Ep 2 “The Old Man and the Seat” is a solid episode that proves Rick Sanchez is still the show’s most compelling emotional wreck.
The A-story, centered on Rick’s high-stakes quest to find an interloper on his private, luxury toilet, is sublime. It starts as a brilliant, over-the-top joke and transforms, thanks to a beautiful performance by Jeffrey Wright as the shy-pooper alien Tony, into a tragicomic exploration of Rick’s profound loneliness. That plot is perfect, a five-star character study.
However, the B-story about Jerry launching a soulmate app feels a little less focused. While the concept (technology distracting humanity from an alien invasion) is classic Rick and Morty and Taika Waititi is hilarious as Glootie, the execution drags. The core joke of constantly changing partners repeats too often, leaving Morty and Jerry’s arc feeling functionally necessary but emotionally thin.
When the episode focuses its unique energy and excellent animation on Rick’s inner turmoil, it’s outstanding; when it doesn’t, it’s just very good.
It’s a great episode, but the uneven pacing keeps it from being a premiere-level knockout. 7.5/10.