There are very few things stronger than the bond between a grandfather and his grandchild; but usually that relationship isn’t based around the pair traveling through multiple dimensions, killing aliens, and the elder generally not giving squanch. Over the course of two seasons and now a third so much life-changing information has been bestowed upon the world for those really hoping to become better (or maybe worst) people. Wubba lubba dub dub, it’s time to learn some “Rick & Morty” life lessons!
Society Cultivates Complacency
What originally seems to be a view of the adventure of a lifetime – Rick & Morty heading to the lost city of Atlantis – turns out to be anything but when C-137 Rick & Morty are confronted by another Rick & Morty pair looking for donations to rebuild the Citadel of Ricks and the Morty we’ve grown to know and love just haphazardly wonders what life is like on the new Citadel. Their donation efforts and the collaborative work of Ricks and Mortys from throughout the multi-verse is a success … on most levels. But the truth is even in a society based around two beings who have distinct personalities made for adventures and changing the world as they know it the act of creating a civilization can dull the senses to the point even the smartest man in the multi-verse becomes just another factory-line worker, plumber, or even the source of wafer cookie made out of a Rick’s brain secretions while being strapped to a machine that replays the same joyous memories over & over again.
There are Mortys involved in everything from gang activity, to being trained to be the sidekick of a Morty-less Rick, and even a strong-willed Morty running for President against the likes of Juggling Rick. What comes from this peak into a practical new world is that of complacency and relative disappointment from people who feel they are worth more than what they are given, and can accomplish more than what is being dictated to them. We see a Rick on the morning train for another day making the aforementioned cookies finally snap when, after fifteen years of mundane labor, his opportunity to move up in the world is usurped by popularity as “Cool Rick” just waltzes in and takes the position as supervisor; initiating a hostage crisis situation the eventually ends in him being the new cookie source. Elsewhere a Rick of high moral fiber finds himself paired with an overweight, Morty-hating Morty as cops patrolling the urbanized Morty Town featuring a bunch of Mortys who have no parental supervision and left to kill each other through violence & drug usage. Cop Morty turns out to be just as corrupted as the streets he’s meant to clean up, only to be cut down by his partner who sees there’s no end to his madness other than death. Four Mortys join each other on an adventure to the mythical Wishing Portal in an effort to make their last day of being sidekicks-in-training for a new Rick turns into an unexpected sacrificial moment with the hope of a better Citadel for Mortys. And then there’s Candidate Morty. After surviving an assassination attempt, Candidate Morty actually becomes President Morty of the Citadel (really “Evil Morty”) is ready to shake up things and make those inhabiting the Citadel know the time for change is now.
The end result is a true clashing of beliefs – a world of what is and a world of what could be if those in power and even those who have been relegated to being a round peg stuffed inside a square hold would harness their natural talents, abilities, and, most importantly, personalities to change a society dulling the senses. Complacency can make things run smoothly, but people aren’t just cogs no matter hard society tries to desensitize them. But being you can come at a severe price that may or may not be worth it in the end – that’s up to you to decide.
Mini Lessons: Brain secretions make wafer cookies taste so good; buying into your sensitivity training will get you killed if you’re a cop; secrets are always handed off in sealed folders; speeches are for campaigning, now is the time for action.
