The following contains spoilers for Rick and Morty Season 6, Episode 4, "Night Family," which debuted Sept. 25, on Adult Swim.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Rick and Morty is how it has no qualms in referencing movies, TV shows and pop culture in general. Season 6 had the series poking fun at the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as taking a shot at Zack Snyder's Justice League. There was even an entire episode dedicated to Die Hard, turning Summer into a galactic John McClane.
This is a creative approach, keeping nostalgic fans in and educating newer ones on why parody is an art that comedy prides itself on. Episode 4 just got more existential in its satire, nodding to Jordan Peele's Us. While the happier conclusion might not be as socially relevant as Us, Rick and Morty was able to send an important message.
Rick and Morty's spin on Us occurred after Rick brought home a machine known as the Somnambulator. Once it took their blood, it controlled the family at night to do whatever tasks they set -- Rick and Morty got abs, Beth learned the trumpet, Summer worked on her Spanish and Jerry wrote letters to his Night self. However, a feud erupted when Rick wouldn't soak the dishes in the day, making them dirtier for Night Summer to clean.
The fiasco culminated with the Night Family taking control of the property, making the home a prison and having robots guard the Smiths and Rick in the day. Night Summer was in charge, making life a living hell until Rick apologized and tried to be cleaner. He wouldn't, though, walking back the emotional progess he made, so the rivalry got violent, with the Night Family becoming the main family after winning the war.
The two versions of the Smiths here homage what happened to the Wilsons in Us. Peele crafted a remarkable horror movie that won over critics and fans, with the Wilsons meeting their evil clones. These beings aggressively rose up from an underground chamber to replace their surface counterparts after the government failed in its plan to control the population via an experiment that bred subservient copies of society.
As the "Tethered" came up, it was a statement on capitalism, poverty and how the government promised change, yet left the poor behind. The finale even had the clones invade the world, which felt like justice for the genetic creations who were cast aside by people that didn't care for their wellbeing. In Rick and Morty, though, the stakes are more personal, with the Night Family rising up to teach Rick how his ego and selfish actions have consequences.
All Rick had to do was be neater in the day, but he refused, ergo why Night Summer led the rebellion. Instead, he wanted control and no one to tell him about rules. Luckily, the Night Family went broke, destroyed the machine and left the Day Family in charge, giving Rick a happier ending than what the Wilsons endured. After all, Us confirmed the mother, Adelaide, was a clone that escaped years ago, leaving fans curious over how they'd fare as America faced an apocalypse. However, in Rick's case, his family won due to their doubles giving up; although, it's unlikely a freed Rick will quell his narcissism moving forward.
Rick and Morty airs Sundays at 11:00 p.m. on Adult Swim.