DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Rick and Morty Season Five premiere episode “Mort Dinner Rick Andre” is riddled with spoilers. You’ve been warned. Proceed at your own peril.
Welcome, Ricks and Mortys of the multiverse! Rick and Morty returned for its fifth season, and it’s just as f**ked up as ever. One surprising aspect of “Mort Dinner Rick Andre” is the fact that Morty embarks on a weird adventure while Rick attempts to keep the peace. For once, Rick is the so-called “sane” half of our favorite grandfather/grandson space duo.
This episode introduces us to Nimbus, Rick’s nemesis who’s King of the Sea. He’s immensely sexual, but that goes with the territory when your objective is to make the land wet. Beth and Jerry are attracted to the “strange horny ocean man,” and are convinced that they must have a threesome with him. It keeps that spark in their marriage ignited.
Morty finally has a bona fide date with Jessica, which culminates in her becoming a “time god” and perpetually shelving Morty in the Friend Zone.
Ready to dive into “Mort Dinner Rick Andre”? Let’s get to it.
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Now, we open with Morty (voiced by Justin Roiland) and Rick (also voiced by Roiland) speeding through space as they’re being pursued. Rick is critically wounded. As they’re crashing toward Earth, Morty calls Jessica (voiced by Kari Wahlgren) and confesses his feelings for her. She suggests they have a movie date later that day. Of course, Morty thinks he’s about to bite it, but he agrees to the date nonetheless.
Next, Morty successfully averts certain death by landing in the sea. Rick chastises Morty for doing so. Why? Because Rick’s forbidden from infringing upon the ocean, which is the territory ruled by his nemesis. Nimbus (voiced by Dan Harmon) emerges from his watery kingdom. He declares war against Rick, but the latter tries to diffuse the situation by inviting the Aquaman knockoff to dinner.
Later, Rick is preparing for the arrival of Nimbus. He’s enlisted in Summer’s (voiced by Spencer Grammer) aid by having her search Marianas Trench for Nimbus’s shell. It’s the source of his power. Beth (voiced by Sarah Chalke) and Jerry (voiced by Chris Parnell) are all about broadening their sexual horizons now.
Then, Nimbus enters the fray on a sea of ocean creatures. Jerry tries to call the police on him, but the ocean king inexplicably controls law enforcement. I love the joke here about the cops being quick to respond to a white person versus a person of color. Nimbus makes the policemen f**k and orders them to flee.
Next, Jessica arrives for her movie date with Morty. Rick and Nimbus retire to the dining room to commence their peace talks. Jerry and Beth learn from a starfish that Nimbus has given his nod of consent for some sexy fun times. Rick tosses a slew of wine through a portal to age it to Nimbus’s liking. He orders Morty to retrieve it.
Now, we see that Morty is in a Narnia-esque land of sorts. Hoovy (voiced by Jim Gaffigan) is a creature that’s a cross between a dog and a horse. He follows Morty into our world with the properly aged wine in tow. However, when Hoovy returns to his world, he sees that his wife has died. Time moves differently in Narnia Knockoff Land. His son slaughters Hoovy in a rage. He blames Morty for royally screwing up his life.
Then, a montage plays out in Narnia Knockoff Land. The son of Hoovy grows older, and his children take up the mantle of vengeance. Everyone prepares and trains to kill Morty, “The Dark Child.” Morty is asked to grab more wine for Rick and Nimbus. Additionally, he vows to get some for Jessica as well. He finds that Hoovy is dead and his kids have Morty’s own demise on the brain.
Later, Morty returns to Narnia Knockoff Land armed to the teeth with Rick’s tech. He decimates the encampment therein. As time progresses, technology takes over and the dog/horse species evolves.
Suddenly, one of Hoovy’s descendants infiltrates our timeline. Nimbus is under the impression that the descendant there to assassinate him, but said descendant is really after Morty. Prior to fleeing, he absconds with Jessica. Morty barges through the portal to rescue her. He finds her frozen in a stasis of sorts. After freeing her, the pair are drawn back through the portal once more.
Thankfully, Rick comes to their aid. But the advancements in Narnia Knockoff Land are enough to overpower even the cunning Rick Sanchez. Nimbus bursts onto the scene and rescues all three of them. It would appear a truce is being forged between Rick and Nimbus. They may even become friends again.
Meanwhile, Jessica discloses her experience in Narnia Knockoff Land. She can now see all of time, all at once. She’s a time god now. Jessica doesn’t have time (Get it?) for dating. Thus, she places Morty in the Friend Zone. And not long ago she just kissed him!
Unfortunately, Summer arrives with the coveted Marianas Trench shell. Nimbus interprets this as an act of betrayal. Summer blows on the shell, which imbues Nimbus with more power. He beats the sh*t out of Rick and has him arrested. He does control the police, after all. Oh, and Beth and Jerry never get to experience a threesome with the strange horny ocean man.
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Rick and Morty has always pushed the envelope when it comes to adult animation, and “Mort Dinner Rick Andre” is no exception. It’s kooky, irreverent, innovative and fun. Roiland’s talents as a voice actor are vast and endless. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Harmon himself was the voice of Nimbus. We love a multitalented creator/writer.
I’m curious to see where Season Five takes us, especially after that cliffhanger. With Rick’s arrest and Nimbus’s win, I wonder whether the latter will successfully “make the land wet” and seize control of Earth. Regardless, I’m here for the ride.
Rick and Morty airs Sundays at 11 pm on Adult Swim.
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