Rick and Morty‘s sixth season marks a return to form for the wildly popular yet divisive Adult Swim animated sci-fi comedy. After a streak of uneven and controversial episodes in seasons four and five, season six shows signs of improvement with stronger writing, character development, and emotional resonance.
Rick and Morty Season 6 kicks off with Solaricks, which strands the Sanchez family on Earth after Rick’s portal gun stops working. This forces the show to scale back on the multiverse-hopping adventures and focus more on the central characters. Many critics praise this change, including myself, as it allows for meaningful growth and interactions between Rick, Morty, and the rest of the Smith family.
Rick: A Mort Well Lived is another standout early episode of Rick and Morty Season 6, which revisits the Roy video game from season one. Here, Morty’s consciousness is fragmented across hundreds of Morty avatars in the game while Rick tries to convince them to return to the real world. The philosophical implications of free will and existence are explored with humour and heart. Moments like Rick’s impassioned speech to the Mortys showcase the strong characterization and voice acting that set the show apart.
Bethic Twinstinct is a highlight, focusing solely on Beth and Space Beth as they work through their identities and relationships. Beth has often been sidelined as a character, so an entire episode dedicated to her personal journey is a welcome change. The deep conversation between the two versions of Beth is poignant yet funny, capturing the show’s blend of irreverence and sentiment.
On the comedy side, Night Family stands out for its hilarious escalation of the Smith family’s feud between their daytime and nocturnal selves. The episode’s inventive concept of the characters programming themselves to function while asleep opens up plenty of comedic opportunities. The escalating turf war between the two families, constantly falling unconscious when the other wakes up, is downright absurd yet clever.
While most of the season is strong, there are a few weaker entries. Final DeSmithation is built on an incest joke that goes too far even by Rick and Morty standards, coming across as crass rather than funny. A Rick in King Mortur’s Mort feels formulaic and predictable, lacking the spark of creativity from earlier seasons.
Full Meta Jackrick may be the most divisive episode, leaning heavily into meta-humour and self-referential writing. For fans of this type of humour, it’s a riot. But for others, it likely misses the mark. I fall into the latter camp – the meta-gags feel smug rather than subversive.
Despite some misses, the season as a whole represents a major improvement after the show lost its way in recent years. There is a stronger focus on rounded, emotional storytelling compared to the nihilistic cynicism and shock value that crept into later seasons. The Smith family feels more sympathetic and human. Rick Sanchez displays personal growth, even if in small ways. And the humour balances absurdity with heartwarming insight.
From a visual standpoint, the animation and art design remain best-in-class. Epic action sequences and bizarre alien worlds pop with colour, contrast, and detail. The subtle expressions and fluid motion bring the characters to life. And the unique character designs are iconic, from Rick’s spiky hair to Morty’s wide-eyed stare.
While unlikely to ever recapture the magic of its initial seasons, Rick and Morty season six is a reassuring step in the right direction. There are enough flashes of brilliance to keep its reputation as one of the most inventive adult animated series intact. As a long-time fan, I’m relieved to see glimmers of the show I fell in love with.
On the whole, Rick and Morty Season 6 shows signs of a comeback after struggling in recent seasons. While not perfect, this season keeps the franchise on solid footing moving forward. Fans should be optimistic about the show rediscovering its brilliance.
With tighter writing, bolder character choices, and emotional stakes, Rick and Morty avoids resting on its laurels or relying purely on sci-fi antics. Season six elevates the interpersonal dynamics of the Smith family amidst the cosmic insanity.
By scaling back the multidimensional scope, the show can focus on resonant themes of identity, free will, and human connection. The dialogue remains sharp, balancing vulgarity with surprising wisdom. And the voice cast delivers, bringing depth and nuance to their characters.
For all its irreverence, Rick and Morty still creates moments of insight and poignancy. Season six balances goofy comedy with a tinge of melancholy remarkably well. Behind the nihilism lies an empathy for flawed people struggling to find meaning.
As is expected, some episodes of Rick and Morty Season 6 miss the mark, whether from controversial humour or uninspired writing. But the overall trajectory points upwards. For a show that revels in not caring, Rick and Morty shows promising signs of maturity, and I am excited to see what comes next.
