Let's be real for a second. Most "funny" cartoons don't end with a suicide attempt. But Rick and Morty isn't exactly a normal show, and Rick and Morty Season 2 Episode 3, titled "Auto Erotic Assimilation," is arguably the moment the series stopped being just a high-concept sci-fi parody and started being a heavy character study on depression and toxic cycles.
It’s the Unity episode. You know the one.
The plot sounds like a standard sci-fi trope on paper: Rick, Morty, and Summer stumble upon a planet-wide hive mind that Rick used to date. It’s weird, it’s gross, and it’s full of that nihilistic humor we expect. But by the time the credits roll to the haunting sounds of Chaos Chaos’s "Do You Feel It?", the joke isn't funny anymore. It’s actually pretty devastating. Honestly, if you didn’t feel a pit in your stomach during that final scene in the garage, you might be a Gazorpazorp.
The Hive Mind Dynamic and Why Unity Matters
Unity is a collective consciousness. It can inhabit thousands of bodies at once—men, women, aliens, even giraffes. When the Smith family encounters it, we see two very different reactions. Summer is horrified by the lack of "freedom," while Rick sees it as an old flame he can finally party with again.
This episode dives into something most shows avoid: the idea that "freedom" isn't always a purely good thing. On the planet Unity controls, there is no war, no hunger, and no crime. Why? Because everyone is literally the same person. When Summer "frees" the inhabitants, they immediately revert to a race-based civil war over the shape of their nipples. It’s classic Dan Harmon cynicism. It suggests that without a guiding hand, humanity (or alien-ity) defaults to chaos.
But the real meat of the story is Rick’s influence on Unity.
Usually, a hive mind is the "grown-up" in the room. Not here. When Rick is around, Unity loses control. It starts drinking, doing "quantum" drugs, and neglecting its duties. We see a god-like entity succumb to the exact same self-destructive patterns that Rick lives every day. It’s a toxic relationship in the most literal sense. Unity eventually realizes that Rick is a "denominator" who brings everything down to his level.
The breakup isn't a dramatic fight. It’s a note. A series of notes, actually, left across a city. Unity tells Rick that he is a "god" in his own way, but that she can’t be with him because he’s the only person who makes her want to be less than what she is. That's a heavy realization for a show about a guy who turns himself into a pickle.
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Breaking Down the Garage Scene
People still talk about the ending of Rick and Morty Season 2 Episode 3 because of how visceral it is. Rick comes home, tries to act like he doesn't care, and then retreats to his garage.
He sets up a device.
He creates a small, orange, screaming creature.
He kills it.
Then he tries to kill himself.
The only reason Rick is still alive is because he’s too drunk to keep his head steady. He passes out a split second before the laser fires. It’s a silent, lonely moment that contrasts sharply with the high-energy chaos of the rest of the episode. This isn't just "edgy" writing; it’s a depiction of the "high" of a manic episode crashing into a deep, dark depressive state.
According to various interviews with Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the goal was to show that Rick’s brilliance is his curse. He sees the "big picture" of the universe, and the big picture is empty. Without the distraction of Unity—or the distraction of an adventure—he’s just a lonely old man in a garage.
The Subplot: Jerry and Beth’s Alien Basement
While Rick is out losing his mind, Jerry and Beth are doing what they do best: fighting. They find a secret hatch in the garage and discover an alien Rick has been keeping captive. This alien, a "Blim Blam the Korblock," is supposedly a world-eater, but it turns out he’s just a guy with a space-infection who thinks Jerry and Beth have a terrible marriage.
It’s a great B-plot because it mirrors the main story.
Just as Rick is a toxic force for Unity, Beth and Jerry are toxic for each other. The alien eventually escapes, but not before roasting their relationship. He points out that they "feed off each other's misery." It’s a theme that carries through the entire series, but it feels particularly sharp here. The episode suggests that whether you are a hive mind, a genius scientist, or a suburban couple, you’re probably just looking for a way to fill the void.
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Why This Episode Ranks So High Among Fans
If you look at IMDb or fan polls, this episode is consistently in the top ten. Why?
- Emotional Stakes: It’s the first time we see Rick truly vulnerable.
- World Building: It explores the concept of a hive mind in a way that feels fresh.
- Music Choice: The use of "Do You Feel It?" by Chaos Chaos became an instant classic, often cited as one of the best needle drops in modern television.
- Nuance: It doesn't give us a happy ending or a clear moral lesson.
Most sci-fi shows would end with the "hero" freeing the people from the hive mind and being celebrated. Here, Summer frees them, and they immediately try to kill each other. There are no heroes in this story. There are just people (and entities) trying to get through the day without losing their minds.
Exploring the Philosophical Underpinnings
The episode leans heavily into Nihilism, but specifically "Optimistic Nihilism"—the idea that if nothing matters, you might as well have a good time. The problem is that Rick isn't an optimist. He’s a cynic.
The character of Unity represents the desire for order and connection, while Rick represents the chaotic individual. The tragedy is that they love each other but are fundamentally incompatible. Rick can’t be part of a whole, and Unity can’t survive as a part of Rick’s chaos.
Critics like those at The A.V. Club and IGN noted at the time of release that this was the moment Rick and Morty proved it was more than a Back to the Future riff. It was a show capable of exploring the human condition through the lens of a drunk man and his traumatized grandson.
Practical Takeaways for Fans Re-watching the Series
If you’re going back through Season 2, keep these things in mind while watching "Auto Erotic Assimilation":
Watch Rick’s pupils. The animators use "scribble eyes" for the characters, but Rick’s expressions in the final garage scene are incredibly subtle and heartbreaking. Notice the lack of dialogue. The silence does all the heavy lifting.
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Pay attention to the background aliens. When Unity is "partying" with Rick, look at the different races and creatures being absorbed. It shows the sheer scale of Unity’s power—and how much she is risking just to hang out with a "bad influence" like Rick.
Listen to the lyrics of the song. The song "Do You Feel It?" was specifically chosen for its lyrics about being "lost" and "small." It perfectly encapsulates Rick’s realization that even with all his gadgets and portals, he can’t make someone stay, and he can’t stop feeling the way he does.
Look for the callbacks. This episode sets up future character arcs, specifically Beth’s fear of being like her father and Rick’s eventual (albeit slow) attempts to be "better" for his family. It’s a turning point that makes his eventual surrender to the Galactic Federation at the end of the season feel more earned.
Actionable Insights for Content Creators and Writers
Watching Rick and Morty Season 2 Episode 3 offers more than just entertainment; it’s a masterclass in subverting expectations. If you’re a writer or a storyteller, there are a few things to steal from this script:
- Contrast is Key: The funniest jokes work best when they are followed by genuine drama. The high-energy "party" scenes make the silent ending hit much harder.
- Show, Don't Tell: Rick doesn't say "I'm sad" at the end of the episode. He drinks, he fails at a task, and he passes out. We know exactly how he feels without a single line of dialogue.
- Give the "Monster" a Voice: The hive mind isn't a villain; it’s a person. Giving humanity to sci-fi tropes makes them relatable.
- Don't Fear the Dark: Some of the best-received episodes of any show are the ones that go to uncomfortable places. Don't be afraid to let your characters fail or lose.
Rick and Morty would go on to have many more "sad" episodes—think "The Old Man and the Seat" or the Season 5 finale—but this was the blueprint. It showed that behind the burps and the sci-fi jargon, there’s a real, broken person. And honestly, that's why we keep watching.
To get the most out of your re-watch, pair this episode with Season 4's "One Crew over the Crewcoo's Morty" to see how Rick's relationship with control evolves, or watch "Rickmurai Jack" in Season 5 to see the ultimate payoff of Rick's lonely God complex. Understanding Rick's history with Unity is essential for grasping why he treats everyone else in the multiverse like they are replaceable. He's been the one who was replaced, and he never really got over it.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Check out the "Inside the Episode" featurette for Season 2, Episode 3 on the Blu-ray or streaming extras to see the original sketches for the Unity world.
- Analyze the lyrics of "Do You Feel It?" by Chaos Chaos to see how the band's personal history influenced the song's inclusion in the show.
- Re-examine the "Blim Blam" monologue in the basement; it’s one of the most accurate descriptions of the Smith-Sanchez family dynamic ever written.