Rick & Morty's Kathy Ireland Cameo Explained | Screen Rant
As usual, season 5, episode 4 of Rick and Morty, "Rickdependence Spray," is packed with zany misadventures, and here's why Kathy Ireland's cameo was one of the components that elevated it. The adult-oriented animated series follows bumbling teenager Morty Smith and his self-centered, often unethical scientist grandfather, Rick Sanchez (both voiced by co-creator Justin Roiland). The latest installment is a pretty raunchy episode, kicked off by Morty's misuse of the horse-intended breeding mount at Beth's veterinary hospital and the subsequent mutated, vicious sperm cells that attack the United States after a failed experiment by Rick. "Rickdependence Spray" is also another great example of why the series is great at tackling weighty, real-world issues while keeping the overall viewing experience irreverent, witty, and lightheartedly fun.
Even with the playful absurdity of evil sperm, both attacking and helping (in the case of Sticky), the humans who are desperately trying to fight them off, the episode offers a fairly scathing critique of sexism. Beth and Summer are mainly used to convey this message, and they even play a big part in saving the day. But another component of how episode 4 of Rick and Morty pokes fun at the concept of sexism is found via an unforeseen cameo. Despite being portrayed as a macho, highly-skilled warrior when first introduced, Blazen ends up dying a goofy, accidentally self-inflicted death. He begs Rick and Morty to give a message to his wife, who Rick recognizes as "Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kathy Ireland" in the photocopied magazine cover that Blazen shows them.
The reference comes back around at the episode's end when Ireland speaks to Morty about her late husband's last moments. But, interestingly, her character isn't actually voiced by the real-life Kathy Ireland; actress Christina Ricci is behind the show's portrayal. And what's really well-done about Ireland's inclusion is that, in classic Rick and Morty style, it's a perfect component to further bolster the episode's overall message. Just as "Rickdependence Spray" picks apart the action genre's worst tropes and outdated, generalized stereotypes for men, it also does the same for women. Female supermodels are often unfairly put down for being rather one-dimensional. The stereotype is an inaccurate and hurtful generalization regardless of the model's situation, but using Ireland was an especially wise choice for highlighting this.
She first started out with a career in modeling, appearing on high-profile magazine covers like Sports Illustrated, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan, and was famously treated poorly by a photographer who wanted her to pose topless when she was just a teenager. Ireland showed her mettle by decking him when he got physical with her. There was always more to Ireland than just a pretty face and what she's accomplished since her early modeling career proves it. Ireland has had TV and film roles in notable projects like Boy Meets World, Melrose Place, and National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1. She's also been a successful entrepreneur, spearheading different clothing lines, founding a global brand, writing books, and much more, including being a well-known philanthropist and supporter of charitable endeavors.
Though the one-dimensional stereotype regarding models isn't accurate, even for those who have a one-lane career, Ireland's multi-faceted success allows her cameo to portray a woman who's ostensibly far from it, poking even more holes in sexist generalizations. For an installment that revolves around unruly teenage hormones and a reckless experiment leading to giant, man-eating sperm on the loose, Ireland's cameo is one of many reasons why season 5, episode 4 of Rick and Morty is a well-executed mini-adventure for the books.
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