Rick not even bothering to make a clone because it'd be in unimaginable pain and it'd upset Morty-
Like he's grown a lot as a character and the dynamic between him and Morty is changing I feel like
He's taking Morty's thoughts and actual feelings about things into consideration instead of just doing it like he would have before. I think that from the moment Morty told Rick he saw him as his grandfather and not Rick Prime, it'd caused a shift in their relationship. Rick's really embracing the Grandpa Rick role more than before. From calling Morty junebug, to threatening mafia aliens over his grandson's safety, to thinking about stuff like this and taking Morty into consideration. To helping Morty out of situations like this and even tell him he loves him and is proud of him (like in the life of Roy game). In a way Rick's treating Morty as more like an actual partner in the adventures rather than a tag along.
It's interesting to watch him slowly reveal that he does indeed love Morty and his family very deeply. And seeing him become more comfortable in showing that through actions and now words.
Okay I'l try to calm myself a sec by listening to minecraft ost and adding a little something before getting into the first-watch review (so we all can avoid spoilers).
By re-watching Morty Daddy before the finale, my thoughts stayed the same, BUT(T), now that I'm no longer in the heat of the moment, being personally triggered, I can see the episode most probably had good intentions and some nice themes, even if there was sooo much bad stuff... But this is material for another post.
*Morty Daddy looking at me like this*
...yeah, that's from Barbie.
!Here be Spoilers my dudes!
________My take (I’m part of the R&M cult, so, impartiality)_______
I cannot even put my thoughts in some kind of order, what the fuck can I say about this masterpiece? I cried, I laughed, I feared for the characters, I was sad, I was happy, I wish I was in love, a love that can outlive the universe itself, and it was all in, what, 25 minutes?💀
The episode started as Hot as Memory Rick, basically by mentioning the Omega Device, boom just like that, in your face, first 2 sec of the episode.
It's ironical how Rick could have fixed the Memory Rick thing just by talking to him, instead, he shoved him in a Windows 7 wallpaper and left, totally Rick style. But anyway...
Beth with an healthy childhood isn't a psychopath, actually, she is whole again.
Even if the influence of Memory Rick messed up with her mind in the end, the way Beth grew up by having a loving father truly speaks volumes about how deeply her father bailing on her scarred her for life. With Memory Rick, Beth learns to fight even better than Space Beth, but she has a good heart that maybe not even Domestic Beth has. She values her family, like Domestic Beth does, and her childhood wasn't a bloody mess, but instead, it was nice training time spent with her dad.
I don't think it's a case that she almost kills her clone in fact: even if this is a distorted version of a healthy Beth, I think that scene wasn't just for shock value, but rather a metaphor to show that a Beth with a healthy childhood didn't need a clone anymore. Another reference to this is the final song of the episode, the same playing at the end of Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri, "Don't look back" by Kotomi & Ryan Elder. Too bad that "healthy childhood" was fabricated so instead of not "needing a clone anymore", she snapped her neck 💀 Btw if you wanna cry this is the Diane version of the song 🤙
I like how Rick and Morty always stays realistic, which is a paradox: you have a world where aliens, multiverse and time travel exist, and yet you have a realistic evolution of the brain. In R&M we never see the fairy tale of "let's just talk, trauma will go away just like that" in R&M you literally rewire your brain to change and shape your attitude towards life and others. And that gives the actual weight of how complex human mind is, how real and alive these characters are... that's what almost never breaks the suspension of disbelief to me.
Fabricated memories vs real ones.
As always, Rick triggered a terrible chain reaction out of pettiness: Memory Rick in fact was only having a good influence on Jerry's mind, as long as he was just spending time with the family, without trying to accomplish anything in particular.
So, was this "fake" memory really dangerous? And was it really fake? Didn't Memory Rick lived those experiences with Memory Jerry after all?
It's not an easy theme, and personally I think it's connected with how we experience memories when it comes to toxic people:
This is the classic confusion that u feel when you're dealing with narcissistic abuse, as always, the pulsing core of this show and the main protagonist of generational trauma: you feel like you hate that person and yet you feel guilty for hating them, because they are so good, you love them so much, right? Ur mind elaborates positive memories of the events, cutting out all the bad parts. It's a surviving mechanism, that allows us to protect ourselves, especially during childhood. It isn't a case if they say that Memory Rick gaslit Beth (even if the dynamic was different from how gaslighting usually takes place).
And even if there are differences between the situation in the show and real life, we can say that the main question stays the same: are those memory real? How could we feel those deep affection and connection and now everything... changed? we opened our eyes and everything seems to be new, nothing from the past seems to match with what we feel now, with what we know now. Our reality is shattered. We feel crazy. We are scared.
Rick saying "That's just being called being alive, sweetie" is sadly true: is very common to experience this during our life. But it doesn't need to be like this every time. It doesn't need to be like this for future generations.
This, simply, isn't life.
Memory Rick has more in common with Morty than Rick (apparently that explains why they're both hotter than the climate change).
Mechanical skills, mechanical skills everywhere.
The fact that Rick was so crafty in his youth (BP remembers how good he was at crafting), gives me the feeling that Rick grew more and more tired of inventions as years passed. He had this passion to fix, to create, MacGyvering his way out of adversities, than he leveled up so much than he started to lose interest into creating and got more passionate about destroying.
Does your skills matter if nothing you craft can help you with the only purpose of your life, getting your revenge?
Does the thrill of conquering a new solution can even make you happy when nothing matters to you anymore?
That healthy and positive force that Morty and Memory Rick have, that unshakable hope, is what Rick lost decades ago, overwhelmed by helplessness and silent hatred.
As if Matrix Morty wasn't enough, now Memory Morty is my new obsession, great 👍
Rick's radical acceptance and grief.
It's sad that Rick didn't tell the family about Memory Rick and Diane. But I feel like sooner or later he will tell them: it's just a though one for Rick.
He realizes that the best part of himself, a part that was possible only in BP mind in fact, had Rick Prime under his nose, and let him go without hesitation, because all he ever wanted was Diane...was to be a present parent, a cool grandpa.
The best, impossible part of himself, in the end, got Diane back.
While, instead, Rick was so obsessed with his own revenge, with his frail ego, to force Prime's hand to the point of no return, to erase Diane forever.
This episode was the moment where Rick accepted he fucked up. He accepted that because of that, his Diane was gone forever.
He closed that chapter of his life for good.
It wasn't a moment of simple acceptance of a loss, it was the radical acceptance of that whole chapter of his life, ugly truths included.
He was mature enough to allow the happy ending that Memory Rick and Diane deserved.
Rick is grieving, but this is not only grieving the death of his family, is the grief that comes from the loss of an entire narrative, this is coming to terms with your life choices. And deeply understanding you cannot change the consequences.
To Rick, that's the end of a cycle.
And he needs time before sharing this with his family.
So, I get it.
This. Fucking. Scene.
I hated him so much aaaaa how he simply doesn't care at all, she's even talking to him, like, the cutest kid in the world is confused and scared and you are actually gonna leave her, and u just don't care aargh I hate this guy, but I also loved how much on point this portrait of some type of narc. parent was. He simply doesn't care. He knows what's he's doing is wrong and evil, and he just tries to avoid the situation, to leave asap only bcs this is making him unconformable... Beth's well being is not even in his radar 💀 I swear I though about this scene happening so many times in my mind, thinking "was Beth awake when he left? Did she saw him leave her or just found an empty house?" I always thought this was the most probable option.
Interesting to think that this wasn't actually Rick Prime, but a Rick Prime, because this is not Beth Prime.
Rick's relationships
Our baby boy needs to find some decent person (cough cough Unity ehm ehm Unity! cough cough), bcs more often than not his partners uses him or has 0 regards for his feelings and safety.
Nimbus was just a click bait 😭😭 but this only means it happened in the past, and we already knew he was Rick's ex so... I'm not 100% sad
How sweet was Jerry?
In conclusion.
This is the best finale I've ever seen in Rick and Morty: not only because is a well deserved happy ending for one of my fav characters, but also because this finale gives a real closure, a peaceful closure to many chaotic seasons.
Rick completed his change with acceptance of himself.
I need more Rick and Morty of course, but my heart isn't heavy:
I'm satisfied with what we got, and happy to wait for more.
Like spending a lovely holiday with a dear friend, knowing that next Summer you'll do it again.
Needless to say that after this episode my idea of love is now split between
- hot rogue with golden heart hacking the world to eternally fuck in space
- hot space rebel pirate asking you to jump through the Infinite with them after they literally nuked capitalism
There's no in between.
Thank u Dan Harmon &Co for raising my relationship bar to unrealistic standards, life was already so easy 👍👍
______________Ep. Main themes in a nutshell_________________
Go make some memories that aren't fabricated.
this is definitely a recurring theme this season: we are discovering more about what mind parasites are (I don't think the reference to poopy butthole in the end was a coincidence), how impactful these memories can be (Matrix episode) and how different characters feel abt them: Rick doesn't accept them, Morty and Summer give them importance. In the end, even Arcade Morty's implanted memories brought him and Homesteader Rick together, sharing a bond that never existed, if not in memories and in that very first adventure together. I still do not understand what the final take about memories will be, I guess we will see more in future seasons.
Acceptance.
Rick has finally accepted his past and is ready to move on, to be more emotionally opened. I think we saw the same theme with Morty Jr. accepting himself and his family, even if in that case it was poorly written (from my point of view).
Idk about Beth: this season was really intense for her, but I think there is a lot more that she needs to accept before changing. She didn't get over her childhood trauma yet, even if she's accepting more and more abt it. Her bond with Space Beth is also improving.
Be simple Rick.
There is one huge message here and is: people matter, love matters. Live a simple life, eat a hot dog, fight the world to save your wife, spend time with your psycho children, protect your family from Hollywood, and the list goes on 💛
Meta energy again!
That's apparently the same core of Summer: do the hero and things will eventually work out, somehow. I don't thing it's a coincidence that her outfit is magenta.
Young Beth having a similar haircut to Matrix Summer is so sweet 💛
Deaths are a choice.
I know this is a little bit obvious, but I think this episode showed us that permadeaths are a choice. If any character dies, we know that is a precise choice, not just shock value or "given this situation it was impossible for Tony Stark to bhla blah blah", there is always the possibility to res someone unless is vital for the character to cease to exist.
This line just an episode ago... and know we know, Rick wasn't there for any Morty's birth.
That child in Rick's hands wasn't Morty Prime, nor any other Morty born from any Beth.
Personally, by the way he holds the baby in his hands, showing him to BP like a trophy, it always gave me the idea that Rick created or retrieved that Morty baby, like a clone or something.
Very in character for Rick to go like: "u know what, every other Rick has a Morty, I want one but I'm going to do it myself!" and that would explain why so many time in the tv show Rick is labeled, even by his own admission, as a terrible father: like, he wasn't a terrible father to Beth, his Beth literally exploded, and with this other Beths he tried his best.
And I'm not telling Evil Morty was Rick's first Morty (I'm telling it, season 9, season 9 listen to me), anyway enough this is another post's stuff. Yes my dudes, I'll keep posting until season 9 of course 💛
The Omega Device Explained.
Finally we get the official explanation abt the omega device, why Diane looks so insignificant in Beth's and Rick's memories. She is a vague and almost shallow version of Diane, her personality is just hinted and almost faded because of the Omega Device.
Lol, can you imagine if the Memory Rick-Diane capsule bonks into E.Morty stuff while going adrift and he's just so done with Rick's garbage floating in space 💀💀💀💀
Thank you so much for reading my stuff and for posting funny stuff while watching Rick and Morty "with me", all around the world.
Luv u all 💛💛
The season 7 finale being about Morty facing his fear (being irreplaceable) and season 8 finale being about Rick facing his fear (forget Diane and being open with other people after what happens) 😭
For me, "Morty Daddy" was a frustrating watch. Morty reuniting with Morty Jr. had a lot of potential, and I was looking forward to Rick and Summer's adventure, but the pieces just didn't quite fall into place.
The episode started off strong with a scene that demonstrated how the Smiths are both changing and staying the same. When Morty tells the family that Morty Jr. called him from the hospital, Jerry tears into Morty Jr. for criticizing his son, then admits that he's mostly angry because the book made him and Beth look like bad parents.
Beth tells Morty that it's OK to hate your kids, which is apparently her fucked-up way of trying to help, and even Rick gives Morty his condolences before advising him to let his son die alone. Ultimately, they care about Morty, but they still put themselves first.
After this, Rick announces that he and Summer are off to dinner. Rick acts like he doesn't want to go, but he eagerly joins Summer in shoving their plates off the dinner table. This seems like the perfect set-up for some Rick and Summer bonding time.
And yet, the episode just didn't quite make it. The third act in particular felt like a draft that needed a few more rewrites.
Rick's cranky as ever when they get to the restaurant, but when he enjoys his meal and starts warming up to the place, I thought we might be getting somewhere. I also enjoyed learning more about his dietary preferences (this is the second lava cake mention after "Valkyrick"), especially since food is a big part of the show.
Of course, we need conflict to keep the plot moving, so Summer demands to speak to the chefs when she gets a disappointing meal. I loved getting another acknowledgment that Rick respects Summer more than her brother ("You're not Morty! I can't just grab you!") Unfortunately, the character development ended there.
I did think it was funny that the cogs easily manipulated Rick by promising him food and a good time. I was a little worried Rick would end up having sex with them despite the dubious consent (yes, Rick's an asshole who does shitty things, but the show doesn't need to go in THAT direction), but he's happy to just hang out in the pool and enjoy a giant eclair.
When Summer admits that she just wanted to hang out with Rick, and Rick coldly dismisses her, I was expecting some kind of resolution at the end. Something like Rick realizing that his granddaughter just wants his affection and he doesn't appreciate her enough.
The whole mess turns into a rapid-fire car chase, we get a reveal that the cogs orchestrated the whole thing just to open their own food truck, and...that's it. No resolution. The entire message of the Rick and Summer plot turns out to be "Summer's a complex person who stands up for herself and Rick's a petty asshole who responds well to shallow ego-stroking." Didn't we already know that?
Just ONE line acknowledging the way Rick treated Summer would've made this episode a lot more satisfying. Instead, he turns to the cogs for closure, then gets mad and throws them in Garbtopia. I guess they must've seen that coming, so maybe that was the real plan all along.
Morty's adventure with Morty Jr. had more depth, but it really needed a stronger backdrop. The "garbage planet/dimension" setting has been done a million times, and Charlie Day gave it his all, but his villain wasn't that funny or interesting.
The writers managed to explore different facets of Morty and Morty Jr.'s relationship--pride, resentment, affection, distance--but overall, this episode just...didn't have much of a reason to exist?
"Air Force Wong" is another episode that brought back an old character, but Rick's interactions with Unity gave us a lot of insight into how much therapy has changed him. "Morty Daddy" doesn't reveal much about Morty or his son. Their relationship is complicated yet distant, and Morty ends up bailing on him--which, admittedly, leads to a pretty funny conclusion.
Morty Jr. wanting to pay his respects to his mother surprised me, but other than that, I think we could've inferred everything this episode reveals without seeing it on screen. We don't see how much Morty has changed since season two (admittedly, his character development tends to be inconsistent) or how it influences the way he treats Morty Jr. In the end, he's still a 14-year-old kid who has no business raising a child.
When Morty Jr. brought up his mother, I thought we were headed for another trip to his home planet. I'm not sure if that would've made this episode better or worse. The setting would've been more intriguing than a generic wasteland, but it's also infamously misogynist. I think the writers could've successfully updated Gazorpazorp with one or two jokes about how the planet "used to be." Still, maybe it's better to leave that disastrous plot line in the past.
In any case, "Morty Daddy" is entertaining enough, and it has a few bright spots. However, it also highlights an issue that's becoming a growing trend with this show: Rick's characterization isn't dependent on how much therapy he receives. Instead, it's dependent on how much of an asshole the story needs him to be.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA HOW COOL WAS THAT?? In case you missed this masterpiece from 2002, Minority Report is a super cool sci-fi, dystopian thriller, all about 3 precogs who could predict crimes, just watch it, watch it right now if u didn't I'm gonna re watch it bcs is soooo cool!
wdym Rick Sanchez is jumping on the fucking vertical cars??
Ehm-hm: let's review the episode:
_________My take (I'm part of the R&M cult, so, impartiality)________
A bittersweet moral.
Okay, heavy part first, fluff part second, even if tbh there is very little fluff part here, I'm disheartened my dudes.
Let's start with saying that I liked parts of the episode, and I was literally clapping my hand at the Minority Report reference, but I think the tv show lost a fat chance here to be a breath of fresh air, the usual breath of fresh air that Rick and Morty is when taking innovative, nonconformist and very empathetic stances, for examples, on animal rights (Lawnmower Dog), motherhood (ABC of Beth) and so much more. This time instead, they slipped into the good old boomery moral of "aren't we all pieces of crap?? aren't we all a little bit autistic/adhd/*insert whatever concept that boomers do not grasp and decide to stay ignorant about*? (being pieces of crap isn't related to the other stuff I listed of course, don't get me wrong)
Which is more or less what Harmon once said in a interview, like, "how can u say who's narcissistic in the end?" like... dude, wat? Are research and evidence just bananas to u?
But(t) it was years ago, who knows if something changed.
I talked about what dynamic the preview portrays in this post and as I was half-expecting, instead of taking an accurate stance about a precise dynamic that irl has very clear and defined roles, they've just depicted "something they saw without actually understanding what they saw", making a simplistic, cheese mess of: "yeah your son is shitty, you are shitty, everybody is shitty and that's so funny, let's rate women!"
Like, the moral of the story here seems to be: people sharing their stories through books about their abuse are trash and leeches, exploiting their poor families who are "just humans"...? Excuse me? Am I still watching Rick and Morty or is this some resentful parent blaming their kids for going no contact with them...?
Just like that
they felt like they needed to add a pinch of victim shaming just bcs.
Oh and don't forget that Jr. mom is "garbage", just 'cause she just was a sex doll, you know... with "her mouth was always open"... idk who the fuck wrote this episode, I don't wanna know honestly, I want to be above this 💀 I'm not gonna be angry about this, I swear, I'm breathing and focusing on Minority Report and cool Rick and Sumsum.
With tv shows/books etc I'm always like "are you just normalizing it or are you gonna say something abt it sooner or later...yes?...no? maybe? Jaybe?"
Like, remember when at the end of Game of thrones(spoiler?), Samwell Tarly goes like "yo ppl what you think abt democracy as an option?" and "the good (white of course) guys" all laugh in his face together? and they kick out the dothraki immigrants? and u where thinking: "okay, now something is gonna happen, like, in the last 2 minutes someone will kick their asses, right?... right?" and instead, nope, that was the finale the big corps chose, and it was really quite indicative of the kind of scenario that would have emerged for the US in a couple of years, just like the old Hollywood movies where meant to be the States' propaganda back in the days.
Beyond corps interests, tv shows are the product of our society, and in our society... well many people still thinks that narcissism is not a big deal, that is actually about having a good self esteem, that narcissistic abuse isn't a thing at all, and opening a discussion about these themes is still taboo, bcs of ignorance, bcs of interest or bcs of both. Ppl speaking out about narcissism awareness still faces a lot of blame and opposition, and I think it will take decades for this to change, for new generations to have a proper emotional education, even in school for example.
So, I cannot say if we will ever see a clear "this is not okay" statement on this tv show, from the position of someone who actually knows the dynamics and they did their homework, or if it will always be a mid "you know, everyone is a little bit narcissistic heh heh!" ('cause no, that's really not the case and it's as much irritating as ppl saying to u "everyone is a little bit autistic lol" while you are literally feeling your own fucking bones and living is a fucking issue to u)
It's easy to talk about love, family and communication, while putting the nasty, bitter parts aside.
So: am I disappointed that they missed the chance to take a modern and powerful stance on mental health? yes.
Does this mean that there won't be other chances? no.
It's important to spark the conversation about these topic, because when a popular tv shows will be on point about it, we'll know we are evolving as a society.
It's Hot Springs Episode my dudes, they gave us the Hot Springs Episode 💀💀💀
The brave little goblin.
I liked the way Morty developed some kind of connection with his son, and admitted he was an irresponsible father, but after that, he was once again irresponsible and immature, just like his son with his umpteenth wife, so honestly idk what they learned this time 💀
I'm pretty surprised about how "well adjusted" Jr. was, like, yes he's a piece of sh1t, but a Gazorpazorp writing a series about a little goblin that finds his way, giving hope to kids... it's beautiful, and usually this is what survivors do, they give hope to the oppressed by sharing their misery, they don't do that for money or clout 👍(I'm not angry, I swear, I'm just saying)
The Sauron reference:
Nice Sauron reference, I like how they highlighted how fantasy stories pushes us to fight tyranny for a better future, a tyranny that is basically fueled by irresponsible people in position of power: Salva-tron just doesn't want to get in trouble, and it destroys anything that could be a threat to his safety. Rick just scolded him once, but this was enough for him to enslave the entire garbage world to ensure his position and privilege. It's interesting bcs our society is full of Salva-trons.
Okay no, I'll skip the main themes and sus stuff of the episode bcs I think I would get mad again and I already said everything I needed to say, so I'll cut it short 💀
The moral seems to be: our parents are garbage, we are garbage and that's totally okay.
Except, that's not okay(my take ofc).
You could restrain yourself from exploiting you father and having countless horrible marriages. You could do the work and go to therapy, (I thought we did get to this point with all the previous seasons?) it doesn't mean that we need to be perfect, that would be stupid and unrealistic, but we can be better than our worst 💀
This episode was like seeing a R&M cammeo inside another tv show, where the characters are the classical static characters, they don't evolve, they just do "their thing" as always. They also didn't show any continuity with the last episodes' character development.
In conclusion, this episode won't be one of my fav at all, tbh. The ideas were great, but the execution was messy, with some pitch of sexism and victim shaming that no one needed, and quite shallow, especially if compared to what we usually see on screen.
Maybe it was meant to be provocative, but provocative towards who? victims? sexualized women? idk honestly. It left me with the same bad, weird feeling I felt the first time I saw Elon Sucks having a quite funny part in the show, like... I don't get it, why are we partying with the nasty guy now? is that a joke I'm missing, is it for money...? idk I feel :\
it was like a regression to those episodes from the first seasons, but not in a good sense, if you get me... I would really like to know if you liked it and if you found some "moral of the story" that isn't trash (except for Rick being cool and Summer being wild) , bcs maybe it's just me not seeing it 🤷
Morty daddy episode live commentary I guess idk man I forgot to post the Jerry one spoilers obviously
Morty's response being "That's family I guess" ouch dude that sucks
Rick and Summer hanging out it's so cute theyre so cute
Mr grump he's so cute I need to kiss him
RICK EATING HEA RHE CUTEST IM HYPERVENTILATING
Morty just keeps getting his gut punched "how do I know Rick didn't throw his grandson away" OUCH
Rick loves his lava cake
"Sum sum" cutie pies
Rick rolling up his sleeves yes yes yummy
Why does he keep giving his inventions sentience Also why does the pizza box sound familiar
Morty and Rick
Summers swimsuit is so cute
Rick looks so cute in his swim trunks I'm gonna chew on him like a dog toy LOOK AT HIS TORSO
Rick she might just wanna hang out with you
ew ew and even ewer
MORTY JR WTF
It was gross very gross Morty get your shit together
Ok well now he's rlly dying
THE CHASE SCENE
RICK LOOKS SO GOOD
Wait they used her to get to Rick to get to what? Her? I'm confused
Morty us so cute "damn what a noise" I hate him but I love my son
"I'm 14 I'm the target audience" is so cute
Morty being badass yay
AW NO PPL NEED TO STOP ABANDONING RICK GOOD FUCKING GOD FIRST THE ALIEN LADY NOW THESE ASSHOLES OMG Rick you need to start having better taste in people, like me 🤭 no but seriously wth im gonna cry good god
MORTY'S HAIR AW HIS FACE OMG
"You guys still read books?" And what do you do Rick hm? Was that not a book you were holding during the episode where Morty turns a cinnamon stick into a sentient being a churro not a cinnamon stick whatever
Thoughts on Rick and Morty, S8 Ep. 9 - Morty Daddy
This might be my favorite episode of the season, depending on what the finale is like. The last three episodes have been pretty good for various reasons compared to the rest of the season, which has been really rocky. I thought Nomortland was technically the most well-written episode, but although the premise felt meaningful for Jerry's character, I didn't have as much fun with it. All Jerrys can only go so far perhaps.
This one doesn't have a caveat like that. It's just a good episode, about as good as an average episode in the first three seasons. Both plots were funny and high energy, and a little bit witty too. The pre-cog plot was suitably unpredictable, the car chase with crazy moves that only work because the pre-cogs predicted they would work was cool, and the conclusion was pretty good. Although I'm not sure how the Robot Devil Devil's Advocate CAN get a massive coronary. Maybe "Steve" hit their head and their predictions are a bit off.
Morty Jr. is a pleasant guy! Despite all the child support he's dodging, and the fact that he was so quick to accept a life in trash world. And taking advantage of Morty to write another hit piece on him, I suppose, but Morty seemed happy for him at the end.
That random trash robot character that wanted Morty to open the trash portal so he could get out could have been cut, or expanded on. He just sort of appears and gets killed in what, maybe two minutes? He's just a plot device to get the Scavenger robot back on their tails again.
I'd also like to know why Morty Jr. was in the hospital at all. It could be something unrelated to dying, but for them to bring up that he was lying by omission but not tell us why he was there at all was...well, I wanted to know that detail at least, even if it's not remotely important.
When Morty Jr. got shot, I was actually afraid they were killing him off. I don't put it past the show. Only, I thought they were going to pull a "two hearts" situation where he can live without one of them.
This is a nice, fully competent episode for a nostalgic return that made Morty Jr. a cool character. Which is great, because the original episode from Season 1 was, well, fun, but pretty sexist. There's a civilization of straw feminists whose worst crime they can imagine is cutting your bangs wrong. And they can't explain their death penalty to Rick without crying because Rick is, admittedly, an asshole. Luckily, Rick proves that "humanity still has a chance" by farting, because that's what guys do. And then Justin Roiland goes from being a jock to crying for help with a scene where Marmanduke's author says he's plagued with thoughts of r*pe and mur*er every day, so instead he's become a creative.
Things that become MUCH less funny in hindsight.
Luckily this episode brings back Morty Jr without all the weird 2010's style gender war stuff weighing it down.
One thing I'm noticing on my watch through of Rick and Morty, is that Rick will say all these things about how he doesn't care about anyone or anything and how family is easily replaceable and whatnot. And yet despite his words and beliefs his actions tell a whole different story.
The man who calls his grandson a dumb ass is also the same man who makes stamps with said grandson's face on them. Is the same man who tells him goodbye before making a tough decision, the same man who, even when grumbling and cursing, still follows behind Morty and his other family members. Rick's entire truths on how he actually views his family is all told through his actions. In the little miniscule details that are easily overlooked in the heat of the moment. Rick thinks about his family in the little ways, from doing things for them to watching out for them to protecting them. Even when everything he's experienced has told him to do the exact opposite.
These are especially shown when he's interacting with Morty.
Season one being a good example when the world went to hell. Rick has stated basically that people are replaceable because of the vastness of multiple realities and universes, yet he doesn't hesitate to grab Morty and take him with him to another reality. It's like there's no other option for Rick, because it doesn't even occur to him to leave Morty to his original world to die. Or in the episode with Mr. Jellybean, Rick was gentle with his grandson for the rest of the episode and even killed the guy who tried to hurt him. Or in the episode where Morty goes to try and save the cloud being, despite Rick's protests and him wanting to bail, he still comes back to help Morty. Even if begrudgingly. Or in the recent episode in season three when one of the Vindicators said something nasty to Morty and Rick immediately sent daggers at the guy. Or in the episodes where Rick puts his trust in Morty to come through for him and believing in him enough to know that Morty will get the job done, such as the Citadel where he gave Morty the gun to shoot him so he could save Summer. (Even though said boy was furious and didn't read the note but you get the picture-)
It's all these little moments, these little actions that give Rick Sanchez away on how he actually feels about the people around him. It's honestly fascinating and interesting to watch.
I gotta admit, I'm really surprised by how the dynamic between Rick and Morty has evolved throughout the show.
At first it was a super one-sided relationship, where Rick was the genius, totally in control, dragging his grandson into messed up situations without caring much about what happened to him (except for those rare moments when he actually did care), Morty on the other hand, was the "dumb" sidekick who didn't know anything an was constantly humiliated, not just in adventures but in his everyday life (I’ll never forget that memory where Rick pushes him down the stairs just to embarrass him in front of some girls).
What's interesting is that since then Morty started develop this deep resentment toward Rick, and unlike his mother and sister, he did not idealize him, he saw Rick for who he really is.
“I wanted you to have a normal life, that’s something you can’t have when Rick shows up.
Everything real turns fake. Everything right is wrong.
All you know is that you know nothing and he knows everything.
He’s not a villain, Summer, but he shouldn’t be your hero. He’s more like a demon, or a super fucked up god.”
Whe the purge episode came out, I thought that if things kept going this way, Morty might actually end up killing Rick someday. Not in the sense that he would become Evil Morty, it's just... He was clearly full of repressed rage.
"Fuck you Rick! I'll purge you too, you old rickety piece of crap. This has been a long time coming! I'm gonna rip your fucking guts out and smear them all over you face!"
Then the third season premiered and in the very first episode, Morty shot Rick with the intention of killing him! Scenes like these made me so invested in their dynamic, but especially in Morty's development. Sooo here's a little analysis about it!
In early seasons, Morty hated Rick. He totally wanted to kill him at some point, but ofc he wouldn't because:
He was kinda ashamed of this violent part of himself.
Rick is his granda, and if only because of the family bond, he still cares about him.
We're talkin' about Rick Sanchez, motherfucker, like Morty ever stood a chance (or at least that what Morty thought, since we now know that it is not impossible.)
Anyway, the point is Morty was seriously done with Rick's crap, but it's not like he had much choice. They're family, and on top of that, Morty did enjoy the adventures. So he just tolerated it.
Thing's went on like that for a while, Morty started standing up to Rick more and more, and often paid the price of Rick's ego (The Vat Of Acid is the best example) but they always had a strong bond, bla bla bla.
But let's not to forget how Rick constantly manipulated him. I still remember this lines:
"I just took over the family Morty- and if you tell your mom or your sister any of this I'll deny it, and they'll take my side because I'm a hero"
"You can die when I say so. I control you. I control the universe!"
Just adding to the whole "Rick is a god" thing. Morty is perfectly aware, better than anyone else in the family, that Rick is a bad person and had a lot of power over everyone. Up to this point he even handled abandonment quite well, Beth and Summer were the ones who seemed more affected by it.
Still, Morty admires Rick. He needs him. He wants to be around him. As Rick had his moments of real care and and saved Morty, not just for convenience, but genuine affection. Also they got along pretty well.
In "Rest and Ricklaxation" it's even said outright that Rick has an irrational attachment to Morty, and I'd say that Morty also has an irrational attachment to Rick! Because again, he knows who Rick really is. But after so many adventures and those tiny moments of kindness, he can't help but cling to him.
Over time, Morty got more of his own voice, going from being a simple sidekick to being a companion (but not totally equal), and for his part, Rick started to respect his grandson more too (even if the power dynamic hadn't totally shifted)
Then their relationship becomes straight-up codependent.
Let's not forget the crows! That episode wrecked Morty emotionally, and man, I get it! The whole thing about being replaced was nothing more than an empty threat, the crows a way to annoy him. Until it happened. Rick replaces him and dumps him. Then when Rick comes back it's not even for Morty, it's because the crows dumped him first. But Morty still chooses him. Why? because he has no one and nothing else.
Even when Morty has the chance to start a new life far away from Rick, he choose to stay. The truth is that chaos and adventures with Rick is all he's ever known. How do you walk away from the one thing you've built your identity around?
Then S6E2, "Rick: A Mort Well Lived" happens. Morty's most independent, self-aware part gets trapped in a video game... I always feel that like a loss, but I guess it was necessary in some kind of way????? Idk... Anyways, I really liked the direction they took with Morty's codependency and fear of abandonment. After Marta (Morty's fragment) choose to stay in the game, I feek like Morty become more dependent on Rick.
But it's not just Morty who changes, it's also Rick.
Before the crows leave him, he ends up learning a bit about empathy (I think that's what it was) and recognizes that what he and Morty have is toxic, blablabla. I won't expand on this because the analysis is focused on Morty, not Rick, but I want to emphasize the sentence he says in S6E10, "Ricktional Mortpoon's Rickmas Mortcation"
"You called me boring! I've become dog shit to you"
Rick realizes he's lost control over Morty, and acts like the victim because he feels like one. Their bond is more damaged than ever because there is no balance between them. Things were tense since before the crows, add to that the revelation that Morty is not Rick's original grandson, and the Prime oobsession. Things keep spiraling... Still, by the end of the episode Rick brings Morty into the Prime hunt.
Now that I've already mentioned Prime we can go back to Morty, because after they finally found him and Rick got his unsatisfactory revenge, Morty was left marked by Evil Morty words:
"What happens if Rick actually kills this guy? You ever think about that? Maybe he'll kill himself next."
Next episode we see that Rick stopped having adventures for a while to start drinking too much, clearly depressed after the events of the previous episode. Again, this shakes up his bond with Morty.
Past all this, we finally get to one of the best episodes! The first one that really focuses on Morty's psychology: S7E10, Fear no Mort.
(SIDE NOTE: Before that! Something super important happens earlier: His breakup with Planetina (S5E3). Remember what he said to Beth?
"My whole life I've never fit in anywhere. Everything I have to say is always met with an eye roll, as if the act of hearing what I have to say is some exhausting chore. Nobody in this family thinks I can say or do anything right. I've been all over the universe, meet hundreds of people, and Planetina's the only one I've ever meet that makes me feel like I belong."
In Morty's words (and as we have seen throughout the series) there's no one, not even his own family, who doesn't treat Morty like he's an idiot. Everyone just seems tired of dealing with him. Morty always noticed it, cause he's not dumb like people thinks he is. It's not until he feels he's finally formed a real, honest, loving and (in his eyes) healthy connection that he confronts, in this case, his mom for trying to break them up.
The part “Planetina's the only one I've ever met that makes me feel like I belong” reflects more than just teenage love. It's coming from someone who has been ignored, treated as annoying and irrelevant by his classmates, teachers, his family, and also, of course, Rick too.
Honestly, I think that after the breakup, Morty became even more emotionally vulnerable. Like, it made him cling to Rick even more because, as awful as Rick can be, he's still the only one who actually spends time with Morty, that listens to him (even if it's while complaining), and shown Morty that he matters to someone, even if it's just so Rick can use him.
When Morty breaks up with Planetina because she killed innocent people, his idealized, perfect vision of his girlfriend finally shatters. The problem isn't that Planetina killed people (Rick has already done that, even Morty killed before), the real issue is that there is no way to sustain this unrealistic vision Morty had for her anymore. She was supposed to be his safe space, something outside the caos. But after that, there's no way he can keep pretending she's who he thought she was.
This leaves a mark. And in the end, Morty goes to adventures with Rick as usual.
At this point, after so many adventures and failed relationships, Morty has internalized so much Rick's worldview. Since the pilot, Rick's been planting the idea that it should be just the two of them, going on adventures together forever and ever. Rick and Morty at 100 years, an emotional trap disguised as a fun promise of adventures from which Morty cannot escape, not only because circumstances have molded him to adapt Rick's vision of the world, love, his own worth and morality, but also because a big part of his identity revolves around Rick).
With all that said, we can finally talk about Fear No Mort!
First off, when they "come out" of the hole, Morty notices Rick staring into it looking genuinely sad, so he admits he's afraid of being responsible for his sadness.
"Hey Rick, you just looked real sad, which I’m afraid of. You know, of being responsible for your sadness.”
Then, once they're back to, Morty imagines basically an entire life with Rick by his side. At this point Morty can no longer project himself, even in his imagination, without him! And then it hits him: Rick was never really there in the first place. That's when Morty finally figures out what he's truly afraid of:
"I know what I'm afraid of! I'm afraid that you'd never say that [that he is irreplaceable] in real life. I'm afraid that if I jumped into a hole, you wouldn't even bother jumping in after me. You'd just stand there and watch. This entire thing has been about me! You're not even in the hole, are you?!"
THIS MOMENT. THIS IS THE EXACT MOMENT WHERE IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT MORTY IS EMOTIONALLY DEPENDENT ON RICK. His fear of rejection doesn't compare to his fear of meaning nothing to Rick, and the fact that his entire life now revolves around him.
The fear of relying on Rick.
So! Morty's no longer the same scared kid of early seasons who got dragged into adventures against his will, and slowly started resenting his grandpa to such extent that (in some moments) he thought about killing him. Not because he truly wanted to, deep down, but because the anger and frustration took over.
Now after everything that has been though (being replaced, literally losing the most rebellious part of himself, and suffering from a broken heart) Morty's now fully Rick Sanchez's grandson. Someone who enjoys adventures, no longer hesitate to kill people (his whole moral compass is another topic on its own), and who is totally unable to let go of his grandpa because is all he has, but also the only thing he wants too, since there's nothing better out there or on earth waiting for him.
Morty isn't trying to escape Rick anymore, he just wants to be loved by him.
The issue is that Morty reached a point where he needs Rick to feel like somebody. Right now he's emotionally dependent on Rick in an extreme way. It wasn't always like this, Morty used to care about him (or at least respect him), but he also kinda hated him. Thanks to all his arc and now that Rick's been slowly changing in recents seasons, Morty can live with this, even with his doubts and with the conscious fear that Rick doesn't love him or might leave him again, he's so hurt at this point that he'll take whatever Rick gives.
So yeah, we've gone from a Morty who was aware Rick was hurting him and still called him out, to one's who's fully resigned to this life.
(I bring back the scene where he had the opportunity to leave his life with Rick behind when Evil Morty offered him a way out of the Central Finite Curve. Rick admits that's the best option cause he has no plan, and we see the exact moment when Morty resigns and decides to stay with Rick, DESPITE what happened with the crows).
And you know why? Because Rick is changing too. Slowly, painfully, but it's happening. And Morty doesn't love Rick because he's good.
He loves him because that's the most he can expect from love.
To conclude:
Before, Morty had normal concerns. He wanted to go to school, be with Jessica (I miss her), and form a life like any other teeanger. Rick was something he tolerated because he was his grandpa, but clearly not the center of his life.
Now, that changed completely. He doesn't really have those desires anymore, now, what he wants is to go on adventure. He wants to keep exploring the universe with Rick, because its the only he has left and also, it's become the only thing he's truly passionate about. I'm not saying that he cannot fall in love again and be a regular teenager someday, but his priorities have shifted.
He genuinely enjoys those adventures, but specially enjoys being with Rick. He respects him, admires him, challenges him, understands him... and even with all the pain, he wants to stay by his side. For a 100 years.
Wow! this got way out of hand. It all started when I was like "Man, I miss when Morty used to stood up to Rick". Then the new episode dropped, and hey, turns out current Morty is confronting Rick again! I know they had arguments before, but that was mostly because their bond was super tense, almost broken. And in those fights, Rick always played the victim and Morty ended up feeling bad, like he was the one in the wrong. But now, in the first episode we get a clearly parallel between Morty and Evil Morty (that's a different topic I could go on about- I'll just say I think it perfectly shows why Morty would never become Evil Morty: because he loves Rick). And in the most recent one, beat the crap out of Rick for being an asshole, totally deserved.
Their behavior in this episode really made me think, it’s like Rick and Morty’s personalities are kinda... swapping places. Morty’s turning more into Rick (stronger, more assertive) and Rick’s becoming a bit more like Morty (more human, more vulnerable) But neither of them has stopped being who they are at the core.
Also, I gotta say, I love how their relationship is way more balanced now! Rick actually treats Morty with a bit more respect, and Morty’s pretty much on the same level as Rick when they go on adventures. They finally see each other as equals and treat each other like actual family (a super dysfunctional one, sure, but one that’s trying to get better). Honestly, it’s been a really nice shift. And that’s what surprises me the most.
I’ve been a fan since the beginning, and I NEVER thought they’d canonically turn their relationship into something this wholesome, because this show’s always been about tearing down traditional stuff: love, good vs evil, heroes, family, all that. But now? They’re actually giving us this slow redemption arc. Not just for Rick and Morty, but for the whole Smith family, piecing themselves back together from all the damage. Ooobviously Rick and Morty’s relationship isn’t perfect, but compared to how it all started? It’s honestly too wholesome sometimes. I used to think it’d stay toxic and abusive forever!
I just really hope that with Rick changing now, they don’t forget about Morty’s growth. Just because Rick’s evolving doesn’t mean Morty’s wounds magically disappeared. He faced his fears down in the hole, but that doesn’t mean he’s over them, he’s just living with the trauma now. (Even the line at the end of the new episode makes it super clear Morty’s still scared, or so I think.) But I'm sure they won't ignore it. We’re still seeing Rick fall into that self-pity mode, and Morty is aware of it.
I’m genuinely excited to see where they take things from here!!!
Anyway, there’s so much more I could’ve talked about, but it was 3 a.m., I was half-asleep and my body hurt all over, plus there are already tons of deep dives out there about their dynamic. What I wanted to do here was just focus on Morty’s evolution. That’s my little contribution! [:
the five hottest things a fictional man can be are 1. highly intelligent 2. terminally ill 3. emotionally unavailable 4. full of trauma and regrets 5. lying about their identity
Top 10 fics completed in 2023 that garnered the most kudos on AO3. Excluded: chaptered "fics" that are actually collections of standalone ficlets and crossovers that are mostly about the other fandom. Fics that began posting earlier (in some cases, years earlier) obviously have the advantage of more time to rack up kudos. Kudo counts as of 2 Jan 2024.
1. 1,720 kudos: The Case of the Man Who Was Wanted by MyDearLadyDisdain (232K, M, Sherlock/Harry Potter)
After an inexplicable case in Surrey, Sherlock is after the strangest criminal he's ever encountered: a mass murderer, that has eluded the authorities for almost 14 years. Unfortunately, Sherlock Holmes is the only one that can see right away that this Harry Potter character is completely innocent. And hang on, is that tea set floating?
2. 1,682 kudos: Shift by stopthat (48K, E, Johnlock)
Sherlock is tired. John senses a shift.
3. 1,102 kudos: Ride On by Silvergirl (38K, E, Johnlock)
After the disastrous reveal at the Landmark, John tells Sherlock there can be no excuse for what he’s done, and no forgiveness. Sherlock leaves London and starts a new life, and not even the British Government knows where. It’s up to John to track him down and make things right, with a trip around the world and a clue only John would recognize.
4. 851 kudos: Till Death Do Us Part (Not Yet, Not Yet) by Civilized_muppets (8K, T, Johnlock)
In which Sherlock and John have been married for years, not that any member of the yard has ever heard of John, much less that Sherlock was married at all, until John is kidnapped from Afghanistan.
5. 797 kudos: The story of the Forgotten Wallet. by Headphones_on_the_Skull (25K, E, Johnlock)
Just some dirty Alpha/Omega Johnlock porn.
6. 788 kudos: Nothing to Celebrate by DiscordantWords (30K, M, Johnlock)
Sherlock Holmes is back from the dead. Things only get worse from there.
7. 726 kudos: A Tale of Two Soldiers by batslikepastel (14K, T, Johnlock, Jolto, Mystrade)
It's Christmas, and Sherlock and John are finally flatmates again after the tumultuous events of the previous year. But a sudden revelation about John's sexuality and James Sholto's unexpected presence throw a wrench into Sherlock's plans, and his jealousy threatens to overwhelm him even as John remains blithely oblivious. Their relationship has reached a turning point, and the ball is in John's court now.
8. 671 kudos: Nightjet by khorazir (22K, M, Johnlock)
Officially deceased for eighteen months and still looking for the last remainders of Moriarty’s criminal empire, an exhausted Sherlock boards a night train in Germany to bring him to his next hunting ground. Due to a mishap with the sleeper cars, he is forced to share a compartment with a stranger – who turns out to be not quite as strange as Sherlock thought. The universe isn’t lazy, after all …
9. 646 kudos: Our Love Keeps the Things It Finds by her_ladyships_soap (25K, T, Mystrade)
Everyone has a soulmate. Everyone. It's simple human biology. Over the course of every person's life, they develop tattoos of the things their soulmate loves most. Though he has always disliked the concept, Mycroft Holmes is painted from head to toe with dozens of brightly-coloured tattoos. Greg Lestrade, once-firm believer and hopeless romantic, has just nine. They are all quietly sophisticated, sketched in smooth shades of black and grey and easy to hide. Neither of them has gained a tattoo in years. But when they both suddenly find new markings, things finally fall into place.
10. 636 kudos: In Fine Spirits by EventHorizon (189K, M, Mystrade, Johnlock)
A very upscale bar/private club needs a bartender and scruffy, punky Greg Lestrade is certain he has the right skills (and needs the job), so walks in to apply in person. He didn't realize that someone else he knew works there, also. Though… 'knew' probably isn't the proper term for a one-night stand where you didn't even learn their name during the fun…
“My beloved is a brave, noble, and gracious special someone”
“我的心上人，是个勇敢的金枝玉叶的贵人“
This is Hua Cheng’s words to Xie Lian towards the end of the novel. I haven’t gotten that far into the story yet, but this line is so famous among Chinese fans that even I couldn’t help but know it lol. The original Chinese of this line is more nuanced and thus worth explaining, so let’s break down this sentence for a bit.
The word “beloved” in the original Chinese is “心上人”, which literally means “the person on my heart.” So “beloved” refers to someone that you cherish in your heart (and who’s always on your mind).
The Chinese phrase for “noble” is “金枝玉叶”, which literally means “gold branches and jade leaves.” The phrase was originally used to describe beautiful plants, but is later mostly used to descibe those of noble birth. High-born people are analogized to “gold branches and jade leaves” because in a class society, nobilities are simply deemed to have more worth than the common people.
So actually the word “noble” here doesn’t have the connotation of “having fine personal qualities and high moral principles,” it just refers to Xie Lian’s noble birth. But it also shows the high regard Hua Cheng holds Xie Lian in, because after so many years of being the dirt-poor God of Rubbish, after so many years of enduring the ignominy of being a failure and laughing stock, Xie Lian is still “gold branches and jade leaves” in Hua Cheng’s heart. Xie Lian’s image remains unmarred and unstained for Hua Cheng.
The phrase for “gracious, special someone” in Chinese is “贵人”. “贵人” could simply mean “aristocrat,” “nobility,” but it does also have the meaning of “special someone.” And a person is usually referred to as “special” (“贵人”) because they have given you pivotal help and support in a critical time of your life. So when you say “he’s the special somone in my life” (他是我命中的贵人), people would understand it as that this person has helped you immensely at some point. And this “special someone” who has given Hua Cheng immesurable help in his hardest times is Xie Lian.
So the sentence could somewhat be interpreted as “the person I cherish in my heart is brave and of noble birth, the special someone who has given me the help I most needed.”
people who don't experience hyperfixation don't know what it feels like to hyperfixate so much on something that it becomes not only your subject of obsession but also your source of happiness and literally the main reason why you still keep going; literal source of strength and life.
shoutout to my favorite fictional characters, favorite people, favorite ships, favorite movies, favorite tv shows, fanfics and archive of our own
No matter how it always ALWAYS seems like John Watson and Sherlock Holmes are love at first sight that’s never the entire truth because they never “fall” in love because they have been in love for one hundred and thirty seven years and they are in love in every universe so no matter when or where or how they meet they will always fall in love with each other all over again because their love is carved into Fate since the start of creation just as firmly as Olympus Mons stands on Mars because their love runs and fills all the arteries and veins and vessels mapping every inch of their bodies and bleeds through every universe into them because Sherlock Holmes and John Watson are destined to be in love CAN'T YOU SEE
Every time I read the Sherlock Holmes canon I’m actually stunned that people read this man as straight. It’s just so glaringly obvious to me that he’s SOME flavor of queer - how on earth could you read this man as cishet? And when my non Holmesian friend asked me to explain what textual evidence showed that he was queer, it occurred to me that besides all of the times he or Watson remarks on how he’s not into women, marriage doesn’t appeal to him, he’s never been in love, etc. (which honestly is pretty solid evidence on its own) most of the reasons I feel sure he’s gay is just his fuckin vibes.
He’s an absolute bitch, but in like a sassy gay cunt-serving way that I just can’t imagine a cishet man embodying. He’s a drama queen and knows it. He shows such disrespect towards the establishment and “polite society,” particularly the law, but shows endless kindness and respect towards all of the outcasts of society. To me, all of this paints a very clear picture of a queer person living in a deeply homophobic society.
But I can see how all of this might go completely over a cishet person’s head. They just see a quirky guy who’s sarcastic and rude and likes to befriend outcasts because they’re frequently useful to him, and because he never makes the mistake of underestimating someone just because of their position in society. But him being queer not only explains so much about him, it literally completes the picture of his character. It makes everything about him slot into place.
I think that when it comes down to it, it’s really just that seeing everyone as straight being like, the default is the only reason people see him as straight. Even though he repeatedly says that he’s not interested in women, straight people’s instinct is to interpret that as “he’s never met the right woman” instead of “he’s not interested in women and never will be.” Because there’s no absolutely undeniable textual evidence that he’s queer, that means he’s not. Which is just such an alien way to look at the world to me, you know?
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