Rick and Morty Went Too Far With Its Worst Twist

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Although Rick and Morty is known for pushing boundaries with its humor, one particular plot twist remains its most shocking moment, even years later. Like any show, Rick and Morty has some stronger and weaker episodes, and its less successful installments often depend too much on shock value.

In its first few seasons, Rick and Morty often relied on shocking moments to distract from weaker plots. Thankfully, the show evolved and started focusing more on the emotional lives and development of its main characters.

The show developed a more sophisticated tone, and the awkward jokes appeared less often. While many shows tried to copy Rick and Morty, few could match its unique combination of crude humor and heartfelt moments, which the original series handled remarkably well by giving its characters genuine emotional depth.

Rick and Morty Season 4’s Giant Incest Baby Was A Misjudged Twist

It was therefore frustrating when season 5, episode 4, “Rickdependence Spray,” reversed all of the character development with a poorly conceived plot. The episode centers around Rick accidentally creating enormous, monstrous sperm from Morty’s body, leading a horrified Morty to conceal his connection to the bizarre event from Rick.

It’s been insane! These… things, these sperm, started attacking everywhere, and the Army was fighting them alongside these creepy, mutated creatures called CHUDs. The government came up with this crazy plan – they launched a giant egg into space, hoping the sperm would go for it and, you know, destroy themselves. But get this – one actually made it, and fertilized the egg. Then Morty found out… it was his sister Summer’s egg. I mean, seriously, what is going on?! It was a total shock.

The “Rickdependence Spray” episode of Rick and Morty is widely considered one of the show’s weakest, as reflected in its poor IMDb rating. The entire plot revolves around a rather juvenile joke – Morty’s accidental problem leads to a worldwide crisis.

The biggest fan backlash came from the episode’s ending. The idea of Morty accidentally fathering Summer’s child was too much for some viewers, and it continues to be a controversial part of the show.

Rick and Morty Season 4 Doubled Down On Its Worst Gag

Image courtesy of Everett Collection

Things became more challenging for Rick and Morty when a similar show, Inside Job, came out around the same time. Inside Job was also a mature, edgy sci-fi comedy, though it wasn’t quite as visually shocking. Plus, season 5 of Rick and Morty itself didn’t improve the situation.

It’s strange that the show brought back the Giant Incest Baby in season 5, episode 7, “Gotron Jerrysis Rickvangelion,” so soon after it was last seen. Even Summer giving the baby the name “Naruto” doesn’t make the storyline any less unsettling, and looking back, it feels like a mistake.

Rick and Morty is known for its shocking and often dark humor, a trait that’s been consistent throughout the series. However, the episodes “Rickdependence Spray” and “Gotron Jerrysis Rickvangelion” aren’t usually considered among the show’s strongest, despite fitting this style.

The reveal of the Giant Incest Baby is certainly shocking and disturbing, but it doesn’t really contribute much to the story beyond that initial reaction. Usually, even the most unsettling jokes in Rick and Morty help move the plot forward, whether by showing how much Rick dislikes himself, how cruel the show’s world is, or the unexpected results of Morty trying to do the right thing.

In the seventh season, episode four, titled “That’s Amorte,” Morty is horrified to learn Rick’s beloved spaghetti is made from the remains of people who died by suicide. The episode follows his attempt to find a less disturbing meal option. Though he doesn’t succeed, the darkly humorous payoff feels justified by the story’s events.

Rick and Morty Has Avoided Extreme Gross-Out Jokes Since Season 4’s Misstep

The ‘Giant Incest Baby’ joke felt less like a clever surprise and more like a deliberate attempt to shock the audience. Although later seasons of Rick and Morty still feature crude humor, they haven’t included anything quite as shocking as this moment from season 5.

While the show still has some crude humor, it’s much less shocking than some of its earlier, more disturbing moments – and that shows how much it’s improved. As Rick and Morty gets funnier, it’s moved away from shock value and toward sillier, but more relatable, gross-out gags.

Look, later seasons of Rick and Morty definitely still have those gross-out jokes, but they actually serve the story now, which is a big improvement. Honestly, the show hasn’t really had a truly bad episode since that season 5 blunder, “Rickdependence Spray.” It’s clear the creators listened to the fan reaction and figured out how to balance the humor with the plot.

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2025-11-22 19:11