Rick and Morty S05E01 is the first episode of season 5 in this scifi fantasy action-adventure animated comedy created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon. The series follows the misadventures of cynical mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his good-hearted but fretful grandson Morty Smith, who split their time between domestic life and inter-dimensional adventures.
Entitled “Mort Dinner Rick Andre”, Rick and Morty S05E01 is essentially split into two parallel narratives. First, Rick has to re-negotiate his peace agreement with arch-enemy Mr. Nimbus and second, Morty – while trying to impress his crush Jessica, on their first date – has to deal with an alternate reality that considers him to be the devil, when trying to serve wine for the Rick-Mr. Nimbus detente.
Complicated, much? And that’s exactly what makes Rick and Morty the best geek-oriented TV series out there. There are so many geek references packed in each episode that the stories can often fly over the heads of most ‘normies’. The fact that Marvel Studios have been ‘poaching’ writers from this show to work on the MCU is evidence enough of its sheer quality!
In any case, back to Rick and Morty S05E01. Mr. Nimbus is quite obviously an analogue of Namor, the Sub-Mariner and he is a hedonistic narcissistic psycho that just happens to be the King of the Oceans (!). Throughout the episode, a previous involved history with Rick is teased at and the relationship twists and turns brilliantly.
For Morty, his mission is simple – to retrieve wine bottles that have been left in a dimension where time jumps each time he uses the portal (for instant aging!). It is sheer genius, to witness as Morty interacts with inter-dimensional beings who view him as a godlike demon, visiting their dimension in hundred year lapses, even as that society evolves and develops along the way. The fact that all this is going on while Morty is trying to woo Jessica is simply hilarious.
Rick and Morty S05E01 demonstrates once more why this show puts most TV series to shame – the plots come thick and fast all in the space of a 20-odd minute episode. And its funny and poignant, at the same time – with geek nods and winks to satisfy every fanboy (and girl). Essential viewing but you knew that!
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