S1·E2 Lawnmower Dog

Episode recap

In the second episode of the first season of Rick and Morty, titled Lawnmower Dog, the narrative follows two distinct plot threads involving the Smith family. Rick Sanchez, a cynical mad scientist, and his grandson, Morty Smith, attempt to influence Morty's academic performance. They decide to incept Morty's math teacher in an effort to secure an A grade for Morty. This plan involves entering the teacher's mind to manipulate his thoughts and actions regarding Morty's schoolwork.

Simultaneously, the episode focuses on the family pet, a dog named Snuffles. Jerry, Morty's father, expresses frustration with the dog's behavior. To address this, Rick provides Jerry with a device intended to train Snuffles. The introduction of this technology into the household serves as the catalyst for the secondary storyline, which runs parallel to the events involving Morty's education.

The series, which premiered in 2013, is characterized by its blend of domestic life and interdimensional adventures. Rick and Morty often find themselves navigating complex situations that arise from Rick's scientific experiments. These misadventures frequently take the characters across various realities, planets, and dimensions. As a sociopathic genius scientist, Rick consistently drags his timid grandson, Morty, into these high-stakes scenarios. The show is categorized as an animation that incorporates elements of comedy, science fiction, fantasy, action, and adventure. While the primary focus of the series is on the relationship between the grandfather and grandson, the inclusion of the rest of the Smith family, such as Jerry, highlights the tension between their mundane home life and the extraordinary nature of Rick's scientific pursuits. The episode Lawnmower Dog exemplifies this dynamic by juxtaposing the high-concept science of inception with the relatable, albeit escalated, domestic challenge of pet training. Through these events, the episode explores the consequences of Rick's inventions on the daily lives of his family members.