I want to discuss about "There's Something About Morty" along with a brief analysis
Whether you liked the episode or not, please read this
I'll get straight to the point: Was the idea good? Yes. Did it actually work? No. Was it funny anyway? Yessss but the more I think about the long-term impact the more hopeless I feel.
I'm going to break down my opinion into points:
A) EVIL MORTY'S CHARACTERIZATION
There are two stances about Evil Morty's characterization in this episode: those who defend it and those who consider it out of character.
I think both are right to some extent.
Many interpreted the new dynamic as Evil Morty enjoying having power over Rick, being the one who could make decisions and set boundaries he never could before, where he could finally release, in some way, the resentment he had been accumulating for years. And that's where the implication comes in that he not only enjoyed being in charge for once but also the connection they were forming, even if he refuses to admit it.
That's fine, because there's no a single way to feel about your aggressor or to deal with it; you can hate them and at the same time crave their presence and/or validation, that's normal.
The problem with Evil Morty is that this internal struggle didn't exist until now.
Years were spent building his character as someone distant, cold, one of the few who could mess with Rick because he understood him on a level no one else could and that's why he got away with it. But now just because he had a few adventures with him and seeing how "good" he is, not only tolerates but actually likes him.
I'm not saying it's impossible; my problem is with how it was done. The fact that it happened off-screen completely ruined his character because it appeared out of nowhere.
You can give me a thousand justifications for why Evil Morty ended up sympathizing with Rick. That doesn't change the fact that, as a fandom, these ideas are used to justify the biggest and most important change in a character's attitude, personality, and perception that wasn't even show. It was too abrupt. And if that many people feels that Evil Morty was out of character then something is clearly wrong with the execution of the idea.
No one had ever said "this doesn't feel like something he would do" until now, so the coherence with who he was and his motivation was lost.
B) THE MORTYS
Many fans justify the rivalry that forms between Evil Morty and Morty as a good twist because it was "predictable that they would team up", but I don't understand the point of this. Throughout the episodes, there was a kind of truce between them; it was something that had been building, and that's why many of us expected it to happen.
Besides, I don't like those who justify this twist as "this is Evil Morty's more Morty-like side"
Why, if there are countless universes, if there are so many possibilities, if destiny doesn't exist and Rick and Morty's bond across the multiverse is an illusion, an artificial creation, why should someone like Evil Morty fall into the trap of "needing Rick"? You're already doing that to the protagonist, don't do the same to someone who defined himself as independent from the start.
And with that thought, I move directly to the next point.
C) WHY MANY PEOPLE HATE IT (ME INCLUDED)
It's simple, taking this abrupt turn with such a relevant character destroyed his concept by not taking the time to develop it.
Even if the reason behind this is revealed in the next episodes it doesn't erase how badly they left him. I'm sure this episode is meant to start Morty's arc, but this arc has come at the expense of one of the most relevant characters in the series.
And I swear, I didn't care that they kicked his ass, I don't think he was nerfed, as Rick said all of this is a consequence of his own ego. The problem is that I keep seeing the series fall into the same shit: reducing Morty to his attachment to Rick.
In the Citadel episode, Morty gave a speech:
"We're Mortys. We're not defined by our relationship to Rick. Our destiny is our own!"
And Evil Morty was the proof of this.
But now this episode imply that he wanted to become Rick's new Morty???? to make Morty jealous just for the sake of it??? sorry but if you put it that way it doesn't make sense. He never care about this before and doing it this way turned out as a strange obsession, a crush as they said, because although his feelings are a logic turn, they exaggerated his behaviour to such an extent that he ended up being reduced to the typical villain
What happened to the criticism that the series itself did, at given how ironic it is to call him evil?
Like, I understand wanting to give him flaws, but hating Rick was never one of them.
D) HOW COULD IT BE BETTER?
I'm still complaining so instead of just whining like a little bitch I'm going to tell you how I THINK they could make it better...
Do you know Lapis Lazuli? yeah the one from Steven Universe, THAT'S a good example of a victim missing a toxic relationship.
That's my solution, you're welcome.
CONCLUSION!!!
What made Evil Morty so special was being the only sheep who escaped the flock. The exception.
The idea that he still feels the need for a connection with Rick is great, but they didn't know how to make it (waste of potential as usual in this show)
I think the problem is that they keep forgetting an important factor:
The Rage of Morty.
Using a character like Evil Morty (created to shatter the illusion that Mortys are nothing without Rick) to illustrate the narrative that Morty is emotionally dependent on his grandfather is what leads to discontent, because it ignores the fact that however "good and healthy" Rick and his dynamic with Morty may have become, this resentment and repressed violence that Morty harbors against him has been building since the BEGINNING OF THE SERIES.
Morty's origin always seemed peculiar to me. He was originally made as a punching bag for Rick and that was it. It wasn't until someone on the team said "the joke is gonna get boring and repetitive" that they gave him a bit more agency. Why? Well, as Lazzo said: Morty is the deepest character because he has to deal with the most.
Forgetting this reduces him to a punching bag again, regardless of the stage of evolution of the dynamic or what kind of Morty we're talking about.
Evil Morty isn't only known for his intelligence or ability to face danger; Prime Morty and Arcade Morty have shown us that this is a trait other versions have too. Evil Morty stands out because he's resentment put into action.
Off topic but I need to be honest fot a second... This is a thought I've had for quite a time now, but it's not supported by any kind of argument, just what I feel so don't take it seriously.
I feel they’re trying to sell us a redemption that Rick doesn’t deserve yet.
For example, in the past there was this little problem where Rick was portrayed as too cool because he was the smartest and always right, and that's why many fans admired him for his "superiority", because no matter what, Rick always won and there were no real consequences. "NOTHING IS REAL SO NOTHING MATTERS!!!"
I don't think that's the case now, but things still revolve around him. He's always the center of everything. But the show is called Rick AND MORTY for a reason, and like... just because he goes to therapy does that mean everyone have to like him? after everything he's done??
This bothers me especially with Evil Morty because he knew the truth about the Citadel, he was aware that the Ricks clone and sell Mortys as if they were objects and not people. He's so traumatized and felt so desperate that he went to the extreme of losing his compassion and morals just to free himself!!
That's why I think resentment should be the central theme. I don't want Morty to hate Rick, but resentment is a logic consequence that's need a resolution before establishing Rick as a better person and keep falling into one-side of emotional dependency (one-sided? yes!! because morty is always the one who feel jealous)
oh but what do I know.
ok that's all I'm tired. Ty for reading!! You're free to have your own opinion. I accept any counterargument or anything, ANYTHING!!! I just really want to talk about this with other fans.
have a nice day everyone.
