“Rick and Morty” have gone to so many dark and twisted places in the multiverse that it’s kind of hard to surprise viewers anymore, but season 8 still managed to hit some high and unexpected notes that hearkened back to the glory days of the show. Sunday nights season finale proved that the creators saved the most emotionally hard hitting episode for last as “Hot Rick” made us fall in love with Rick all over again…and he didn’t even have to turn into a pickle.
Hot Rick actually refers to a memory version of Rick that we knew would eventually return, with killer hair and steampunk technology. This season has had some breakout episodes, as well as some that the fans haven’t resonated with, but “Hot Rick” was an emotional roller-coaster that even featured a major character death – until Rick reversed it. Warning, beyond this point there are spoilers for “Rick and Morty” season 8.
This season has had some breakout episodes, as well as some that the fans haven’t resonated with, but “Hot Rick” was an emotional roller-coaster that even featured a major character death – until Rick reversed it.”
The episode stared off innocently enough, with Rick expanding his romantic repertoire and revealing a relationship in the early stages with returning insectoid character, BugAnne. When Rick’s new love interest immediately ups the intimate stakes by inviting him to a family event, it’s not immediately clear where the story is going. Ultimately this leads to Rick and the fam discussing his new significant other and Jerry reveals that Rick is an amazing dad, which is hilariously violently upsetting to Rick. Jerry got his own episode to shine this season, but sadly this is pretty much the only action we get from Jerry this episode.
Once Rick realizes that memory Rick survived and somehow made his way into Jerry’s head, things heat up pretty fast. Memory Rick, or “Hot Rick” has hijacked Jerry’s mind, until irl Rick extracts his memory alter ego from Jerry’s subconscious and traps him in a memory prison. Hot Rick quickly escapes though and implants himself in Beth’s head, who he brainwashes without any reservations. Hot Rick does however give Beth an alternate childhood with a more loving father who at the same time is teaching her how to be a vicious killing machine. The irony of this hits on multiple levels and really twists your mind…a classic sign of a standout “Rick and Morty” episode.
The rest of the episode bounces back and forth between Rick’s next level date with BugAnne and Hot Rick escaping and trying to save the last memory of his dead wife Diane in all of the multiverse. This episode was wonderfully done, except for the almost complete lack of Morty. As the show is called “Rick and Morty”, this seems like a valid critique. Summer is only present for a few scenes as well, while this episode mainly focuses on the Sanchez side of the family. All in all, the lack of the Smith’s doesn’t hurt the narrative and mostly subverts our expectations. The episode does present the viewers with a lot of ethical and moral dilemmas about memories, how reliable they can be and how they can be self serving.
One of the most intense moments in the finale was when brainwashed Beth fought Space Beth, with only Space Beth holding back. Ultimately, brainwashed Beth snaps Space Beth’s neck, which really surprised most viewers. This move could’ve had repercussions into the next season and beyond, but once Rick leaves his disastrous date, he finds Space Beth and fixes her twisted robot spine. This leads to an intense chase that happens both in the real world and in a buffered memory version where many versions of brainwashed Beth’s sentient memories are chasing Rick and Diane. All of this pushes brainwashed Beth over the edge, who tries to Thelma and Louise the situation…only this near death experience is immediately stopped by Rick’s spaceship.
Rick ultimately deletes the rogue memories out of Beth’s head and even saves Hot Rick and the last known memory of his wife. The memory beings do get a happy ending, even if Rick is doomed to be miserable forever. This episode really does hit emotional highs and lows an many different levels and won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Although we wished for more Morty, overall this episode is definitely top tier.
There is also a very strange end credit scene with cameo favorite, Mr. Poopybutthole that is confusing to say the least. We do wonder if Mr. P could end up being a God-tier villain who has been worming his way into very important memories to advance his own nefarious agenda, or something benign and silly. Either way, the Sausage Fellas as a whole are a fascinating part of “Rick and Morty” lore, with potential for some serious fun in the future. If you don’t plan on watching every episode of “Rick and Morty”, but just want to cherry pick, make sure you don’t skip this one. “Hot Rick” is possibly gone forever, living in eternal happiness out in the cosmos, but he will forever remain intact in our memories.
What do you think? Did you watch the finale? How would you rate season 8 amongst the previous seasons? What was your favorite episode? Is Mr. Poopybutthole more than he seems? Will we ever see Hot Rick again?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
