- Title: Rick and Morty – Rest and Ricklaxation
- wiki: link
It’s not unusual for Rick and Morty to offer a twist after the initial set-up. The set-up here is a long-overdue vacation leads Rick and Morty to cleanse themselves and relax in the galaxy’s best spa. During this time off, Rick (Justin Roiland) and Morty (Roiland) relieve themselves of the mental toxins as well as physical, leaving behind copies of what each sees as the worst parts of themselves. What’s in the toxic versions of both Rick and Morty says a lot about both characters. Morty’s insecurities and self-doubt are left behind. For Rick, his more evil machinations are obviously cleansed but so are his feelings for Morty (which the scientist sees as a weakness).
As expected, the episode is about accepting the worst parts of yourself, although “Rest and Ricklaxation” does offer a Rick and Morty twist in allowing the toxic versions of both characters to escape and cause havoc. Rick is far more open to accepting his toxicity while Morty flees the scene, hoping his weaknesses will disappear for good. It’s here the the show takes the unusual turn of giving us the most common conclusion rather than a Rick and Morty one. Eventually Rick tracks down the far more successful Morty and forces his grandson’s insecurities back into him (while suggestion subconsciously that Morty wanted this), resetting the show back to square-one and keeping the status quo. Far more intriguing would have been allowing Morty his new freedom which certainly would have made for some major changes to the pair’s dynamic going forward.