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Video Essay: How Every Rick And Morty Episode Is The Same Story


Every reader on this site knows that I’m a huge fan of Wisecrack, and the guys are definitely huge fans of Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty. On the surface it looks like a juvenile sci-fi show, but the series actually has a chock-full of existential metaphors and concepts that you find yourself discovering something new every time you watch it.

This time around, Wisecrack delves into co-creator Dan Harmon’s process of writing an episode, and as it turns out, Rick and Morty follow the same formula every time.

Here’s the breakdown/ “The Story Embryo”:

  1. A character is in a zone of comfort
  2. But they want something
  3. They enter an unfamiliar situation
  4. Adapt to it
  5. Get what they wanted
  6. Pay a heavy price for it
  7. Then return to their familiar situation
  8. Having changed

I’ve done my research on TV scriptwriting, and Harmon’s formula is very much used for every other TV show out there. From Parks and Recreation to Regular Show, each episode always has a character out for a goal, getting what they want, paying the price for it, and reverting back to normal.

I think the true hook of Rick and Morty is how they’re able to create all these wacky sci-fi scenarios and at the same time present a very thought-provoking story. It’s one of the shows that ultimately prove that cartoons ain’t just for kids.

Rick and Morty season 3 airs this summer.

See Also:Watch Rick And Morty Creator Justin Roiland Get Drunk To Record His Lines

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