In this weeks episode, "The ABC's of Beth," we got, even more, proof that "Rick and Morty's" creators are showing zero signs of slowing their roll as far as the series boundary-pushing, and often incredibly anti-politically correct comedy is concerned. "Rick and Morty" is one of those, either you hate it or you love it kinds of shows. Amassing a cult following over the last couple years, the Adult Swim series, with its combination of whip-sharp timing and at times incredibly low-brow humor, is only gaining momentum.
This season Rick and Morty is a family affair
One of the hallmarks of season 3 has been the utilization of the entire family, as opposed to previous seasons which tended to focus primarily on Rick and Morty's misadventures, and this episode is no different. For all intensive purposes, this was the Rick and (daughter) Beth's bonding episode, but in usual "Rick and Morty" fashion, it had to be so much more. We learn early in that a father of childhood family friend is facing execution for the supposed cannibalism of her friend, Tommy. Immediately in steps Rick with a hard/wet belch to the face, revealing that Tommy is still alive in the imaginary (but very real) playland Rick created for Beth as a kid, Froopyland; a rainbow-laden Care Bear-esque alternate universe.
Not to fall into too many father-daughter bonding tropes, they uncover the fate of Tommy, who has survived in Froopyland all these years by copulating with fluffy fourlegged creatures and then eating the offspring. Somehow, in the midst of such outlandish circumstances, the episode is crafted in a way that turns the gag-inducing situation into a sobering moment of clarity for Rick and Beth's perception of their damaged relationship.
In The ABC's of Beth, dysfunction is the name of the game
Also in the episode, we follow Summer and Morty's day with their deadbeat father, Jerry, who has been struggling at best this season. Upon entering Jerry's usually rat nest one bedroom apartment, Summer points out that, "wow dad, your place looks way less like a crack house," to which Morty replies, "it's clean, like a cocaine house." From there we are introduced to Jerry's new triple-breasted, telekinetic, Predator meets Dragon Ball Z style girlfriend, Kiara.
In addition to attempting to convince their dad that this is merely a rebound, the kids also must deal with the impending threat that Jerry's new girlfriend is in actuality, dragging them into a predatory alien hunting ritual.
Rick and Morty, the new king of adult animation
All-in-all, "The ABC's of Beth" is another home run in a season of rock-solid episodes from Rick and Morty. Easily the most audacious and forward-thinking animated series on television, the show acts as a reminder that long favorited series such as "Family Guy," "Bob's Burgers," and "Archer," are just playing softball by comparison. With only one more episodes left in the season, I feel it's safe to assume that after looking at the trajectory of the wildness so far in season 3, "Rick and Morty" will have a little more insanity up its sleeve for the finale.