The pilot is mostly built on shock value. I think that's good, because it pushes away viewers who are uncomfortable with it's humour away right away instead of drawing them in and then catching them by surprise. These parts were actually the best parts of the episode; they felt freshest because they are doing things other shows would never. But, the episode is very much focused on introducing the characters and style, so it feels constricted in how much it can do. However, rest assured, the show explores all the themes presented in the pilot to a higher degree (except for Rick's alcoholism; that still hasn't gotten any worse than the opening scene).
29 Reviews
The Beginning of a Legend
hridouane28 March 2022
This was the start of a fantastic show, although with it's many ups and downs, is now going into the right direction. This is also the craziest we will ever see of Rick. The only flaw is the seeds going into Morty's butthole, but that's it.
I can't believe
injury-6544722 June 2020
I can't believe so many reviewers are down on this pilot episode! What are they expecting - complete perfection out of the gate?
Honestly, as it stands I think this pilot episode does an absolutely AMAZING job of setting up the world, show premise, tone of the show, major & minor characters.
After watching I knew I was open to seeing more adventures. This pilot does exactly what a pilot should do, gets you interested to see more without giving away all of the show's secrets in one go.
It's an excellent start for one of the most iconic animated comedies ever created.
Honestly, as it stands I think this pilot episode does an absolutely AMAZING job of setting up the world, show premise, tone of the show, major & minor characters.
After watching I knew I was open to seeing more adventures. This pilot does exactly what a pilot should do, gets you interested to see more without giving away all of the show's secrets in one go.
It's an excellent start for one of the most iconic animated comedies ever created.
I've watched this multiple times
Rick_and_Morty9 July 2019
I love the Rick and Morty series. The pilot is one of my favorites mainly because the characters change after this episode. They talk differently, act differently, it's just different. It's almost like they had to make it a certain way to get past the people at Adult Swim and once they were green lighted they went another direction. I love the show, all the episodes, but the pilot is the greatest in its own way. I'm happy the show made it past the guys at Adult Swim. And to think they almost didn't air it.
Kicking off from the top.
kozumel3 February 2021
To me this might be probably one of the best episodes of the whole series, if not the best. A fact quite surprising if taken into account this was the opening pilot. A good way to start from the highest, staying on top even better than other later episodes.
A true gem which cannot be missed.
A true gem which cannot be missed.
where rick and Morty started
bellafinch12 January 2018
Rough take-off for an awesome journey
petrow-3130813 September 2017
Odds are you'll ditch the entire series, if you start with that episode.
Roiland and Harmon took some overly bold steps about portraying their characters, and neglecting the story-line in the process. That is especially true for Rick, whose "evil genius" side is not really given emphasis beside the "stumbling drunk" moments, and Morty is also too flimsy and sometimes downright annoying, so you can hardly feel any sympathy for him.
The story-arc is also very basic and even though you can see some of the future genius moments of the series (the anti-leg break serum, the joke with time travel, or the getaway form the security guards), this one leaves something to be desired.
I guess the makers were still experimenting with the pace of the episodes, and found the real tone of the series in Lawnmower Dog. Though one can get the first impression only once, I strongly recommend for those who gave up on the entire show due to the Pilot to keep going on for at least 2 more episodes.
Roiland and Harmon took some overly bold steps about portraying their characters, and neglecting the story-line in the process. That is especially true for Rick, whose "evil genius" side is not really given emphasis beside the "stumbling drunk" moments, and Morty is also too flimsy and sometimes downright annoying, so you can hardly feel any sympathy for him.
The story-arc is also very basic and even though you can see some of the future genius moments of the series (the anti-leg break serum, the joke with time travel, or the getaway form the security guards), this one leaves something to be desired.
I guess the makers were still experimenting with the pace of the episodes, and found the real tone of the series in Lawnmower Dog. Though one can get the first impression only once, I strongly recommend for those who gave up on the entire show due to the Pilot to keep going on for at least 2 more episodes.
Let's start!
amindostiari25 January 2021
Solid Start
raffaellofilipus3 October 2022
Great start to a great show. Usually pilots are pretty rough as not everything is fully patched yet but I don't really think it's the case here (other than a few I'll mention later). The plot is engaging and it's a great introduction to the main cast of characters we'll be working with in the show. Great start, but not really the greatest episode. Don't get me wrong, like I said it's a solid pilot, but compared to the other episodes, it's not really as good. Also this first episode is weird man. I know the show is really weird and messed up but this episode is just a bit off with Rick's mannerisms. Overall still, solid start.
An underated pilot
oakesharvey13 June 2020
I think that Rick and mortys pilot has always gotten a bad rep for whatever reason. But I think this pilot starts of the show in a very solid and enjoyable way. It gives us a good idea of what the show is like and what to expect I also think that the creativity really shines through.
A Good Start, but is Not Representative of the Rest of the Show's Quality.
The_Coffee_Frog28 June 2019
"Rick and Morty" centres around a borderline psychotic, self-destructive, cynical genius named Rick and his dim-witted grandson named Morty and their intergalactic jaunts.
I feel like the pilot episode is always treated as the runt of the "Rick and Morty" pack, but I don't mind it and it isn't the show's worst.
The plot is a bit thin, but the plot is not what's important here, a pilot's episodes it purpose is to establish the characters, which is done well.
The characters aren't given any depth, at all, but this changes as the show progresses.
Overall, a good, not great start to a phenomenal series.
Rating: 7.6/10.
Be Patient With It...
milohaase-8616930 June 2021
Okay, I've just finished rewatching the whole of this series in preparation for season 5 and, oh my is this episode bad. I really struggled to get through this episode because it's not really that funny and it's annoying somehow (the constant "Morty... Morty" from Rick and Mortys voice 😬). This episode really doesn't live up to the extremely high standard of the rest of the show.
Note that last part: "extremely high standard of the rest of the show".
If you're someone who hasn't watched Rick & Morty before and is just starting out, this episode is not representative of the rest of the series. I would definitely recommend watching it if you're new as it sets up the dynamics between the characters, but watch it knowing that the rest of this show is much better. Don't let this episode put you off, I promise it gets so much better.
Note that last part: "extremely high standard of the rest of the show".
If you're someone who hasn't watched Rick & Morty before and is just starting out, this episode is not representative of the rest of the series. I would definitely recommend watching it if you're new as it sets up the dynamics between the characters, but watch it knowing that the rest of this show is much better. Don't let this episode put you off, I promise it gets so much better.
Great
alirezagolsorkhi26 January 2019
An Unbelievably Fast and Clever Pilot
uawiseguy214 February 2020
A mass extinction threat, a spaceship built in a garage, and a teenage bully being frozen to death all happen within the first minutes of the most entertaining animated pilot in years (perhaps ever). Packed with jokes that subvert Doctor Who and Star Trek tropes, it's hard not to revel in Morty's misery and complete helplessness wherever/whenever his grandfather Rick takes him. Morty's other family members also have a level of absurdity about them that promises hilarious subplots. Rick's erratic, belch-filled dialogue is so quick and spontaneous that re-watching this episode might be necessary, but no less enjoyable.
Great Pilot
Rick_And_Morty_Reviews2 August 2021
The beginning of an area
zhyarTheChosen24 January 2020
Started to watch
thorodinson-5013030 May 2021
Seeds of doubt.
southdavid31 January 2020
Back to the beginning again to rewatch and review "Rick and Morty" from the beginning. To be honest, looking back now this pilot isn't great. . . and whenever I'm recommending "R&M" to anyone, I always suggest that they start with a different episode and then come back to this one later on.
Rick Sanchez (Justin Roiland) the multiverses greatest scientific mind / criminal anarchist / drunken misanthrope drags his grandson Morty (also Justin Roiland) across the galaxy to recover some rare seeds he needs for an experiment. Unable to return home via the same means, they're forced to travel through intergalactic customs, during which Rick asks Morty to keep the bulky seeds somewhere safe. . . .somewhere very safe.
It is a pilot, so it's understandable, but this episode is somewhat lacking in all areas. Visually it's not as polished, the story isn't as complex or as clever as it could be and crucially, it's not as funny as it would become. Roiland doesn't quite have the measure of either of the leads yet but his Rick seems particularly off. He's belching a lot more than he does later on and if I'm honest it's a little off putting, in fact, in general they've toned down Rick's drinking. . . not completely, but he doesn't get as drunk as he is in the opening scenes very often again. The fact that Beth is (oddly specifically) a horse Doctor was something that I'd forgotten about, as I don't remember it featuring very often after this. The whole supporting family are somewhat relegated to a B-Story about Rick's influence on Morty, that would be unresolved here and continue on through the show.
Don't get me wrong, this episode does have some moments and there's plenty of other shows that never get close to being this good, but in comparison to what would follow, it's probably close to the worst episode of "R&M" there is.
Rick Sanchez (Justin Roiland) the multiverses greatest scientific mind / criminal anarchist / drunken misanthrope drags his grandson Morty (also Justin Roiland) across the galaxy to recover some rare seeds he needs for an experiment. Unable to return home via the same means, they're forced to travel through intergalactic customs, during which Rick asks Morty to keep the bulky seeds somewhere safe. . . .somewhere very safe.
It is a pilot, so it's understandable, but this episode is somewhat lacking in all areas. Visually it's not as polished, the story isn't as complex or as clever as it could be and crucially, it's not as funny as it would become. Roiland doesn't quite have the measure of either of the leads yet but his Rick seems particularly off. He's belching a lot more than he does later on and if I'm honest it's a little off putting, in fact, in general they've toned down Rick's drinking. . . not completely, but he doesn't get as drunk as he is in the opening scenes very often again. The fact that Beth is (oddly specifically) a horse Doctor was something that I'd forgotten about, as I don't remember it featuring very often after this. The whole supporting family are somewhat relegated to a B-Story about Rick's influence on Morty, that would be unresolved here and continue on through the show.
Don't get me wrong, this episode does have some moments and there's plenty of other shows that never get close to being this good, but in comparison to what would follow, it's probably close to the worst episode of "R&M" there is.
Nice wAY FOR start a series
lucachik16 April 2021
an ok start to an otherwise amazing show
jjrjs-6581221 October 2022
As a pilot episode i feel that it is very enjoyable and i would definitely rewatch it many times but it's not a great to to show the characters and set up the rest of the show. However it is a good episode as it follows the typical rick and morty episode format, but as a pilot episode it isn't the best introduction to the characters. In the episode it shows rick as this sadistic and narcissistic person and even though he does resemble someone like that, they over exaggerate it in the first episode. It does set up a good character ark for morty and a good introduction to jerry and beth's character and what relationship they have.
Ouch
kxprailer6 September 2019
This show has been on my list of shows to watch for a while, so I figured I'd start watching it and see why pretty much EVERYONE on the planet seems to love this show.
This isn't just a below average pilot. THIS is a really bad episode of animated TV.
The only characters in this show that I actually liked - So far - are EVERYONE EXCEPT Rick and Morty. Rick's constant talking, stammering, burping and saying the Morty's name a million times was some of the most annoying stuff I've ever sat through. And then there's Morty. I get it, he's supposed to be an innocent kid. But this character is so whiny, screamy and overall pointless and... pretty much being Rick's guinea pig, has literally NO chemistry with Rick, and yet THESE TWO are the show's two leads that I have to watch in every episode?
I'm going to watch this show all the way through, but it's gonna be a very rough time because I already dislike BOTH main characters.
This isn't just a below average pilot. THIS is a really bad episode of animated TV.
The only characters in this show that I actually liked - So far - are EVERYONE EXCEPT Rick and Morty. Rick's constant talking, stammering, burping and saying the Morty's name a million times was some of the most annoying stuff I've ever sat through. And then there's Morty. I get it, he's supposed to be an innocent kid. But this character is so whiny, screamy and overall pointless and... pretty much being Rick's guinea pig, has literally NO chemistry with Rick, and yet THESE TWO are the show's two leads that I have to watch in every episode?
I'm going to watch this show all the way through, but it's gonna be a very rough time because I already dislike BOTH main characters.
Great first episode!
nikitacpv16 March 2023
I have read the Rick and Morty comics before I actually have watched the show. By now there are already 6 seasons so I'm a little behind but I like it! The grandfather might be a bi of a bad influence for Morty but it's like the mom says: ''at least he's got a friend''. Plus you have to admit it, having Rick as a grandfather is pretty cool. The humor was good and not too much. Principal Vagina, hiding those seeds in you know what....
The characters are great as well as the soundtrack. It's one of those shows that reminds me of a more adult version of Adventure Time, Family Guy and Futurama.
Nice show to watch just to wind down.
The characters are great as well as the soundtrack. It's one of those shows that reminds me of a more adult version of Adventure Time, Family Guy and Futurama.
Nice show to watch just to wind down.
A big Meh. Was expecting better from Harmon.
limestrael12 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
When I saw it said to myself "Gee... I hope it's just a bad pilot and isn't representative of what the full first season will be like". Trees shaped like penises? Stuck these seeds up your butt so they get though customs control? Seriously? That's all Dan Harmon found for a pilot? Gratuitous sex and scat jokes that serve no meaning except to be sex and scat jokes? Excuse me, I was told this was an adult cartoon. Even South Park's -- although cruder -- jokes are more not as pointless. And they're more inventive. That episode just felt to me like "American Dad meets Futurama: The Bad Parts". Given all the good I was told about the series, I really wanted to like it, but I'm afraid this pilot hasn't given me that.
(So I went ahead and saw the rest of the first season. So yes, it gets better, but not in a mind-blowing way. Good parts, interesting stuff at times, but the feel of "Okay, just what was the _point_ of putting that scat joke here?" remains)
(So I went ahead and saw the rest of the first season. So yes, it gets better, but not in a mind-blowing way. Good parts, interesting stuff at times, but the feel of "Okay, just what was the _point_ of putting that scat joke here?" remains)
This is a good example of what "It's all about the ending" means.
onfire-8298330 November 2017
Really pity to be honest. Do not get me wrong, I love the show, but this was a pathetic episode with unfunny jokes, really. It gives us a glimpse of what the show is about and its humor, though the jokes are not very funny and well taught, like the vast majority in the other episodes. There were so many dad jokes in the episode, and almost looked like a cartoon network show. There were a few redeeming qualities though, some of the parts were mildly funny, other than that, the episode was kinda crap.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
