Summer’s been kind of MIA in Rick and Morty season 7 so far, and episode 7, “Wet Kuat Amortican Summer,” totally changes the game.

The season’s been stirring things up in some major ways, but let’s face it, Beth and Summer haven’t really been in the spotlight much. Sure, they’ve had a moment here or there, but they haven’t been the main focus. All the attention’s been on Rick and Morty’s wild adventures and all the crazy changes in the storyline. Now season 7 is finally giving Summer her due.

They hinted at a new Morty and Summer adventure this season, and it turns out to be more of a Rick and Summer episode. It really digs into their evolving relationship, the one we started seeing change back in season 6. It’s a huge deal, and it sets up some exciting possibilities for what’s coming next.

Huge spoiler alert for those who haven’t watched it yet. You’ve been warned.

Total Recall Meets Wet Hot American Summer

As mashups go, the creators of Rick and Morty could do worse than Total Recall and Wet Hot American Summer. Both are cult classics. Wet Hot American Summer, where the episode gets its name from, is all about camp counselors on the last day of camp dealing with unfinished business, romances and a whole lot of bizarre comedic scenarios. That chaotic summertime madness is all over this episode.

Summer Wants to Get Paid

The episode starts with Summer, who’s pretty much become Rick’s cleanup crew. She’s tired of it, and she asks Rick to pay up for her efforts. Rick, being Rick, is reluctant, until Summer asks for an attribute slider as payment.

She’s got her eyes on impressing a crush at a frolf party. That’s frisbee golf, by the way. She wants this specific doohickey to help by beefing up her strength, dexterity and charisma while dialing down her intelligence. Okay. Well, as anyone who’s ever created a character in Dungeons and Dragons will tell you, what could possibly go wrong?

Rick agrees and hooks her up, and it goes about how you’d think.

“No, Summer, I will literally murder you. Oh Christ, you’re too dumb to know I’m serious.”

Open Your Mind

At the party, Summer’s absolutely crushing it with her new stats. But Morty, oh boy, Morty’s not happy. Jealous and feeling left out, he snatches the slider, and that’s where things go full Total Recall.

During their fight the slider malfunctions, and Morty ends up fused to Summer’s belly, Kuato style, shouting “open your mind” just like in the movie.

“Open your mind. Open your mind.”

This is something I felt like got really old quickly, until the third act, where it pays off big time.

Summer’s embarrassed and runs off while Morty, still attached, chants away. She turns to Rick for help, but he’s more impressed than concerned. Typical Rick.

The Kuato Club

Meanwhile, Summer discovers a club full of people partying with their own Kuatos, and she decides to join in. That club is the Wet Hot American Summer half of the mashup. Much like the movie, where the characters embrace the chaos of their last day at camp, Summer embraces this bizarre turn of events. The episode captures that same wild, carefree summer vibe, with parties, unexpected twists and Summer finding herself in a totally unexpected situation.

“Wow, you guys do this all the time?”

“It’s a tight-knit community. Feels like we’re part of the future, you know?”

But things take a dark turn, as they often do. Summer’s kidnapped, and it’s revealed there’s a whole black market for implanting Kuatos. Because Rick and Morty.

Back at the house, Beth wants to know where her kids are.

“Where are my kids?”

“Merged.”

“That doesn’t answer my question and raises several others.”

“Relax, sweetie. Summer’s just doing chores, which I will check on by myself.”

The Rescue Rampage

Rick, now on a quest from Beth to find her children, and Summer, now freed and sporting some hidden upgrades from Rick, go on a rescue rampage to save Morty.

“I’m just a pretty face. I’m just a handsome guy.”

“Where’s Morty?”

“He’s in a good place. He’s happy. It’s nice.”

By the end, Summer and Rick have worked out some issues, and Morty becomes a star of the frisbee golf team thanks to a little help from Rick. As for Summer, she connects with someone she saved, bringing the whole crazy adventure full circle.

“You want to get out of here?”

“Summer saved me from being trafficked and burned alive. Like, whatever.”

The Verdict

Rick and Morty season 7, episode 7, “Wet Kuat Amortican Summer,” is a solid 8 out of 10 on the Know-It-All Index.

We got so much more than just a fun sci-fi romp for Summer. We got Rick clearly choosing Summer over Morty in terms of how much he likes her, especially with the revelation that he respects her and her independence, and how much she reminds him of her grandmother. There’s that survivor’s guilt creeping in, now that he’s finished with all that pesky revenge business. All of that makes this a solid 8 for me.

So there you go. Now you know. And if knowing’s half the battle, you’re halfway to being a know-it-all yourself.

What did you think of this wild ride? Did you catch the Wet Hot American Summer vibes? The conversation lives in the comments on the video above. Never forget: everyone loves a know-it-all.