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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.
Man has a new best friend. In this article, we review the third episode of Rick and Morty‘s fourth season.
“Claw and Hoarder: Special Ricktim’s Morty” is directed by Anthony Chun and written by Jeff Loveness.
If you haven’t caught up with the show, do so now or read at your own peril. Spoilers ahead!
There isn’t much to be said about this episode. Really.
Morty is rewarded a dragon named Balthremar for his great work on adventures alongside his grandfather, but matters get worse when Rick Sanchez builds a bond with the dragon. Meanwhile, father Jerry Smith bonds with a talking cat.
This Rick and Morty episode looks more like it would work as a fantasy video game than an episode of the animated series. The only lesson you could get from it is to mind whom you establish relationships with. “Claw and Hoarder: Special Ricktim’s Morty” serves as a filler and doesn’t seem to progress the show in any way possible.
*Writer’s note: Upon a second viewing of this episode (and a recent one at that), there is a deeper meaning behind the episode than its main plots. I deeply regret not noticing this the first time around, so please disregard the ignorant sentiments expressed above. Behind the absurdity of bonding with speaking creatures, they represent something more.
- Balthremar is a creature of the fantasy genre used as a slave and not as an equal. At least, this is until he meets Rick Sanchez. Both the creature and the man represent a liberation of sorts from a system of standards and principles. Rick breaks the dragon from these restraints, and the duo breaks animals out of their cages at the local zoo. The dragon doesn’t have this type of bond with Morty because the boy is bound in institutions such as a household and a school with older authoritative figures. Unlike Morty, Rick is older and is free to do as he pleases. This arc of the episode can be juxtaposed with that of Jerry Smith’s.
- Jerry bonds with a talking cat, who easily convinces him to purchase two tickets to Florida where “[the locals] don’t ask questions; they play volleyball, they party, and they have fun.” After a game of volleyball at the beach, the cat blames his defecating into the sand on Jerry. The cat represents the American who is “out of sight, out of mind” or, in the case of this episode, the typical Floridian. The “Florida Man,” if you must. Let’s take the ongoing coronavirus pandemic into consideration. The usual American who pays no mind to current events (as well as the impact of such) would much rather go to the beach and spend some leisure time, but once things go wrong against their favor, they get frustrated again. People love to point fingers but feel hurt when they’re the ones being scrutinized.
- In the end, Balthremar and the cat bond in the post-credits scene because neither are held back by what the system in which they reside dictates them to do. The dragon is considered a “slut” as per the wizard — who, therefore, must be a pimp — and the cat (as cats do) simply do not obey their masters.
What do you think? Have you seen Rick and Morty yet? If not, do you plan to? Let us know! For more animation-related news and reviews follow The Cinema Spot on Twitter (@TheCinemaSpot) and Instagram (@thecinemaspot_).
Rick and Morty Season 4 is now out on Cartoon Network’s nighttime program Adult Swim!
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.
