Yet One More Analytics Lesson From Rick & Morty
The Twisty, Mind Melting World Of Simulations
It is time again to go back to the well. Rick and Morty is a favorite muse of mine. While the series is signed to deliver a ton of future episodes, so far, we only have 31 to draw on. Those three seasons have been inspirational gold. Case in point, let’s talk about a favorite plot element — simulations.
M. Night Shaym-Aliens!
We are introduced to our first simulation just four episodes into the series. Rick’s opening lines provide the theme.
Shotty Workmanship
The Zigerion simulation or alternate reality generator begins with some level of competency. Rick’s line is not easy to put into context without some additional plot development. But it soon becomes clear to the audience that he is caught in a simulator. For his part, Rick is clear from the beginning — but the writers do a great job of keeping the audience on their toes.
The Zigerion ruse and their simulator will soon be revealed to be operating on multiple levels. “What a twist!?” It does provide an interesting excuse for why the simulation is so shoddy. It is also interesting to note that Rick is first tipped by the innards of a rat he is dissecting…
In fairness, one could imagine developers overlooking the quality of rat innards in their simulation. What were the odds Rick was going to conduct a rat autopsy. But then that is the tricky nature of simulations, isn’t it?
Once Rick is onto the scam, he begins testing the edges of the simulation — literally. Open world and open story video games are quite popular, but each has plenty of limits. You get the sense that those games actually inspired this episode. Gamers are constantly challenging the limits and edges of any virtual landscape — Rick just leverages his inner gamer.
Mortynight Run
In season two, simulations return. This time it is a game, one so immersive that Morty at first is confused that it wasn’t real. Roy — A Life Well Lived, the arcade game, has an advantage over the Zigerion simulation — it is fully virtual. Obviously we are dissecting sci-fi cartoon technology, but with a healthy dose of suspended disbelief, you can see where a virtual simulation is much easier to pull off. Fully virtual simulations only need to trick the brain, not all your other body parts.
Even then, once it is Rick’s turn, things quickly get pushed beyond the limits. Rick takes Roy, his in game alterego, “off the grid”. We are not shown exactly what this means, but given Rick’s bad boy, rule breaking personality — it is not that difficult to imagine.
The Rickshank Rickdemption
The opening episode of season three once again featured a simulation. Once again an alien race’s attempt to fool Rick was foiled in the opening moments of an episode.
Rick: Jerry, get out of the booth, take all your clothes off, and fold yourself 12 times.
Jerry: You got it. [ Grunting ]
Rick: Six folds, huh? W-W-What, have you guys got me in a Series 9000? You cheap insect [bleep] didn’t think I was worth your best equipment?
Unlike the season one simulation, this one is virtual. Yet, even still, Rick is quickly able to outflank the hardware. In fact, in this particular episode, Rick is able to hack it. It seems even in the interstellar high tech worlds of Rick and Morty — simulations have many limits.
The Rickchurian Mortydate
In the finale of season three, the final episode so far, Rick & Morty even poke a little fun at a contemporary simulation, relatively speaking. They are quick to note that their minecraft spoof is likely four years behind. That doesn’t stop them from making plenty of critical observations.
“mining stuff to craft with and crafting stuff to mine with”
It is a light and final barb at the world of simulations. With the possible exception of Star Trek’s holodeck, few series offer this variety and array of simulation plot points. Even then, only Rick and Morty is willing to lay them out with all their flaws and exceptions, quirks and issues.
There is really no need to learn any lessons while laughing your way through an episode of Rick and Morty, but if you are going to rewatch one of the 31 episodes for a fourth or fifth time — why not appreciate the opportunity? What other series provides you with a veritable buffet of simulations?
Keep watching. Keep waiting — season four is coming… sometime. And as always — thanks for reading!
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