It’s the Wubba lubba dub dub! time of the year again — Rick and Morty Season 6 is finally streaming on Netflix. With an unpredictably meta episode to kick off the season, we couldn’t help but look back upon some of the past episodes, characterised by craziest plotlines and adventures the science-obsessed grandpa and grandson have taken us on in the past five seasons!
Rickmurai Jack (Season 5, Episode 10)
A still from the Rickmurai Jack. Twitter.
The Season 5 finale perfectly blends the show’s tendency to subvert popular movie tropes with its own larger narrative. We get an anime-themed look into Rick’s past, juxtaposed with a major reveal about Evil Morty’s motivations after five seasons of suspense. His plans for the Citadel of Ricks eventually come to a spectacularly tragic conclusion. The episode not only shows us why Rick is a deeply distrubed man, but also reinforces that Morty will always side with Rick, no matter how messed up his grandfather happens to be. We don’t know if it is healthy, but it sure is emotional.
The Old Man And The Seat (Season 4, Episode 2)
A still from The Old Man And The Seat. Twitter
As much as we love the duo’s adventures, there is more room to explore the characters when they are separated. The arc where Rick goes on a hunt to find who is using his secret toilet is layered with potty humour, exhibiting his pathological need for control and his subconscious sense of isolation. Beyond the bathroom gags, the quest itself keeps you on the edge. The best part is the gut-wrenching end where Rick wallows in his own actions as he finally sits atop the very commode he wanted for himself, creating one of the most poignant moments of the show.
Pickle Rick (Season 3, Episode 3)
A still from Pickle Rick. Twitter
In this one of the most loved episodes in Rick and Morty, Rick turning himself into a pickle is surprisingly vanilla in comparison with some of the more absurd storylines of the show. What makes it so memorable is the subtext of Rick using science to escape from communicating with his family, the easy demeanour with which he gives himself powers, his sleek John Wick-esq battle with Jaguar and the rich situational comedy.
Star Mort (Season 4, Episode 10)
A still from Star Mort. Twitter
The best thing about the show is how it brings back a seemingly inconsequential reference from its past, making us question what is real and what isn’t. Season 4 brings the news that Rick did end up cloning Beth, with one version travelling across space and defeating monsters, while the other cared for Morty and Summer. Besides the ingenious execution where both Beths don’t know who is real, the show uses it as a smart way to show Rick’s failure as a father and his inability to see the bigger picture.
Total Rickall (Season 2, Episode 4)
A still from Total Rickall. Twitter.
Inspired by the film Total Recall, this episode shows the Smith family welcoming a bunch of wacky new characters who claim to possess collective memories with them, with hilarious flashbacks to back them up. As the episode progresses, we see more and more imposters spring up till the Smith household is full of them. Their final tussle leads to an elaborate shootout, where the appropriately named Mr Poopybutthole is shot, revealing that he was the only non-imposter all along.
The Ricks Must Be Crazy (Season 2, Episode 6)
A still from The Ricks Must Be Crazy. Twitter.
We get to see the height of Rick’s tyrannical god complex when he creates an entire civilisation with the sole purpose of generating electricity for his ship. He even had the gall to tell those people that showing the middle finger is a gesture for “peace among worlds”! If this wasn’t crazy enough, Rick meets his first proper match in Zeep, who creates a similar civilisation with self-centred motivations. The caricaturist battle between Rick and Zeep brings forth more pertinent questions about whether anything matters at all.
