Rick and Morty S05E08 is the eighth 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 “Rickternal Friendshine of the Spotless Mort”, Rick and Morty S05E08 features Rick in a rare solo adventure as the family go on vacation. This provides Rick with the opportunity to salvage Birdperson, who had been reduced to an inert cyborg at the end of Season 4. The result is one of the better episodes of Rick and Morty Season 5 thus far, and even of the series overall!
As the title suggests, Rick and Morty S05E08 is based on the classic scifi romantic comedy Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Rick namechecks writer Charlie Kaufman during the episode. Essentially, in order to save Birdperson, Rick has to enter Birdperson’s mind and sift through his memories in order to recover his mind and bring him back to life. Elements of Legion Season 1, Inception and Fantastic Voyage seed this episode with very cool and intriguing concepts.
After the seemingly meaningless (perhaps intentionally so?) previous episodes, which focus on satire than plot/characterisations, Rick and Morty S05E08 dives back deep into Rick and Morty lore to produce a tale that gives us more of the story behind the Rick-Birdperson friendship and by doing so, also provides us with a glimpse of a younger Rick, in his mid-thirties. It’s all eminently satisfying and engaging throughout, and ultimately heartfelt, as Birdperson discovers a reason to live, despite all the hellish experiences he has endured.
READ OUR REVIEWS OF RICK AND MORTY SEASON 5.
Rick and Morty S05E08 certainly reminds us once more of how great Rick and Morty can be – hopefully, this high standard can be maintained for the final two episodes of Season 5. Highly recommended!
Now streaming on HBOMax.
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