There are some shows that defy logic, you know what I mean. The ones that everyone you don’t really like happens to love so you don’t watch it on principal. It’s only when you are forced to watch said show, you find out what all those jerks in your life already knew, that the show you were pretty sure was garbage, is pretty good. Does this mean you’ve found common ground with someone you don’t care for? Sure, but it doesn’t mean you have to like them. Up until a year or so ago that show for me was Rick and Morty. While I have friends who love the show, I had an equal number of jerks who loved it even more. Now that I’ve watched all the episodes (more than once), and with the upcoming season upon us, I think it’s time for those who may not have watched this show to become a little more familiar with the characters and some of the points of the show.

 

First of all, it’s based on Back to the Future. Justin Roiland, Creator of Rick and Morty called “The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti” for an animation festival co-founded my Community creator Dan Harmon. The premise of the short… you know what? You look it up.. I don’t want to get into it, needless to say Harmon enjoyed the short immensely.  When Harmon was ousted from Community he was approached by Adult Swim to create a show, and contacted Roiland, after a few tweaks to the original formula, Rick & Morty started in December of 2013.

Rick & Morty is peppered with references to many pop culture references, though some may be a little vague (Jan Michael Vincent), but does so in a way that is pretty hilarious. There’s an amazing subplot that is a beautiful reference to Jurassic Park of all things. It’s also important to pay attention to things going on in the show, because they may show back up in later episodes, sometimes from other shows such as Gravity Falls.

For someone who like sci-fi more than he probably should, I love the idea that there is an infinite number of parallel universes to explore, ruin, watch cable tv, and in one case take over the identities of that dimensions same characters moments after they die. Yeah, it can get a bit heavy in the “What if?” department, but for this show it is amazing. They even tie some pop culture elements into these what if scenarios (When is the last time you thought of Mr. Belvedere?). There are a surprisingly touching episodes that deal with love, regret, and in one case, the will to live.

 

I guess if you’ve gone this far you might want to know some of the main characters of the show. Fear not loyal reader, I have all the info you need.

Rick Sanchez: Grandfather to Morty and Summer and father to Beth. He’s a mad scientist with a severe drinking problem who left at an uncertain number of years ago, but is now back in his family’s life. Rick drags Morty (and sometimes Summer) along on journeys that span across multiple dimensions thanks to the portal gun he invented. Rick is usually the smartest guy in the room and he damn well knows it. Because of this he feels the need to belittle everyone in his family, usually to manipulate them. He loves his family, except for his son-in-law Jerry, which he usually despises. Rick has on one occasion transferred his essence into a younger clone to help his grandchildren find a vampire who killed various students and faculty at their high school. Rick has very few friends, but he holds them close. Some of his best friends are Birdperson, A talking anthropomorphic cat named Squanchy, and an old family friend named Mister PoopyButthole.

Morty Smith: Rick’s 14-year old, easily freaked out grandson. While naïve, he genuinely tries to help his grandfather to do the right thing, and extremely traumatized at Rick’s questionable actions. Morty is guilty of his own “issues” (He got a sex robot that gave birth to an alien monster author). Watching Morty’s freak outs are a genuine highlight of most episodes.

Summer Smith: A very superficial 17 year old girl who occasionally comes along on adventures with her grandfather and brother. Summer desperately seeks to social climb at her high school, and will take whatever help she can to get it. While she does show genuine concern for her Grandfather Rick, she is hostile to other members of the family.

Beth Smith: Rick’s only child and mother to Morty and Summer. She dreamed of becoming a human surgeon, but a teenage pregnancy had her end up becoming a cardiac surgeon for horses. She welcomes her father into her home, much to the chagrin of her husband Jerry. She idolizes her father to the point that she allows questionable things, such as a subterranean prison under the house, to go on so he will not leave her again. In some episodes she comes off as controlling, but it is a counterpoint to her husband. There are questions in several episodes that the marriage may be ending soon which Jerry is oblivious to.

Jerry Smith: The Schlubby husband Of Beth and father to Morty and Summer. Jerry doesn’t care for Rick or his influence on the rest of the family. Jerry is shown as kind of buffoonish, he was fired from his job at an ad agency for incompetence. Jerry has been on an adventure with Rick and Morty a couple times, if only by accident (One occasion Jerry was placed in a daycare for other dimension’s Jerrys). Beth and Jerry’s marriage is holding on by a thread, but through their co-dependence they somehow seem to make it work.

Secondary Characters

 

 

 

 

Birdperson: Quite possibly one of Rick’s oldest and best friend. He used to have many, as of yet unknown, adventures with Rick. He is very matter-of-fact when interacting with people, and, at the end of season one, finds a human girlfriend named Tammy. Birdperson would do anything to help his friend or his family if they are in need.

Squanchy: A talking anthropomorphic cat that speaks in the same manner as the Smurfs, where he replaces one word for a variation of Squanch. Squanchy has also been on adventures with Rick, but have yet to see them yet. He is a huge fan of odd things, such as autoerotic asphyxiation, and fighting.

Mister PoopyButthole:  A family friend. In one episode he shows up…and is later shot by Beth. Not a lot is known about him, other than he’s known Rick for a while, lives in an apartment with his cat. A lot of fans hope he shows up in the upcoming season.

UNITY: A hive-mind that controls worlds. She has had a few flings with Rick, which ends up being very destructive for both.

The Council of Ricks: A group of Ricks from other dimensions who got together as a show of force against the Galactic Federation. It has been shown that every possible Rick and Morty are there, save for the main characters (Main Character Rick sees them in the same unfavorable light as the Galactic Federation). They constantly bring Rick up on bogus charges, which are always shown to be trumped up.

The Galactic Federation: The universal government. Rick has somehow managed to piss them off, because he is wanted for several crimes. Most of the Federation members are insect like creatures, who have extremely strict rules.

I’m sure you’ve heard a Rick & Morty fan spout phrases, most you don’t say in polite company, but there is one that’s not too bad. I’m talking of course of Rick’s main catch phrase “Wubba Lubba Dub Dub”. When he uses it, it seems like it’s nonsense at a happy time. According to Birdperson that’s not the case. Apparently it means “I am in a great deal of pain and suffering” which makes sense considering the amount of things Rick has witnessed.

 

Well I hope this gets you motivated to watch a few episodes. I think most Sci-Fi fans will enjoy it for a few laughs, maybe a tear, and hopefully some total enjoyment.  Until Next time.