Just one last job.
We're three episodes into Rick and Morty Season 4, and with Episode 3, "One Crew Over the Crewcoo's Morty," everyone's favorite high-IQ animated sci-fi comedy hopped through a narrative portal and popped out in a new genre: the heist story. This is Rick and Morty we're talking about, so naturally there wasn't just a heist within a heist, or a double-cross on top of a double-cross. Season 4 Episode 3 was like an infinite nesting doll of twists, turns, and reveals, all orchestrated by none other than Rick Sanchez himself. Shocked yet? Yeah, Rick predicted that too. This episode may have been a bit convoluted, but that only provided more opportunities than ever for hidden Easter eggs, references, and inside jokes. Read on for the breakdown. 1. Arby's
In the very first scene, an Arby's bag flies by the camera, logo loud and proud. Apparently Rick likes Arby's? More than carrying Morty up a sheer cliff face on his hover chair, at least. 2. Indy!!!!!
The entire opening scene is heavily inspired by Indiana Jones, from the booby-trapped darts to the container full of snakes that drops over Rick and Morty's heads. 3. Heist-Con registration is now open
Heist-Con is a parody Comic-Con, including the convoluted registration process that causes Rick so much frustration. Heist-Con even has its own Hall H. 4. Catherine Alpha-Jones
Morty excitedly notes that there's "a signing with Catherines Alpha through Omega Joneses" at Heist-Con. This is a reference to Catherine Zeta-Jones. Fun fact: Zeta is the sixth letter of the Greek alphabet, not the last, like you might think. 5. Baby Driver
Rick calls Morty his "getaway driver with Asperger's," which seems to be a reference to the 2017 movie Baby Driver, as some people have speculated that the movie's protagonist has Asperger's. 6. Ocean's 11
It probably goes without saying, but this entire episode is one big reference to the heist genre, and the Ocean's 11 series in particular. 7. Truckula
One member of Rick's initial crew is Truckula, a monster truck-driving vampire. This is obviously a reference to Dracula, and the fact that the character drives a truck. We Googled it, and the only other instance of the word "Truckula" we could find is an enamel pin of the Disney/Pixar Cars character Mater dressed up as "Count Truckula" for Halloween. Presumably, there's no relation between the two. 8. "Rip off Doctor Strange"
Rick tells his lab coat to "rip off Doctor Strange," a reference to the Marvel character, whose magical cloak can act of its own accord. 9. Crystal Skull
It's another Indiana Jones reference--though not to anyone's favorite movie in the series. Many Indy fans pretend the 2008 revival Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull doesn't exist. It feels fitting that Rick casually chucks the object in the garbage once his plan is complete. 10. Abe Lincoln's head
You can see Abraham Lincoln's head being carried in a large cylinder full of liquid during Heist-Con. And this is definitely normal Abe Lincoln, not Abrodolf Lincler from Season 1 Episode 11, Ricksy Business. 11. Hephaestus
This member of Rick's second crew is named Hephaestus, a reference to the Greek god of fire, metalworking, masonry, blacksmithing, and sculpture. This character also vaguely resembles the Marvel version of the character Thor. 12. Elon Tusk
Elon Tusk was, in fact, voiced by Elon Musk. The famous entrepreneur even made a veiled reference to his guest appearance on the show back in March, when he mysteriously changed his Twitter name to Elon Tusk. 13. Planet Brandenplot
The planet that Heist Bot destroys is called Brandenplot. We have no idea whether this is a reference to anything, or just two random words stuck together for no reason. 14. David Lynch's "hastily contrived bulls***"
Rick is apparently not a fan of David Lynch movies, which tend to be full of weird nonsequiturs and surreal randomness--or, as Rick put it, "contrived bulls***." 15. Minecraft
Rick is a fan, however, of Minecraft. Who isn't? 16. Pick Your Planet
Earth isn't the only planet Heist Bot has captured. Among its other conquests are Flump, which is just a giant butt (possibly related to the butt-filled alternate dimension seen in Season 1 Episode 10, Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind?), and one that's called Fran Dreshlicar, a reference to the actress Fran Drescher.
17. Isn't that Poo-recious The diapers that Hephaestus takes a bite out of are "Poo-recious" brand. Good one, team. 18. History of New York podcast
The podcast Morty subscribes to during the random montage is called "History of New York." It is not a real podcast. 19. Mollusk
The poster in Morty's bedroom, which appears to be for a fake band named Mollusk, has been there for quite a while. 20. One Flew Over the What Now?
The episode title, One Crew Over the Crewcoo’s Morty, is a reference to the 1962 novel (and celebrated 1975 film) One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Any theories on the relation here? Let us know in the comments.
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