‘Rick and Morty’s Anthology Episodes Share the Most DNA with ‘Community’ – Decider

At times its hard to believe that two of the most beloved cult comedies in modern television came from the same mind. Rick and Morty, with its bristling introspection and depressive streaks, often feels far removed from the loving silliness of Community. But theres one moment in every season of Adult Swims animated mega-hit that unites Dan Harmons two creations. Rick and Mortys anthology episodes channel Communitys love of meta mockery and human connection better than any other part of this series.

Even after the premiere of shows such as Westworld, Mr. Robot, and yes, Rick and Morty, no show was quite as meta as Community. As early as Season 2 the NBC comedy was packed with in-jokes, like pulling a Britta or the many, barely noticeable adventures Abed (Danny Pudi) had in the background of many episodes. But what Community always excelled at during even its most ridiculous moments was finding new ways to mock itself.

The savage edge of that mockery appears most clearly in Season 3. In the 2010s it was rare for a network sitcom to be so full of inside jokes and callbacks that it was nearly impossible for casual viewers to watch. But thats exactly what Community became. The full ridiculousness of Documentary Filmmaking: Redux doesnt come across if you didnt see Season 2s intimate and deceptive Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking. Both Urban Matrimony and the Sandwich Arts and Digital Estate Planning fall flat without sitting through literal hours of Shirleys (Yvette Nicole Brown) passive aggression and Pierces (Chevy Chase) bumbling form of offensiveness. Similarly no other show could have ever pulled off something as bizarre, thought-provoking, and imaginative as Remedial Chaos Theory without establishing seasons of character development.

So many episodes in the later seasons of Community happily tore apart what this show was, challenging its sitcom premises, questioning the study groups status as this shows heroes, and painfully digging into its characters to find something more interesting than the average half-hour. Those sorts of explorations have always been an area where Rick and Morty has excelled. But its in each seasons anthology episode that the series really takes a meta step back and examines what it is, not as a piece of pop culture mocking other pieces of pop culture but as a show in and of itself. That more than anything else is pure Community.

Yet in between all of these funny moments and meta musings there was something else in these episodes reminiscent of Community: connection. Community was always true to its name. It was a show about lost people finding a family in each other, and as a result each episode typically ended on a loving, uplifting note. Though its never so loving, Rick and Mortys anthology episodes have often revealed a deeper understanding of Rick Sanchez and the Smith family than other installments. There was Mortys vulnerable plea for Summer to stay in Rixty Minutes; their fear then budding realization about Jerrys uselessness in Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate; Mortys growing understanding of his grandpa in Mortys Mind Blowers; and Ricks drunken rant that terrifies Morty in Never Ricking Morty. So much of the growth in this show is introspective and incomplete. But on the outskirts of these clip episodes this family typically connects in ways weve never seen them before. The result is often murky, dark, and unsettling but that base human connection is still happening.

Years before Rick and Morty were ever laughing at Interdimensional Cable, Community had a clip show of its own. Season 2s Paradigms of Human Memory saw the study group reflecting on a series of past adventures, none of which ever happened on screen. The entire half-hour is constructed to be a biting takedown of lazy anthology episodes that typically appear in TV comedies. But watching it now theres something more between the episodes hinting at future spinoffs like Regional Holiday Music and cutting together shipping videos deliberately mocking fans. The seeds of Rick and Mortys decidedly more acidic brand of comedy can be seen.

Where to stream Rick and Morty

Where to stream Community

Go here to read the rest:
'Rick and Morty's Anthology Episodes Share the Most DNA with 'Community' - Decider