Must-See New Series for Rick and Morty Fans: 100% Fresh on Max!

by

Summary

  • “Common Side Effects” is a slower burn than “Rick and Morty,” focusing on Earth-bound narratives and philosophical themes.
  • The show follows a hippie who discovers a miracle cure, facing off against pharmaceutical big wigs and DEA operatives.
  • Co-created by Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely, the show blends violence and comedy, offering a unique take on moral dilemmas akin to Coen Brothers films.

Similar to how Max’s Primary Adverse Reactions started as a modestly-sized show on Adult Swim, Rick and Morty initially began as an unassuming program. Despite this, it quickly escalated into a massive success following only a few episodes, yet its early days were no less humble than any other vibrant, psychedelic cartoon traversing various dimensions. Primary Adverse Reactions, in its inaugural season, is receiving rave reviews, much like Rick and Morty, as it currently boasts a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Common Side Effects, created by Mike Judge, presents a more subdued humor compared to the fast-paced, joke-filled style of Rick and Morty by Dan Harmon. While the former focuses on a multi-season narrative and Earth-based antics, the latter delves into rapid jokes and outlandish intergalactic pranks. Despite their contrasting approaches, both Adult Swim productions share similarities in being consistently funny and exploring complex philosophical ideas through absurd scenarios.

Less Burps, More Perps

Season one of ‘Rick and Morty’ had a raw, unpolished feel, with Rick frequently burping and not yet portrayed as a deity. Rick was an eccentric, intelligent uncle who was clumsily animated in comedic tales about marriage, grief, and family dynamics. This down-to-earth take on ‘Rick and Morty’ is where viewers will notice the most similarities to ‘Common Side Effects’. The producers Mike Judge and Greg Daniels (known for ‘The Office’) excel at portraying workplace tedium, a theme that runs throughout ‘Common Side Effects’, even in its most surreal moments.

The series titled Common Side Effects centers around Marshall Cuso, a brilliant but unconventional hippie character voiced by Dave King, who initially seems unlike Adam Scott from Severance. Marshall stumbles upon a remarkable blue mushroom in a remote mountain forest, which surprisingly cures almost every physical illness. Recognizing the potential exploitation by pharmaceutical corporations, he decides to keep his discovery secret. This clandestine act sets off a chain of events involving pharmaceutical executives and DEA agents, each progressively less competent, who persistently track down Cuso’s whereabouts in their pursuit of the miraculous drug.

In simpler terms, Cuso’s mushroom is like the most amazing discovery in nature, much like Rick’s portal fluid. Unlike Rick who uses his portal gun to escape dangerous situations, such as a plane crash, Cuso resorts to more drastic measures. In the first episode of the series, Cuso’s plane is shot down by pharmaceutical goons. To survive, he eats a mushroom, but only after enduring the terrifying ordeal of a plane crash. Similar to Rick’s portal gun, Cuso’s miracle drugs serve as a solution to many problems in the show, yet they also create their own set of difficulties.

In “Common Side Effects,” while Rick is persistently hunted by agents from outer space due to his portal gun invention, Cuso encounters pursuers that include federal officers and shadowy individuals with cold gazes and peculiar tattoos. It’s worth noting that many of the show’s characters share an empty or unfeeling demeanor. However, among these characters, Marshall Cuso stands out as one whose facial expressions range beyond just threatening or indifferent ones, reflecting his broader perspective compared to those who are hunting him.

A-Team Writers, B-Team DEA

The Storyline “Common Side Effects” is jointly developed by accomplished storytellers Joseph Bennett (Scavenger’s Reign) and Steve Hely (30 Rock). They weave a narrative around an altruistic hippie who aims to distribute a wondrous drug freely, highlighting potential threats that might emerge to hinder him in a playful manner reminiscent of the Coen Brothers. The sinister figures representing pharmaceutical corporations and government collaborators are portrayed as menacing as they likely would be in actuality. These corporate entities focus solely on the financial gains they could reap from sick individuals, rather than their wellbeing, and the federal agents display unyielding determination, similar to the real-life IRS.

In a similar vein to the Coen Brothers’ work, the series intertwines elements of violence and humor as it unfolds an intense, high-stakes narrative, while also showcasing unsavory motives. The comedic relief comes from the duo of DEA agents, Copano and Harrington, portrayed by Joseph Lee Anderson (from ‘Young Rock’) and Martha Kelly (‘Baskets’). These characters are so inept that they struggle to understand their mission for several episodes, let alone execute it. They seem more engrossed in the music playing on the radio than the suspect they’re supposed to be pursuing. It’s likely that even when they grasp the magnitude of their case, they’ll continue prioritizing trivial matters like deciding who should buy the coffee.

An Uncommon Television Show

Common Side Effects isn’t likely to make you queasy every 30 seconds or transport you to distant galaxies, but it will display striking visuals at least once per episode and delves significantly — extremely deeply. Fans of Rick and Morty, particularly those who enjoyed the first two seasons, are bound to find much to appreciate about Common Side Effects. Critics concur on its excellence, and the journey is a psychedelic, espionage-centric romp through ethical quandaries and profound introspections, reminiscent of Rick and Morty.

New episodes of Common Side Effects stream weekly on Adult Swim on Max.

Read More

2025-02-20 18:55