The most thought-provoking episode so far, “Rest and Ricklaxation,” was a well-needed departure from the action-packed episodes earlier this season.
One thing Rick and Morty does well is presenting deep truths about humanity veiled in humor and unrealistic comic adventures while still getting its point across. In this episode, the show explores how each person has attributes that make them, in many cases, a less-than-wonderful person; everyone has a “dark side."
For Rick, it’s his insane confidence that borders on psychotic narcissism and his passion that often causes him to put himself and others at risk to preserve what he cares about. For Morty, it’s his spineless attitude and inability to take control of his life.
Following a more stressful adventure than usual, Rick and Morty head to the spa to detox. When they leave the detoxification chamber, they seem to be the best versions of themselves. Rick is rational, calm and less self-absorbed. Morty is totally confident in himself and doesn’t hesitate to take charge of his life.
But the detoxification didn’t just relax them — it literally took the bad parts out of them and formed them into entirely new people, green goopy versions of Rick and Morty with the worst of both of them who live in the toxic waste chamber.
Although the new Morty is too weak to want anything, the new Rick wants out of the toxic world he’s been thrust into. He contacts Rick, and Rick’s new self is kind enough to hear him out and decides to re-merge with him.
New Morty, however, isn’t so excited to get his weak self back. He’s become popular at school, finally gotten to take Jessica to dinner and when the date goes wrong, he's able to score a girl significantly older than him.
His confidence has grown immensely, and his new life is much better than his old. When Rick re-merges himself and attempts to do the same to Morty, Morty runs away.
He’s not interested in who he was before. He becomes a wealthy stock broker and has a high-rise apartment with a gorgeous woman who loves him. He’s living the perfect life.
But he’s not Morty.
This episode explores what it means to be ourselves, and how we all have parts of ourselves that we would like to get rid of and that we would probably be better off without. But they’re what make us who we are.
At the end of the episode, both Rick and Morty return to their normal selves. Morty with his bendable will, and Rick as a passionate, irrational person. Although not perfect, they’re not themselves without their flaws.
Rick and Morty airs every Sunday at 11:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network.
