TV Show of the Week: Rick and Morty – The Ricks Must Be Crazy

About 90% of everyone I know were pestering me to watch Rick and Morty. I knew it was a hugely popular show, about science, parallel universe hopping, and I am a massive nerd a heart and so I wasn’t worried about the show not resonating with me in any way. However, it still took a while before I got round to watching it, and when I did, I binged watched every episode. From the first episode right to the end of season 2, I was hooked. It was original, it was silly, it was smart and clever, and I’ve watched every episode twice.

With each episode being so different from the previous, it was hard to pick a favourite, and it still is. The first episode was my favourite until I watched the second, and that was my favourite only up to when I watched the third and that pattern continued throughout both seasons. It’s the only show in my long list of shows I’ve watched that I can say with complete confidence, every single episode is incredible. Not a single one missed any marks. Nevertheless, upon my second round of binge watching the show, there was one episode that stood out from the rest, The Ricks Must Be Crazy – a reference to the movie, The Gods Must Be Crazy. This episode sees Rick and Morty venture into their car battery where Rick has created an entire universe solely for the purpose of running his car. They have to enter because the battery is working and they discover the answer when the world Rick created was developing its own power supply/universe, which they also venture into, and discover that it, too, is also developing its own power supply/universe. This isn’t a review of the episode I just want to say why this episode is awesome.

When the truth is finally revealed, Rick and Zeep Zanflorp battle it out with the intent to get back to their own universe and destroy the other. Rick eventually overpowers Zeep and they return Rick and Morty escape the universe inside the battery. Rick doesn’t need to destroy the universe, however, because Zeep prevents that by making sure his world returns to the method of making energy they had before. At its core, this episode has a deep philosophical meaning and explores some hard questions, along with plenty of jokes and a sub-plot involving Rick’s ship keeping Summer safe despite her constant restrictions, and with one of the best lines I’ve ever heard, this episode will always be the episode I will always show to those who are new to the series.

But the main reason why this episode stood out over the rest is because of a single line spoken to Rick when yelling at Zeep across a canyon whilst they’re both trying to figure a way out of the universe after its creator destroyed himself upon realising the truth.

“And it certainly can’t be someone WHOSE ENTIRE CULTURE POWERS MY BREAKLIGHTS!”

There is so much depth to that one line and all of it hit at once upon hearing it for the first time. It’s funny, and one incredibly unique burn that would undoubtedly force anyone who’s in that situation question so many things – whilst sparking a heck of a lot of motivation to best their opponent. In any other context, it doesn’t make any sense, but it’s meaning can be placed pretty much everywhere if you use it correctly.

Thanks for reading
Antony Hudson
(TonyHadNouns)