Want to hear more from the actors and creators of your favorite shows and films? Subscribe to The Cinema Spot on YouTube for all of our upcoming interviews!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Following its seventh season’s first two episodes, this past weekend’s episode of Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty involves a cross-over of different ecospheres. The conflict at hand, then, is an ecological issue of the personal and social spheres.
The seventh season’s third episode is titled, “Air Force Wong”. It is written by series co-executive producer Alex Rubens and is directed by Jacob Hair (King of the Hill, The Stanford Prison Experiment).
In this review, I will discuss Rick and Morty Season 7 Episode 3. As the title of this article suggests, there will be no spoilers present here. References to previous series episodes may be made!
Rick and Morty Season 7 Episode 3 Logline
According to WarnerMedia Press, here is the logline for Rick and Morty Season 7 Episode 3—“Air Force Wong”.
Rick and the President are back at it.
WarnerMedia Press
Discussion
“Air Force Wong” is another type of episode in the series that appears to be complex in terms of what is presented to the fans and the viewers. Although, that could just be due to the animation team’s work on the character design and background. Elisa Phillips et al’s character designs and Vance Caines et al’s background designs are put together to display some hefty scenery that can be quite overwhelming on a global scale. The writers’ narrative of the episode doesn’t convey an apocalyptic plot, which would imply a threat to humanity. Instead, what the audience gets here is the somewhat inclusion via “friendly” invasion.
As its title suggests, the episode calls upon the Smith family’s therapist, Dr. Helen Wong (voiced by Susan Sarandon), to help embark on a mission somewhere in the American Northeast. Despite her few rare appearances in the series over the past five seasons, the character has already left an impact on the Smiths, notably on Rick Sanchez (voiced by Ian Cardoni) in this episode. Wong is an incredible figure and plot device who is the writers’ means to intervene and psychoanalyze the different points in time for the protagonists. Here, specifically, the writers also begin to dip into Wong’s background to remind us and the characters that she is human after all.
The writers’ room commits to a fascinating feat of allowing a few guest characters to cross paths with one another. Together, they also serve as foils within the conflict to place Sanchez’s development on display. Additionally, Ryan Elder’s musical scoring towards the end wraps the conflict up so nicely. The composition gets upbeat and lively then helps resolve the issue with some levity.
Rick Sanchez v. The World
The juxtaposition between Sanchez’s boundaries and President Andre Curtis’s (voiced by Keith David) desire for approval throughout the series has been an interesting study. This episode takes their contrasting backgrounds to more intriguing heights. On one hand, there is the President, who—like all similar politicians who try to put in the effort—holds onto the need to be accepted by those around him, that is, his constituents and the general population. According to South Korean-German philosopher Byung-Chul Han’s critical work, The Expulsion of the Other, “At a certain point, [through the Same] production is no longer productive but destructive … and communication is no longer communicative but merely cumulative”.
The President has a need to be accepted and approved as a Same, but he also ends up controlling the American democracy in the process. The violence of the global, then, which in turn leads to a hell of sameness, becomes “a viral violence, that of networks and the virtual” where even “freedom itself is exploited”, at least, in Han’s words. Moreover, because of Curtis’s longing to be a Same, there are not exactly any relationships, or connections, or communications, or a sense of community being had. All of these can only be achieved through the act of listening and speaking. Unfortunately, no one really wants to hear him out, not even Sanchez.
Change Through Alienation and Separation
Conversely, the series has Sanchez, who well… Others himself from people whom he could easily consider friends and family, yet may not actively do so. Han asserts the argument that, as Others, “To have an experience … befalls us, strikes us, comes over us, overwhelms and transforms us”, essentially what we would conceive as pain. He adds that the “Other [is] an enigma [who] eludes all exploitation”. By speaking, the Other can effectively heal and be liberated from their otherness state of being. Although, only with time and patience can this happen. The elderly scientist has slowly been healing his traumatic wounds and mending relationships, such as in the season’s prior episode where he spends time with his son-in-law, Jerry Smith (voiced by Chris Parnell).
Sanchez’s preference to push others away and even going so far as to leave an air of separation are just two reasons why he needs more therapy sessions with Wong. By pushing those closest to him away, the character misses out on being active in the world, and he does not realize what he could have until it is too late.
The fine line appears to come from an incredibly minor character in the episode—Mr. Stabby (voiced by Tom Kenny) and his need for inclusion and representation. On the surface, this fictional talk show host might not serve any real purpose. However, Stabby vies for people like him to be acknowledged in some manner or another in the media. This could mean there can be room for acceptance and approval, while also creating some boundaries. Hence, what happens to people when they get too close to Stabby.
The Crew Behind Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is co-created by Dan Harmon (Community).
The series’ main theme and score is done by Ryan Elder (HarmonQuest).
Wes Archer (The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Bob’s Burgers) is the supervising director. Alex Song-Xia and Cody Ziglar are story editors, while Grace Freud is the staff writer. Jeremy Gilfor is the writers’ assistant. Michael Kellner and Jax Ball are 2nd writers’ assistants.
Lee Harting and Claire Levinson serve as editors. David Seger is the assistant editor.
Ruth Lambert and Robert McGee are the voice casting directors. Katelyn Semer and Amanda Ray are casting associates. Sara Jane Sherman is the additional casting director.
Amy Chapman and Nick Reczynski (Mike Tyson Mysteries, Solar Opposites) are voice-over consultants.
Animators
Jason Boesch (Fish Hooks, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) is the art director, while Carol Wyatt is the color supervisor. Michael LaBash is the storyboard revisions director.
Elisa Phillips (The Venture Bros., HarmonQuest) is the character design lead. Vance Caines (Regular Show, Close Enough) is the background design lead.
Sander Goldman (Big Mouth), Eugene Huang, Heather Langley, and Joe Wierenga serve as the storyboard artists.
Tiana Aguado, Scott Alberts, Martin Archer, Rufino Roy Camacho II (Futurama, Sausage Party, Disenchantment, Harley Quinn), Paul Cunningham, Bismarck “Butch” Datuin, MC Griffin, LaVon O’Bannon, Dan O’Connor, Jim Shellhorn (King of the Hill, Sausage Party, Batman: The Killing Joke, Disenchantment, Harley Quinn), and Steve Yurko (Robot Chicken, HarmonQuest) are additional storyboard artists.
Adam Burnier, Kari Kilpela, James McDermott (King of the Hill, Beavis and Butt-Head), Maneen Mehta, Byron Merrill, Khang Nguyen, Louie Ramos, Wilder Rees (Solar Opposites), Maya Shavzin (Final Space), and Ken Siu work on the character design.
Jackie Cadiente, Paige “PJ” Hankins, and Alex Picar work on the character design clean-up.
Sean Bodley, Leasa Epps-Eisele, Liza Epps, Cynthia Ignacio, Tiffany Kao, Alex J. Lee, Alex Steven Martin, and Tuo Tsui work on the background design.
Devyn Adams and Tyler Justice work on the background clean-up.
The Voice Cast Behind Rick and Morty
Ian Cardoni voices Rick Sanchez, the genius scientist of the series. Harry Belden voices Morty Smith, the teenage grandson of the series.
Spencer Grammer voices Summer Smith, Rick Sanchez’s granddaughter and Morty Smith’s older sister. Chris Parnell and Sarah Chalke (How I Met Your Mother) voice Jerry and Beth Smith, Summer and Morty Smith’s parents.
Keith David guest stars as United States President Andre Curtis. Christina Hendricks voices Unity, Rick’s former girlfriend. Susan Sarandon voices Dr. Helen Wong, the Smith family’s therapist.
Troy Baker, Tom Kenny, Nolan North, Nick Reczynski, Ryan Ridley, Rob Schrab, Lauren Tom, Kari Wahlgren, and Debra Wilson also have voice appearances in the episode.
Character Developments
This is the third episode of the season in a row where “and Morty” is left out of the series title. The greater focus on Rick Sanchez is an interesting one, now with less of a pivot from the new major storyline we are getting. Working on his boundary issues is an excellent stepping stone for the character to care about the people who surround him. Ultimately, what I feel the writers are going for in terms of development is transforming the character as a human being. I am not sure when the season will go back to concentrating on the search for the other Rick Sanchez, but it is going to be a swell time when it does.
Out of the supporting figures present in this episode, President Curtis is the best foil for Sanchez. Whereas the protagonist is the type of person who knows how to resolve conflicts, David’s character is one who exacerbates them. Such is the case in the Season 5 episode with the Thanksgiving turkeys. I have a feeling we may see Curtis sooner than later, given the fact that he admits to having his own issues.
Final Thoughts on Rick and Morty Season 7 Episode 3
“Air Force Wong” brings strings together a few distinct subplots from the series remarkably. When the political realm collides with the psychological realm, and they in turn collide with the “out of this world” realm, we get to see what is Rick and Morty in its essence. This vast universe is not just limited to one world, but an endless number upon an endless number of worlds. This episode is a perfect reminder that humanity is a universal concept, and it is felt in all areas.
Rick and Morty Season 7 is now airing on Adult Swim via Cartoon Network, and will stream via Max (formerly HBO Max) next year!
Have you seen the series yet? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more adventure, animation, comedy, and science-fiction-related news and reviews, do not forget to follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Do you love Rick and Morty and/or want to catch up on the series? Add Seasons 1 through 5 to your Blu-Ray collection today!
Add Season 6 to your Blu-Ray collection as well!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
2 Comments on “‘Rick And Morty’ Season 7 Episode 3 Non-Spoiler Review – “Air Force Wong””