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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, the last episode of Rick and Morty before the season finale. Venture into the magical realm of Froopyland. Here is a review on Season 3’s ninth episode titled The ABC’s of Beth.

Warning: Possible spoilers ahead!

Plot summary

Beth Smith and her mad scientist father Rick Sanchez enter an imaginary universe to retrieve a lost childhood friend–said to have been murdered–and thus preventing the execution of the friend’s father.

Meanwhile, Summer and Morty Smith’s father Jerry Smith enters a relationship with a telekinetic alien named Ciara who has a passion for hunting. Jerry eventually tries to break up with her, but this leads to her going on a rampage against the children.

Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley, Captain Underpants) guest stars as the voice of Beth’s childhood friend Tommy.

rick and morty abcs of beth

Discussion

In a world filled with rainbow rivers, mutated Muppet-like creatures, and bastardized birds, the eponymous elderly man could still manage to lose a limb, and yet he has the technology to make mechanical prosthetics. A place like Froopyland is reminiscent of Nickelodeon’s Chalkzone, a show in which its main characters–like in this episode of Rick and Morty–use a special writing tool to create a portal connecting their world to another.

The ABC’s of Beth shows that there is a dark side to every character, and in this case, it’s Beth. (As a child, she asked her father to make inventions for her, and these include false fingerprints, an indestructible baseball bat, rainbow-colored duct tape, and a pink sentient switchblade.) In the end, the audience learns that the only thing worse than being evil is being smart. The episode leaves Beth with an unknown fate, and perhaps we shall find out what happened in the season finale.

Jerry’s story arc teaches the audience about committing to relationships and dealing with breakups. In addition, we learn about taking accountability for our actions and the decisions we make.

rick and morty abcs

Are you ready for the Season 3 Finale?

Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland’s popular animated series Rick and Morty returned this year 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