Ep 1. A Rickle in Time

It's another weird and wild adventure for Rick and Morty in the season 2 premiere, "A Rickle in Time." The episode picks up right where the season 1 finale left off, with the duo frozen in time and probably about to die. But, as always, Rick's got a plan. By splitting time into two separate timelines, he's able to save himself and Morty, but the side effect is that the entire world is now plagued by "time splits" that cause reality to shift and merge in strange and unpredictable ways.

The bulk of the episode revolves around Rick and Morty desperately trying to fix the time splits and restore reality to normal. However, this is easier said than done, as the time splits keep multiplying and interacting with each other in increasingly convoluted ways. There are multiple versions of Rick and Morty, each existing in different timelines, and they all have to work together to try and undo the damage they've caused.

One of the standout aspects of this episode is the way it uses time travel and alternate dimensions to play with the concept of cause-and-effect in truly mind-bending ways. For example, there's a scene where one version of Morty accidentally kills another version of himself, only to discover that this only creates more time splits and alternate versions of himself. The episode also plays around with the idea of different timelines bleeding into each other, leading to surreal moments like Morty being chased by a sentient arm and Rick having to fight off a group of carnivorous squirrels.

Of course, this is Rick and Morty we're talking about, so it's not all wacky sci-fi hijinks. There's also some surprisingly poignant character development, particularly for Morty. As he tries to reconcile with the fact that he accidentally caused all of this chaos, he has a heart-to-heart with one of the alternate versions of himself that offers some genuine emotional weight to the episode.

Overall, "A Rickle in Time" is an incredibly entertaining and inventive season premiere that sets the tone for the rest of the season. It's got all the humor and meta-commentary that fans have come to expect from the show, but it also manages to tell a surprisingly affecting story about identity and regret amidst all the time-travel shenanigans. It's a perfect example of what makes Rick and Morty such a unique and beloved show.