Rick & Morty has always been known for pushing boundaries and testing its audience's patience. And this week's episode, which I'll get to in a moment, feels like the show's creators are trying to see just how far they can go. The result is an episode that is both fascinating and frustrating, with moments of brilliance that are marred by questionable storytelling.

It's not that this episode, 'Rickdependence Spray,' is completely without merit. At times, Rick & Morty's confidence in its ability to tell stories is to its credit, as seen in episodes like 'The Ricklantis Mixup,' which showcased the show's willingness to take risks and challenge its audience. But here, it feels like the show has abandoned its usually clever storytelling for something more absurd.

Take, for example, the plot device of horse semen. Yes, you read that right - horse semen is a crucial element in this episode, used to justify an outlandish narrative about humanity being at war with underground horses. And if you're thinking, 'Wait, didn't they set up this storyline somewhere else?' the answer is no, they did not.

Rick's decision to steal the barrel from the machine, assuming it's horse semen, and Morty's subsequent actions are just as baffling. It feels like the show has given up trying to make sense and instead opted for sheer absurdity.

If the first two episodes of season 5 were an attempt to address the criticisms of season four, then 'Rickdependence Spray' is a middle finger to those efforts. And what's worse is that it feels deliberate - as if the creators are trying to prove that they can get away with anything, no matter how ridiculous.

This episode is not without its fans, and I'm sure some viewers will find it hilarious and entertaining. But for this writer, it's a disappointing misstep in an otherwise excellent series. And it's not the first time Rick & Morty has abandoned good taste - remember 'Claw & Order,' where dragons had weird orgies together? Yeah, that episode was just as cringeworthy.

So while I won't say that the writers got lazy or phoned it in (although some might argue otherwise), I will say that this episode feels like a misstep. Rick & Morty is allowed to have bad episodes - after all, television shows are not perfect, and even great ones have off days. But when an episode feels as deliberate and absurd as 'Rickdependence Spray,' it's hard not to feel disappointed.

Watch rick and morty season 5 episode 4