Rick & Morty Season 7 Revives Iconic Episode's Ironic Sci-Fi Parody, 6 Years On

Summary

In Rick and Morty season 7, episode 3, a well-known joke makes a return appearance, which had previously been seen in superhero movies and was first introduced by the show in 2017.

The show's clever dismantling of sci-fi clichés has had a significant impact on a multitude of shows and movies, inspiring them to include self-aware and satirical humor.

Rick and Morty's success has resulted in its writers securing opportunities to work on major blockbusters and MCU projects. Additionally, numerous major studio releases now adopt the show's style of humor.

In episode 3 of season 7, Rick and Morty cleverly subvert a well-known sci-fi trope, a comedic technique they had employed years prior. Over the past decade, Rick and Morty’s triumphs have significantly shaped popular culture. The show's talented writers have also made their mark in the film industry, contributing to high-profile blockbusters and MCU ventures. Furthermore, Rick and Morty's delightful deconstruction of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror conventions has served as an inspiration for countless television shows and movies. Many recent releases from major studios now imitate the self-aware and satirical humor that Rick and Morty popularized.

This sometimes means that even when viewers are seeing them for the first time, gags in Rick and Morty season 7 feel familiar. These jokes, or jokes similar to them, have appeared in savvy, self-parodic blockbusters of the last few years, as well as in the many imitators of Rick and Morty. However, in episode 3 of Rick and Morty season 7, titled "Air Force Wong," the show takes this approach even further. Not only does one of the outing's best gags appear in numerous superhero movies, but it also resurfaces in a Rick and Morty episode from 2017.

Rick & Morty Season 7, Episode 3’s Crack Team Ruins A Classic Sci-Fi Trope

In "Air Force Wong," the President of the United States gathers an allegedly skilled team to invade Virginia and investigate the situation occurring in the state. However, the President's proclaimed "expert team" quickly succumbs to the collective consciousness that has taken control of Virginia, shortly after their arrival. Rick ridicules the President for this failure, but fans of science fiction films, superhero movies, and Rick and Morty itself will find this punchline familiar. Although Season 7 of Rick and Morty introduces changes to the show's usual state, this joke effectively echoes a comedic moment from an earlier episode in Season 3.

In Rick and Morty season 3, episode 4, titled "Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender," Rick eliminates an entire team of superheroes due to a grudge he is too intoxicated to recall. This episode, which cleverly combines dark humor with the superhero genre, stands out as one of the first satires to showcase a highly anticipated "crack team" of heroes who meet their demise shortly after being introduced. The hilarity of this gag resonated with audiences who were growing weary of the flood of invincible superhero blockbusters at the time of the episode's release. Since then, numerous films have revisited this comedic approach.

Rick & Morty Season 3's Vindicators Gag Started This Parody Trend In 2017

While other shows often reference Rick and Morty's top-notch jokes, this particular punchline from 2017 has garnered significant influence. Deadpool 2 echoed this gag almost word for word a year later. In the movie, the X-Force meets a messy demise before they even have a chance to make a significant impact. Once again, this joke resurfaced in 2021's The Suicide Squad, and "Air Force Wong" brought it back once more. Demonstrating its widespread popularity, numerous online news outlets predicted that The Suicide Squad would revisit this specific Rick and Morty gag prior to the film's release. It appears that this gag's impact on pop culture continues, rendering it even more comical.

Editor's P/S

Rick and Morty is a show that has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in terms of humor. The show's writers have never been afraid to tackle taboo subjects, and they have a knack for finding the funny in even the darkest of situations. This is what makes the show so unique and beloved by its fans.

In the latest episode of Rick and Morty, the writers take aim at the superhero genre. The episode features a team of superheroes who are tasked with investigating a strange occurrence in Virginia. However, the superheroes quickly succumb to the collective consciousness that has taken control of the state. This is a hilarious send-up of the superhero genre, which is often criticized for its reliance on tired tropes and cliches.