Review: Rick and Morty “The Vat of Acid Episode”

Overview:

A terrible idea involving a fake vat of acid causes friction between Rick and his favourite grandson, Morty. Disgruntled that Rick never listens to his ideas, Morty challenges Rick to create one of his own ideas, a save device for real life that works like a video game.

With the device in hand, Morty is able to fulfill his every wish without consequence.  He finds new purpose as he can take on any risk he wishes. Morty even finds true love, which is inevitably washed out by his own incompetence and a heavy assist from Jerry.

Ultimately, Morty reaches a point where his actions catch up with him when Rick reveals the true powers of the device.  The only hope left for Morty is admitting that the vat of acid is a brilliant idea and his grandfather is as amazing as ever.

Our Take:

Morty must have filled his punch card because it is a Morty adventure if we have ever seen one.  Though he technically cashed in by talking shit about his grandfather, the show holds onto its promise of offering a Morty-centric episode at least once a season.  And, good for them for making this one to remember.  The emphasis of this episode is comparable to Cartman’s revenge in “Scott Tenorman Must Die”.

Before you can knock them down, you must build them up.  Rick is an evil genius for the set-up on this one.  Rick gifts Morty immortality in the form of a save button, but more so, gives him false self-confidence.

It is Morty as you have never seen.  Not afraid to take risks.  Making moves like he would never expect of himself.  Morty even lays the mack down on an amazing woman that we will never know the name of.  Morty is happy, confident, and competent as he shows when he saves his newfound love and his own life.  The entire vignette of Morty living with a save button is a masterpiece unto itself.

Of course, Rick’s vindictiveness is something that should never be tampered with.  Sure, even he can have a dumb idea once in a while, just don’t tell him that.  Rick has no end.  He doesn’t want to just get back at Morty.  No, he wants to make his grandson feel shame, disappointment in himself, and never question himself as more than a lackey.  And he will do it every damn time.

There is another thing about Rick that is much more of a commentary from the writers to the audience. Rick often plays the meta voice that speaks to us.  In this particular episode, he is questioned on whether or not he is losing his touch or lacking the same imagination he had in earlier seasons.  And the answer is an undeniable no.  This series, much like Rick, continues to push itself forward, never resting on its laurels, and always asking how it can push the boundaries of what is possible.

This episode has so much depth and flavour that it will be standing out to fans when the years go by. There is no glitz and glamour like an anthology episode.  And that is the beauty of it.  It is an average unsuspecting story with enough vicious twistiness to make it memorable. It could have been bigger and flashier to match other episodes.  But that was not necessary to tell this story.  If you are paying attention the payoff is one of the best-written episodes yet.