I love shows that subvert expectations. It's the reason that I watch a lot of Adult Swim shows, watch a lot of comedy shows, and watch many cartoons. These kinds of shows have a tendency to take what I expect and do the opposite. Rick and Morty is the pinnacle of this kind of subversion. It holds nothing as sacred and subverts everything.
I have mixed feelings about this show. It mixes many things I enjoyed from other shows. It takes the improv nature of Home Movies, mixes in the references and depressing Sci-fi comedy of the Venture Brothers, and the deep satire of something like Morel Orel. I feel like I should love this show and it is a good show because of these reasons because it juggles them all well. I just have a few nitpicks about the show that bothers me.
I am not a huge fan of how they do the improv in the show. Home Movies did a good job with its improv because I felt like the characters were talking and not the actors. I have a hard time doing the same kind of separation of actor and character with Rick and Morty(especially in the episodes where they watch inter-dimensional TV). I also don't find the characters as likable as I do in something like the Venture Brothers. Everyone seems to be an asshole and not in a lovable asshole fun way like Cartman (of south park) or Archer (of Archer).It's a lot more realistic in its portrayals. I think that the satire is its biggest strength, but it can be a little heavy handed with it, outright calling aspects or tropes of the genre stupid, while using those same aspects and tropes(like in the episode lawnmower dog).
Despite these nitpicks I still enjoy the show overall. It is a whole lot of fun seeing the tropes I have come to know and love being made fun of. Rick and Morty can also have some truly thought provoking and sentimental moments, and any show that has those deserves at least a little bit of love from the viewing public. The show started as a simple parody of back to the future, but it really has turned into its own beast. I am ready to get shwifty and with the coming season three(which hopefully comes out this year).
Stay nerdy my beautiful friends.
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