Rick and Morty continues to be one of the smartest, funniest, and emotionally resonant shows on TV, and it’s garnered a huge following because of it. Not only does it play around with what’s possible in animation, the show consistently bends and breaks the rules of sci-fi, often featuring riffs on very real scientific theories and their consequences. The show features so much science, in fact, I knew that I had to get the creators and writers together to talk with some actual scientists.

In the video below (we apologize for the sound quality, as there were numerous problems), I lead a discussion between Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland, writer Mike McMahan, quantum physicist Spiros Michalakis, and neuroscientist Crystal Dilworth at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. As I suspected, the Rick and Morty writing team are absolutely fascinated by science, and it made for a insightful, interesting, and hilarious panel:

The panel jumps from simulation theory, to parallel dimensions, to the possibility of elevating the intelligence of household pets, and more. Not only did the scientists help illuminate some of the show’s science, Harmon, Roiland, and McMahan gave fans an inside look at their process. We struck me most was how much effort goes into making the show, which has no qualms about bending or breaking the laws of the universe, internally consistent. Just don’t ask them why Rick has a portal gun and a spaceship.

The writing team also commented on a popular fan theory, told a story about when science made them scrap a whole episode, and got lost in the eyes of one of my panelists. Check out the video above for the full experience.

Images: Adult Swim