Rick & Morty Season 8 Just Eased My Biggest Concern About The Show's Future After Season 7's Ending

The first teaser for Rick and Morty season 8 has finally been released ahead of its return in May, and the new footage has already eased my biggest fear. After the departure of Justin Roiland, all eyes were on season 7 as it took the franchise in a new direction. While some episodes proved divisive, the best outings confirmed that the show was still very capable of thriving under Dan Harmon and had plenty of interesting adventures in its locker. Despite this, I was still a little worried about how Rick and Morty season 7’s ending would impact season 8.

Although “Fear No Mort” was arguably season 7’s best episode, Morty overcoming his biggest fear risked altering the series permanently. After conquering the hole, Morty realized he had become reliant on Rick and was worried his grandfather may see him as replaceable, which suggested their character interactions could change in Rick and Morty season 8. The protagonists have undergone some major development throughout the series, but their overall roles have remained the same, and fortunately, season 8 has already proven Rick and Morty’s relationship won’t be impacted, despite the complex nature of season 7’s ending.

Rick & Morty’s Dynamic Won’t Be Any Different Despite Season 7’s Ending

Season 8’s First Look Indicated The Protagonists’ Relationship Won’t Be Any Different

Rick and Morty looking around in the Rick and Morty season 8 teaser

Even after accepting he might not be as valuable to Rick as he once believed, Morty’s dynamic with his grandfather doesn’t look like it will be any different based on season 8’s teaser. The recently released clip showed the titular characters hunting down an Easter Egg that Christians from space are also pursuing. While it may be a completely new adventure for the duo, Rick and Morty didn’t seem to act differently around one another, as Morty was his usual paranoid but excitable self, while Rick maintained his confident and confrontational personality that fans have grown to love.

Despite his fears regarding Rick, it seems like Morty is more than happy to continue joining his grandfather on his bizarre missions, while Rick doesn’t appear to have been impacted by killing his arch-nemesis in season 7. Although some Rick and Morty season 8 theories pointed towards the duo’s relationship being affected by the events of last season, the early signs show that they will be as close as ever. Of course, they may still argue and be impacted by overarching story moments, but their dynamic looks like it will remain the same, which is for the best.

Why Keeping Rick & Morty’s Relationship The Same Is Pivotal To The Series

The Duo’s Hilarious Dynamic Is Key To Rick & Morty’s Decade-Long Success

While it’s important to have Rick and Morty’s dynamic develop with each season, keeping their relationship fundamentally the same is why the show has been so popular for over a decade. Rick and Morty‘s humor may have changed slightly over the years, but its main protagonists have continued to play a similar role for seven seasons, and it has worked perfectly. Rick being the genius leader whose biggest weakness is his stubbornness allows Morty to thrive, as he willingly follows his grandfather on each adventure while offering some much-needed humanity to bring balance to the duo’s dynamic.

Both characters provide plenty of comedic moments in their own way, and despite having such different ways of thinking, they also share similarities when it comes to calling things out or being apathetic toward certain villains. Rick and Morty season 7’s “Rise of the Numbericons” proved that the show falls flat when the protagonists aren’t together, and while it’s great the show continues to experiment with new ideas, it can’t afford to strip away its core premise, which is the unique relationship between its main characters.

Rick and Morty needs the protagonists to maintain a similar dynamic for the franchise to keep its identity, and season 8 looks like it’ll do just that.

Public opinion has shifted over the years towards Rick and Morty, but there is no denying it is still one of the biggest shows on TV, and combining Rick’s cold and reckless attitude with Morty’s more friendly and cautious outlook has worked wonders for the series. The fact that the pair have such distinct personalities that often clash also makes it more interesting when they switch roles or act out of character, but Rick and Morty needs the protagonists to maintain a similar dynamic for the franchise to keep its identity, and season 8 looks like it’ll do just that.

Rick & Morty Season 8 Could Still Be Different From Previous Seasons

Season 8 May Opt To Shift The Story Toward Morty

Evil Morty tinkering with portal gun next to Morty Smith in Rick and Morty

Rick and Morty season 8 should maintain the protagonists’ electrifying chemistry, but this doesn’t mean the next installment can’t be different. Alongside the fresh adventures, season 8 will almost certainly introduce some new characters, some of which may become integral to the overall narrative. Additionally, the more story-focused episodes could shift towards Morty, as they have mainly been about Rick historically. Given he is the genius of the series, it makes sense why Rick would have intergalactic enemies all across the multiverse who become recurring problems. However, Morty’s experience on these journeys could elevate his role.

Various images of Rick and Morty worried in Rick and Morty

Rick & Morty Season 8 Promises To Break A Major Show Rule For Only The Second Time

Rick and Morty season 8’s concept art hints that the Adult Swim hit may return to one divisive sci-fi staple for only the second time in its history.

Morty has always been by Rick’s side as he runs into his enemies, but while these main episodes often impact both characters, they still predominantly revolve around Rick. Therefore, season 8 could make Morty’s dynamic with Evil Morty the main story beat going forward, and characters like Churry the Churro could return to provide a new antagonist. Given the endless possibilities Rick and Morty‘s universe has to offer, there is no shortage of creative ways the writers can make season 8 feel different, but as long as the protagonists’ dynamic stays the same, I’ll be excited about whatever comes next.