Fans were thrilled with the return of Rick and Morty to Adult Swim at the end of 2019. Season four is in the middle of a break, and fans are predicting some major changes to the format of the show, including a potential turning point for the titular sociopathic mad genius, Rich Sanchez (played by Justin Roiland).
So far this season, fans have enjoyed the animated show’s sardonic send-ups of heist films, dragon fantasy and sci-fi mindbenders.
Each episode has been relatively self-contained, however, so some fans are suggesting viewers could see a shift in pace during the end of the season.
No release date has been revealed for the upcoming slate of five further episodes, but fans should expect them to arrive at some point this year.
One fan took to Reddit to suggest that viewers could finally be about to see Rick face some comeuppance for his heinous intergalactic crimes.
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User ThatSoodooGuy asked: “Do you think the creators will ever force Rick to confront his awful behaviour or will they continue to lean into it?”
They added: “Summer, Morty, even Jerry all seem to be slowly realizing their own shortcomings and make small but noticeable efforts to grow… but Rick never has to.”
Evidently, some fans are growing restless by Rick’s unflinching refusal to commit to any real character growth, and viewers have seen him make several destructive decisions in quick succession.
The Redditor references another animated season that has expertly explored the sort of character drama they want to see from Rick and Morty.
“However, while they both are intelligent and cerebral in some ways, they are very different in the approach and the message even though both shows explore nihilism.”
Rick and Morty has been celebrated for balancing its deeply cynical worldview whilst still managing to make viewers laugh out loud with every new episode.
Although, with an announced 70 further episodes to come from Dan and Justin, the consistent bleak tone could prove painful to watch if Rick stubbornly refuses to change.
Another fan commented: “I’m not sure if Rick will ever confront his awful behavior but I do think he will eventually realize how much love he has for Morty (and I think that realization will be critical to the conclusion of the series).”
They added: “Maybe that realisation will lead to better behaviour, or maybe not.”
So, while Rick may start appreciating the family around him a little more, that doesn’t necessarily indicate his behaviour would change as a result.
There’s certainly no indication of a major change for Rick in the coming season, but with five more episodes set for this year anything could happen (and usually does) in the chaotic sci-fi series.
Rick and Morty season 4 will return to Adult Swim and E4 in 2020.