Rick and Morty’s highest-rated episode on IDMD perfectly settles an old fan debate about what the sci-fi sitcom should be about. One of the most influential shows of its generation, Rick and Morty has had highs and lows throughout its seven-season run. Although the list of best Rick and Morty episodes varies from each person, some entries in the show’s vast amount of stories and adventures are universally praised. Still, there is a debate on whether Rick and Morty should focus on “canon” storylines or standalone adventures.

Some of the funniest, most popular Rick and Morty episodes can be considered standalone stories that can be fully enjoyed on their own and don’t set up anything else. Other essential episodes of Rick and Morty, however, are tied to the show’s overarching story and can be described as “plot-heavy.” Rick and Morty often struggles to find that balance and has even made fun of that debate, but one episode perfectly shows how to do it.

“The Ricklantis Mixup” Is Both A Self-Contained Tale & A Plot-Heavy Story

“The Ricklantis Mixup is Rick” and Morty’s highest-rated episode on IMDB

“The Ricklantis Mixup,” Rick and Morty’s highest-rated episode on IMDB, plays out like a standalone adventure for the most part. Popularly referred to as “Tales of the Citadel,” “The Ricklantis Mixup” shares many similarities with the show’s anthology episodes. It barely spends time with the show’s main Rick and Morty, instead focusing on the rebuilt Citadel of Ricks. “The Ricklantis Mixup” starts with Rick and Morty getting ready to go Atlantis and choosing to ignore what is happening at the Citadel. In a funny fakeout, “The Ricklantis Mixup” had nothing to do with their trip to Atlantis.

Instead, the show revisits the Citadel of Ricks, which first appeared in season 1’s “Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind.” “The Ricklantis Mixup” hilariously explores multiple corners of the new Citadel and introduces dozens of unique versions of Morty and Rick. From Cop Rick to the Mortys from Mortytown, “Tales of the Citadel” created a universe of its own and delivered a fantastic episode. As self-contained as it was, “The Ricklantis Mixup” ended with a massive twist by revealing Evil Morty had secretly taken over the Citadel by becoming its first Morty president.

Rick and Morty Is At Its Best When It Combines “Canon” And “Filler”

Rick and Morty doesn’t need to stick with one or the other

The best Rick and Morty seasons are the ones that balance plot-heavy stories and “filler” episodes. Although it can be argued that Rick and Morty’s funniest episodes were standalone adventures – or “classic Rick and Morty adventures” – the show has also delivered great plot-heavy episodes. Evil Morty may have been overused and become bigger than he needed to be, but the episodes centered on him were mostly great. Likewise, Rick’s quest to find out who killed his family also led to some of the series’ best episodes of recent years.

Rick and Morty season 7, the first to be released after the show’s titular characters were recast, was a step in the right direction. It’s difficult to imagine Rick and Morty will ever replicate the tone of season 1, but it does not have to. The days of Rick and Morty’s classic adventures may be behind them, but there is always potential for episodes like “The Ricklantis Mixup” to play with the show’s formula and deliver something special regardless if they are “canon” or “filler.”

Stream on Max