Rick And Morty’s first season aired in 2013 on Adult Swim. It received critical acclaim from critics and viewers alike. The series spawned four seasons, merchandise, memes, action figures, t-shirts, collectibles, comics, video games etc.
So far, a fifth season aired. There’s still plans for more additional seasons. As a fan of “Rick And Morty,” I wanna share my thoughts on the first season that started it all.
Positive & Negative Elements
Positive: Justin Roiland, Spencer Grammer, (Kelsey Grammer’s real life daughter) Chris Parnell & Sarah Chalke all did an excellent job for their respective voiceover performances.
In addition to voicing the titular duo, Justin mapped out all episodes with Dan Harmon.
Humor contains aspects of dark humor, insulting one-liners, visual gags and surreal moments played for laughs. You think “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” has a lot of weird yet random moments? Get a load of Rick And Morty wacky misadventures.
Jerry is my favorite character. Although not intelligent like Rick, he’s relatable.
Like Deadpool, Rick often Breaks The 4th Wall. Meaning he’s self-aware about the show.
All episodes share continuity.
Rick’s catchphrase is “Wubba Luba Dub Dub.”
My favorite episode from Season 1 is “Anatomy Park.”
Tom Kenny, Rob Paulsen & Alfred Molina guest voice in selective episodes.
Every episodes contains a post-credits scene.
Negative: Couldn’t find no flaws. I’m giving The Cast & Crew an Extra Point for making a flawless season as possible.
Episode 1 – Pilot
Sober: The pair’s first scene together establishes who they are.
The two search for seeds.
Jerry intends to kick out Rick and put him in a retirement home.
Rick delivers a hilarious speech.
Drunk: No cons found.
Episode 2 – Lawnmower Dog
Well: Second episode spoofs “Inception,” “The Lawnmower Man” & Freddy Krueger. Inception was also spoofed in “Scary Movie 5” around the same year Rick And Morty aired.
The pair go inside Morty’s teacher so they can give him a good grade.
Dream Within A Dream goes way beyond Inception’s plot device.
Scary Terry is a way better than Jackie Earle Haley’s version of Freddy.
Rick inadvertently creates an army.
Rob Paulsen guest voices Snuffles. I have no choice but to quote a line from “Fight Club” when it comes to the voice actor’s name. “His name is Robert Paulsen.”
Sick: No issues spotted.
Episode 3 – Anatomy Park
Flow: Third episode parodies “Jurassic Park,” “Fantastic Voyage” “Osmosis Jones” & “Innerspace.”
Rick shrinks Morty then transfers him inside a hobo using him as a test subject running an amusement park from the inside.
Jerry’s relatives pay a visit.
Something explodes into epic proportions. Guess what happened?
Clogged: No boos boos found.
Episode 4 – M. Night Shyam-Aliens
Focus: Fourth episode spoofs M. Night Shyamalan’s works.
David Cross has a guest role as an alien leader.
A random character said Denzel Washington’s catchphrase, “My man.”
“Baker Street” is played in a crucial moment. It was also used in “Grand Theft Auto V.” Rick’s voice reminds me of Trevor Phillips.
Laziness: Nothing bad discovered.
Episode 5 – Meeseeks And Destroy
Polished: The duo go to a fantasy based world.
Jerry causes a huge problem. It’s up to him to fix it.
Meeseeks is funny as heck.
Tom Kenny guest voices King Jellybean. He’s best described as a jellybean version of Lena Dunham. If you’re aware of Lena’s controversial past on what she did to her sister, you probably understand.
Unpolished: Lacking cons.
Episode 6 – Rick Potion #9
Beautiful: Morty persuades Rick to give him a love potion by making his crush Jessica as an easy way to make her fall in love with him. However, things go awry.
Rick’s love potion inadvertently becomes an epidemic.
Grotesque monsters are called, Cronenbergs. A reference to director David Cronenberg, known for “Scanners,” “Videodrome” & “The Fly.”
Jerry gets some awesome moments.
Ugly: No flaws spotted.
Episode 7 – Raising Gazorpazorp
Rise: Morty’s new toy creates a predicament.
A fart scene made me laugh so hard.
Morty’s toy makes absolute sense.
John & Jim Belushi’s surname is mentioned as a joke.
A scene from “Footloose” is referenced.
Fall: No boo boos discovered.
Episode 8 – Rixty Minutes
More: Rick upgrades his family’s cable allowing them to watch programs from infinite timelines.
Jerry & Beth have a dispute about their past.
“Garfield” is parodied. Much better than Bill Murray’s two films.
Less: Nothing found.
Episode 9 – Something Ricked This Way Comes
Upgrade: Summer gets a job working for The Devil. Rick opens up a business competing with The Devil.
Jerry ignores the fact Pluto is not a planet.
Alfred Molina guest voices as The Devil.
The Devil’s owns a business called, “Needful Things.” A reference to Stephen King’s novel.
DMX’s “X Gon Give It To Ya” is played when Rick & Summer beat up random people. The late rapper’s song was also used in “Deadpool” and an episode of “Euphoria.”
Downgrade: Nope, no issues.
Episode 10 – Close Rick-Counters Of The Rick Kind
Unlimited: The Council Of Ricks are based on The Council Of Reeds. A government led by many versions of Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic.
Jerry befriends a dumber version of Rick.
Evil Morty makes his debut. He occasionally shows up in later episodes.
Limited: No flaws spotted.
Episode 11 – Ricksy Business
Loaded: When Jerry & Beth go on a trip, Rick, Morty & Summer have an intergalactic party.
Jerry & Beth’s trip is a reenactment of “Titanic. The former encounters a crazed employee.
Rick shows of his dance skills.
Dan Harmon provides the voice of Birdperson.
Rick’s catchphrase is translated.
Empty: No cons found.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Rick And Morty’s first season is a strong beginning of the duo’s misadventures. If you haven’t seen Season 5 or never seen the entire series, now is the right time to get hooked immediately. I strongly recommend all seasons.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 