5x01 Mort Dinner Rick Andre

[7.5/10] A nice start to the new season. Rick and Morty has a way of finding the funniest take on sturdy sci-fi tropes. The “realm where time passes more quickly” is a classic premise for speculative fiction, and the episode uses it to its full potential in twenty-two short minutes.

The simple way Rick tries to use the realm to age wine, while Morty retrieving that wine spins out of control until he’s the bete noire of that realm, is hilarious. The show gets really creative in the different stages of the dog people each time Morty visits, and the impact each new Morty visit has. Seeing things go from primitive cultures, to renaissance, to cyberpunk and places in between, each centered on/opposed to fighting Morty makes for a bunch of fun set pieces.

I also enjoyed Rick’s interactions with Mr. Nimbus. It’s the comparatively down-to-earth sort of ridiculousness that this show does well. Nimbus is a delightfully silly character, and his existence as Rick’s boastful “nemesis” makes him especially amusing. His fish-related shtick and ability to control police rather than sea life are appropriately ridiculous. Honestly, just his whole ridiculous demeanor is a treat.

The only element of this one that didn’t really work for me is Beth and Jerry consider a threesome with Mr. Nimbus. There’s a few mild laughs as they psyche themselves up for it, but for the most part, it’s just a slight and inessential part of the episode.

Despite that, there’s a lot of good laughs here. Mr. Nimbus’ repetition of his name is a running gag that brings the yuks each time. Rick dismissing the Narnia comparison with “I’m not a beaver who believes in Jesus Christ” cracked me the hell up. And the comic banter with everyone remains on point. Plus I have to tell you, it’s the dumbest joke, but “Nintendo 69” got a laugh out of me, so I can’t look askance at it.

But there’s some of that sincere character work amid all the chuckles. Morty realizing he has to stand up for himself sometimes, even if it means being an asshole, isn’t the most family-friendly lesson, but it gives him a mini-arc here, so that’s something. The show finds a creative way to actually move his crush on Jessica forward for a bit, while maintaining the status quo, and there’s something both meta and sad about the “Guess we just never found the right time” theme behind the premise.

Amid all the silliness with Rick and Mr. Nimbus, the idea that they were actually friends, that Nimbus knew Rick’s wife Dianne, and that they’ve both turned into shells of their former self (no pun intended) carries a certain resonance with it. For such a goofy episode, Nimbus saving Rick and Morty’s behinds is strangely heartening.

Overall, this one brings the usual loopy take on a traditional sci-fi premise that Rick and Morty is known for, with the subtle character work and insane sense of humor that distinguishes the show’s tone and approach. A nice way to drop back into the series.