WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Rick and Morty Season 5, Episode 2, "Mortiplicity," which aired Sunday on Adult Swim.
In Season 5 of Rick and Morty, it initially seemed like things were finally going right for Jerry Smith. In the past, he was ridiculed by the family and even divorced by Beth, but as their Nimbus escapades show, Jerry is becoming braver and more comfortable in his own skin. However, Rick and Morty Season 5, Episode 2, "Mortiplicity" dials that back by giving Jerry the most brutal punishment ever, and it's a holy one.
Admittedly, it's not the main Jerry, who's off-world with Rick and family, but a Pinocchio-like Jerry that the scientist made. Rick created a bunch of decoy families for his enemies to hunt, and this Jerry is found helping out the rebellion with his marionette family. However, when the deadly squid people (other decoys of the Smiths) arrive, they lay siege to the place.
Sadly, Pinocchio Jerry abandons everyone to die, citing that there's not enough wood varnish for the family. It does fit his cowardice in so many episodes, and it isn't something to be shocked over as this is clearly a weak, selfish and insecure Jerry. The post-credits, though, offer instant karma as he floats down a stream, at peace thinking he's safe from the war.
Unfortunately, beavers find him, kidnap him and make Jerry part of their dam. They've broken him to pieces, using his stomach as a grass-filled crib for babies. However, as time passes and water levels rise, Jerry thinks he'll drown, thanking God for "sweet death."
However, he wakes up years later in the dirt after the river dries up. A dolphin person finds him, calling Jerry "a relic from a kinder era," with his woodpecker companion then pecking away at the puppet. This leads to Jerry being used as the headpiece on a fancy mirror at a bar. It's a wild west setting, and Jerry is stunned he's in a saloon with alien cowboys. As he speaks, the shocked creatures put an end to his "sorcery." They take the mirror down and burn it, which concludes with Jerry being turned into a religious tool in a post-apocalyptic future.
He's upset as it's Christianity again, revealing he's part of a cross where a Jesus-like figure is being crucified. He's shocked to see society went from cowboys to this, ending with people pelting him with fruit. Jerry's screaming, upset he can't die and calling this the "worst thing ever" to happen to him, which means Rick has gotten the ultimate revenge on one version of his inadequate son-in-law.
Rick and Morty stars the voices of Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer and Sarah Chalke. New episodes air Sundays at 11 p.m. ET on Adult Swim.