Summary
- Morty's solo adventure in the season 7 finale redeemed his character growth, making him a compelling protagonist.
- Rick and Morty season 8 may focus more on Morty's story, allowing for inventive storytelling styles.
- Morty's realization in "Fear No Mort" showcased the depth of his character, paving the way for more impactful narratives.
The twist that made Rick and Morty’s season 7 finale the show’s highest-rated episode in 4 years is the same thing that will allow season 8 to redefine the show’s status quo. Rick and Morty is one of the most anarchic and inspired shows on television, so it is somewhat strange to suggest that the series has a surprisingly rigid formula underlying all its chaos. However, a close inspection of the show’s 71 episodes proves Rick typically takes Morty or another family member on an adventure, and they learn a lesson while the B-story follows the rest of the family.
Since Rick and Morty’s cast of characters are reliably funny, this formula isn’t generally a problem. That said, it has grown tired over time, and some of the show’s best outings diverge from the blueprint. Fortunately, Rick and Morty season 8 is now free to pursue more inventive, experimental storytelling styles and this is all thanks to the show’s highest-rated episode in years. Rick and Morty’s season 7 finale effectively changed the show’s status quo not via any dramatic canon-shifting events, but through some old-fashioned character growth. This explains the episode’s notable critical popularity.
Rick and Morty’s Season 7 Finale Proved Its Ambitious Experiments Can Still Work
Morty’s Finale Story Earned A Stellar Rating Thanks To Its Trippy Plot
It was only when Morty finally realized that Rick never even entered The Hole that the episode’s true purpose became clear.
With an IMDb rating of 9.4, “Fear No Mort” is the highest-rated episode of Rick and Morty in 4 years. Unlike season 7’s earlier standout, episode 5 “Unmortricken,” “Fear No Mort” didn’t need to make major changes to the show’s canon to create an impact. Instead, the episode relied on Morty’s surprisingly poignant journey through his own mind. Like The Simpsons season 8, episode 9, “El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer),” this episode proved that a trippy, tragic deep dive into its hero’s troubled mind can be more compelling than any amount of action.
In “Fear No Mort,” Rick and Morty visited The Hole, a tourist attraction that supposedly showed the user their greatest fear. They soon emerged from The Hole unimpressed, only to return home and find Rick’s wife revived there. Realizing they were still in The Hole, the duo began to adjust to their lives and started to struggle with their changing dynamic. It was only when Morty finally realized that Rick never even entered The Hole that the episode’s true purpose became clear. Rick and Morty’s season 7 finale gave Morty his first meaningful solo story, proving he no longer needs Rick.
Rick and Morty Season 8 Can Double Down On Season 7’s Character Focus
Centering Morty’s Perspective Made “Fear No Mort” Better
Although season 7 gave both Rick and Morty solo episodes, “Fear No Mort” finally proved Morty’s internal world was as rich as Rick’s tortured psyche. Season 7, episode 8, “Rise of the Numbericons The Movie” was technically Morty’s first solo outing, but Rick and Morty’s season 7 finale abandoned its reliance on the show’s usual formula and made Morty’s struggles more impactful than ever before. Throughout much of season 7, Rick’s search for Rick Prime was the show’s main focus. This proved that the series could slowly build up a dramatic plot line before pulling off a dramatic ending.
Rick Prime was first introduced in the season 5 finale and became the show’s main villain in the season 6 premiere, but season 7 took Rick’s obsession with vengeance to new heights. Season 8 could take this same level of character focus and apply it to Morty now that Rick’s main storyline has reached a natural conclusion. Jessica or Planetina could return much like Rick and Morty season 7 brought back Unity as part of Rick’s season 7 arc, and Morty’s ambitions, fears, and plans could take up as much space in the series as Rick’s quest did.
Rick and Morty’s Season 7 Finale Redeemed Its Lowest-Rated Episode
Morty’s Earlier Solo Adventure Failed To Win Over Audiences
The problems with “Rise of the Numbericons The Movie” had little to do with Morty.
Only three episodes before “Fear No Mort,” “Rise of the Numbericons The Movie” earned Rick and Morty its lowest IMDb rating ever with a paltry 4.5. On the surface, this seems strange since “Fear No Mort” was the show’s second attempt to focus on Morty and became its highest-rated outing in years. However, the problems with “Rise of the Numbericons The Movie” had little to do with Morty. The overstuffed episode was an extended parody of sci-fi movies that dragged Morty along as part of its story but barely integrated him into the plot. Thus, there were no emotional stakes.
Compared to “Fear No Mort” or “Unmortricken,” “Rise of the Numbericons The Movie” felt extremely lightweight. As an introduction to Morty’s solo adventures, the outing seemed to prove that Morty was too insubstantial a character to carry a story alone. Even though Rick and Morty’s funny episodes with the President prove not all of Rick’s storylines are meaningful or moving, Morty’s potential as a main character seemed limited by his passivity in “Rise of the Numbericons The Movie.” This was only an issue until “Fear No Mort” cured him of this passive attitude, with Morty vowing to live for himself.
Rick and Morty Season 8 Must Learn From Season 7’s Finale
Rick and Morty’s Writing Doesn't Have To Center Rick
Morty never had a story as emotionally resonant as Rick's until “Fear No Mort,” but season 7’s finale proved that he can be a worthwhile protagonist.
Rick and Morty season 8 doesn’t need to center Rick to tell compelling dramatic stories, as evidenced by “Fear No Mort.” However, the series does need to invest Morty with as much focus as Rick if the show wants to make his character arc as compelling as his grandfather’s revenge quest. Rick’s multi-season arc was alternately tragic, hilarious, and eventually moving when he realized that killing Rick Prime didn't provide him with the catharsis he expected. Morty never had a story this emotionally resonant until “Fear No Mort,” but season 7’s finale proved that he can be a worthwhile protagonist.
Although Rick and Morty season 8’s lack of villains could be an issue, this only reaffirms the show’s unique opportunity to build on the strengths of “Fear No Mort.” Since Morty spends almost the entire episode in The Hole, he doesn’t face any villains beyond those conjured up by his own imagination. This results in one of the show’s strongest storylines, as Morty had to finally contend with his character flaws instead of deflecting onto Rick. This proved Rick and Morty season 8 can make Morty’s stories shine, as evidenced by the critical success of “Fear No Mort.”
Rick and Morty
TV-MA
Animation
Adventure
Comedy
Where to Watch
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
- Cast
- Spencer Grammer , Kari Wahlgren , Chris Parnell , Sarah Chalke , Ian Cardoni , Harry Belden
- Release Date
- December 2, 2013
- Seasons
- 7
- Network
- Cartoon Network
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu , Max
- Franchise(s)
- Rick and Morty
- Writers
- Dan Harmon , Justin Roiland , Tom Kauffman , Eric Acosta
