Though each episode of Rick & Morty has its moments, solely these 15 can declare the glory of being the present’s best half-hours. Every season of Rick & Morty has its ups and downs. Usually, the present’s extra episodic outings are a combined bag, whereas Rick & Morty’s occasional canon-centric outings are extra dramatic, propulsive, and satisfying.
Nonetheless, this wasn’t at all times the case. Within the first few seasons of Rick & Morty, the present’s goofier, lighter standalone adventures had been a few of its strongest early episodes, and the heavier, character-focused outings had been extra hit and miss, in line with the unfastened consensus amongst followers on-line.
15
Unmortricken (Season 7, Episode 5)
One of many present’s most impactful episodes when it comes to canon, “Unmortricken” stays the one most stunning episode of Rick & Morty ever. Starting with a darkish chilly open that lastly revealed Evil Morty’s mysterious backstory, the episode by no means let up from this stunning revelation onward.
As a substitute, the remainder of “Unmortricken” noticed the present’s titular heroes workforce up with Evil Morty, considered one of its most essential villains, to defeat Rick Prime, the first antagonist of Rick & Morty. The sequence took a protracted two years to meet the guarantees made in season 5, episode 10, “Rickmurai Jack,” however “Unmortricken” was finally definitely worth the wait.
14
Rickmurai Jack (Season 5, Episode 10)
Talking of “Rickmurai Jack,” season 5’s finale was one other canon-centric present shaker that succeeded by mixing each large plot developments and powerful character beats. Rick and Morty finish their short-lived feud from the previous episode as “Rickmurai Jack” begins, giving this finale a candy, hopeful tone early on.
Nonetheless, as “Rickmurai Jack” continues and the present cranks its large plot revelations into overdrive, it turns into clear that that is no unusual standalone journey. As a substitute, Rick’s total backstory is lastly revealed, Rick Prime is established as Rick & Morty’s true villain, and the stage is ready for what stays the present’s most dramatic storyline so far.
13
One thing Ricked This Approach Comes (Season 1, Episode 9)
Picture by way of Max
From the chic to the ridiculous, “One thing Ricked This Approach Comes” couldn’t have much less in widespread with “Rickmurai Jack” and “Unmortricken” if the present’s creators tried. This season 1 basic sees Summer season get a part-time job working in a mysterious vintage retailer run by a shady character, whom Rick instantly identifies because the satan in disguise.
What follows is a hilarious spoof of Stephen King’s Needful Issues and Ray Bradbury’s One thing Depraved This Approach Comes that doubles as an early introduction to Summer season. Morty’s sister has quite a lot of potential as a secondary protagonist in Rick & Morty, and “One thing Ricked This Approach Comes” supplies the primary centered take a look at her hilarious, distinctive character.
One other Summer season-centric episode, “Promortyus” may be Rick & Morty’s most underrated episode. Beginning out as a parody of the Alien films, “Promortyus” quickly turns into one thing stranger because the present subverts its standard formulation and focuses on an alien planet that Rick and Morty destroyed and deserted.
Specializing in the survivors of their newest bloodbath permits “Promortyus” to show that its title characters aren’t essentially heroes, significantly from the angle of the aliens they encounter. Summer season has an ideal probability to shine as this episode’s heroine, nevertheless it’s the sudden perspective change that makes “Promortyus” really feel contemporary and authentic.
11
Huge Bother in Little Sanchez (Season 2, Episode 7)
“Huge Bother in Little Sanchez” launched an entire new era to the enduring unhappy songs of Elliott Smith, however that’s not the one motive it deserves a spot on this rundown. The story of Rick shrinking himself all the way down to develop into “Tiny Rick” is an unexpectedly poignant spoof of adlescent films that finally ends up as slyly elegiac as it’s hilarious.
10
By no means Ricking Morty (Season 4, Episode 6)
One of many present’s most bold episodes so far, “By no means Ricking Morty” is a recursive, self-reflexive parody of Rick & Morty itself. The outing opens with Rick and Morty trapped in a literal story system, and the pair should navigate narrative conventions just like the fourth wall and a pile of tropes and clichés to flee.
Notable for that includes one of many first references to the Coronavirus pandemic on tv, “By no means Ricking Morty” is a goofy reflection on the inventive course of that additionally succeeds as a enjoyable story in its personal proper. Though these meta storylines at all times run the chance of changing into too arch and self-aware, this one has simply the appropriate steadiness of sensible and deliberately foolish components.
9
Rickmancing the Stone (Season 3, Episode 2)
A killer spoof of the Mad Max films, “Rickmancing the Stone” can also be one other episode that proves Summer season actually is the present’s unheralded MVP. Whether or not it’s Morty utilizing his father points to win life-or-death battles in a Thunderdome parody or Summer season turning a nihilistic post-apocalyptic wasteland society into suburbia, everybody will get an ideal subplot on this outing.
8
Evening Household (Season 6, Episode 4)
An prolonged homage to John Carpenter’s ‘80s horror films, “Evening Household” takes a sometimes goofy premise and turns it right into a surprisingly tense, unpredictable journey for the Smith household. When Rick provides the Smiths an opportunity to clone themselves and use their “Evening Household” to meet their boring, menial chores, issues quickly spiral uncontrolled.
7
Rick Potion #9 (Season 1, Episode 6)
Whereas “Night Family” borrowed an American Dad storyline and turned it into one thing totally extra surreal, the plot of “Rick Potion #9” is pure, unfiltered, Rick & Morty insanity. Morty’s makes an attempt to woo his college crush find yourself turning right into a gross-out physique horror extravaganza when Rick’s titular love potion goes terribly awry.
6
The Vat of Acid Episode (Season 4, Episode 8)
The grotesque plot of “Rick Potion #9” proves that Rick isn’t the infallible genius he believes himself to be, however “The Vat of Acid Episode” fairly comfortably refutes this. On this Emmy-winning outing, Rick and Morty bounce between completely different dimensions on this philosophically advanced episode, whose storyline sees the present comically ponder the ideas of free will and predetermination.
