Mormon Cartoon: A Rick and Morty Clone?

InfoThis is a summary of the following YouTube video:

Did this Mormon Cartoon RIPOFF Rick and Morty?

Saberspark

Nov 19, 2024

·

Entertainment

Mormon cartoon mirrors Rick and Morty

  1. The video discusses a cartoon called 'Saving Me,' which is perceived as a Mormon version of 'Rick and Morty.'
  2. 'Saving Me' is a science fiction sitcom about Bennett Bramble, an elderly scientist billionaire, and his younger self.
  3. The plot involves time travel, where adult Bennett tries to teach young Bennett to be a better person by correcting past mistakes.
  4. The show is compared to 'Back to the Future' but with religious elements and peer pressure.
  5. The narrator expresses skepticism about religious cartoons but decides to give 'Saving Me' a fair evaluation.
  6. The video includes a humorous segment about a Christian rap battle featuring Moses.
  7. The narrator mentions ongoing work on another religious cartoon project, indicating a history of reviewing such content.

Religious themes in a sci-fi cartoon

  1. The video discusses the cartoon 'Saving Me,' created by Aaron Johnston, a Mormon who incorporates religious themes from The Book of Mormon into the show. Johnston is noted for his serious approach to creating content that invites viewers to come closer to Jesus Christ.
  2. Aaron Johnston has been involved in various projects, including being the executive producer and creative director for Chick-fil-A's brand entertainment division. He has written Christmas-themed shorts like 'Stories of Evergreen Hills: The Snow Globe.'
  3. 'Saving Me' is animated in Flash and airs on BYU TV, a network catering to a Mormon audience. The show is available for free viewing and centers on the concept of people making mistakes in their youth and how these affect their adult lives.
  4. The creator's intentions were sincere, aiming to deliver a message about personal growth and moral development. However, the execution of the show did not fully meet these ambitions, resulting in a series that is considered safe but lacking in challenge.
  5. The show reflects religious motivations, similar to 'Veggie Tales,' which successfully conveyed Christian messages. However, 'Saving Me' struggles with execution, particularly in addressing complex themes for a Christian audience.
  6. Aaron Johnston's lack of experience in animation, with a background in marketing, affected the writing quality of 'Saving Me.' The series has moments of interest but suffers from uneven structure and writing.
  7. The show attempts to follow the trend of pairing an old man and a young boy in sci-fi adventures, akin to 'Rick and Morty.' However, it lacks the ironic tone and quick-witted humor that make 'Rick and Morty' successful.

Predictable humor and stale dynamics

  1. The humor in 'Saving Me' is straightforward and predictable, lacking the cynical and apathetic tone of 'Rick and Morty.' The jokes are easy to follow, and the show feels outdated in its dialogue and delivery.
  2. 'Saving Me' is compared to 'Rick and Morty' in terms of dynamics, but it lacks the quick and timely writing of the latter. The show is described as trying to appeal to kids without irony or subtlety in its satire.
  3. The show makes frequent jokes about internet stereotypes, such as people being 'sheeple' or nerds living in basements, which the reviewer finds relatable but clichéd.
  4. The review warns of spoilers and suggests watching the show independently if interested. It notes that 'Saving Me' is a short series with only 20 episodes across two seasons.
  5. The theme song of 'Saving Me' is described as boring and forgettable, reminiscent of 'Animorphs' and church camp vibes. The reviewer shares a personal anecdote about 'Animorphs' being banned in their school for implying evolution.
  6. The plot of 'Saving Me' is criticized for being rough and intense, especially in its portrayal of sibling relationships. The show suggests that fighting with siblings leads to becoming a 'sad lonely monster,' which the reviewer finds excessive.
  7. The main character, adult Bennett, uses time travel to fix minor childhood issues, such as not paying attention to his sister, which the reviewer finds excessive and unrealistic.
  8. The first season follows a formula where adult Bennett addresses existential issues by going back in time to change his younger self's actions, such as being proud of his father or managing anger by being nicer to his sister.

Mixed execution of clever and cheesy elements

  1. The show features multiple simultaneous plots, which can be overwhelming and not well-developed, leading to a lack of satisfaction in storytelling.
  2. Episode 7 highlights a character's dislike for all sports, while episode 8 focuses on a character's struggle with showing gratitude to his mother.
  3. The storyline involving a secret agency connected to the protagonist's parents is intriguing but feels stretched thin across episodes.
  4. In season 2, episode 4, multiple subplots, including a fishing trip and a sea monster encounter, compete for attention, resulting in underdeveloped narratives.
  5. The dialogue often feels like placeholder text, with jokes that may not resonate with middle schoolers, appearing outdated and lacking humor.
  6. Transitions between segments are predictable and cheesy, failing to capture the attention of a young audience effectively.
  7. The show struggles with identifying its target demographic, as it mixes family-friendly themes with more mature, threatening dialogue.
  8. Despite some clever plots, such as a bracelet invention misused by criminals, the show is bogged down by cheesy one-liners that add little value.
  9. The relationship between characters Bennett and Robo Eddie is charming and provides some of the show's most endearing and humorous moments.
  10. The portrayal of parental affection is excessive for a religious-themed animated show, making some viewers uncomfortable.
  11. While the show has heartfelt messages, the delivery often feels stiff, though there are standout moments that feel genuinely earned.

Time travel complicates Bennett's personal growth

  1. The narrative explores the emotional turmoil of adult Bennett as he repeatedly travels back in time to prevent his younger self from making mistakes. This journey is driven by his fear of becoming a 'monster' due to past actions.
  2. A poignant moment occurs when young Bennett asks about his future, prompting adult Bennett to reflect on his failures and the things he took for granted. This scene is impactful but is undercut by the show's reset formula, which often negates character development.
  3. The show employs a reset formula, meaning emotional stakes and character growth can be undone for plot convenience, diminishing the impact of significant moments.
  4. Adult Bennett wears a bracelet that tracks his progress in becoming a better person. This device is referenced at the end of the second season, highlighting his struggle with self-improvement and the ambiguity of his motivations.
  5. Despite showing remorse and self-loathing, adult Bennett's actions are inconsistent. He rejects a future where he is happily married, indicating confusion about his desires and goals.
  6. The series leaves many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the consequences of time travel on future events. The dystopian future scenes are vague, leaving viewers unsatisfied with the resolution.
  7. The show hints at themes of guilt and the butterfly effect, but these are not fully explored, leading to a lack of depth in addressing the potential global impact of Bennett's actions.

Surface-level exploration of emotional themes

  1. The story revolves around adult Bennett, who feels guilt and responsibility for past family interactions, such as not being nicer to his sister or bonding with siblings. He attempts to amend these by traveling back in time, though the narrative doesn't deeply explore these emotional themes.
  2. An episode where Bennett travels inside his mind to appreciate his mom stands out for its emotional depth, but the show fails to maintain this level of exploration, letting it fade into the background.
  3. A plot inconsistency arises when young Bennett's past actions lead to police intervention in adult Bennett's life, yet adult Bennett has no memory of these changes, suggesting a plot hole.
  4. The comedy in the show is inconsistent, with the actor for adult Bennett being a highlight. Initially, the choice of adults playing children feels odd, but the actors grow on the audience over time.
  5. Johnston, the creator, explains the decision to cast older actors as children, aiming to capture both childhood innocence and adult regret authentically.
  6. Despite the actors' efforts, the writing and casting choices result in performances that are only moderately successful, with the cheesy writing contributing to a biased view against the show.
  7. The show, 'Saving Me,' is compared to 'Rick and Morty' due to design similarities, but it's not considered plagiarism, merely coincidental inspiration.
  8. Certain elements, like the performances of adult Bennett, Eddie, and Penelope, stand out, with Penelope's charm making her scenes particularly engaging.
  9. The show's world-building leaves unresolved questions, and its tendency to reset after major milestones undermines its potential to deliver a strong moral message.
  10. The show had potential to make a significant impact on themes of consequences, but it falls short, lacking a deeper exploration akin to shows like 'BoJack Horseman.'

Exploration of time travel in kid's show

  1. The text discusses the concept of time travel in a kid's show, highlighting the challenges of altering the past and the unsatisfying nature of resets. It suggests that while the show could lighten the mood due to its target audience, incorporating lingering consequences could enhance human connection and growth.
  2. The author reflects on the potential of giving a character like Bojack Horseman a time machine, humorously noting that it would be a bad idea due to the character's inability to handle complex situations, yet it would make for an entertaining show.
  3. There is curiosity about the upcoming season 3, though the author expresses skepticism about significant developments beyond occasional clever jokes. They hope the show learns from past mistakes to create a more fulfilling future for its characters.
  4. The text ends with a playful time-related pun, inviting readers to share their thoughts in the comments, and concludes with a farewell.