Nazi Wasps. Lovefinderrz. Professor Mr. Poopybutthole. Slut Dragons. Snake jazz.
These are but a few of the many comedic nouns birthed into the world courtesy of the first five episodes of Rick and Morty’s fourth season. However, even though fans of the Adult Swim smash are accustomed to extended breaks, it feels like a lifetime ago since we had our last adventure with the title duo.
But like Phoenixperson rising from the ashes of betrayal, the show returns to Adult Swim on Sunday, May 3 with “The Other Five” episodes of its fourth season. Because most of us can barely remember what happened last week, much less four entire months ago, we’ve put together this handy guide to the first half of season 4, along with an inside look at each episode. Sling subscribers can catch up with select episodes on demand, and for even more Rick and Morty content, check out our list of the show’s best supporting characters.
What Had Happened Was…Rick gets killed, which would normally be shocking and sad. But we’re talking about the Rick Sanchez (C-137), so he even has a failsafe for death and keeps coming back as increasingly absurd incarnations of himself across the multiverse. Meanwhile, Morty finds a crystal that lets him see the future, which he subsequently abuses because — let’s face it — Morty is no Rick Sanchez (C-137).
Best line: Rick to Morty after he apologized for trying to “kill the whole world and stuff” - "Oh boy, so you actually learned something today? What is this, Full House? I was living in the moment all day, and it kept getting me killed by Nazis."
What Had Happened Was…As a shy pooper, Rick is horrified to discover that someone is sharing his private toilet. Jerry accidentally develops a world-ending app with an intern named Glootie. Did we mention that this episode is really f-cking sad?
Best line: Morty - “I wanted to say something. I started the day disgusted and embarrassed to be your son. And later I thought we were going to die because you’re a loser.”
Jerry - “There’s no more, is there?”
Morty - “NOPE.”
What Had Happened Was…Rick and Morty do a heist to get revenge on the heist artist Miles Knightly but their Heist-o-Tron goes rogue so Rick and Morty have to put together a crew to heist Heist-o-Tron, before the entire operation is revealed to be an elaborate scheme to tire Morty of the heist genre so that he won’t sell his pitch to Netflix and will instead stick with Rick. *Lowers Sunglasses* Checkmate.
Best Line: Rick, to the audience at HeistCon - “Your boos mean nothing, I see what makes you cheer!”
What Had Happened Was…Morty soul bonds with a dragon named Balthromaw, but it turns out he and Rick have way more in common. Things get uncomfortably sexual. Jerry befriends — and is betrayed by — a talking cat with a history so grotesque, it physically sickens him, forcing Rick to wipe his memory.
Best line: Morty - “Well, to be honest, I'm kind of grossed out with the sexual nature of how everything unfolded. I didn't know how sexual dragons were. I kind of just wanted to do some D&D stuff, y'know?”
What Had Happened Was…Morty gets bitten by a space snake, which triggers a series of events that culminate in snakes traveling back in time Terminator-style to destroy/ stop the destruction of Rick and Morty. Meanwhile, Jerry somehow f-cks up the simple act of wearing shoes.
Best line: “I am the Jesus Christ of Christmas!” - Jerry, who definitely isn’t.
Catch new episodes of Rick and Morty beginning Sunday, May 3 at 11:30pm ET on Adult Swim
