meaning. A self-satisfied Rick then reveals that the remote does not reset anything, but instead teleports Morty to an alternate dimension, killing the Morty native to that dimension so that Morty can take his place. Horrified, Morty begs Rick to undo everything. Rick merges all of the alternate dimensions, causing Morty intense torment. While this undoes the deaths of the alternate Mortys, all the people in those dimensions who knew about Morty's crimes are now in that merged dimension, and descend as an angry mob upon Rick and Morty's house, demanding his surrender. Rick provides only one escape: jumping into a vat of fake acid to fake his death. Morty begrudgingly complies, unaware that the merged girlfriend (who now remembers him) was watching. Satisfied that his point is proven, Rick reveals they have been in an alternate dimension this entire time, as he did not want to "waste" their current home dimension just to prove a point.

In a post-credits scene, one of the policemen present at the siege at the Smith home, who mistakenly came to believe himself impervious to acid, appears on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (Johnny Carson still being alive in this dimension). He lowers himself into a vat of real acid, resulting in his painful death.

Production and writing

On April 14, 2020, the episode was revealed to be titled "The Vat of Acid Episode," and was produced by Mike Mendel, directed by Jacob Hair and written by Jeff Loveness and Albro Lundy. The plane crash and cannibalism scene was made to reference Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, [1] with Morty's girlfriend designed after episode director Jacob Hair's fiancée (later wife), Carey Armellino. Armellino also voiced the character, in addition to recording dialogue for a further episode later in the season, although all of her speaking scenes were ultimately cut. [2] This episode is deemed by Director Devon Avery as being inspired by his short film titled, "One Minute Time Machine". Although both the Rick and Morty episode and the short film have a lot of similarities, the mechanics of the underlying McGuffin have an undeniable uncircumstantial likeness. [3]

Reception

Broadcast and ratings

The episode was broadcast by Adult Swim on May 17, 2020. [4] According to Nielsen Media Research, "The Vat of Acid Episode" was seen by 1.26 million household viewers in the United States and received a 0.68 rating among the 18–49 adult demographic. [5]

Critical response

Jesse Schedeen of IGN awarded the episode with 9 stars out of 10 saying that the episode "is a demented romp that showcases Rick Sanchez at his darkest and most hilarious." [6] Steve Greene of IndieWire gave it a "B+" rating, who felt that "even as it's stuck between an unexpected event episode and a decent spite-driven adventure, there are still enough existential ideas here to chew on." [7] Tom Reimann of Collider gave it a "B" rating, who felt that "series co-creator Dan Harmon has run into some controversy on social media, and this ending, coupled with Rick's scorched-earth, take-no-responsibility response to Morty's criticism, casts the episode in a particularly cynical light that makes it difficult to fully enjoy. We're three episodes into "The Other Five", and so far each one has been (at least in part) a rant about how hard it is to write Rick and Morty. I hope the next two episodes manage to fully embrace the smart sci-fi deconstruction that made the show so unique in the first place." [8] The episode won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, the series' second win after "Pickle Rick". [9] [10]

Music

Related Research Articles

Rick and Morty is an American adult animated science fiction sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon for Cartoon Network's nighttime programming block Adult Swim. The series follows the misadventures of Rick Sanchez, a cynical mad scientist, and his good-hearted but fretful grandson Morty Smith, who split their time between domestic life and interdimensional adventures that take place across an infinite number of realities, often traveling to other planets and dimensions through portals and on Rick's flying saucer. The general concept of Rick and Morty relies on two conflicting scenarios: domestic family drama and a misanthropic grandfather dragging his grandson into hijinks.

Mortimer Chauncey "Morty" Smith Sr. is one of the eponymous characters from the American animated television series Rick and Morty. Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, and voiced by the former for the first six seasons of the series, followed by Harry Belden beginning with the seventh season. Morty is a 14-year-old boy loosely inspired by Michael J. Fox's Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Morty is known for his awkward, anxious, second-guessing, doubtful personality, and low sense of self-esteem; the character has been critically well-received. He is the good-natured and impressionable grandson of Rick Sanchez, the son of Jerry and Beth Smith, the younger brother of Summer Smith, and the father of Morty Jr. and Naruto Smith, who can be easily manipulated. In September 2021, Jaeden Martell portrayed Morty in a series of promotional interstitials for the series.

"Rick Potion #9" is the sixth episode of Rick and Morty. It premiered on Adult Swim on January 27, 2014, was written by Justin Roiland, and directed by Stephen Sandoval. In the episode, a love potion goes wrong, creating a virus that begins to infect the entire world population, making everyone fall in love with Morty. The episode received critical acclaim, receiving praise for its story, subplot, and ending. It was seen by 1.7 million viewers at first airing. The title of the episode is in reference to the 1959 song "Love Potion No. 9" by the Clovers.

<i>Rick and Morty</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the animated television series Rick and Morty originally aired on Cartoon Network's late night programming block Adult Swim in the United States on July 26, 2015, with "A Rickle in Time", and concluded on October 4 with "The Wedding Squanchers". This season aired a total of ten episodes.

<i>Rick and Morty</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of Rick and Morty, an American animated television series created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, originally aired on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. It premiered with "The Rickshank Rickdemption", which aired unannounced on April 1, 2017, as part of Adult Swim's annual April Fools' prank. As a result of production delays, the remaining episodes began airing weekly nearly four months later, on July 30, 2017. The season comprised ten episodes but it originally was supposed to be fourteen episodes, and its initial airing concluded on October 1, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Sanchez</span> Fictional character

Richard Daniel "Rick" Sanchez is one of the two eponymous characters from the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty and resulting multimedia franchise. Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, he is voiced by the former during the first six seasons of the series, then by Ian Cardoni beginning with the seventh season, and Yōhei Tadano in Rick and Morty: The Anime, after voicing the character in the Japanese dub of the series and various promotional short films. Rick is a misanthropic, alcoholic scientist inspired by Christopher Lloyd's Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown from Back to the Future and Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic from Marvel Comics. In September 2021, Lloyd portrayed Rick himself in a series of promotional interstitials for the series.

"The Rickshank Rickdemption" is the first episode in the third season of the American animated television sitcom Rick and Morty, and the twenty-second episode overall in the series. It was written by Mike McMahan and directed by Juan Meza-Leon. The season three premiere first aired unannounced on Adult Swim in the United States on April 1, 2017 when it was watched by 676,000 American households in its initial airing. On the first day of its original broadcast, "The Rickshank Rickdemption" was replayed every half hour from 8pm to 12am ET with improved ratings, as a part of Adult Swim's annual April Fools' Day joke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pickle Rick</span> 3rd episode of the 3rd season of Rick and Morty

"Pickle Rick" is the third episode of the third season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. Written by Jessica Gao and directed by Anthony Chun, the episode premiered on August 6, 2017. The plot follows eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez as he turns himself into a pickle to avoid attending a family therapy session.

<i>Rick and Morty</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the animated television series Rick and Morty was confirmed by Adult Swim in May 2018. The season consists of 10 episodes. The first five episodes of the season aired from November 10, 2019 to December 15, 2019, while the remaining five aired from May 3, 2020 to May 31, 2020.

"Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat" is the premiere episode of the fourth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. Written by Mike McMahan and directed by Erica Hayes, loosely adapting Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo, the episode was broadcast on November 10, 2019. A stand-alone graphic novel miniseries, Rick and Morty: Worlds Apart, serving as a sequel, was published by Oni Press from February 3 to May 5, 2021.

"Claw and Hoarder: Special Ricktim's Morty" is the fourth episode of the fourth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. Written by Jeff Loveness and directed by Anthony Chun, the episode was broadcast on December 8, 2019. A stand-alone sequel miniseries, Rick and Morty: Worlds Apart, was published by Oni Press from February 3 to May 5, 2021.

"Never Ricking Morty" is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. Written by Jeff Loveness and directed by Erica Hayes, the episode was broadcast on May 3, 2020 in the United States and on May 7, 2020 in the United Kingdom.

"Promortyus" is the seventh episode of the fourth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. Written by Jeff Loveness and directed by Bryan Newton, the episode was broadcast on May 10, 2020, in the United States.

"Childrick of Mort" is the ninth and penultimate episode of the fourth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. Written by James Siciliano and directed by Kyounghee Lim, the episode was broadcast on May 24, 2020 in the United States.

<i>Rick and Morty</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of the animated television series Rick and Morty consisted of 10 episodes, part of the 70 episodes ordered by Adult Swim after they renewed the series in 2018. The series stars Justin Roiland as both titular characters, alongside Chris Parnell as Jerry Smith, Spencer Grammer as Summer Smith, and Sarah Chalke as Beth Smith and Space Beth. The season premiered on June 20, 2021, and concluded on September 5, 2021.

Rick and Morty is an American animated science-fiction comedy franchise, whose eponymous duo consists of Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith. Rick and Morty were created by cartoonist Justin Roiland for a 2006 parody film of Back to the Future for Channel 101, a short film festival co-founded by Dan Harmon. After six years, the sketch was developed into Rick and Morty, a half-hour prime time show that was a hit for Adult Swim, receiving universal acclaim across all seasons. Alongside the original television series, the characters of the show have been featured in a variety of media, including spin-offs, comic books, musical releases and video games. The show has earned hundreds of millions of dollars in income across their merchandising and media franchise.

"Mort Dinner Rick Andre" is the premiere episode of the fifth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. It is the 42nd episode of the series overall. Written by Jeff Loveness and directed by Jacob Hair, the episode was broadcast on June 20, 2021.

"Mortyplicity" is the second episode of the fifth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. It is the 43rd episode of the series overall. Written by Albro Lundy and directed by Lucas Gray, the episode was broadcast on June 27, 2021.

<i>Rick + Morty in the Eternal Nightmare Machine</i> 2021 American film

Rick + Morty in the Eternal Nightmare Machine is an American pixel-animated short film based on the television series/franchise Rick and Morty, produced by Adult Swim and debuting on both the network and their YouTube channel on April 30, 2021, alongside a marathon of the series' fourth season, to promote its then-upcoming fifth season. Written, directed, and animated by Paul Robertson, the film received positive reviews from critics.

"Solaricks" is the premiere episode of the sixth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. It is the 52nd episode of the series overall. Written by Albro Lundy and directed by Jacob Hair, the episode was broadcast on September 4, 2022. The episode directly follows the events of the previous season finale, "Rickmurai Jack".

References

  1. 1 2 Rick and Morty [@RickandMorty] (April 14, 2020). "Imagining episodes based on their name is almost as fun as watching episodes. New #rickandmorty returns May 3 at 11:30pm on @adultswim. [Photo with episode titles and air dates]" (Tweet). Retrieved May 17, 2020 via Twitter.
  2. Gilfor, Jeremy. The Art of Rick and Morty Volume 2Dark Horse Comics.
  3. "One-Minute Time Machine - the Short Film that (Probably) helped Rick & Morty win an Emmy". YouTube . February 10, 2023.
  4. "Shows A-Z - rick & morty on adult swim". The Futon Critic . Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  5. Metcalf, Mitch (May 19, 2020). "Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.17.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 19, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  6. Schedeen, Jesse (May 18, 2020). "'Rick and Morty: The Vat of Acid Episode' - Review". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  7. Greene, Steve (May 18, 2020). "'Rick and Morty' Review: 'The Vat of Acid Episode' Is a Solid High-Concept Escape Act". IndieWire . Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 23, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Reimann, Tom (May 18, 2020). "'Rick and Morty' Season 4 Episode 8 Recap and Review: "The Vat of Acid Episode"". Collider . Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  9. "72nd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners". Emmys.com . July 28, 2020. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  10. Del Rosario, Alexandra (September 19, 2020). "'Rick and Morty' Wins Second Outstanding Animated Program Emmy". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.