Want to hear more from the actors and creators of your favorite shows and films? Subscribe to The Cinema Spot on YouTube for all of our upcoming interviews!

+ posts

Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.

Alas, Rick and Morty returns from its Labor Day hiatus. Here is a review on the season’s sixth episode titled The Ricklantis Mixup/ Tales from the Citadel.

Warning: Possible spoilers ahead!

Plot summary

The main Rick and Morty have an adventure in Atlantis. Meanwhile, the episode also focuses on Ricks and Mortys living at the Citadel for once. It switches between different aspects:

  • One on side, a group of graduating Mortys decide to venture off to find a portal said to grant their very wishes.
  • From another side, a Rick–a rookie cop–partners up with a Morty–an experienced cop.
  • From the third point of view, Rick working at a famous wafer-making factory has a meltdown and holds one of their important Ricks hostage.
  • In a fourth story arc of the episode, an election is held for a Rick or Morty to become the new president of the Citadel. A former campaign manager of a Morty candidate grows his suspicions and decides to take action.

Discussion

 

This episode shows something that has not yet been done before, and that is telling a story about Rick and Morty from the perspectives of other Ricks and Mortys in the style akin to that of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. (Perhaps it is just a coincidence.) It also reveals the return of a character from Season 1 Episode 10 – Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind. This means that this story arc of the show is not yet finished, and more mystery will transpire in a future episode.

The Ricklantis Mixup/ Tales from the Citadel also features elements from popular films:

The graduating Mortys have a striking appearance to the children from Stephen King’s Stand By Me. The police officer story arc resembles that of Training Day, which featured Ethan Hawke and Denzel Washington. The factory storyline features a Rick dressed similarly to Willy Wonka from the celebrated Roald Dahl story featuring the titular character. Have you caught those references?

This episode may not be a great one compared to its predecessor, but it was rather entertaining.

ricklantis mixup

Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland’s Rick and Morty has returned to Cartoon Network’s nighttime programming block Adult Swim with its third season. For more Rick and Morty-related news and reviews, follow Geek Motivation on Twitter (@GEEKMOTIVATION) and Instagram (@geekmotivation).

Written by: John Tangalin

+ posts

Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.

John Daniel Tangalin

About John Daniel Tangalin

Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.

View all posts by John Daniel Tangalin