Love Sparks and Power Struggles: A Romantic…

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    An average episode of <em>Rick and Morty</em> is an extravagant whirlwind of chaos. When Rick isn’t battling swarms of insect-like aliens with laser swords, he’s dragging his nephew Morty through interdimensional portals that make the iconic stargate from <em>2001</em> seem like a mundane airport shuttle. Beneath all the energetic animation, however, lies a family sitcom addressing everyday frustrations. In the premiere of season 8, that frustration includes the annoyance of someone swiping your phone charger.
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    [<strong>Ed. note:</strong> This article contains setup spoilers for <em>Rick and Morty</em> season 8, episode 1.]
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    “Summer of All Fears” begins in a dystopian future where an adult Summer (voiced by Spencer Grammer) rules a society obsessed with phone chargers. Morty has retreated to a life off the grid following a tumultuous past filled with prison time, military service, and cell-phone-related traumas. It’s revealed that this brother-sister duo is actually trapped in a simulated world similar to <em>The Matrix</em>, a punishment devised by Uncle Rick after they borrowed his phone charger.
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    It’s no surprise that the writers of <em>Rick and Morty</em> have come up with a clever twist on the simulation theory trope. The unique angle revolves around the widely frustrating issue of misplacing phone chargers. Creator Dan Harmon confesses to Polygon that he feels personally responsible for this plotline.
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    “I’ve tried to hoard them,” he says, echoing his desperation while discussing the inspiration for the premiere episode. “I’ve tried locking them in boxes, but they just vanish. They’ve become the modern equivalent of ‘the sock that goes missing in the dryer.’”
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    Showrunner Scott Marder notes that the writers of <em>Rick and Morty</em> are constantly searching for relatable dilemmas to serve as the foundation for their absurd parodies. Harmon’s frustrations resonated with the team. “Every year, there’s a new type of phone connection!” he remarks. “You end up with a collection of chargers that are obsolete, and you’re always trying to find one that actually works.”
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    While the annoyance of lost phone chargers is certainly relatable, Harmon admits his attachment to them runs deeper. He once gifted his ex-wife a notorious Valentine’s Day present—a “stunning bouquet” of iPhone chargers. Harmon insists the gift was well-received and he felt a sense of pride in it, as opposed to typical throwaway Valentine’s gifts, this charger bouquet was functional and could actually charge a phone.
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    Despite his fondness for the unique gift, Harmon reflects on the fleeting nature of phone chargers: “Like flowers, they seem to be something you give to someone only for them to disappear eventually.” 
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