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!
The Apple/Acorn Falls Straight Down From the Tree
Conveniently placed news stories during television episodes are so beneficial in creating story/character arcs with no better example of what occurs during the season’s ninth episode when the local news informs everyone the father of a boy who went missing nearly thirty years ago is being executed. In a strange twist, the little boy was Beth Smith’s best friend whom she imagined was living with her in a world called “FroopyLand” to cope with his death. Rick, hearing the word “FroopyLand”, is forced to confront his daughter for mocking the world’s branding before revealing that, yes, FroopyLand was a creation for his daughter that pacified her somewhat eccentric nature as a youth.
While Morty & Summer hang out with their father and new girlfriend who just so happens to be a “Predator-esque” alien who is using Jerry Smith as a rebound and almost kills all three before she’s confronted by her ex, Rick and his daughter discover that Tommy is actually alive in FroopyLand after surviving Beth’s betrayal where she shoved him in a pool of honey and left him for dead by completely forgetting about the “imaginary” world (leaving her believed cannibalistic father to take the blame for Tommy’s disappearance). Not surprisingly after being stuck and needing a way to live in FroopyLand, Tommy spent the next few decades having sex with the beasts of FroopyLand while eating some of their offspring. But more disturbing for Rick was the reconfirmation that as a child Beth was as dangerous as it got. Being a super smart scientist, Rick was able to make anything adolescent Beth wanted including a whip that forced people to like her, false fingerprints, poison gum, and even a taser shaped as a toy ladybug.
Infuriated that her dad would accuse her of being naturally evil, Beth reenters FroopyLand to save Tommy. But revealing herself as the Tommy dubbed, “Beth the Destroyer,” Beth is forced to do what Rick does best in making a mess through bloodshed and cloning the residue to replace what was lost due to her “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality (of course this is after Beth has a similar argument with Tommy over her inability to apologize that she had with Rick for refusing to apologize for sticking child Beth in an false world). Finally working alongside her father, Beth hears from Rick the truth he’s always known, but never emphasized in fear she would become so much more like him: Beth is smart; not just doctor smart, but “offspring of the smartest man in the multi-verse” smart. But unlike Rick, Beth settled – relegating her intelligence to marrying a closeted racist beta male and being held down from seeing the world due to her teenage pregnancy with said beta male who couldn’t even break up with an alien hunter. Rick offers his daughter the chance he took for himself by leaving her family behind while a clone takes her place – giving Beth the opportunity to find who she really is, have her own adventures, and maybe, just maybe, saddle reality & ride that thing until the bitter end. While it isn’t revealed whether or not Beth accepts Rick’s offer to leave, the fact remains that she is proof the apple/acorn doesn’t just fall far from the tree, it plops straight down.
While this is probably one of the most obvious and at times redundant revelations seen throughout all entertainment mediums, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s true. The most important fact is embracing who you are because of who they are. Your traits, attitude, and maybe even homicidal nature are a direct connection to your parents that needs to be embraced & nurtured so you can discover who you truly are (okay, maybe not the “homicidal” part, but the rest is true). No matter the end result of your journeys as your parents’ child, luxuriate in the life you know you’ve chosen no matter the traits you’ve inherited.
Mini Lessons: Bubble transport is not feasible for humans; dating a Krutabulan warrior priestess will grant you the power of telekinesis; whatever you say “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, when you’re handed an ex machina take it and don’t argue.
