Review: Rick and Morty ‘Auto Erotic Assimilation’

 

Overview (Spoilers Below):

So far in the sophomore season, Rick and Morty hasn’t been its old self. It had a stellar first season of perfection or near perfection on a weekly basis last year, but is in desperate need of getting its groove back in 2015. Nothing too bad; just not at the same high level.

In my opinion, the best episode of last year was the second installment, “Lawnmower Dog.” I wasn’t the reviewer of episodes the first time around – props to my man John Blabber – but that would have been a 10 in my book. (Full disclosure, so would “Anatomy Park” and “Meeseeks and Destroy” – and that’s to say nothing of the numerous 9.5s and 9s.) The writer of that gem was Ryan Ridley. And who, might you ask, wrote last night’s episode? That’s right, Mr. Ridley himself, making his season debut. Let’s see what he came up with.

While traveling through space, Rick, Morty, and Summer answered a distress beacon and – looking for loot – encountered a ship experiencing an alien infiltration, where evil doppelgangers murder their mates by vomiting green goo into the mouths of others. They also encountered Rick’s ex, Unity (Christina Hendricks.)

Unity created a planet with a populace made up of different assimilations of herself, which turned out to be the bodies of folks previously on the urge of death or despair – and revealed that she intends to do the same with the rest of the universe. Their Unity personalities then started to wear off, and a race war (over types of nipples) ensued, which occurred because Unity was spending too much time with the hard-partying Rick. Deciding to do what is best for her people, she leaves him, and a depressed Rick returned home.

Back at home while the others were away, Beth & Jerry discovered a hatch in the garage and a (“faceless gargler”) creature residing within. Finding it chained up, they got into a debate about the ethics of the situation and Rick’s motives, with it eventually breaking free. The alien then informed the couple that they were both right (it was chained up for being a murderer, who also had “space AIDS” that Rick was trying to cure, but only for monetary gain) and he was now leaving the planet due to his disgust over Beth & Jerry’s relationship – pointing out that they hate both themselves and each other.

In Case You Missed It:

1) Rick’s first rule of space travel: “Always check out distress beacons. Nine out of ten times it’s a ship-full of dead aliens and a bunch of FREE SHIT!”

2) Jerry’s street talk is back: “He’s playing you, shorty.

3) To make love, Rick needed a hang-glider, a crotch-less Uncle Sam costume, the entire field of the largest stadium covered with naked redheads, and stands packed with everyone that remotely resembles his father. (“Go, son, go!”)

4) I want the “Balloon, Summer? Balloon, Morty?” guy.

5) Cost of electricity bill (including Rick’s underground lair): $6000.

6) Proof the townspeople were evacuated: “Hey! We’re here! We’re fine!”

7) BREAKING NEWS: “Are you a concerned grandchild, or a just a buzzkill?”

8) The show that Rick had Unity create (which at one point was canceled and then put back on the air) was an alien version of Dan Harmon’s Community.

9) Unity used the plural when she said she couldn’t talk to Rick “in persons.”

I had high hopes for Ryan Ridley, and the man didn’t disappoint. Despite failing to have Rick’s name in the title, “Auto Erotic Assimilation” was the best-written episode of the season thus far. In addition to the plethora of quotable lines above, there were some fantastic sight gags, side jokes, and non-sequiturs too (like Blim Blam and the garage door) that made it even funnier. I’m pretty sure the abundance of redhead jokes were aimed at guest voice Christina Hendricks, so those were some humorous little fourth-wall-breakers too. Overall, it was definitely as funny or funnier than some episodes of the freshman season, although probably not a top pick overall in this category.

However, it also had a very creative and detailed storyline involving a weird “perfect” world and an ex-lover of Rick, and it was constantly twisting and changing. I’m a bit of a sucker for dystopia stories in general, so this was right up my alley.

The Beth & Jerry B-story was amusing as well. It started off as a classic debate about the practicality of Rick living with them, before transitioning into the couple awkwardly confronting one of Rick’s oddities (an alien prisoner, in this case) and in the end they both learned something about themselves and their relationship.

For complaints, I must point out that the sad Rick at the end and the suicide attempt was a bit heavy. Really, what the H is with that S? My lady totally flipped out over this scene, exclaiming that it’s not the Rick and Morty she loves, but I can at least appreciate the attempt at sentimentality, even though I wasn’t particularly fond of it either. The best cartoon ever, The Simpsons, would pull this from time to time, but this is a different show, and I like it for different reasons – which I’m sure my chick would agree with. Although, they had that little extra bit with Rick trying to see Unity again (and Morty chiding him for not being at the movies, as Rick apparently promised) so that helped.

I feel like this was a vindicating episode for Rick and Morty. I was worried about a sophomore slump with the series, but some excellent writing and an all-around quality episode has quelled those fears. Despite appearing on paper as only a tick higher than this year’s premiere (partially due to the downer bit near the end), make no mistake: Rick and Morty has shown that it’s still on solid footing, and die-hard fans have good things ahead to look forward to.

Don’t even trip, dog.