

There is no true right or wrong, and self-preservation is the only law. He believes that because the cosmos is endless, filled with infinite realities and inconceivable time, the life of an individual is essentially meaningless. Rick Sanchez, the scientist of the show’s title, embodies nihilism. Nihilism and Its Effects on Rick & Morty’s Characters There’s also an astoundingly original twist… and plenty of sex jokes.

It gave the show a core philosophy while developing its characters in unexpected ways.

What makes it seminal, though, is that it’s the first episode of the show to bring all of Rick and Morty’s signature elements together. There is a caveat here: the show’s seasons aren’t written in airing order, so there is room for debate on the quality of what comes before and after this episode. It was in season 1, episode 6, “Rick Potion #9,” that the show found itself. Related: Is Rick & Morty On Netflix, Hulu Or Prime? Where To Watch Online Early-adopting fans could see it, and some of the first episodes - for example, “Lawnmower Dog” (season 1, episode 2) and “Meeseeks and Destroy” (season 1, episode 5) - managed to showcase some of the themes and ideas that would make Rick and Morty great. Right from the off, though, there was something genius bubbling under the surface. Much of season 1 is filled with pop culture hot takes, toilet humor, and even a few uncomfortable gags about sex abuse. In regard to the show’s earliest episodes, that’s not an unfair description. On its surface, Rick and Morty is a gonzo animated comedy about a mad scientist and the slightly dopey grandson he drags along on his adventures through multiple dimensions.
