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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.
Adult Swim’s popular adventure science-fiction comedy animated television program, Rick and Morty, returns for its seventh season. Now, it brings new changes than ever before. I got to see the first two episodes ahead of release, and the series is slowly building around the next conflict resolution: how to search for Diane Sanchez’s killer.
In this review, I will discuss Rick and Morty Season 7 Episodes 1 & 2. As the title of this article suggests, there will be no spoilers present here. References to previous series episodes may be made!
Rick and Morty Season 7 Synopsis
According to WarnerMedia Press, here is the official synopsis for Rick and Morty Season 7.
Rick and Morty are back and sounding more like themselves than ever! It’s season seven, and the possibilities are endless: what’s up with Jerry? EVIL Summer?! And will they ever go back to the high school?! Maybe not! But let’s find out! There’s probably less piss than last season. “Rick and Morty,” 100 years! Or at least until season 10!
WarnerMedia Press
Rick and Morty Season 7 Episodes 1 & 2 Loglines
According to WarnerMedia Press, here is the logline for the Rick and Morty Season 7 premiere—“How Poopy Got His Poop Back”.
Broh, come out with us, you’re being so boring, dude.
WarnerMedia Press
Here is the logline for Season 7 Episode 2—“The Jerrick Trap”.
Gotta be mindful, broh. Big brain stuff here.
WarnerMedia Press
Discussion
These first couple of Rick and Morty Season 7 episodes show promise that the next major storyline for our titular characters is going to be worth the wait. Of course, what the series tends to do is pivot from the main course, and we usually have to watch as the characters—along with their family members—venture on side quests. Still, from the “pivots” that take place within these two episodes, they are not anything to take lightly.
The Season 7 premiere is a strange blend of science-fiction brutality and controlled romantic comedy insanity. Its plot follows the Smith family as they help someone who has fallen on hard times. The episode is a sweet poetic mixture of uppers and downers that offers levity for those enduring rough patches. By comparison, the season’s second episode is not as depressing. Yet, when it comes to simply searching for one thing, the episode makes another pivot. The result, then, is a rare sequence of events shared between scientist Rick Sanchez and his son-in-law, Jerry Smith (voiced by Chris Parnell).
What makes this second episode as unique as the prior one is how seldom these two particular characters share so much screen time together. The only other episodes where this is remotely possible are Season 1 Episode 4 (“M. Night Shaym-Aliens!”) and Season 3 Episode 5 (“The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy”). In the former episode, the two are urged into action and collaboration. Meanwhile, the latter episode introduces a human emotional concept called empathy.
A Look Into What’s New
What these two episodes have in common—and what I notice is shared with nearly many films and television series that I review at The Cinema Spot, recently with Prime Video’s Totally Killer—is the very means for narrative transformation. This is achieved by breaking the boundaries of what people are already comfortable seeing in front of or around them. In more recent years, long-time fans and viewers are well aware of one character or another’s depressed state in the Rick and Morty-verse.
Watching the ebbs and flows throughout the series allows us to acclimate to the atmosphere of appeal to ethos, pathos, and even kairos. After almost a decade of being on air for several seasons, this animated series has proved time and time again that we are not defined by others’ limitations for us as individuals. At the individual level, we each have the ability to set these limits and standards so that we know how high we can reach for the stars.
Rick and Jerry’s dynamic is no different. While that is a rare sight, we do get to witness how empathy plays a role in every character, especially between these two. Through them, we can learn that it is absolutely fine to fail. In fact, screwing up and making mistakes paves the way for transformation. Transformative power comes from love, which can be a violent thing, albeit not in the physically hurtful sense.
The Voice Cast Behind Rick and Morty
Spencer Grammer voices Summer Smith, Rick Sanchez’s granddaughter and Morty Smith’s older sister. Chris Parnell and Sarah Chalke (How I Met Your Mother) voice Jerry and Beth Smith, Summer and Morty Smith’s parents.
Scott Chernoff voices Revolio “Gearhead” Clockberg, Jr., Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants, Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, Adventure Time) voices Squanchy, and Dan Harmon (Community) voices Birdperson. Kenny also voices Gene, the Smith family’s next-door neighbor.
Kari Wahlgren voices Rick’s Space Cruiser/Car.
Character Developments
I believe that if there is anything to admire about the season’s first two episodes, it is the fact that Rick and Jerry’s bonding experience can be a beneficial thing. While it has taken this much time to make progress, the series’ writers show that this is greater than nothing at all. As is the case with many of Rick and Morty‘s main and supporting characters, there can be meaning in simply having fun with company. Even if it takes another several years for an old man and his daughter’s husband to truly know each other, it will be worth it in the end.
I am also curious about the series’ ever-growing inclusion of the neighbor character, Gene (voiced by Tom Kenny). This is a character who, in earlier seasons, served more as a background personality. However, in more recent seasons, we have come to see that he butts into discourse every now and then. It may not currently be certain what role the writers’ room has in store for him. He could surprisingly become the next antagonist or slowly, over time, a newfound ally, but I would love to see how this secondary course is navigated.
Final Thoughts on Rick and Morty Season 7 Episodes 1 & 2
Overall, these “pivots” in Rick and Morty Season 7 demonstrate that the series is not rushing to reach its next big destination. If anything, the writers want the viewers to witness how transformation works in their beloved characters. This implies having to lose prominent voices, but it can almost mean making and gaining new friends along the way. During my first watch of the episodes, I thought this would be an end for Rick and Morty. However, processing how life works in the series points to the idea that it’s just a beginning if we can just allow it to be. Conversely, even the imminent death of something that isn’t quite real shows that meaning can hold some influence and power.
Rick and Morty Season 7 premieres this Sunday evening, October 15th, and will stream via Max (formerly HBO Max) next year!
Have you seen the series yet? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more adventure, animation, comedy, and science-fiction-related news and reviews, do not forget to follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Do you love Rick and Morty and/or want to catch up on the series? Add Seasons 1 through 5 to your Blu-Ray collection today!
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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.
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