The animated series Rick and Morty has carved a unique niche in the realm of adult animation thanks to clever gags like “sis semper calumniam.” The show revolves around the misadventures of main characters Rick and Morty, an eccentric and alcoholic genius and his good-hearted but fretful grandson, respectively Set in an infinite multiverse, the series blends science fiction with dark humor, exploring various themes through its interdimensional escapades. The show’s brilliance is amplified by its clever writing, complex characters, and philosophical undertones, making it a standout in its genre.
Beyond its sci-fi trappings, Rick and Morty is celebrated for its intelligent and often subversive humor. The show’s clever jokes range from witty one-liners to elaborate sci-fi concepts that satirize both popular culture and human behavior. These jokes often require a keen understanding of science, philosophy, and sometimes, an awareness of the show’s own internal lore. This blend of highbrow and lowbrow humor, coupled with its meta-commentary, has garnered Rick and Morty a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim, establishing it as a cultural phenomenon in the world of animated series.
Rick & Morty Season 8: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
The raunchy adventures in time and space continue as Rick and Morty has been green-lit for a landmark 8th season, and updates are already pouring in.
Sis Semper Calumniam
A Clever Twist On A Latin Phrase
Featured in the Easter egg-filled “Total Rickall,” the joke “sis semper calumniam” brilliantly showcases Rick and Morty’s unique blend of humor and intelligence. In the episode, the family is infested with alien parasites that implant false memories. When Summer remembers fighting off a Nazi in a WWII flashback, Rick quips, “Sis semper calumniam,” a Latin phrase that translates to “thus always to liars.“ This joke cleverly references the Latin phrase “sic semper tyrannis,” often associated with the assassination of tyrants. The twist on the phrase highlights Rick’s cynicism and knowledge while subtly commenting on the nature of memory and truth.
Schrödinger’s Cats
A Reference To A Quantum Mechanics Thought Experiment
In “A Rickle in Time,” Rick and Morty introduces a brilliantly complex joke with “Schrödinger’s Cats,” a clever reference to the famous quantum mechanics thought experiment, Schrödinger’s Cat. The episode intricately plays with the concept of quantum uncertainty, where Rick, Morty, and Summer’s inability to make decisive choices leads to a literal splitting of their reality into multiple, overlapping timelines. This scenario perfectly embodies the essence of Erwin Schrödinger’s theoretical experiment, which posits that a cat in a sealed box could be simultaneously alive and dead until observed.
Here, the show transforms this abstract scientific concept into a tangible, chaotic, and humorously distressing situation for the characters. As they navigate through the entangled realities, the show not only visually represents the complexity of quantum superposition but also uses it as a metaphor for the paralysis that can come from indecision. This joke is a prime example of how Rick and Morty seamlessly blends high-level scientific concepts with its narrative, making sophisticated ideas both accessible and entertaining to its audience.
Get Schwifty
A Commentary On Glorifying Meritless Pop Culture
“Get Schwifty,” a standout joke from the eponymous episode, is a masterful blend of absurd humor and cultural satire, encapsulating the essence of Rick and Morty’s unique comedic style. In the episode, Earth is threatened by colossal alien heads demanding a hit song, prompting Rick and Morty to compose the ludicrously simplistic yet catchy tune “Get Schwifty.” This scenario satirizes the often irrational and excessive adulation of pop culture phenomena, drawing a parallel with religious zealotry in a way that’s both humorous and thought-provoking.
The song, with its nonsensical lyrics and hasty composition, mocks how easily content can become revered without substantial merit, reflecting on the arbitrary nature of what becomes popular or culturally significant. Furthermore, the episode cleverly uses this absurd situation to explore themes of desperation, faith, and the human tendency to seek meaning in chaos. As various characters react to the “Get Schwifty” phenomenon in different ways — some see it as a sign of divine intervention, others as a chance for personal gain — the show delves into a deeper commentary on how society can unreasonably elevate and interpret art and events.
Mr. Meeseeks’ Existentialism
A Darkly Comic Exploration Of Unnatainable Goals
Introduced in “Meeseeks and Destroy,” Mr. Meeseeks serve as a darkly humorous exploration of existential themes in Rick and Morty. Mr. Meeseeks are blue, humanoid creatures summoned by a special box to fulfill a specific task, after which they cease to exist. Their entire existence is defined by this singular purpose, but when faced with a task they cannot complete, as seen with Jerry’s request to improve his golf game, they spiral into existential despair. This plotline humorously yet poignantly illustrates the philosophical quandary of purpose and existence.
The longer the Mr. Meeseeks exist without fulfilling their purpose, the more they suffer, descending into madness and violence, which mirrors the human struggle with existential questions and the search for meaning in life. Their predicament is a clever allegory for the human condition: the pursuit of purpose, the frustration and despair of unattainable goals, and the existential angst arising from prolonged purposelessness. Rick and Morty utilizes Mr. Meeseeks as a vehicle to delve into these deep existential concepts.
The Purge Planet
A Hilarious Critique On The Concept Of Suppressed Aggression
“Look Who’s Purging Now” is a sharp, satirical take on the darker aspects of human nature and societal constructs. The episode takes Rick and Morty to a seemingly idyllic planet that adheres to an annual night of lawlessness and violence, mirroring The Purge movie series. This setup serves as a clever vehicle for the show to explore and critique the concept of suppressed aggression. The planet’s inhabitants are polite and peaceful, but this facade quickly dissolves into brutal violence during the Purge, highlighting the idea that given the right circumstances, civilized societies can revert to primal, violent instincts.
This stark contrast raises questions about the nature of morality, societal norms, and whether peace and civility are just superficial constructs. Additionally, the episode cleverly integrates Rick and Morty’s dynamic, with Morty grappling with his own morality and violent tendencies when pushed to his limits. The Purge Planet is more than just a backdrop for the episode’s plot; it’s a mirror reflecting some of the darker, often ignored aspects of human psychology and society, making it a standout example of how Rick and Morty uses outrageous sci-fi concepts to comment on real-world issues.
Plumbus: How It’s Made
A Satirical Take On Incomprehensible Manufacturing Processes & Consumerism
The “Plumbus: How It’s Made” segment in “Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate” is a brilliant parody of industrial process documentaries, showcasing the show’s unique brand of absurd humor. Viewers are taken through the nonsensical and bizarre process of manufacturing a Plumbus, an everyday household item in the show’s universe. The joke lies in the overly complex and seemingly random manufacturing process, poking fun at the convoluted and often incomprehensible industrial procedures behind common products.
The segment also subtly satirizes the public’s disconnection from the manufacturing processes and blind consumerism. Most people don’t question how everyday items are made, and the Plumbus segment exaggerates this ignorance to a humorous extreme. The ridiculous ingredients and inexplicable steps in creating a Plumbus, narrated in a serious, documentary-style tone, add to the humor, highlighting the absurdity of both the item and its production. This segment blends satire, absurdity, and social commentary, all while entertaining the audience with something as mundane yet mysteriously complex as the creation of a fictional household object.
Microverse Battery
A Humorous Look At Reliance On Energy Sources And Ethical Dilemmas That Come With Them
“The Ricks Must Be Crazy” ingeniously weaves together elements of science fiction and ethical satire. Rick reveals that his spaceship’s battery is powered by a microverse — a miniature universe whose inhabitants unknowingly generate power through their physical labor. This concept is a clever play on the idea of renewable energy sources, but with a dark twist that delves into the ethics of exploitation and the manipulation of lesser-developed societies. The inhabitants of the microverse are shown to live their lives normally, unaware that their entire existence serves the purpose of powering an external device.
The episode escalates this concept further by revealing nested universes within universes, each exploiting a smaller one for energy, leading to a complex chain of exploitation. This narrative serves as a satirical commentary on our own world’s reliance on energy sources, often at the expense of less powerful groups or countries, and the ethical dilemmas that arise from such dependencies. Additionally, it touches upon the concept of creator and creation, as the microverse inhabitants confront the reality of their existence. The episode blends high-concept science fiction with thought-provoking satire, challenging viewers to consider the broader implications of their everyday conveniences.
The Council Of Ricks
A Parody & Celebration Of The Parallel Universe Trope
The concept of The Council of Ricks, particularly highlighted in the episode “The Rickshank Rickdemption,” is a brilliant narrative device that simultaneously parodies and celebrates the science fiction trope of parallel universes. The Council, composed of various versions of Rick Sanchez from different realities, showcases the show’s ingenuity in exploring the theme of identity and individuality within an infinite multiverse. This idea humorously upends the usual portrayal of parallel universes by presenting a scenario where countless iterations of the same person can coexist, yet still form a bureaucratic and somewhat mundane governing body.
This juxtaposition serves as a satirical commentary on the absurdity of bureaucracy, as even the most intelligent beings across multiple universes are not immune to the trappings of red tape and political intrigue. The Council of Ricks is also a clever exploration of the concept of self, as each Rick, despite being essentially the same person, exhibits distinct personalities and motivations. This not only adds depth to the show’s universe but also invites viewers to ponder the nature of identity and the impact of environment and experiences in shaping a person.
8 Burning Questions Rick And Morty Season 8 Must Answer
Rick and Morty is a show that raises just as many questions as it answers, and with season 8, the show continues to have a lot to unpack.
The Parasite Flashbacks
A Clever Parody Of Using Flashbacks In Storytelling
The parasite flashbacks in the sis semper calumniam episode “Total Rickall” serve as a brilliant narrative and comedic device, while also offering incisive commentary on memory and reality. In the episode, the Smith family is invaded by memory parasites that embed themselves into the family’s past, creating false, often ludicrous memories with a multitude of bizarre characters, the most notable of which is Mr. Poopybutthole’s first appearance. These flashbacks are not just random gags; they cleverly parody the narrative technique of using flashbacks in storytelling, typically employed to develop characters or advance the plot.
In Rick and Morty, however, these invented memories serve the opposite purpose, leading to confusion and mistrust among the characters. The absurdity and randomness of the memories highlight the malleable nature of our perceptions and memories, and how easily they can be manipulated or distorted. The episode combines humor, science fiction, and psychological drama to explore the fragility and complexity of the human mind, making the parasite flashbacks a standout example of the show’s ability to turn a comedic premise into a profound exploration of deeper themes.
The Galactic Federation’s Economy
An Innovative Look At Modern Economics & The Value Of Currency
The collapse of the Galactic Federation’s economy in “The Rickshank Rickdemption” is a cleverly crafted joke that offers a sharp critique of economic systems and the concept of monetary value. In the episode, Rick’s manipulation of the Galactic Federation’s currency to render it valueless leads to an instant and total economic collapse, showcasing the inherent fragility and arbitrary nature of financial systems. This scenario is a satirical commentary on how modern economies are built on collective belief and agreement in the value of currency, and how quickly they can unravel when that belief is undermined.
The swift and dramatic collapse of an entire galactic economy due to a single act also serves as a critique of the centralization of power and the dangers of over-reliance on a singular economic structure. By using the outlandish setting of a sci-fi universe, Rick and Morty can exaggerate these concepts to a humorous extreme, while still resonating with real-world issues like economic bubbles, market crashes, and the often speculative nature of financial markets.
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Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is an adventure/Sci-Fi animated series that follows the intergalactic, inter-dimensional adventures of super-genius Rick Sanchez and his less-than-average grandson Morty Smith. Rick’s daughter, Beth, his granddaughter, Summer, and his hated stepson, Jerry, also take center stage more often than not. Hailing from creators Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the series blends comedy with science fiction as a way of exploring a wide variety of themes aimed at an adult audience.
- Release Date
- December 2, 2013
- Cast
- Spencer Grammer , Kari Wahlgren , Chris Parnell , Sarah Chalke , Ian Cardoni , Harry Belden
- Seasons
- 7
