How a Zen Pet Stole the Show in Common Side Effects
It’s an age-old rule of storytelling: the characters you least expect often win hearts the fastest. Think about it—a cartoon about healthcare conspiracies, shady pharmaceuticals, and existential dread isn’t the obvious home for a beloved pet tortoise named Socrates. But somehow, here we are. Since its February 2nd, 2025 premiere on Adult Swim, Common Side Effects has carved out a quirky niche among viewers. Yet of all the twists, jokes, and characters, none have matched the unexpected fan fervor sparked by Marshall’s reptilian roommate, Socrates.
But why exactly does everyone adore a slow-moving tortoise so much? Could it be his profound calmness amidst chaos, his surprising knack for healing mushrooms, or simply the fact that he’s an immovable anchor of tranquility in Marshall’s endlessly bizarre world? Let’s shell-ebrate the reasons why Socrates has crawled his way firmly into fans’ hearts—and probably yours, too.
It All Started With a Tortoise…
Right from his first appearance, Socrates was clearly destined for greatness. Quietly nestled under his heat lamp, nibbling on greens in a terrarium dotted with pebbles and the occasional mushroom, he wasn’t exactly the scene-stealer you’d peg for instant stardom. And yet, in the midst of Marshall Cuso’s frenzied life of suspicious pill bottles and unsettling side-effects, Socrates offered something special: steadiness, simplicity, and a kind of wise, silent humor just by existing. People paid attention.
Fans loved glimpsing this terrarium philosopher in quiet, shorter scenes peppered throughout the earlier episodes. Maybe it’s because Socrates feels relatable, bringing peace in the same fashion as watching cute animal videos online. Or maybe it’s as simple as people craving calm where chaos reigns supreme. Either way, the creators quickly noticed how Socrates struck a chord.
Even the Creators Are in on the Joke
In interviews published since the show’s debut, creators Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely openly joke about Socrates’ unexpected breakout stardom. Bennett went on record laughing that, “People just genuinely love Socrates. More than we planned, honestly!” Steve added with amused exasperation, “Now we feel a responsibility—we’ve solemnly promised fans we will keep taking good care of him. They’ve made it clear they won’t forgive us otherwise.”
Their witty acknowledgments made headlines and sparked even more buzz around our beloved scaly companion, reassuring the audience that Socrates won’t mysteriously disappear from his terrarium any time soon. For fans, this blend of genuine care and playful commentary from the creators only deepened their affection and emotional investment—it’s nice knowing your fave tortoise is in safe storytelling hands.
Socrates’ Greatest Hits: The Moments Fans Fell in Love
There are scenes you rewind and watch again simply because they offer a loop of delightful calm. Socrates gets those scenes almost every week. Some highlights include:
- Episode 6, “In the System”:
This episode showcased Socrates’ incredible ability to silently comfort struggling Marshall—helpful without even trying. As Marshall spiraled into panic about pharmaceutical failures and mysterious symptoms, he gradually focused on Socrates quietly munching lettuce and planted meditatively beneath his heat lamp. The deliberate pacing and serene depiction did something special; fans adored this intentional homage to slowing down and embracing simplicity.
- Episode 7, “Blowfish”:
Perhaps Socrates’ breakout moment arrived here when viewers learned of his connection to a fantastical plotline. Marshall discovers that his companion’s enclosure produces a rare mushroom said to have healing capabilities. Socrates himself didn’t move much faster than usual, but suddenly he was indispensable—the key to relief in a narrative driven by anxiety and crisis.
- Episode 9, “Shell or Highwater”:
True to the creators’ promises and lovingly fulfilling audiences’ wishes, we finally see something fans had clamored about—a humorous yet insightful flashback revealing how Marshall first came across Socrates in a pet shelter. Viewers adored seeing Socrates’ first curious glance at Marshall, emphasizing their emotional connection. Social media exploded after this flashback episode aired, with viewers jokingly begging for entire spinoffs just centered on Socrates.
What Fans Are Actually Saying Online
If Twitter had an official tortoise mascot, Socrates would win the election today. Common Side Effects fans quickly turned Socrates into a sensation with heartfelt commentary, jokes, memes, fan art, and more than a few fun hashtags.
Here are some genuine reactions fans have enthusiastically posted:
- “Socrates is my spirit animal. He’s calm, eats snacks, ignores chaos, and mindfully relaxes in warm spots. Goals.”
- “Just binged episodes 5–9. We would literally protect Socrates with our lives. This tortoise is my new everything.”
- “I’ve never related harder to an animated pet. Marshall’s tortoise solving problems by just sitting still? Icon energy.”
- “If anything happens to Socrates, we RIOT!!! Protect at ALL costs.”
And they really mean that last part. Fans seem unanimous in their fierce protective feelings for Socrates, becoming sincerely invested in the heartbeat (pun fully intended) of this gentle reptilian friend.
Fan Artists Have Entered the Chat
Creativity erupted across the fandom, and talented artists started flooding Instagram, TikTok, Tumblr, and Reddit with images of Socrates—the irresistible reptilian muse. Some standout examples:
- An adorable illustration blew up online featuring Socrates heroically posed in a superhero-style cape fluttering majestically behind him. Fans loved the witty contrast between grand heroics and gentle Socratic vibes.
- An artist created a digital painting portraying Socrates meditating serenely atop a glowing mushroom—an instant fan favorite celebrating his new mystical healing role. Zen-like wisdom radiated from the pastel hues of the terrarium’s ambient lighting.
- Another viral post humorously depicted Socrates dressed as a wise philosopher, complete with toga and scroll, nodding knowingly while surrounded by mushrooms—captioned simply, “The wisest among us just sits quietly, munching leaves.”
Artistic fans proved just how deeply Socrates resonated, sharing their creativity and humor generously. Art like this demonstrates that side characters can truly shine brighter than creators imagined.
Why Name Him Socrates Anyway?
The smartly-named tortoise honors the ancient philosopher famed for patience, insight, and notably relaxed pacing. The historical Socrates wielded philosophical questioning to make sense of chaotic human drama. Similarly, Socrates-the-tortoise personifies steady, calm wisdom amidst Marshall’s chaotic, pharmaceutical-laden existence.
Viewers appreciate clever layers, and naming Marshall’s pet after a famously chill philosopher added depth. Did the creators foresee Socrates’ rise to stardom when choosing his name? Probably not. But it’s a happy accident—much like panicked Marshall discovering mushrooms thriving in his once-ordinary terrarium.
Don’t Say Goodbye, Just Say Shell-You-Later
There are standout TV characters audiences remember forever. Some bold heroes leap into battle, others clever jokesters leave memorable one-liners. Socrates does neither—he simply exists quietly and calmingly. Yet viewers love him fiercely anyway, perhaps more so because his superpower feels realistically achievable: calm amidst chaos.
Adult Swim’s Common Side Effects unexpectedly delivered a new fan favorite—proof that a character’s charm doesn’t rely on big speeches or daring acts. Sometimes affection blossoms simply from a quietly chewing tortoise under a warm heat lamp. Socrates the tortoise demonstrates beautifully how an unexpected hero can quietly claim our hearts—and fans definitely approve.
So rest easy. The creators promise to keep taking care of Socrates, because let’s face it—now, we would accept nothing less.
