Mort Dinner Rick Andre

Last updated

"Mort Dinner Rick Andre"
Rick and Morty episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 1
Directed byJacob Hair
Written by Jeff Loveness
Production codeRAM-501
Original air dateJune 20, 2021 (2021-06-20)
Running time22 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri"		Next →
"Mortyplicity"
Rick and Morty (season 5)
List of episodes

"Mort Dinner Rick Andre" is the premiere episode of the fifth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty . It is the 42nd episode of the series overall. Written by Jeff Loveness and directed by Jacob Hair, the episode was broadcast on June 20, 2021.

Contents

Plot

Rick and Morty are about to die crashing their spaceship, so Morty calls Jessica, confessing his true feelings for her. Not knowing of his imminent death, Jessica asks if she can come over to watch a movie. Now motivated to keep his date with Jessica, Morty frantically steers the spaceship into a palm tree and splashes down safely in the ocean. Rick, furious, reveals he has been in a longtime war with his nemesis, Mr. Nimbus, who controls the ocean. Nimbus appears, and demands to meet Rick for dinner at Rick's house to negotiate a treaty (which Rick agrees to, using it as a distraction while Summer dives into the Mariana Trench to steal the magic conch shell that gives Nimbus his power).

In preparation, Rick has Morty throw bottles of wine into a portal where time moves faster so as to age it, because Nimbus has demanding tastes. Jessica comes over and requests wine, so Morty enters the portal to get it. The portal leads to a farm where a bovine man named Hoovy helps carry a crate back to the Smith house. Upon returning through the portal, he finds his wife long dead, before his furious young adult son mortally wounds him. Hoovy tells his son that Morty did this. Throughout the years, Hoovy's son, grandson, and onward prepare for each of Morty's returns to fetch more wine, so they can kill him. They eventually take Jessica, so Morty goes after her. They trick and trap him, but Morty escapes with Jessica, with the help of Rick and Nimbus - who forgives his enemy, noting that they are nothing without the other.

When they return to the Smith home, Jessica, trance-like, shares her new understanding of time and goes home, leaving Morty disappointed. Just as Rick and Nimbus reconcile, Summer abruptly enters with the conch shell, making Nimbus furious again. He gives Rick a savage beating before summoning the police to haul Rick off to jail.

In a post-credits scene, Beth and Jerry debate whether they should take Mr. Nimbus up on his offer of a threesome before doing so and being assured by Nimbus that Rick will understand why they did this.

Production

"Mort Dinner Rick Andre" was written by Jeff Loveness and directed by Jacob Hair—as was a previous episode, season four's "The Vat of Acid Episode". [1] It is Loveness's fifth screenplay for the series. [2] An animatic of the cold open was published by Adult Swim in July 2020. [3] The episode debuted as the season premiere as initially planned, though the writers considered swapping it with the following episode, "Mortyplicity". [4] The episode features Jim Gaffigan as Hoovy, Dan Harmon as Mr. Nimbus, and Kari Wahlgren as Jessica. Adult Swim published the episode on YouTube. [5]

The character Mr. Nimbus was conceived for an earlier episode, but went unused. Loveness called him either the "antithesis" or "purest form" of Rick. [6] Roiland interpreted that Mr. Nimbus is not unique in being Rick's "nemesis", and that he is not comparable to Rick in levels of power. However, in contrast to Rick's usual seeming invincibility, he is more restrained in this episode and must "play by the rules and not do any crazy shit". Roiland saw Morty's storyline as more significant: it originated from a discarded idea where Morty would accidentally forget a copy of the movie Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) in a pocket dimension and would return a few days later to find that 4,000 years had passed and a society had built itself around the movie. He said that it made sense to use a pocket dimension to store wine, to age it more quickly. [4]

Analysis

The title takes its name from My Dinner with Andre (1981), a dialogue-heavy comedy-drama film set at a dinner between two friends. The Community episode "Critical Film Studies" (2011) was an homage to this film on which Harmon previously worked. Kevin Perry of The Independent believed that the title is a misdirect as it leads the audience to expect the episode to focus more on conversation between Rick and Mr. Nimbus, rather than Morty's wine expedition. [7]

Joe Matar of Den of Geek said that the episode mirrored the season four premiere "Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat" in not following a cliffhanger from the previous season and featuring a storyline about temporality, Jessica, and the outcome of romantic failure for Morty. [8] Mr. Nimbus makes a comment to Rick about Diane—who has been implied to be Beth's mother and Rick's former wife in previous episodes. Harmon said that Rick's backstory would be further explored in the future. [9] Morty is irritated at having to follow Rick's instructions, demonstrating his changing character from the more meek portrayal in season one. Harmon said of this that "Morty is not changing because he's aging [but] because he's been in the show for so long". [9]

Reception

Rating the episode 3.5 out of five stars, Joe Matar of Den of Geek described the episode as "smart and well-written" but familiar in its conceit of time passing faster inside the pocket dimension. Matar praised that the storyline's resolution involving Jessica was "funny and insane" and gave a lukewarm review of Mr. Nimbus, saying that he "just didn't find Nimbus particularly funny, but ... didn't hate him either". [8]

David Opie of Digital Spy praised the series premiere, saying, "It's just as inventive as ever, and by not resetting the status quo, there's more room for character development." [10] The Independent's Kevin Perry praised the choice to center Morty in the episode as "most promising in terms of where the show could now be headed" and serving to "remind fans why they fell in love with the show in the first place". [7]

Related Research Articles

Rick and Morty is an American adult animated science fiction sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon for Cartoon Network's nighttime programming block Adult Swim. The series follows the misadventures of Rick Sanchez, a cynical mad scientist, and his good-hearted but fretful grandson Morty Smith, who split their time between domestic life and interdimensional adventures that take place across an infinite number of realities, often traveling to other planets and dimensions through portals and on Rick's flying saucer. The general concept of Rick and Morty relies on two conflicting scenarios: domestic family drama and a misanthropic grandfather dragging his grandson into hijinks.

Mortimer Chauncey "Morty" Smith Sr. is one of the eponymous characters from the American animated television series Rick and Morty. Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, and voiced by the former for the first six seasons of the series, followed by Harry Belden beginning with the seventh season. Morty is a 14-year-old boy loosely inspired by Michael J. Fox's Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Morty is known for his awkward, anxious, second-guessing, doubtful personality, and low sense of self-esteem; the character has been critically well-received. He is the good-natured and impressionable grandson of Rick Sanchez, the son of Jerry and Beth Smith, the younger brother of Summer Smith, and the father of Morty Jr. and Naruto Smith, who can be easily manipulated. In September 2021, Jaeden Martell portrayed Morty in a series of promotional interstitials for the series.

"Rick Potion #9" is the sixth episode of Rick and Morty. It premiered on Adult Swim on January 27, 2014, was written by Justin Roiland, and directed by Stephen Sandoval. In the episode, a love potion goes wrong, creating a virus that begins to infect the entire world population, making everyone fall in love with Morty. The episode received critical acclaim, receiving praise for its story, subplot, and ending. It was seen by 1.7 million viewers at first airing. The title of the episode is in reference to the 1959 song "Love Potion No. 9" by the Clovers.

<i>Rick and Morty</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of Rick and Morty, an American animated television series created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, originally aired on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. It premiered with "The Rickshank Rickdemption", which aired unannounced on April 1, 2017, as part of Adult Swim's annual April Fools' prank. As a result of production delays, the remaining episodes began airing weekly nearly four months later, on July 30, 2017. The season comprised ten episodes but it originally was supposed to be fourteen episodes, and its initial airing concluded on October 1, 2017.

"Meeseeks and Destroy" is the fifth episode of the first season of Rick and Morty. It premiered on Adult Swim on January 20, 2014. The episode was written by Ryan Ridley and directed by Bryan Newton. In the episode, Rick provides the family with a solution to their problems, freeing him up to go on an adventure led by Morty. The episode has been well received, and was seen by about 1.6 million viewers when it was first aired on Adult Swim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Rickle in Time</span> 1st episode of the 2nd season of Rick and Morty

"A Rickle in Time" is the first episode in the second season of the American animated television sitcom Rick and Morty, and the twelfth overall episode of the series. Written by Matt Roller and directed by Wes Archer, the episode first aired on Adult Swim in the United States on July 26, 2015. The title of the episode is a pun to the novel, A Wrinkle in Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Sanchez</span> Fictional character

Richard Daniel "Rick" Sanchez is one of the two eponymous characters from the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty and resulting franchise. The character was created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, and voiced by the former during the first six seasons of the series, then by Ian Cardoni beginning with the seventh season. Yōhei Tadano provides his voice for Rick and Morty: The Anime, after voicing the character in the Japanese dub of the series and various promotional short films. Rick is a misanthropic, alcoholic scientist inspired by Christopher Lloyd's Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown from Back to the Future and Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic from Marvel Comics. In September 2021, Lloyd portrayed Rick himself in a series of promotional interstitials for the series.

Bethany "Beth" Smith (née Sanchez) is one of the main characters of the American animated television series Rick and Morty. Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, Beth is a veterinarian who specializes in horse surgery, who in the first three seasons is struck with a deep sense of dissatisfaction with her life, stemming from her belief that she has "settled" in her marriage, family, and job, leading her to accept her father into her household after he abandoned her as a teenager. Known for her selfish and humorous personality, alcoholism, and abrasiveness when criticized, the character has been well received. She is the level-headed and assertive daughter of mad scientist Rick Sanchez, mother of Morty and Summer Smith, wife of Jerry Smith, and grandmother of Naruto and Morty Smith Jr.

"Total Rickall" is the fourth episode of the second season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. Written by Mike McMahan and directed by Juan Meza-León, the episode premiered on August 16, 2015. It shows the Smith family, along with Mr. Poopybutthole, overwhelmed by an infestation of parasites who implant false memories into them so they cannot tell who is real.

"The Rickshank Rickdemption" is the first episode in the third season of the American animated television sitcom Rick and Morty, and the twenty-second episode overall in the series. It was written by Mike McMahan and directed by Juan Meza-Leon. The season three premiere first aired unannounced on Adult Swim in the United States on April 1, 2017 when it was watched by 676,000 American households in its initial airing. On the first day of its original broadcast, "The Rickshank Rickdemption" was replayed every half hour from 8pm to 12am ET with improved ratings, as a part of Adult Swim's annual April Fools' Day joke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pickle Rick</span> 3rd episode of the 3rd season of Rick and Morty

"Pickle Rick" is the third episode of the third season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. Written by Jessica Gao and directed by Anthony Chun, the episode premiered on August 6, 2017. The plot follows eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez as he turns himself into a pickle to avoid attending a family therapy session.

"Morty's Mind Blowers" is the eighth episode of the third season of the American science fiction television series Rick and Morty. It follows the two titular characters, both voiced by Justin Roiland, as they experiment with the latter's lost memories. The episode was directed by Bryan Newton and written by various screenwriters, including Mike McMahan, who would later serve as a producer on the fourth season, and both series creators Roiland and Dan Harmon. "Morty's Mind Blowers" originally aired on Adult Swim on September 17, 2017, and was watched by 2.51 million viewers. A comic sequel of the same name, written by Kyle Starks, Tini Howard, Sarah Graley, Benjamin Dewey, and Josh Trujillo, with designs by Angie Knowles and Roiland's personal approval, was published by Oni Press in Rick and Morty #50 on May 29, 2019.

"The Rickchurian Mortydate" is the tenth and final episode of the third season of the American science fiction television series Rick and Morty follows the titular grandson and grandfather duo as they feud with the President of the United States. The episode, directed by Anthony Chun and written by series co-creator Dan Harmon, aired on Adult Swim on October 1, 2017.

<i>Rick and Morty</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of the animated television series Rick and Morty consisted of 10 episodes, part of the 70 episodes ordered by Adult Swim after they renewed the series in 2018. The series stars Justin Roiland as both titular characters. The season premiered on June 20, 2021, and concluded on September 5, 2021.

<i>Rick and Morty</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth season of the American adult animated television series Rick and Morty premiered on September 4, 2022. Starring Justin Roiland as both titular characters, Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith, and their inter-dimensional counterparts, the season was ordered before the fourth season of the show finished airing, in May 2020. It is the final season to feature Roiland providing any voice as he was fired from the series on January 24, 2023, due to domestic violence allegations.

Rick and Morty is an American animated science-fiction comedy franchise, whose eponymous duo consists of Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith. Rick and Morty were created by cartoonist Justin Roiland for a 2006 parody film of Back to the Future for Channel 101, a short film festival co-founded by Dan Harmon. After six years, the sketch was developed into Rick and Morty, a half-hour prime time show that was a hit for Adult Swim, receiving universal acclaim across all seasons. Alongside the original television series, the characters of the show have been featured in a variety of media, including spin-offs, comic books, musical releases and video games. The show has earned hundreds of millions of dollars in income across their merchandising and media franchise.

"Mortyplicity" is the second episode of the fifth season of the Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty. It is the 43rd episode of the series overall. Written by Albro Lundy and directed by Lucas Gray, the episode was broadcast on June 27, 2021.

<i>Rick + Morty in the Eternal Nightmare Machine</i> 2021 American film

Rick + Morty in the Eternal Nightmare Machine is an American pixel-animated short film based on the television series/franchise Rick and Morty, produced by Adult Swim and debuting on both the network and their YouTube channel on April 30, 2021, alongside a marathon of the series' fourth season, to promote its then-upcoming fifth season. Written, directed, and animated by Paul Robertson, the film received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Rick and Morty</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of the American adult animated television series Rick and Morty premiered on October 15, 2023 and concluded on December 17, 2023. It consisted of ten episodes.

Jessica is a recurring fictional character in the American animated television series Rick and Morty and resulting franchise. Voiced by Kari Wahlgren and created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, loosely inspired by Jennifer Parker from Back to the Future, Jessica is the crush and later casual girlfriend of protagonist Morty Smith, who for the first four seasons of the series is oblivious to his feelings being partially reciprocated. A social media-savvy student, in "Mort Dinner Rick Andre", Jessica is turned into a time god after spending millennia frozen in time within an alternate dimension where-in time passed faster. Known for her kind, inquisitive personality, the character has received a positive critical reception.

References

  1. ↑ Greene, Steve (June 21, 2021). "'Rick and Morty' Review: Time-Bending 'Mort Dinner Rick Andre' Is Another Solid, Sweeping Premiere". IndieWire . Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  2. ↑ Loveness, Jeff [@jeffloveness] (September 21, 2019). "Today was my last day at Rick and Morty. I wrote 5 episodes and worked with amazing people. I hope you like it" (Tweet). Retrieved June 2, 2021– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ Alexa, Laurén (November 18, 2020). "First Look: 'Rick and Morty' Season 5". Animation World Network . Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Maas, Jennifer (June 20, 2021). "'Rick and Morty' Creator on Dan Harmon as Rick's 'Nemesis,' Morty's 'Narnia Thing' and 'F-ing Insane' Next Episode". TheWrap . Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  5. ↑ ""FULL EPISODE Rick and Morty Season 5 Premiere: Mort Dinner Rick Andre"". Adult Swim. June 20, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ Inside the Episode: Mort Dinner Rick Andre (video). Adult Swim. June 21, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021– via YouTube.
  7. 1 2 Perry, Kevin E G (June 22, 2021). "Rick and Morty went off the rails – but now it's back to its time-hopping best". The Independent . Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Matar, Joe (June 21, 2021). "Rick and Morty Season 5 Episode 1 Review: Mort Dinner Rick Andre". Den of Geek . Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  9. 1 2 Cobb, Kayla (June 15, 2021). "'Rick and Morty's Dan Harmon Promises Your Big Questions Will Be Answered". Decider . Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  10. ↑ Opie, David (June 14, 2021). "Rick and Morty season 5 premiere starts to fix the show's biggest problem". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.