The Ricklantis Mixup

"The Ricklantis Mixup" (also known as "Tales from the Citadel")[1] is the seventh episode of the third season of Rick and Morty, and the twenty-eighth episode of the series overall. It premiered on Adult Swim on September 10, 2017. It was written by Dan Guterman and Ryan Ridley, and directed by Dominic Polcino. In the episode, as the main Rick and Morty adventure offscreen to Atlantis, the focus is shifted towards the Citadel, a secret interdimensional society populated by numerous versions of Ricks and Mortys from different realities. The episode was well received, with approximately 2.4 million viewers when airing.[2][3]

"The Ricklantis Mixup"
Rick and Morty episode
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 7
Directed byDominic Polcino
Written byDan Guterman, Ryan Ridley
Original air dateSeptember 10, 2017
Running time21 minutes

With the exception of the narration for a Simple Rick's commercial (voiced by Jeff B. Davis) and a single line from a young Beth Smith (voiced by Sarah Chalke), this episode was entirely voiced by Justin Roiland as the various Ricks and Mortys.

Plot

As Rick and Morty prepare for an adventure to Atlantis, they are interrupted by another Rick and Morty looking for donations to the Citadel Redevelopment Fund. Morty wonders what is occurring in the Citadel. The episode then shifts to the Citadel to follow several intertwined plots.

The Campaign

In the Citadel, a presidential election is ongoing following the deaths of the Council of Ricks. The controversial Candidate Morty of the Morty Party wins the crowd over at the debates, but abruptly fires his Campaign Manager. Later, Campaign Manager Morty is approached by Investigator Rick, who delivers some secret files to him. At Candidate Morty's next rally, Campaign Manager Morty confronts and shoots him.

Mortytown

A newly recruited Cop Rick is partnered with a violent and obese Cop Morty who harbors anti-Morty sentiments himself. They meet with "Big Morty", who offers Cop Rick a bribe to keep quiet on his illegal dealings, Cop Morty himself having already accepted. When Cop Rick refuses, Cop Morty shoots Big Morty's henchmen, and a shootout ensues. After an emotional Cop Morty kills Big Morty, Cop Rick is forced to kill him, then surrenders himself expecting punishment. Instead, he is cleared of all charges due to recent changes in departmental codes.

Stand by Morty

The students of Morty Academy are told they will soon graduate and be assigned a new Rick. Upon hearing this, a group of Mortys led by the rebellious Slick Morty decide to search for the mythical Wishing Portal. At the Wishing Portal the next day, they decide to sacrifice something important in order to make their wishes come true, which each of them, bar Slick, immediately do. Slick, expressing a wish for life to change for Mortys, throws himself into the portal — which is then revealed to be a trash disposal.[nb 1] Saddened, the remaining Mortys return to the Academy, only to learn it has been closed. They believe this to be Slick Morty's wish coming true.

Simple Rick's

At a factory producing Simple Rick's Wafers, made with the titular Simple Rick's happy memories, employee Rick Sanchez J-22 is passed over for a promotion. J-22 goes on a rampage, destroying his assembly machine, killing his former Supervisor, taking Simple Rick hostage and then killing him in an escape attempt. Just as SWAT Team Ricks are about to apprehend J-22, they are stopped by the factory's owner, Rick D. Sanchez III, who commends J-22 for his courage and frees him. As J-22 is overwhelmed with emotion on being given a limousine, Sanchez III tasers him and uses his happiness as a replacement for the wafers' flavor.

Epilogue

Campaign Manager Morty is thrown into space by Secret Service Ricks, who reveal that Candidate Morty survived and will become President of the Citadel. In the next room, Rick D. Sanchez III takes his place with the Shadow Council of Ricks and President Morty. One councilman states that no matter who sits in the president's chair, the Council will always have control over the Citadel. President Morty asks the other Council members if they agree with this statement, then has his guards assassinate those who did. Outside the Citadel, Candidate Morty's documents reveal the new President to be the Evil Morty from "Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind".

In a post-credits scene, the main Rick and Morty return home from Atlantis, satisfied with their trip. As Morty wonders what has been happening at the Citadel, Rick assures him that it will likely have no effect on their lives.

Reception

NME's reviewer Larry Bartleet praised the episode, saying that the episode's "upshot – a brutal mirroring of America’s woes – has earned the show its highest-ever rated episode, with an average score of 9.9/10."[4]

Awards

The episode won writers Guterman and Ridley the 2018 Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement, Writing – TV/Broadcast Production.[5]

Notes
  1. In the commentary track for the episode, Justin Roiland stated that Slick Morty survived by landing on a heap of garbage.

References
  1. Beggs, Scott (September 11, 2017). "4 Reasons Why RICK AND MORTY's "Ricklantis Mixup" Was The Best Episode This Season". Nerdist. Archived from the original on April 26, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  2. Corey Plante (October 25, 2018). "Rick and Morty Season 1 Should've Ended With "Close Rick-Counters"". Adult Swim & Rick and Morty Ricktrospective. Inverse. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  3. Porter, Rick (September 13, 2017). "Sunday cable ratings: 'The Deuce' starts off on par with 'The Night Of'". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  4. "Fans have voted Rick & Morty's 'Ricklantis Mixup' episode the best ever". Retrieved 2017-09-12.
  5. Haithman, Erik Pedersen,Diane (2018-02-04). "'Coco' Dominates Annies; 'Rick And Morty' Tops TV: Complete Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
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