As a long-time fan of Rick and Morty, I’ll admit to having some trepidation going into Season 7 following the shocking departure of co-creator Justin Roiland earlier this year. As well as voicing the two main characters, Roiland was also responsible for much of the show’s trademark raunchy yet philosophical humour. Thankfully, while it may take fans an episode or two to get used to the new vocal stylings of our dimension-hopping duo, the writing and humour we’ve come to love is still firing on all cylinders.
The season kicks off with a Mr. Poopybutthole-focused episode that shows the series hasn’t lost its edge. We find poor Poopy post-divorce, a depressed drunken mess taking refuge in the Smith family’s home. In trademark meta fashion, the episode comments on the show’s own challenges, with Poopy serving as a stand-in for the series itself, down and out but ready to turn things around.
There are no overt references to Roiland’s departure; the show moves forward with clever writing and well-developed characters. The new voice actors easily slide into their roles, capturing the essence of Rick and Morty without resorting to imitation. Within minutes, I was fully immersed back into the show’s warped world, barely skipping a beat and adapting to the new voice talent behind the characters.
“Now seven seasons in, it’s reasonable to wonder if Rick and Morty can continue churning out fresh ideas.”
The rest of the early episodes follow suit, focusing more on self-contained sci-fi escapades than heavy serialization. This back-to-basics approach allows the talented cast and writers room to flex their creative muscles. The result is some of the most inventive Rick and Morty adventures in years, with ideas and jokes flying fast and furious.
While Poopybutthole’s tale explores addiction and self-destruction, later episodes deliver the sci-fi hijinks, and irreverent adventures fans hunger for. The Jerrick Trap offers plenty of meta-commentary on toxic fandoms and entitled viewers. By literally trapping Rick and Jerry inside a parody, the episode satirizes the darker side of pop culture obsession, something this show’s fans are certainly not immune to.
Just like previous seasons, these new episodes run the gamut from silly to profound. The constant is Rick and Morty‘s signature blend of high-concept sci-fi, low-brow comedy, and surprising emotion. Season 7 fires on all cylinders, whether it’s examining friendship and loss or unleashing dinosaur mayhem across the multiverse.
If anything, this season feels reinvigorated, as if the show has rediscovered its mojo. By getting back to basics, Rick and Morty Season 7 recaptures the magic that made it a breakout hit. Of course, the show has never been afraid to take risks and evolve. So, while the early episodes deliver classic adventures, fans can surely expect more serialized storylines that shake up the status quo later in the season
Seven seasons in, Rick and Morty remains as ambitious and unpredictable as ever. The show’s cutting commentary on society and human nature is as sharp as Rick’s tongue. Its take on nihilism and cynicism always comes with an undercurrent of hope and heart. And most importantly, it’s still downright hilarious, equal parts clever and crude.
Sure, losing a co-creator like Justin Roiland was a blow. But Season 7 proves that the core of Rick and Morty, the wild sci-fi adventures, the dimensional hijinks, the dynamic between a mad scientist and his grandson – remains stronger than ever. With its great cast, excellent writing, and limitless imagination, the show feels reborn.
“Rick may be the smartest man in the multiverse, but even he couldn’t predict how successful this once-niche Adult Swim series has become.”
I would be doing the show a disservice by not mentioning the continued stellar work from the rest of the Rick and Morty voice cast. From Sarah Chalke’s Beth to Spencer Grammer’s Summer, familiar faces help ground the audience amidst the upheaval. Of course, Chris Parnell‘s Jerry continues to walk the line between pathetic and lovable perfectly.
Visually, the animation and art design continue to impress with wildly creative settings and character designs. From grotesque monsters to stunning alien vistas, the visuals pop with colour and imagination. The directing also remains excellent, with clever transitions and montages heightening the comedy.
Now seven seasons in, it’s reasonable to wonder if Rick and Morty can continue churning out fresh ideas. But the writers prove there are still plenty of places for the characters to go, especially with infinite parallel worlds to play around in. Unlike long-running sitcoms that eventually run out of steam, the sci-fi framework grants near-endless storytelling potential. I am unsure how the serialized stories will change going forward, but what they brought to the table this season is strong, opening up new possibilities for the future.
Even with the season being strong, a few minor gripes are well worth bringing up. The emotional arcs feel repetitive at times, treading the same ground about Rick’s nihilism and Morty’s insecurities. The reliance on guest stars and pop culture references runs the risk of becoming a crutch and the show potentially becoming dated. But these are minor complaints for a show that is otherwise firing on all cylinders.
Rick may be the smartest man in the multiverse, but even he couldn’t predict how successful this once-niche Adult Swim series has become. Seven seasons later, Rick and Morty remains a show I can happily lose myself in, travelling across space, time, and dimensions with my favourite drunken scientist and his beleaguered grandson.
With its sharp writing, creative vision, and excellent voice cast, Rick and Morty season 7 stands as an incredibly solid entry to the show, paving the way for a very exciting future post-shakeup. The show rebounds nicely from its behind-the-scenes issues to deliver another solid batch of episodes for its devoted fanbase. Both longtime followers and new viewers will find plenty to enjoy in the show’s signature blend of sci-fi, comedy, and philosophical musings.
