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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Following the previous episode of Season 7, this past weekend’s episode of Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty makes a spin on a couple of classic action thrillers as a means to peel away at some character developments. This paces brisker than others, and for all the intriguing of reasons.
The seventh season’s seventh episode is titled, “Wet Kuat Amortican Summer”. It is written by story editor Alex Song-Xia and directed by Kyounghee Lim.
In this review, I will discuss Rick and Morty Season 7 Episode 7. As the title of this article suggests, there will be no spoilers present here. References to previous series episodes may be made!
Rick and Morty Season 7 Episode 7 Logline
According to WarnerMedia Press, here is the logline for Rick and Morty Season 7 Episode 7—“Wet Kuat Amortican Summer”.
High school, broh. Morty and Summer hang out in this one.
Adult Swim Press
Discussion
For an episode focused on Summer Smith (voiced by Spencer Grammer), Alex Song-Xia writes such a fascinating narrative. One moment, matters seem normal for a Rick and Morty story, and then it nears the midway point… which is where the narrative takes such an abrupt veer toward a new direction. At first, this is a predicament that only the female teen protagonist finds herself in, but as it turns out, there are somehow other people in the sort of situation that she’s fallen into. “Wet Kuat Amortican Summer” is an entertainingly crazy blend of Taken, Total Recall, and a drip or two of David Cronenberg’s Scanners and Netflix’s Stranger Things in ways that should not be too intricate to comprehend. Still, the explanations behind some of the beats and developments add a new layer to how the episode might be perceived.
The storyboard artistry and the character designs become the main highlights this week, with the Smith siblings becoming closer than ever before, and for reasons only science-fiction can explain. Summer and Morty (voiced by Harry Belden) take on new appearances, whether they are a buffer and stronger look, a big-brained one, or something in-between. The attention to detail continues to be praiseworthy, such as Summer’s eyeliner being washed down her face. The episode also showcases lesser-known characters who are dressed in the iconic Guy Fieri shirt or with a close resemblance to Jesus Christ.
What’s Inside Counts
One theme that should be considered when engaging with the viewing experience is the inner qualities of people and things. Morty tampers with Summer’s Instagram algorithm, and she stumbles upon an advertisement for a business of sorts under the slogan: “PARTY LIKE YOU’RE SPECIAL… BECAUSE YOU ARE”. This is an insane feature with digital applications and devices as they pick up even mere syllables of words that are mumbled. Shazam is a perfect example of this as it collects instrumentals and lyrics to almost immediately identify the songs they are associated with.
An element that could go under the radar for fans and viewers is a fictional reality game show that may be inauthentic to the eyes. At some point in the episode, Rick Sanchez (voiced by Ian Cardoni) watches a television program titled Cake or Fake?, poking fun at the viral “is [blank] fake or is it cake” phenomenon a few years back. Strange enough, such a show actually exists—and it is titled Is It Cake Too?, streaming currently via Netflix. Rick and Morty‘s version of this taps into its black comedy aspect to insinuate the worst that would occur in such scenarios.
Conversely, the episode’s conclusion is not just predictable, but it’s also an anti-climactic one. That is what is fun about the narrative in terms of the theme. Without getting too much into detail, it comes to show that there can only be so much of an “inner self” to reveal. Sooner or later, a person stops being special because by then others discover the entire truth about a person. Consequently, people like this cease to be the life of the party and they become just akin to everybody else.
The Crew Behind Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is co-created by Dan Harmon (Community).
The series’ main theme and score is done by Ryan Elder. Hunter Curra serves as the supervising sound editor.
Wes Archer is the supervising director. Alex Song-Xia and Cody Ziglar are story editors. Grace Freud is the staff writer.
Jeremy Gilfor is the writers’ assistant. Michael Kellner, Jax Ball, and Laura Cebula are 2nd writers’ assistants.
Claire Levinson serves as the editor. David Seger is the assistant editor.
Ruth Lambert and Robert McGee are the voice casting directors. Katelyn Semer and Amanda Ray are casting associates. Sara Jane Sherman is the additional casting director.
Amy Chapman and Nick Reczynski are voice-over consultants.
Animators
Robbie Erwin is the art director. Philip Vose serves as the assistant art director. Carol Wyatt is the color supervisor.
Kari Kilpela is the character design lead. Leasa Epps-Eisele is the background design lead. Brent Noll serves as the prop design lead.
Scott Alberts, Martin Archer, Adam Ford, and Jim Shellhorn (King of the Hill, Sausage Party, Batman: The Killing Joke, Disenchantment, Harley Quinn) serve as the storyboard artists. Rufino Roy Camacho II (Futurama, Sausage Party, Disenchantment, Harley Quinn), Bismarck “Butch” Datuin, and Eugene Huang are additional storyboard artists.
Adam Burnier, Sam Brumbaugh, Jackie Cadiente, Alexa Hanson, Maneen Metha, Byron Merrill, Khang Nguyen, Elisa Phillips (The Venture Bros., HarmonQuest), Louie Ramos, Maya Shavzin (Final Space), Amy Sherrier, Ken Siu, and Tony Weinstock are the character designers.
Paige “PJ” Hankins and Alex Picar work on the character design clean-up.
Devyn Adams, Helen Bell, Sean Bodley, Chris S. Bolden (The Simpsons, Disenchantment), Vance Caines (Regular Show, Close Enough), Liza Epps, Kevin Chiya Kuan, Alex J. Lee, Kelsey Liggett, Betsy Luk, Erik D. Martin, Jeffrey Mertz, Tommy Scott, and Tuo Tsui work on the background design.
Cyndee Guerrieri, Tyler Justice, and Ashley Nolley work on the background clean-up.
The Voice Cast Behind Rick and Morty
Ian Cardoni voices Rick Sanchez, the genius scientist of the series. Harry Belden voices Morty Smith, the teenage grandson of the series.
Spencer Grammer voices Summer Smith, Rick Sanchez’s granddaughter and Morty Smith’s older sister. Sarah Chalke (How I Met Your Mother) voices Beth Smith, Summer and Morty Smith’s mother. Chris Parnell is credited as Jerry Smith, the patriarch of the Smith family.
Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars, Fantasy Island) and Glen Powell (Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone But You) star in guest voice roles.
Kari Wahlgren voices Rick’s Space Cruiser/ garage, previously his wife’s voice.
James Adomian, Echo Kellum (Arrow, The Old Man, High on Life), Tom Kenny, Erica Lindbeck, Albro Lundy, Aislinn Paul, Nick Reczynski, Ryan Ridley, Rob Schrab, and Cassie Steele also provide voice roles.
Voice Performances and Character Developments
Rick’s subplot for the episode involves taking an “emotional cheat day”. On the surface, this doesn’t feel as significant a talking point as Summer’s primary arc. However, it is still worth mentioning given the apparent murder of Rick Prime two episodes prior. His interactions with his garage/ vehicle (voiced by Kari Wahlgren) take on new meaning as, personally, she enhances the portion of the character that deserves to radiate exuberance. While such interaction happens just once in this episode, it is sweet to be reminded that his late wife’s memory rests somewhere, even if it is close to the family.
The scientist’s dynamic with his granddaughter is another highlight that must not go unnoticed. Song-Xia truly takes the time to showcase how much Summer means to Rick in a relationship similar to that of, say, Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso. The manner in which Rick treats his granddaughter is just as sweet as with the Space Cruiser. As a matter of fact, he makes it a point to accentuate that Summer is a spitting image of her grandmother by voicing the difference between Morty and Summer.
Final Thoughts on Rick and Morty Season 7 Episode 7
“Wet Kuat Amortican Summer” is an excellent expression of the family element that can be quite a tear-jerker. Still, it would be wrong to not say that the writers’ room, the character and prop designers, and the storyboard artists put in profound effort in delivering a lovely episode that defines its protagonists—and in this case, Summer Smith—as worthy characters deserving of praise. Glen Powell also makes a voice appearance, too, and he actually is not so bad; I would love to see more of him in animation (and perhaps video games)!
Rick and Morty Season 7 is now airing on Adult Swim via Cartoon Network. The season will stream via Max (formerly HBO Max) next year!
Have you seen the series yet? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more adventure, animation, comedy, and science-fiction-related news and reviews, do not forget to follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
