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The multiverse that Rick and Morty has created is subversive, hilarious, sudden, and infrequently disturbing – however we’re not complaining as a result of we like it. The present arrived on Grownup Swim in 2013 with no warning by any means and has caught round sufficient for it to proceed with a extremely anticipated eighth season. Which implies now could be the proper time to revisit the primary seven seasons and rank them from worst to greatest.

The grownup animated collection redefined the medium of storytelling by making a deranged but pleasant promise to followers. It explored the distinctive bond between the 2 leads – the sensible however alcoholic scientist Rick Sanchez, and his awkward, anxiety-ridden grandson, Morty. Collectively, they ventured into the depths of the multiverse, encountered weird alien civilizations, dodged catastrophes, and indulged in all types of unlawful adventures.

The outcome? A goofy, outrageous, sci-fi-heavy collection that additionally provided social commentary. Rick and Morty subverted the normal household sitcom format and settled for an absurd one that’s knee-deep in themes of existential dread and real pathos. With out a lot ado, right here is our rating of all 7 seasons of Rick and Morty.

7

Season 5 (2021)

Rick and Morty Season 5 wastes no time sending viewers again into the absurdity the present is understood for. It opens with “Mort Dinner With Andre,” the place Rick’s longtime nemesis, Mr. Nimbus makes a grand entrance – however doesn’t stick round for lengthy. The season is full of high-concept sci-fi parts and complete disarray. As an example, Morty’s doomed romance with Planetina in “A Rickconvenient Mort,” and the unintended monster created in “Rickdependence Spray,” one of many worst and most controversial episodes of the season. Whereas the present tries to remain true to its ridiculous tendencies, it does so at the price of narrative coherence.

Wildly Formidable however Uneven

The fifth season is certainly experimental and boasts among the most artistic episodes of the collection, nevertheless it struggles with consistency. The humor is crude and a few episodes really feel extra like fillers than significant additions to the lore and continuity. That mentioned, the season finale, “Rickmurai Jack,” is a game-changer. It reveals Rick’s backstory and the rationale why he invented his portal gun to enterprise into the multiverse. It additionally focuses on Evil Morty and shakes up the established order in a manner that left followers wanting ahead to Season 6.

Reception-wise, Season 5 was clearly divisive. It holds a 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 89 on Metacritics. Factors have been made about its uneven pacing and the combined bag of episodes that vary from elegant to perplexing. Whereas it has unforgettable and wildly imaginative moments, Season 5 ranks decrease than Season 6 solely as a result of its inconsistency.

6

Season 6 (2022)

After the explosive Season 5 finale, Rick and Morty Season 6 kicks off with a much-needed lighter tone by diving into the implications of Evil Morty’s escape and the destruction of the Citadel. The season focuses on Rick’s vulnerabilities greater than ever, peeling again layers of his previous, his decisions, and the aftermath of Rick Prime killing his spouse, Diane, and his daughter, Beth. Morty continues to grapple with creating an id out of his grandfather’s shadow. The Smith household additionally will get concerned within the chaos, with Beth and House Beth’s dynamic stealing the highlight in “Bethic Twinstict,” and Summer season proving her action-hero expertise in “Rick: A Mort Properly Lived.”

A Season of Progress

Season 6 is certainly not the most effective one, nevertheless it stands out as a result of it’s prepared to evolve. Rick’s character growth is extra pronounced than ever; seems, there are refined cracks in his in any other case god-like persona. Episodes like “Full Meta Jackrick” play with the present’s personal narrative construction by venturing past the fourth wall, which is to say that the humor is sharp as ever. Season 6 was additionally well-received by critics, who showered reward for its stability of humor and introspection.

With an 86 Metascore, a 91% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, and powerful viewers critiques, it’s thought-about an enchancment over Season 5. The absurd humor and social commentary are thorough, however typically, it leans too closely into serialized storytelling.

5

Season 4 (2019)

Within the fourth season of Rick and Morty, the primary episode, “Fringe of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat,” is a mind-bending one as a result of it performs with destiny and alternate realities and units the tone for an installment that oscillates between dizzying absurdity and sheer brilliance. Rick’s conceitedness reaches new heights and Morty turns into more and more unbiased, which solely lands him in essentially the most reckless conditions of all time. The season’s standout episodes embody “The Vat of Acid Episode” and “Rattlestar Ricklactica,” each of that are hilarious and genius on the similar time.

A Season of Wild Lows and Wilder Highs

Season 4 is once more a combined bag, nevertheless it’s not as dangerous as Season 6 as a result of some episodes ship intelligent satire, like “One Crew Over the Crewcoo’s Morty,” the place a heist professional snatches an enormous prize from below their noses when Rick and Morty are on a treasure-seeking expedition. The season’s largest energy lies in the truth that it’s not afraid to enterprise into one thing new, even when the gamble doesn’t all the time repay. Rick’s character doesn’t endure main adjustments, however Morty’s character exhibits hints of frustration and a want to interrupt out of his shell.

Critics gave Season 4 strong critiques. It boasts a near-perfect 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that describes it as “each an thrilling development and a pleasant return to kind that proves greater than definitely worth the two-year wait.”

4

Season 7 (2023)

Season 7 marks a big shift in tone for Rick and Morty, as Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden take over voice duties for the 2 major characters, Rick and Morty, respectively, after Justin Roiland’s departure from the present as each creator and voice artist. Regardless of the change, the season retains its greatest elements and followers could not agree extra. The overarching plot finds Rick pursuing Prime Rick for revenge, ending with “Unmortricken,” the place he confronts his nemesis and beats him to demise.

A New Period with Acquainted Tropes

Season 7 additionally delivers some genuinely gratifying self-contained gems, like “Moist Kuat Amortican Summer season,” the place summer season camp tropes are parodied to no finish, and “Worry No Mort,” which takes a deep dive into Morty’s fears. However what makes Season 7 so good as compared is that it strikes the proper stability between laughter-inducing and thought-provoking moments. It explores existential themes and gives biting commentary, proving it has discovered a approach to be each zany and memorable on the similar time.

The season’s reception tells a special story, and the 77% Rotten Tomatoes rating is backed by critics’ critiques that decision the transition of the voice forged seamless. After all, some would miss Roiland’s iconic supply, however the storytelling and amusing arcs make up for the change and ensure the collection doesn’t lose its edge.

3

Season 1 (2013)

That is the place all of it started. Season 1 of Rick and Morty was a very sudden addition to Grownup Swim’s lineup of exhibits. It introduces audiences to Rick Sanchez and his grandson, Morty Smith. From the very first episode, titled “Pilot,” the present was decided to set the tone with its darkish humor, existential dread, quirky characters, and mind-bending sci-fi parts. Rick along with his reckless experiments and Morty along with his id points; they traveled throughout dimensions and graced TV with episodes like “Meeseeks and Destroy” and “Rick Potion #9.”

The Charming Delivery of Insanity and Genius

Season 1 additionally launched followers to the Smith household – Beth, Jerry, and Summer season, as they every struggled with their very own dysfunctions the extra Rick’s presence affected their lives. The debut is actually superb as a result of it establishes a complete new world because of the thoughts of Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon. From the setting to using the multiverse and surreal dimensions, the pacing to the sharp humor, the emotional beats to the themes the present would later go on to discover, it’s all there in bits and items in Season 1.

It was an inexperienced installment, which made it a sleeper hit. Season 1 of Rick and Morty earned an approval score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. It shortly gained a cult following and ultimately turned the preferred grownup animated collection. The later seasons solely refined the components, however this one stays particular for introducing it.

2

Season 3 (2017)

Season 3 of Rick and Morty opens with “The Rickshank Rickdemption,” an episode the place Rick escapes the Galactic Federation after an unimaginable show of manipulation. The season is all about Rick’s conceitedness and nihilism. As an example, the episode “Pickle Rick” finds him reworking himself right into a pickle simply to keep away from his remedy and cope with his feelings. Morty and Summer season, alternatively, are rising to be extra ruthless by taking management of their destiny.

The Darkest and Most Subversive of All Seasons

A meta-fictional season that performs round with its personal format whereas nonetheless staying hilarious from begin to end, Season 3 is the place Rick and Morty totally embraces its darkish themes. Rick’s god complicated is at an all-time excessive and Morty’s want to be unbiased types among the present’s most intense moments. One other standout a part of the season is Beth’s arc, which is explored with care in “The ABCs of Beth.” She realizes that she could be very very like her father and begins questioning her id.

With a 96% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and critiques that describe it as “the collection’ most persistently entertaining and bold season but,” Season 3 stands out due to its daring narrative decisions, loopy plot twists, wry social commentary, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of the animation medium to its extremes.

1

Season 2 (2015)

Undoubtedly the most effective, Season 2 takes all the things nice about Season 1 and amplifies it to the purpose the place it nonetheless stays unparalleled. The season delivered among the present’s greatest episodes. It begins with “A Rickle in Time,” an intriguing episode that takes Rick and Morty on an journey that fractures actuality and concludes with Albert Einstein creating the well-known mass-energy components simply to spite Rick. One other one, aptly titled “Auto Erotic Assimilation,” dives into Rick’s relationships and his romance with Unity, an ex-lover, solely to disclose that he’s inherently lonely on the within.

Larger, Bolder, and Extra Existential

Season 2 is the place Rick and Morty begins questioning its personal absurdity. It explores Rick’s delicate aspect greater than ever. It’s complicated but additionally essential to the present’s development. Morty, alternatively, continues to be struggling to know his place in his grandfather’s world. Episodes like “The Ricks Should Be Loopy” current a miniature universe that exists inside Rick’s automotive battery and acts as an area the place he has full management. The season finale, “The Wedding ceremony Squanchers,” is a punch within the intestine as a result of it forces Rick to make an enormous resolution.

Holding a formidable approval score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 is undisputedly ranked as the most effective season of Rick and Morty. It’s proportionate in terms of humor and sci-fi, has the proper notes of wackiness and substance, and thrives on its darker undertones. In comparison with Season 1, it’s extra polished, extra revolutionary, and extra constant.