Earth’s former dominant species returns after having escaped to other worlds and, after having observed what a fine job we’ve done running the place, decide to take back the wheel. Meanwhile, Dan Harmon continues to write in as many references to the Marvel franchise as possible. It makes you wonder if he’s contractually obligated to do so. All this and more in the new episode of Rick and Morty, “JuRicksic Mort.”
Oof. I have to be honest with you, I don’t have many nice things to say about this episode, but since there is some stuff in the pros column, let’s hit them first. While not all the jokes were great, this episode did have a good deal of slam dunks. The Dinosaurs asking what happened to their kind on Earth had me howling. Ditto the segments with Jerry and his book on the ways to be Jerry.
That aside, this episode was incredibly weak. It takes a long time for the stakes to become apparent, and by the time they do it is too little too late. On top of that, the story itself feels way too segmented. It sort of bounces all over between different pieces of the plot, and while that’s not a bad thing in and of itself, there’s no center to go back to.
The latest episode of Rick and Morty doesn’t get off the ground
There was some potential in Rick’s relationship with the Dinosaurs. They establish early on that the Dinos are just as, if not more, intelligent and capable as Rick. They offer him help with the problems he’s put off like fixing the portal gun or mending the rift in space, and typical for him, Rick resents them for it. But with so many other goings on this week, there just wasn’t time to explore these elements fully.
And those are my thoughts on “JuRicksic Mort”. Over all, I found it a joyless episode. The story inspires doomerism, a good deal but not all of the jokes were of the “insert reference here” kind, and I swear to God if I hear one more “joke” about the MCU I’m going to file a FOIA request and find out if Disney is paying Warner Bros.
Hopefully the time off will inspire some better material. Yep, that’s right folks, Rick and Morty is going on hiatus after this episode. Season 6 will pick back up Sunday, November 20.
Grade: D+
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels