The message is clear that reality is messy. But not that love is an illusion
Rick explicitly states that it is, on several occasions. First, during the love potion episode:
"Listen Morty, I hate to break it to you, but what people calls “love” is just a chemical reaction that compels animals to breed. It hits hard, Morty, then it slowly fades, leaving you stranded in a failing marriage. I did it. Your parents are gonna do it. Break the cycle, Morty. Rise above. Focus on science."
And again at the end of Season 2, during a wedding "toast", he expands on both love being an illusion AND on being smart making him an asshole:
"Listen, I’m not the nicest guy in the Universe because I’m the smartest. And being nice is something stupid people do to hedge their bets. Now, I haven’t been exactly subtle about how little I trust marriage. I couldn’t make it work, and I could turn a black hole into a sun, so at a certain point, you’ve got to ask yourself what are the odds this is legit and not just some big lie we’re all telling ourselves because we’re afraid to die alone? Because, you know, that’s exactly how we all die … alone." (And before you say "ah but the show isn't endorsing Rick", this message is immediately reinforced by the bride coldly murdering the groom.)
I disagree again! Rick is lying to himself. The first quote is a self destructive drunken rant. The second one is followed by him saying the exact opposite. He loves bird person. He's willing to love tammy.
Even ignoring the canon of future seasons which cements this point further, it had been demonstrated that Rick believes in love, and even clearly juxtaposes himself from the other Ricks who consider their grandsons to be "just" a Morty.
Love can be an illusion of course. And it frequently is. But rick most definitely does not categorically believe all love is illusory.
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Rick explicitly states that it is, on several occasions. First, during the love potion episode:
"Listen Morty, I hate to break it to you, but what people calls “love” is just a chemical reaction that compels animals to breed. It hits hard, Morty, then it slowly fades, leaving you stranded in a failing marriage. I did it. Your parents are gonna do it. Break the cycle, Morty. Rise above. Focus on science."
And again at the end of Season 2, during a wedding "toast", he expands on both love being an illusion AND on being smart making him an asshole:
"Listen, I’m not the nicest guy in the Universe because I’m the smartest. And being nice is something stupid people do to hedge their bets. Now, I haven’t been exactly subtle about how little I trust marriage. I couldn’t make it work, and I could turn a black hole into a sun, so at a certain point, you’ve got to ask yourself what are the odds this is legit and not just some big lie we’re all telling ourselves because we’re afraid to die alone? Because, you know, that’s exactly how we all die … alone." (And before you say "ah but the show isn't endorsing Rick", this message is immediately reinforced by the bride coldly murdering the groom.)
The messaging couldn't really have been clearer.
I disagree again! Rick is lying to himself. The first quote is a self destructive drunken rant. The second one is followed by him saying the exact opposite. He loves bird person. He's willing to love tammy.
Even ignoring the canon of future seasons which cements this point further, it had been demonstrated that Rick believes in love, and even clearly juxtaposes himself from the other Ricks who consider their grandsons to be "just" a Morty.
Love can be an illusion of course. And it frequently is. But rick most definitely does not categorically believe all love is illusory.