The article explores the philosophy of Rick and Morty, specifically the absurdism and existentialism themes present in the show. It delves into how the show's creators, Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, pulled off an impressive anti-April Fool's prank by releasing the season 3 premiere, "The Rickshank Redemption." The article argues that the show is not just a comedy, but a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, absurdity, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world.
The article also discusses how the show's protagonist, Rick Sanchez, is an absurd hero who understands and finds happiness in the pointlessness of life. However, unlike Camus' concept of the absurd hero, Rick is in great pain and struggles to find joy in the absurdity of existence.
The article concludes that the show's use of the Szechuan sauce as a plot device is a joke about the search for meaning in a meaningless world. It suggests that the real joke is not the sauce itself, but the prospect of Rick finding meaning in something as trivial as a condiment. Ultimately, the article argues that Rick and Morty is a show that challenges its viewers to think critically about the human condition and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The season 3 premiere of Rick and Morty, "The Rickshank Redemption," was released after a long hiatus.
2. The episode was released on April 1, but it was not an April Fool's joke.
3. The episode's plot involves Rick's imprisonment and his subsequent escape.
4. Rick's motivations are not driven by a desire to do good or to help his family, but rather by his desire to obtain Szechuan sauce.
5. Szechuan sauce is a promotional condiment that was introduced by McDonald's in the 1990s.
6. The show's writers use the Szechuan sauce as a plot device to explore themes of absurdity and meaninglessness.
7. The show's protagonist, Rick, is a character who embodies the concept of absurdity, as described by philosopher Albert Camus.
8. Camus believed that humans are cursed with seeking meaning in a universe that is ultimately indifferent to human existence.
9. The show's creators, Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, are known for their dark humor and absurd storytelling style.
10. The show's third season explores themes of existentialism and absurdism, and features a more cynical and nihilistic tone than previous seasons.