Rick and Morty's Season 9 premiere, "There's Something About Morty," is a spectacle to behold, but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth due to the mishandling of Evil Morty's character. This episode, while visually stunning and entertaining, fails to capture the essence of the complex and tragic character we've come to know and love.
The premise of Evil Morty, a Morty who seeks freedom from the toxic Rick/Morty dynamic, is intriguing. However, the writers seem to have lost their grip on this character's potential. After achieving his goal of freeing himself from the multiverse of Ricks, Evil Morty is now portrayed as a clingy partner-in-crime, which feels out of character. The core conflict of the episode, Rick and Evil Morty's rivalry, is undercut by this portrayal, leaving me yearning for a more compelling reason for their clashes.
Despite this, the episode offers plenty of spectacle. The introduction of The Collective, a fun and unique villainous entity, provides a worthy challenge for Rick and Morty. The animation, as always, is top-notch, with the battle scenes between Rick and Evil Morty pushing the show's visual limits. The anime-inspired action sequences, complete with Dragon Ball-style squatting and screaming, are a sight to behold and a testament to the show's animation prowess.
However, the episode's strength lies more in its visuals and action than in its character development. Evil Morty's voice actor, Harry Belden, deserves praise for his nuanced portrayal of both characters, but the overall character arc feels underdeveloped. The episode's climax, where Evil Morty learns the consequences of tampering with time travel, is a fitting end to their rivalry, but it raises the question of whether this is the only way to resolve their conflict.
In my opinion, the show's strength lies in its ability to create complex and multi-dimensional characters. Evil Morty, as initially introduced, was a fascinating character with a tragic backstory. Reducing him to a possessive mad science buddy feels like a missed opportunity. I hope that in future episodes, the writers find a way to revitalize this character and give him the depth he deserves.
Despite my reservations, the episode is still entertaining and visually impressive. It showcases the show's ability to create epic and over-the-top action sequences, leaving viewers in awe. However, the mishandling of Evil Morty's character and the lack of a compelling reason for Rick and Evil Morty's rivalry leave a bitter taste in my mouth, leaving me hoping for a more nuanced and satisfying resolution to their conflict.
