Rick and Morty Season 9, Episode 5 Review: "Jer Bud"
Rick and Morty has always been a show that thrives on its chaotic, unpredictable nature. But when it comes to callbacks and reimaginings of past episodes, it often falls short. “Jer Bud,” the fifth episode of Season 9, is one such example. It’s a sequel to Season 1’s “Lawnmower Dog,” finally bringing Morty’s old dog, Snowball, back into the story after years of cameos and Easter eggs. While the premise sounds promising, the execution feels more like a missed opportunity than a satisfying return.
The episode centers around Morty finding himself thrust into the fate of an alien civilization, specifically a race of grotesque, inbred humanoid pets called Mups. The concept is that once granted sentience and power, dogs behave a lot like humans — a clever idea, but one that lacks the humor and depth that Rick and Morty is known for. The Mups are never particularly funny, and their physical deformations don’t contribute much to the visual gags. The storyline never really gets off the ground, making it one of the weaker installments of the season.
However, the episode does make an effort to shift the focus from Rick to the rest of the Smith family, which is a welcome change. Rick has often dominated the show, so it's refreshing to see Morty take the lead. Unfortunately, Morty’s storyline is underwhelming and fails to deliver the impact it could have had.
Thankfully, Jerry’s subplot provides a much-needed reprieve. The Worm Jerry storyline is far more successful, with Jerry possessed by a larger force and acting out of character in a way that’s both bizarre and entertaining. The subplot takes viewers on a wild ride, from a seedy alien drug den to a plane falling through the sky while Jerry guides a woman through childbirth. This storyline makes solid use of the supporting characters around Jerry, including Rick himself and both versions of Beth. It’s a shame that the season hasn’t done much with Beth or Summer so far, but at least one of them gets a bit more attention here.
A Tale of Two Storylines
The two halves of “Jer Bud” are wildly opposed in terms of quality. While the Worm Jerry storyline is entertaining and well-executed, the Morty/Snowball storyline is underwhelming and lacks the humor and depth that the show is known for. The result is a weak installment overall, but it’s worth noting that the latter half of Season 9 is expected to get stronger.
Overall, “Jer Bud” is a mixed bag. It attempts to bring back a beloved character and explore new ideas, but it falls short in both execution and humor. While the show may not reach the heights of previous episodes, it still has potential for improvement in the coming weeks.
