As a long-time fan of Rick and Morty, I must admit that this show never fails to leave me both entertained and disturbed – often at the same time. The dark moments it presents are a stark reflection of our own world’s flaws, albeit exaggerated for comedic effect.
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for the ingenious plot twists and off-the-wall humor of the show “Rick and Morty”. Yet, it’s the darker episodes that often linger in my memory. Co-created by Dan Harmon (with Justin Roiland previously on board), this Adult Swim series follows the escapades of Rick, the eccentric grandfather, and his grandson Morty, as they journey through various galaxies and alternate dimensions. The duo encounters alien threats and cosmic terrors that would make anyone echo Rick’s iconic phrase, “Wubba lubba dub dub”.
In a world similar to that depicted in “The Purge,” or the ominous “Froopyland,” you’ll find hair-raising incidents lurking at every turn. While some of these unsettling instances are intended for laughter, their implications and underlying messages remain grim. Remarkably, the show’s humor can actually make these dark occurrences more unnerving.
13 Mr. Jellybean’s Attempted Assault
Season 1, Episode 5 – “Meeseeks and Destroys”
In the fifth episode of Season 1, titled “Meeseeks and Destroys,” the narrative revolves around an event that deeply impacts Morty, leaving him with lasting scars. Having vowed to abstain from adventures, Morty is eventually convinced by Rick to embark on a journey of his own choosing. Opting for a trip to a mystical planet, they encounter a deceased colossal being and experience a mistrial. Considering the trip a success, Morty later enters the restroom of a tavern where he encounters Mr. Jellybean, a jelly bean king, who presumes adventures should be unpredictable. In an unsettling turn of events, Mr. Jellybean then makes an inappropriate advance towards Morty.
What Makes this Moment Especially Dark
The very act of Mr. Jellybean attempting assault is disturbing on its own. Yet, the shadows grow deeper because Morty had been eager to embark on this journey after contemplating quitting adventures almost entirely. To make matters worse, he viewed the adventure as a triumph up until that moment, and Morty’s cries for help were drowned out by Rick’s loud karaoke singing. Fortunately, Morty found a way to escape, but this incident hinted at how their journeys could swiftly transform into something menacing.
12 Rick and Morty Burying Their Own Bodies
Season 1, Episode 6 – “Rick Potion No. 9”
In simpler terms, it’s often seen in stories that Morty has a strong crush on his classmate Jessica. During the sixth episode of the first season, titled “Rick Potion No. 9,” he asks Rick to brew a love potion to catch her attention. However, things take a turn for the worse when this concoction causes chaos, resulting in Cronenberg-like creatures populating the universe. To escape this disaster, Rick and Morty flee to a universe where such monsters were prevented, but they find that the local Rick and Morty have met a gruesome end. They proceed to bury these counterparts, with Morty watching in shock.
The Death of More Than Just Themselves
Indeed, the idea of burying oneself or any version of yourself is undeniably unsettling. What makes it even more troubling is that this isn’t an isolated incident for the characters. In the sixth season’s premiere episode titled “Solaricks,” the family finds themselves in a harrowing situation once again, needing to flee their world and travel to another dimension. This heart-wrenching journey unfortunately leads to the demise of numerous alternate versions of themselves.
Twice, the most somber periods stem from the following chaos, acting like a “loss of innocence” where the characters grow hardened and start perceiving such occurrences as routine.
11 Morty’s Fake Existence as Roy
Season 2, Episode 2 – “Mortynight Run”
In the second episode of season 2, titled “Mortynight Run,” I found myself immersed in a virtual reality game featuring a character named Roy. As I grew with him, or more accurately, lived as him from youth to old age, the line between Morty and Roy blurred. However, after taking a fatal tumble off a ladder within the game, I discovered that my entire life as Roy (or should I say, Morty) was merely a simulated experience. For the viewers, this sequence spanned barely over a minute, but for me, it felt like living through decades – decades that abruptly vanished, leaving me to ponder the fleeting nature of existence within the world of Rick and Morty.
An Existential Nightmare
Although this event only unsettles Morty for a moment, its implications linger far longer for the audience. In the span of seconds, Morty has lost a wife, a son, and an entire life. A similar dark event happens in season 4’s eighth episode, “The Vat of Acid Episode,” in which Morty falls in love, only to have his life reset to a “save point,” thus undoing his entire relationship. These moments serve to further the story’s focus on existentialism, causing the audience to question what it means to be real, and who actually is.
10 Unity Tears Rick Apart
Season 2, Episode 3 – “Auto Erotic Assimilation”
In the third episode of season 2 titled “Auto Erotic Assimilation,” we delve into the character Unity, who possesses the power to manipulate individuals and merge planets through its collective consciousness. Previously, Unity had been romantically involved with Rick. Their paths cross again on a spaceship, where Unity was attempting a takeover, leading them to reignite their relationship. Regrettably, it becomes clear that they have a detrimental effect on each other, causing Unity to lose control over the recently subjugated populace, resulting in an eruption of racial conflict.
Overwhelmed by despair, Unity parts ways with Rick, triggering a deeply gloomy phase in his life where he slides into a depressive state. In his garage, it appears that he breathes life into a creature, offers it solace, and then fatally wounds it using a deadly beam. Instead of meeting the same fate, he slumps over, drunk and spent, preventing the beam from taking effect. The attempt on his life barely misses him.
Rick’s Breaking Point
Rick frequently experiences pain, yet seldom expresses it openly. Unity suggests that change isn’t an option for Rick, and their connection might only intensify his suffering. This statement resonates deeply because Rick dislikes himself – despite his frequent boasts of being the smartest man alive, he is also one of the loneliest individuals. The scene where he attempts to comfort a suffering creature feels eerily similar to his internal struggles: he yearns for solace but instead resorts to (literal) self-harm.
9 Rick Destroys Two Universes
Season 2, Episode 6 – “The Ricks Must Be Crazy”
In the sixth episode of season 2, titled “The Ricks Must be Crazy,” character Rick reveals a miniature universe called the microverse as the power source for his spaceship through an additional gadget known as the Gooblebox. After venturing into the microverse and encountering scientist Zeep, portrayed by Stephen Colbert, Rick learns that this microverse is energized by a smaller universe called the miniverse, which in turn gets its power from a even tinier universe called the teenyverse.
Following numerous disputes, skirmishes, and mischievous acts, Rick ultimately annihilates the miniverse (including the tinyverse), and in a menacing tone, hints at obliterating the microverse if its inhabitants fail to keep powering his spaceship.
A Dark Episode All Around
In a chilling display of his unfathomable might, it’s me who can attest that Rick has obliterated not one, but two entire universes along with every single life they held. His latest threat now looms over Zeep’s universe, potentially claiming the lives of countless more. This instance underscores not just his blatant disregard for all life forms, but also his awe-inspiring power. This cocktail of indifference and strength makes him a catastrophe waiting to happen for anyone unfortunate enough to cross his path.
In a chilling turn of events, during a secondary storyline, Summer finds herself safeguarded aboard the vessel while waiting for Rick and Morty to return. The ship, acting aggressively, slaughters anyone who comes near, leaving Summer petrified and emotionally scarred.
8 Morty Enjoys Purging
Season 2, Episode 9 – “Look Who’s Purging Now”
In the ninth episode of season 2 titled “Look Who’s Purging Now,” the story unfolds on a world reminiscent of “The Purge.” Following an incident where they are both saved and betrayed by a girl named Arthricia, Rick and Morty find themselves at a lighthouse. They ask the owner for permission to set up a signal, but as they wait for Rick, the owner bores Morty with a long-winded tale and disparages him, leading to Morty losing his temper and shoving the man down the stairs, unintentionally killing him. The darkest moment arrives when Morty, initially hesitant, gives in to his anger during an attack by a mob and “purges” it by firing at the crowd.
Morty Purges his Morals
Typically, Morty tends to be the more cautious and hesitant family member when it comes to causing harm to others. Yet, in this particular scene, he indiscriminately shoots everyone around him, even those attempting to hide or flee. Rick explains that this behavior is a result of Morty consuming a candy laced with Purgenol, which brings out violent tendencies similar to The Purge. However, it’s later revealed that the candy no longer contains Purgenol, implying that Morty’s aggressive and violent actions were his own doing.
7 Diane’s Death
Season 3, Episode 1 – “The Rickshank Redemption”
In the premiere of Season 3, titled “The Rickshank Redemption,” we find ourselves in a simulation alongside Rick, who is being interrogated by an agent from the Galactic Federation. To make him reveal the secrets of his portal gun, the agent takes Rick through various recollections of his past. At one instance, following a trip to McDonald’s, Rick shares a memory about losing Beth and Diane in an explosion. Later on, he refutes that this incident ever took place, branding it as a fabricated origin story. However, in the tenth episode of Season 5, “Rickmurai Jack,” it becomes clear that while the specifics may vary, Diane indeed perished and cannot be brought back to life.
The Real-Life Darkness
In season 7, episode 5, titled “Unmortricken,” we learn a tragic truth: Diane has been killed in every universe. This means that no matter what Rick does, he can’t bring her back. The story he shared about their past might not be true, but the sorrow he displayed is undeniably genuine.
In addition to this somber scene, another occurrence within this episode cast its own shadow. When Rick makes a stop at McDonald’s, he requests Szechuan sauce, stating later that his true intention was to amass more of the discontinued sauce. Following McDonald’s reintroduction of the sauce in 2017, the immense popularity of Rick and Morty sparked a significant increase in interest for the sauce. This surge is said to have led to a stabbing incident, several riots, and overall disruptive behavior from fans.
6 Froopyland
Season 3, Episode 9 – “The ABS’s of Beth”
In the ninth episode of Season 3, titled “The ABC’s of Beth,” we are first introduced to Froopyland, a realm fabricated by Rick, intended to channel Beth’s violent tendencies from her youth. Contrary to its purpose of providing an avenue for her destructive actions, Beth inadvertently imprisoned Tommy, her supposed companion. Upon revisiting Froopyland many years later, it is discovered that Tommy had been reproducing and consuming the native species, along with their offspring.
Beth’s Responsibility
The vile acts of cannibalism and incest committed by Tommy are shocking enough, but what makes it even more chilling is the knowledge that if Beth hadn’t abandoned him, none of this would have occurred. Furthermore, it’s disclosed that every Rick in every universe established a Froopyland for their Beth. This implies that multiple Tommys may have been confined, leading to countless more incestuous, horrifying, cannibalistic monsters.
5 Rick’s Cr*ppy Victory
Season 4, Episode 2 – “The Old Man and the Seat”
In the second episode of season 4 titled ‘The Old Man and the Seat’, it’s revealed early on that Rick had his own private bathroom, but this was disrupted when alien Tony discovered it. Rick angrily orders Tony to cease using it, but the alien persists, even propositioning friendship. Rick initially rejects him, instead planning revenge. However, later, Tony is found to have suffered a ski accident and passed away. In a twisted twist of fate, Rick eventually sits on the toilet he had pre-programmed to mock Tony, enduring the taunts that the deceased alien will never hear.
A Lonely Porcelain Throne
At first glance, incorporating a scene where a man is on the toilet might seem odd for a dark moment, but this incident flips traditional humor on its head, making the entire scenario unsettling. Indeed, Rick now enjoys solitude in the bathroom once more, yet it comes at the expense of one of the rare individuals in the cosmos who genuinely seemed eager to understand him better. Beyond that, his isolation deepens, as he finds himself alone once more, surrounded only by his own misguided laughter.
4 Rick Doesn’t Remember Which Daughter Is a Clone
Season 4, Episode 10 – “Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri”
In the series known as “ABC’s of Beth,” Beth found herself at a crossroads: should she stay home or embark on further galactic voyages. She turned to Rick for guidance, and it was revealed in season 4, episode 10 titled “Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri,” that he had created a clone of Beth and dispatched one copy into space.
Nevertheless, Rick has wiped his memory, leaving him unsure about the authentic Beth, causing distress for Space Beth. In a startling revelation, it’s uncovered that Rick had planted a bomb in Space Beth’s neck as a precaution against her return. The tension reaches its peak when the two Beths encounter each other, both uncertain of their identities, and Space Beth brandishes a gun, threatening to fire if necessary.
A New Low for Rick as a Father
The moment in which Beth is held at space gun-point is worrisome, but the surrounding context is what makes the moment especially dark. For instance, although the details are a bit murky, it seems that Rick put bombs in both daughters, and that he had no qualms about killing the clone. This is bad enough already, but he’s also shared that he doesn’t know which one is the clone, so he easily could have killed the original. Additionally, there’s something horrifying about neither Beth knowing whether they’re a clone, and something sinister about Space Beth’s violent response.
3 Deaths of the Decoy Families
Season 5, Episode 2 – “Mortyplicity”
In “Mortyplicity,” Season 5, episode 2, opens with Rick confessing that sinister squid creatures are targeting him and his family. To confuse these adversaries, he’s crafted replicas of himself and the family, intending to mislead them. The plot unfolds as both the families and the squids turn against each other, with a shocking twist: the squids were also decoys! Some scenes are so grim that they could be on this list, but the most haunting scene might be when a “Glockenspiel” rendition of Jerry inadvertently seals his family within a safe room, essentially sentencing them to their doom.
Who’s Real, and Why It Matters
It’s tragic enough that the families are destroying each other, but “Glockenspiel Jerry” doomed his own kin to a similar fate. To add insult to injury, his family prepared false targets (or decoys) and gathered them all with the aim of stopping the destruction. Instead, they became victims themselves.
Through this singular action, Glockenspiel Jerry unwittingly prolonged the bloodshed of the decoys. To add a chilling (yet possibly warranted) twist, at the episode’s conclusion, Glockenspiel Jerry comes to terms with his immortality, and the audience bears witness to his torment spanning across eternity.
2 Suicide Spaghetti
Season 7, Episode 4 – “That’s Amorte”
In episode 4 of Season 7 titled “That’s Amorte,” the family initially seems to be having a peaceful dinner together. They appreciate Rick’s pasta, but their mood shifts dramatically when they discover its unusual origin. It turns out that Rick has been procuring the ingredients from a peculiar planet where the deceased individuals who took their own lives transform into delectable spaghetti strands. The situation worsens as scarcity arises and the government responds by making the world increasingly bleak to encourage more people to “donate” themselves to the spaghetti industry.
Disheartening and Distasteful
Previously, Rick has engaged in questionable behavior, yet he appears to oppose the government’s actions too. This is particularly troubling for Morty, as he’s been lauded for sparking a new spaghetti trend. Despite multiple attempts, the duo eventually manages to halt people’s desire for eating spaghetti. Regrettably, this resolution offers no relief to the planet and its inhabitants who have since suffered economically and emotionally due to these events.
1 Morty Is Abandoned in the Fear Hole
Season 7, Episode 10 – “Fear No Mort”
In the tenth episode of Season 7, titled “Fear No More,” the story begins with Rick and Morty lamenting their lack of fear. They come across a peculiar entity called the Fear Hole, promising to force them to face and conquer their greatest fears. Impulsive Morty dives in first, and a moment later, Rick takes the plunge as well. Initially believing they’ve successfully completed some sort of test and triumphed over their fear, they soon discover that they are still trapped within the Fear Hole.
In this setting, Rick catches up with a living Diane, while Morty grapples with deciphering what he’s being evaluated on. Ultimately, Morty discerns that his greatest apprehension lies in how effortlessly Rick could be substituted by someone else. Regrettably, this fear proves to be grounded when it becomes clear that Rick hadn’t actually leaped into the hole initially.
Holes in the Relationship
Among the grim scenes in this episode, none is quite as dismal as when Morty understands that Rick didn’t come to rescue him. This somber moment, like many other gloomy instances in Rick and Morty, arises from the characters’ relationships, or more accurately, their absence. Although viewers have witnessed numerous instances of Rick expressing affection for his family, they’ve also observed him discarding them repeatedly. Morty’s fear, despite being vanquished in the fear hole, continues to be a recurring dark motif throughout the series.
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2024-09-29 00:02