Rick and Morty Season 8 Needs To Get Back To Basics

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Summary

  • Season 8 of Rick and Morty should refocus on standalone comedic episodes without complex lore.
  • The show’s early success stemmed from self-contained, humorous stories without needing context from past episodes.
  • Writers of Season 8 should pitch wild and fun ideas without heavy lore to maintain the show’s anarchic joy.

As Rick and Morty‘s Season 8 approaches, it offers a prime chance for Dan Harmon and his team to accomplish something that previous seasons might have overlooked: trimming excess content and re-emphasizing the brilliance of individual episodes. This could help them recapture the raw, hilarious essence that made the debut season an immediate classic.

Initially, when Rick Sanchez, the inebriated genius uncle in “Rick and Morty,” unexpectedly pulls Morty through a glowing gateway into a realm filled with extradimensional beings, viewers are exposed to mind-boggling sci-fi ideas and unpredictable emotional elements. However, as the series delves deeper into intricate intergalactic transformations and extensive multiverse explanations, its core emotions can sometimes get lost within the labyrinth of complex details, making it exhausting for viewers.

Rick and Morty Has Gotten Too Complicated

At Its Core, Rick and Morty Is a Twisted Sitcom With Family Dysfunction

Initially, watching an episode or a season of Rick and Morty was straightforward and didn’t require much background knowledge. The show used to present outlandish concepts such as a theme park inside a homeless man’s body in a humorous, engaging manner within 20 minutes. However, by Season 7, the standalone amusements have become less frequent, replaced instead by multi-episode storylines that can be difficult to follow and seem to suggest that the show is transforming into a grand, epic saga that demands a diagram or chart to keep up with the intricate Smith family history.

The politics, secrets, time travel issues, and rebellions of Rick’s Council in “Rick and Morty” can feel like a complicated cosmic chart. While the writers are incredibly talented, episodes like “The Rickshank Redemption” and “The Ricklantis Mixup” have many subtle references that might confuse casual viewers. In Season 5, the finale arc, “Rickmurai Jack,” delved so much into Rick’s history it seemed more like a quick summary of seven seasons than a twenty-minute comedy. Similarly, “Mortyplicity” from Season 5 used a clever, complex plot with a clone crisis leading to deep questions about existence. Though thought-provoking, it didn’t have the same funny, straightforward charm as earlier episodes and didn’t pack the comedic punch of classic moments like Mr. Meeseeks.

In essence, while complexity can be exciting, if each joke needs interpretation, the raw, unrestrained delight fades away.

Why Rick and Morty Season 1 Worked So Well

It Had Self-Contained Episodes Rather Than Complex Lore

Season 1 of the animated series Rick and Morty is a top-notch demonstration of well-balanced absurdity, heartfelt moments, and innovative ideas – an exciting adventure every week without needing to catch up on previous episodes first. From Mr. Meeseeks assisting Jerry with his golf swings to Squanchy, all the way to “Rick Portion 9”, where a typical teenage crush goes awry and leads to Rick unleashing a wave of Cronenberg-esque horrors, each episode presented a standalone plot that built up brilliantly. Fans could enjoy laughing at Episode 5 without needing to recall Episode 3 because the writers crafted each story using simple yet impactful strokes on a clean slate for each episode.

In the midst of its multidimensional adventures, Season 1 maintained a straightforward emotional core: Rick’s reckless brilliance versus Morty’s pure naivety. The authenticity of Morty’s crush on Jessica in “Rick Potion #9” and the emphasis on Beth and Rick’s relationship in “Pickle Rick” was not overshadowed by suspenseful plot twists or prolonged across numerous episodes, striking a perfect balance instead.

Writers of Rick and Morty Season 8 Need To Revisit The Show’s Humble Beginnings

There could be a new beginning for the Smith family in Rick and Morty Season 8, following Justin Roiland’s departure, as the initial sneak peeks suggest. Writers are free to infuse the creativity that made Season 1 unique week after week, ensuring a standout experience without long-term commitments or complex storylines. While continuity and plot development will be important, they should be used sparingly or as hidden references for dedicated fans. Essentially, the show aims to keep casual viewers entertained episode by episode without overwhelming them with intricate lore. The essence of the show lies in surprising audiences with a peculiar premise and leaving them eager for more absurdity.

The new season should reset our emotional compass by connecting every extraordinary idea to a family moment, such as a heartfelt conversation over breakfast that unexpectedly transforms into a dimensional leap. We want Rick to be his usual self – cynical, self-centered, yet surprisingly protective of Morty’s wellbeing. To preserve the delightful unpredictability of Season 1, it’s crucial not to base every revelation on past traumas. When Morty confronts Rick in the garage about his selfishness, the impact is significant because it occurs during a routine task like repairing a hover car.

The creators of Season 8 of Rick and Morty shouldn’t hesitate to propose even more outlandish, standalone storylines and embrace the sort of absurdity that made episodes like “Anatomy Park” timeless favorites. These ideas don’t require complex backstory; they simply need to be incredibly entertaining.

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2025-04-21 20:08