Rick Sanchez: God of His Own Universe

Throughout class time reading The Stranger, we have discussed the many tendencies of an existentialist, and how they seem to learn that nothing matters, but once they do, their world becomes their own, for better or worse. I have seen many existentialist tendencies in comparison to our favorite TV genius, Rick Sanchez, the all-doing all-knowing scientist from the popular "Adult Swim" sci-fi cartoon, Rick and Morty. Rick and Morty is a show about a genius scientist named Rick, and his adventures throughout the universe with his family. However, the most intriguing characteristic I have seen from Rick in this show, is the fact that he refers to himself as "God" in many instances. It took me a while to sit with this statement, wondering how a scientist from Earth can own his own universe. While he can simply create whatever he wants and go wherever he wants, through all of his inventions, I still couldn't figure it out. But then it hit me. In an episode from the third season, Rick's daughter, Beth, killed her old friend in another dimension and asked Rick if she could make a clone of him, and Rick agreed (I believe because he just wanted something to do, as Beth did walk in while he looked bored playing a guitar). Later though, Beth asked Rick if she was evil, and Rick's response was, "Worse, you're smart. When you know nothing matters, the universe is yours". This sticks with me because it is exactly what we have been talking about in class. Rick knows that he is a genius and can do as he pleases, and he knows that nothing matters where he is, because he can just go to another universe and start over, without any problems, it seems that Rick runs his own course rather than letting someone, or a higher power run his course for him. I also think this is why Rick is a raging alcoholic, and seemed to show no empathy toward his family in the slightest. He truly lives in his own world, everyone and everything else is just a side piece to it. This proves Rick's existentialist thought process, he knows nothing matters, just like Meursault. Meursault doesn't care who he hurts or what he does, he knows that it won't matter in the long run, as does Rick. They both see the world as a pointless journey that leads to the same destination for everyone, which is why they do as the please, they are truly the owners of their own universe.