Rick & Morty Season 2's Parasites Are The Smith Family - Theory Explained
Rick and Morty season 2 features an episode all about parasites who invade the Smith family home, and a new fan theory suggests these parasites are actually the Smith family. Rick and Morty, created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, began airing on Adult Swim in 2014. Since then, the sci-fi comedy has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase ready to theorize about even the most insignificant of details.
Season 2, episode 4, "Total Rickall," sees Rick and Morty's Smith family dealing with a memory parasite infestation. These alien creatures proliferate by creating fake memories that convince their hosts that they've been there all along. As the episode progresses, more and more fake flashbacks bring in a slurry of parasites, creating an incredibly diverse and absurd cast of characters—including memorable gems like Pencilvester, Photography Raptor, Mr. Beauregard, and of course Sleepy Gary, who manifested memories of being Jerry's lover.
Reddit user Burnnoticelover theorizes that a handful of Rick and Morty's memory parasites actually represent individual members of the Smith family, or, at least, they embody perfect companions for the Smiths. For example, Sleepy Garry is basically what Beth wishes Jerry was. He's confident, competent, and is overall more reassuring than her real husband; his presence appears to solve Beth and Jerry's problems. The episode opens with Uncle Steve who treats the family to a vacation, as well as assuring Jerry that he will "land on his feet" and get a job soon. He's the older brother Jerry needs in his life. Burnnoticelover states that "Cousin Nicky is a tough cool guy who can bail Morty out of shitty situations as opposed to Rick, who keeps getting him in them." Of course, Tinkles and co. serve as a colorful means of escape for Summer, and Pensylvester offers Rick unconditional support; he could be seen as a more agreeable version of Morty.
The parasites create positive memories to inhabit so it makes sense that they would know how to take advantage of what these characters long for; the kinds of people they wish were in their lives. In this sense, the parasites represent an idealized fantasy. They are the perfect Smith family. The most depressing aspect of the episode of Rick and Morty is that the Smiths end up killing the beloved characters who brought them so much joy. They destroy their idealized family. It's possible that they might've been much happier had they just let the parasites live.
It could also be theorized that the parasites themselves are not the ones who come up with the specifics of the memories. Indeed, it is probably the hosts who unconsciously shape the fantasy, projecting what they want onto the parasite's illusion. The parasites are simply along for the ride, so to speak. In short, the memory parasites from Rick and Morty season 2, episode 4, represent what each member of the Smith family desires most, and therefore, they are able to create a more wholesome and fulfilling family dynamic for the Smiths; one that the Smiths ultimately choose to destroy.