Review: Rick and Morty “Never Ricking Morty”

Overview:

Rick and Morty are stuck on a “story train” full of vignettes and non-canonical stories. As things become convoluted and brain-busting, our heroes must find a way out of the never-ending loop, while managing to remember that they are on a train. But, even the train itself is another piece to this incredibly meta puzzle.

Our Take:

Here we are at the back end of Rick and Morty season four. Or episodes 6 through 10 of the seventy episode contract Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland signed some time back. And, with the way the world has been through 2020 thus far, some new Rick and Morty is a welcome sight. Fans will now enjoy five brand new shiny episodes through the month of May. 

And what better way to kick things off than with a vignette episode.

Fans have made it loud and clear that their favourite episodes involve Interdimensional Cable. Well, to return to the same trope would be far too lazy for Harmon and Roiland. Instead, they offer us this platter of vignettes each connecting to a larger plot that goes deeper and more profound than you could expect. Though this episode does follow the tradition of anthology episodes stepping up the game of what the show can be. “Never Ricking Morty” is in itself an elaborate puzzle to be dissected while offering all sorts of commentary about society.

There are a plethora of topics that were touched on through the episode. Nothing is safe, including the bible, consumerism, and the Bechdel test.  The latter offering an example of a Bechdel pass with Summer and Beth conversing about whatever Morty thinks that women discuss. While the bible saves the day by being so dull and trope that it destroys the very fabric of what makes Rick and Morty interesting.

Fans can also be excited by the multiple cameos of returning characters. Birdperson shows up for one of the most unique musical numbers we may ever see in this show. While figures like Snowball, Evil Morty, and Mr. Meeseeks show up for some epic battle scenes. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if superfans are picking out cameos in crowded scenes for the next few months. The first watch of this episode has enough to keep you occupied.

Seriously, this episode is so cram-packed it is hard to keep it all together. From the jump to the conclusion, you never expect the next turn.  When the friendly Tickets Please Guy ends up becoming a worshipped god within a few minutes, you know there is a lot to unpack.

These are just the episodes to keep us fans excited and ready for more. You know that these writers have plenty of material for years to come when there are dozens of vignettes thrown away in one episode, each carrying a great story unto themselves. This is one of those Rick and Morty episodes that you’re going to want to watch multiple times to soak all of it in. Meanwhile, most of the footage we have seen from the previews of the last five episodes were included in this episode. So, we are going into the next four episodes ready for anything.