The Evolution of Rick and Morty’s Episode Naming Convention
When “Rick and Morty” first graced our screens in 2013, it brought with it a quirky sense of humor that extended right into its episode titles. The initial season saw titles like “Lawnmower Dog” that held no discernible meaning until you dived into the episode itself. Fast forward a few seasons, and we saw a trend where titles like “Meseeks and Destroy” or “Something Ricked This Way Comes” cleverly incorporated puns, often with a hint about the episode’s content.
However, as season 7’s titles have been unveiled, a marked shift is evident. The recent episodes seem to have pivoted away from the titular characters, a possible strategy to detract attention from the recasting of both Rick and Morty. Let’s decode these fresh titles and speculate on what the creators might have in store for us.
What’s In a Title? The Season 7 Decoder
“How Poopy Got His Poop Back”: Clearly drawing inspiration from the film “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”, this episode might mark the return of the popular character, Mr. Poopybutthole. Fans will recall his disturbing state in the season 6 post-credits. The title hints at a promising arc for this beloved character.
“The Jerrick Trap”: This title beckons back to the family classic “The Parent Trap”, suggesting a potential focus on Jerry’s family or perhaps Morty’s parents, given the ups and downs in Jerry and Beth’s relationship. Highlighting the Smith family dynamics seems like a smart move in the Roiland-less season.
“Air Force Wong”: A playful take on the action-packed “Air Force One”, this episode title teases the comeback of Susan Sarandon’s Dr. Wong, whose character has been instrumental in highlighting the vulnerabilities of Rick. We might also see Keith David’s US President character reprise his role.
“That’s Amorte”: Borrowing from Dean Martin’s song “That’s Amore”, this title doesn’t give much away. It’s a reassuring nod, though, that the show won’t be drifting too far from its core elements, despite the recasting.
“Unmortricken”: Invoking Clint Eastwood’s revered “Unforgiven”, this title intrigues. While the referenced film is known for its dark undertones, the episode might explore themes of revenge, possibly revisiting past characters and story arcs.
“Rickfending Your Mort”: Perhaps alluding to “Defending Your Life”, this title could see Rick and Morty venturing into an afterlife trial, reminiscent of previous episodes that delved into obscure movies.
“Wet Kuat Amortican Summer”: A fusion of “Wet Hot American Summer” and Star Wars’ planet “Kuat”, the title insinuates a focus on Morty’s often sidelined sister, Summer.
“Rise of the Numbericons: The Movie”: Possibly echoing “Rise of the Skywalker”, this episode could also bring back Space Beth, given the show’s previous play on Star Wars themes.
“Mort: Ragnarick”: The title merges elements of “Rick”, “Morty”, and “Thor: Ragnarok“. Will it be a full-blown parody of the MCU blockbuster or a fleeting reference? Only time will tell.
“Fear No Mort”: The least decipherable of all, this title might hint at the 1961 film “Fear No More” or even a line from Shakespeare. Its ambiguity suggests that fans should gear up for unexpected twists and turns.
Looking Forward
The ever-evolving nature of “Rick and Morty” is what keeps fans on their toes. With season 7 gearing up to potentially deviate from the norm, it’ll be interesting to see how these titles play out in the episodes themselves. Until then, all we can do is speculate, anticipate, and wait with bated breath for the multiverse mayhem to unravel.
