IGN's Jesse Schedeen wrote in his review "Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon managed to craft a conflict that was hilarious, darkly poignant and completely unlike anything fans were expecting".[1] He also praised the episode's ability to defy expectations while offering "a grim portrait of a mad scientist who hates everyone else almost as much as he hates himself".[8] Zach Blumenfeld of Paste called "The Rickshank Rickdemption" the "top of all animated television", an episode that saw deeper character development and humor that rivaled "Total Rickall" and "Meeseeks and Destroy".[9] Den of Geek writer Joe Matar observed "previous Rick and Morty plot developments, reminding us of the show’s commitment to its persistent multiverse" in a premiere he considered as the series' best.[3]