While most memes exclusively exist to entertain, one that has appeared frequently during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic has also doubled as a public service announcement. In order to try and get people to spend 20 seconds thoroughly washing their hands to prevent spread of the disease, people around the internet have tried to find activities/quotes that take that length of time. Some have suggested reciting the litany of fear from Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” while others have encouraged folks to imagine they are cleaning Jason Momoa. Now Rick And Morty have provided their own take on the meme, and it’s doubly as effective because it also has a message for those who aren’t taking the pandemic seriously enough:
The official Rick And Morty account posted this video on Instagram, and fans will recognize it as a very memorable clip from the seventh episode of the second season, titled, “Big Trouble in Little Sanchez.” But while the original context of the scene had Morty telling his sister Summer that she needs to calm down about her grandfather occupying the body of a younger clone, now it works as a fun quote that you can recite mentally while you are ridding your hands of possible contagion:
Well then, get your shit together. Get it all together. And put it in a backpack. All your shit. So it’s together. And if you gotta take it somewhere, take it somewhere, you know – take it to the shit store and sell it. Or put it in a shit museum. I don’t care what you do, you just gotta get it together.
It should be noted that you really need to memorize the pacing of the delivery as well as the words, as Morty emphasizes his sentiment with significant pauses in the Rick and Morty clip, but that just adds to the fun, right? Plus, you’ll potentially be saving your own life, and the lives of those around you in the process!
What’s even nicer about memorizing this particular Rick and Morty speech is that you may end up finding it very useful even after the pandemic is over and there is less stress on the amount of time people spend washing their hands. Do you have a friend who doesn’t seem to be in control of their own life? Do you have a co-worker who is so disorganized that it impacts your own productivity? Well, all you’ll need to do is hit them with this quote. Not only might they take message to heart, but they might also get a smile out of a reference to an amazing television show.
Speaking of the show, there is no doubt that all of us would love to see some new Rick and Morty episodes released during the on-going pandemic, as we’re going to need as much entertainment as we can get while in self-isolation/quarantine the next few weeks, but the chances of that happening are quite slim. The first half of Season 4, consisting of five episodes, were aired toward the end of 2019, but it’s currently unknown when we will actually get to see the next five episodes.
For now Rick and Morty fans simply have to play the waiting game – and the wait is definitely made a lot easier by rewatching past adventures with the titular duo. The first three seasons are available for purchase on Blu-ray and DVD, and can be streamed online by Hulu subscribers. Those wanting to watch what exists of Season 4 can purchase the episodes individually from digital retailers, or cable subscribers can watch them on the Adult Swim website.
