Rick and Morty’s Greatest Episodes

Showrunner Dan Harmon recently suggested that they were “targeting around the end of this year” for the release of the much anticipated third season of Rick and Morty. Several news stories have even gone a step further and suggested that December 2^nd will be its exact air date. While nothing is as yet fully confirmed, this will be music to the ears of the show’s fans as they wait patiently for more hilarious, intelligent and downright surreal animated comedy. While we wait to see whether the Smith family return to any form of normality and more crucially whether Rick ever gets out of space prison, here is a look back at the show’s finest episodes to date:

Lawnmower Dog : S1 E2

After the brilliant pilot, it was good to see Rick and Morty take the ball and run with it in its second outing. Rick and Morty set out on a seemingly simple quest to enter the dreams of Morty’s maths teacher in order to ensure he gets better grades. It soon turns into a dangerous fight to the death however as the duo delve Inception-style into the teacher’s subconscious and even get embroiled in a brilliant Nightmare on Elm Street based horror parody. Meanwhile back in reality, Jerry’s request for Rick to make Snuffles the family dog smarter backfires spectacularly and he soon becomes hyper-intelligent and takes over the whole household. A world where dogs rule man is a concept mined for great comedy and the moment where Snuffles enters Summer’s room at night and demands to know where his testicles are is a particular highlight.

Meeseeks and Destroy : S1 E5

A perfect example here of how the show blends strange scientific concepts with genuine character development. The episode splits into two strands; the first sees Morty and Rick undertaking an adventure that is for once lead by Morty as he strives to step out from the sidekick shadows. This being Rick and Morty however, it inevitably descends into chaos rather rapidly. The other storyline sees Jerry, Beth and Summer pestering Rick to help with their mundane problems and receiving an unexpected solution in the form of the Meeseeks Box. This unique device instantly summons a blue creature that disappears once your problem is solved. The trio are warned to keep it simple and while obtaining popularity and becoming a “complete woman” are dealt with easily, Jerry’s desire to improve his golf game becomes a major unsolvable challenge with disastrous results.

Total Rickall : S2 E4

The genius of this episode is to present itself as a lazy clip show, but in reality be something far cleverer. As the family continually set up random flashbacks with their “remember the time that….” musings, an alien parasite that is lodged in their minds produces another random false memory which comes into being. The family are forced to remember some bad times however when it is discovered that the parasites can only thrive on good memories. This revelation ensures that the episode spirals into some fairly dark territory. It’s a clever concept that allows the showrunners to put a twist on the standard clip show formula all while forcing their characters to bond together to get themselves out of a hole. Plus it has the genius of Mr Poppybutthole, who frankly I can’t do full justice to here at all.

These Ricks Must Be Crazy : S2 E6

The concept of microverses is explored in this episode as we get a timely reminder that Rick may be a genius but he’s also not always a very good person. It’s another brilliantly unique premise as Rick and Morty descend into a mini-universe Rick created in order to power his ship’s battery, only to find that within that mini-universe lies a scientist who has himself created another mini-verse for similar purposes. Rick’s inevitable rivalry with this fellow mad scientist (voiced by Stephen Colbert) rapidly escalates and the two engage in an extremely personal battle of wits. Rick does at some points show redeeming qualities, but this episode lets him stay as an utter jerk who will stop at nothing, including destroying entire universe, if it means proving he’s the best.

The Wedding Squanchers : S2 E10

This episode was the perfect way to end season two and a prime example of how the show can combine absolute hilarity with genuine character development. The silly side of the episode is a joy to watch as the entire family fly off to attend Birdperson and Tammy’s wedding on Planet Squanchy. Alien customs are mocked, Squanches are Squanched, and Jerry is a pathetic mess as ever. What gives the episode an extra edge though is when it is revealed that Tammy is in fact a deep cover agent out to arrest Rick for his crimes against the Galactic Federation. Rick and the family barely escape and struggle to find a place to see out the rest of time.

When he overhears his family talking about the mess he’s gotten them into, we see Rick without his brash façade for the first time. We see the self-loathing and depression that he has masked throughout the two series but hinted at all too often. He decides to give himself up in order to ensure his family get home safe, despite knowing they will in a weird way hate him all the more for it. As Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” kicks in, it fits perfectly as the sombre backing track to Rick finding his humanity and finally thinking of others. A brilliant way to end the series.

(Image Credit: AV Club)