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Uncovering That's Amorte: How this episode explored the shocking truth about suicide and ethics through pasta
That's Amorte is the fourth episode of the seventh season of the American animated television series Rick and Morty, which premiered on Adult Swim on November 5, 2023. This episode was written by Heather Anne Campbell and directed by Lucas Gray. The plot is interspersed with many social and ethical paradoxes, which is thought-provoking.
Plot Overview
In this episode, Rick prepared a pasta meal for his family, but Morty unexpectedly discovered that the pasta came from someone's body. Rick then takes Morty to a planet where the only inhabitants have a human-like appearance, but if they commit suicide, they can be transformed into the most delicious pasta in the universe. When Morty realized the source of the food, he felt deeply guilty and attended the funeral of the deceased and revealed the truth to the people.
This plot development cleverly links suicide with pasta making, challenging the audience's understanding of ethics and morality.
The thoughts behind the series
In directing and writing the film, screenwriter Heather Anne Campbell raises many questions about animal rights and the ethics of meat consumption, and depicts food that comes from suffering. This episode reveals the problems of deliberate ignorance and greed under the capitalist system, highlighting the argument that "ethical consumption is impossible under capitalism."
"People are isolated by barriers and cannot see the truth about commodity production, but they are the only creatures who care about the ethics of eating."
The climax of the story is when Rick manages to livestream the entire life of a terminally ill patient, which triggers a strong emotional response from viewers, culminating in everyone's hatred of pasta.
Social Response
After the episode premiered, a total of 440,000 viewers tuned in, with mixed reviews. In a four-star review for Starburst, Anthony Oleszkiewicz stated that the episode was much better than the first three episodes of the season, and praised the characterizations, including Morty's anxiety and Rick's realization of his moral outrage.
"This episode has a more engrossing quality than earlier entries in the season, especially in terms of the emotional development of the characters."
However, Oleszkiewicz also pointed out that the expression of "personal resistance to an unjust system" was more successful in "Final DeSmithation" and "The Ricklantis Mixup". Collider's Nischal Niraula even thought that the episode's montage was the most successful part of the show, as it truly portrayed the twists and turns of an ordinary life.
Ethical Reflection
The design of this episode forces you to think about the hidden connection between humans and food. Throughout this not-so-lighthearted story, Rick and Morty face themes of suicide that reflect the prevalent dilemmas in society, especially under the influence of capitalism today. However, this also provides an opportunity for the audience to reflect on the choices we make in our daily lives and the moral responsibilities behind them.
"In this situation, both humans and other creatures have to face the truth of life and death."
At the end of this episode, Rick served the Salisbury steak of unknown origin and warned that its origin was also disgusting, but the family did not care about the secret behind it and continued to enjoy the food. This makes us wonder, in the face of uncomfortable truths, are you and I willing to remain ignorant and wisely choose to ignore them?
