Summary
- Rick and Morty Season 7, Episode 5, "Unmortricken," revives Rick Sanchez's vendetta against Rick Prime.
- Evil Morty returns as an unlikely ally, showcasing his brilliance and unpredictability as both a hero and a villain.
- Evil Morty steals device plans that give him the power to kill all Ricks, making him a dangerous threat.
The following contains spoilers for Rick and Morty Season 7, Episode 5, "Unmortricken," which aired Nov. 12 on Adult Swim.
The plot of Rick and Morty Season 7 finally gets back to the main narrative loyalists felt it strayed far from. This is none other than Rick Sanchez's (C-137) vendetta against Rick Prime. He wants Rick Prime dead for killing his wife Diane and his daughter Beth, but Rick Prime has been way too smart and evasive. Luckily, Rick gets an unlikely ally in Evil Morty.
Evil Morty returns with a bang, proving that he's every bit as unpredictable as before. This time, Evil Morty gets to show his chops as both a hero and a villain. In the process, he teases that he's actually the most brilliant genius in this pocket of the Multiverse and one who'll continue to wobble the series in a very precarious, haunting manner.
Who is Evil Morty?
Rick and Morty's Evil Morty was introduced in Season 1 as the person operating Evil Rick. This episode pads his history even more, reconciling it with the revelations over the last few years. The full backstory confirms Evil Morty was a normal, innocent Morty, who grew tired of his Rick's arrogance, control and toxicity. As he was a lot smarter, he enslaved his Rick and began hatching a plan to break out the Central Finite Curve that C-137 made. This barrier locked in a bunch of universes where Ricks were the smartest people around, but they didn't account for Evil Morty to be this intellectual anomaly.
Evil Morty would use his Rick to save other Mortys and kill other Ricks. In time, he'd take over the Citadel, destroy it and escape to another pocket of reality outside the Curve. Episode 5, "Unmortricken," picks up on that Season 5 finale, showing Evil Morty in his mansion, going on his own missions, and hoping to enjoy his cosmic paradise. Unfortunately, his utopia and the very fabric of reality keeps getting disturbed by Rick and Morty's antics as they search the Multiverse for Rick Prime. Evil Morty ends up joining them because he knows by helping them out, he can finally stabilize the Multiverse.
Rick and Morty's Evil Morty Helps Take Rick Prime Down
As the alliance hunts Prime, Evil Morty keeps flexing how smart he is. Even Rick knows the truth, but is too proud to admit it. He can't deny it because Evil Morty is the catalyst to solving the riddle in tracking Rick Prime. When Rick goes off alone, wanting revenge and glory for himself, Evil Morty makes it clear the mad scientist won't handle his emotions well. Just like how he once asked Morty to leave the Curve, he asks him again to portal-hop. But this time, it's to Rick Prime's base because Morty will have to be there for his grandfather.
A brutal war ensues and Evil Morty is the one who comes out triumphant. He switches places with Morty, has Prime underestimate him, and captures Prime. Evil Morty then gifts Rick as his prisoner, which leads to Rick murdering Rick Prime at long last. It's quite the face turn because Evil Morty does hate Rick. The feeling is mutual as well, but Morty is also on the fence. He has more hope than nihilism, which annoys Evil Morty. The latter always hated that Morty just couldn't break free of his love for Rick. However, Evil Morty always does things with an agenda. This time it's no different, leading to him securing the ultimate weapon.
Evil Morty Steals the Sinister Omega Device
Evil Morty scans Prime's mind and steals the plan for the Omega Device. It's the weapon that allowed Prime to kill all Dianes and Beths at the same time years ago. Now, it's a tool Evil Morty can use to murder all Ricks instantaneously if he so chooses. He won't for now, though. He knows it would just lead to characters like Summer, Space Beth, or even Birdperson and Birddaughter hunting him for revenge. He can tell Rick has other friends, such as Mr. Poopybutthole and Hugh Jackman, and while they may not be able to kill him, they'll still be frustrating distractions. Thus, Evil Morty blows the place up, gloats and bails.
As he teleports out, he warns the duo never to come after him, or else. It makes him quite a credible threat. With Rick losing purpose and Morty trying to get him on more excursions to stave off depression, if they keep messing up reality, Evil Morty has the trigger to hurt them anytime, anywhere. Granted, Evil Morty has shown more sympathy and humanity in Episode 5 than ever before. But he's still a wildcard who won't like the idea of Ricks existing and doing whatever they like. Holding a gun to their heads like this fashions the scariest kind of Evil Morty -- one Morty knows they'll never be able to outsmart.
Evil Morty Still Has Room for Redemption
This is the perfect character arc for an Evil Morty who hates narcissistic Ricks. He's always made it clear he was only referred to as "evil" because Ricks hated the idea of independent Mortys who'd stand up for themselves. Those Ricks conditioned and offered fake love, science and adventures to keep their Mortys on a string. Thus, it's dark karma Evil Morty holds C-137 hostage like this. It's his turn to make this Rick a slave and dance to his tune. It's something C-137 has never experienced before. Despite the coalition against Prime, Evil Morty has no problem letting him suffer silently for making the Citadel and having so many other Ricks join his crusade.
Many Morty variants suffered as a result of it all. Therefore, this is merely payback for all the oppression they endured in the Adult Swim series. It does prove that this warped Morty is more like Rick than he assumed. They often get caught up in their own selves. Ricks have been obsessed with experiments in the labs, controlling the galaxy, and in C-137's case, hunting Prime no matter who gets caught in the crossfire. It's why Evil Morty is keen to assist: he wants C-137 to find peace, so by extension, the Multiverse can as well. But Evil Morty gets obsessed with lording power over Rick. He doesn't see how cruel he's being and that he's a hypocrite. Clearly, by pretending to be this god, he's the very thing he hates: a puppet master hellbent on a twisted form of order.
Unfortunately, once he keeps the Omega Device designs, he won't ever feel truly happy. It reflects how unfulfilled Rick was knowing Prime was out there, and how sad he is after accomplishing his endgame. Evil Morty is in the same boat, keeping a hateful poison around when he should just let go. All he's doing is keeping the vendetta going with Rick and the Smiths as he plays judge, jury and executioner from his fortress of solitude. It's understandable but still tragic because Evil Morty deserves more than just being this sympathetic antihero; he lost his world and people, too. It has fans hoping Morty will someday find him and help with his atonement.
Evil Morty does like Morty as a buddy, even if he won't admit it. Morty helped save his life at Prime's lair, so harnessing Evil Morty's compassion and empathy would be an authentic road to follow. It opens a door for the franchise to remind Evil Morty he doesn't have to be distrustful and robotic. He can open his mind and let love in the way Morty did. After all, Morty is Prime's grandson -- that is. someone who also lost his world and family. But he moved on, healed and accepted this new life with C-137 and the Smith variants. Only time will tell if Evil Morty is willing to do the same, especially given the potential for good he has with Rick. Ultimately, it woud be a positive, healthy move that gives Evil Morty the redemption and second chance at family he truly deserves.
Rick and Morty airs Sundays at 11:00 p.m. ET on Adult Swim.
Rick and Morty
The fractured domestic lives of a nihilistic mad scientist and his anxious grandson are further complicated by their inter-dimensional misadventures.
- Release Date
- December 2, 2013
- Cast
- Justin Roiland , Dan Harmon , Chris Parnell , Spencer Grammer , Sarah Chalke
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 7
