Adult Swim's Rick and Morty, often regarded as the most popular animated sci-fi show of our time, follows the adventures of Rick Sanchez, a brilliant yet reckless scientist, and his bumbling grandson Morty Smith. Comparable to the iconic Doc and Marty from Back to the Future, this show pushes boundaries with its explicit and absurd humor.
While fans eagerly await the release of Rick and Morty season 7, there has been a troubling development behind the scenes. An unforeseen complication has arisen that poses a significant challenge for the show's writers and producers. This unexpected turn of events threatens to disrupt the narrative and the future of the beloved animated series.
Rick and Morty Season 7's Biggest Change
Rick and Morty, co-created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland in 2013, showcased the duo's exceptional writing skills. Prior to this, Harmon gained recognition for his work on the sitcom Community, which enjoyed a successful run of six seasons (with a possible movie on the horizon). Meanwhile, Roiland had affiliations with beloved shows such as Adventure Time and Gravity Falls. However, it is unfortunate to note that Roiland will not be involved in the upcoming seventh season of Rick and Morty, and it seems unlikely that he will return in the future.
In early 2023, Roiland faced accusations of domestic violence. Although these charges were eventually dismissed, both Adult Swim and Hulu made the decision to sever ties with Roiland. Consequently, he was forced to depart from both Rick and Morty and his original Hulu series Solar Opposites.
While it is not uncommon for shows to experience the loss of a co-creator's collaboration, Roiland's departure presents additional challenges. One major hurdle is that Roiland provided the voice for both Rick and Morty, as well as numerous other secondary characters throughout the show's six seasons. The studio has already commenced auditions to find a replacement for Roiland's roles, but no one has been chosen thus far. Recasting in television shows is not an unprecedented occurrence, and determining whether recasting an actor or a voice actor is more challenging is subjective. However, viewers generally appear to be more accepting of a different face portraying a pre-existing character than they are of hearing a different voice emanating from the same character.
Rick and Morty Season 7 Can Evolve Without Justin Roiland
Despite the challenges it poses for the writers and producers, Rick and Morty possesses immense potential to continue its journey without Roiland, retaining the same distinctive allure and determination that has defined the show thus far. Moreover, the remaining crew members, who have adeptly worked on the series for a decade, are fully capable of carrying on without Roiland's involvement.
Dan Harmon has already established himself as an accomplished writer and show creator with the success of Community. This critically acclaimed sitcom skillfully incorporated relevant social issues and popular culture, which has continued to influence the themes and writing of his current show, Rick and Morty. As the co-creator, his impact on the future of the series is undeniable.
Moreover, in the face of Justin Roiland's departure, the show's producer, Steve Levy, revealed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times how the team rallied together. Levy expressed that they felt a sense of betrayal, but instead of giving up, they united and refused to let one individual undermine their collective hard work and commitment to the show.
Rick and Morty Season 7 Should Balance Silliness and Sincerity
"This show is created by our team," Levy added confidently, "a family of extraordinarily dedicated individuals. We will persevere and demonstrate to the world that we won't skip a beat. Our work across the board has significantly improved. Upon the release of the new season, our focus will be on showcasing its exceptional outcome. We hope our fans will recognize that this is the same beloved show, and possibly even better!"
One of the reasons why Rick and Morty is so exceptional is its ability to evoke genuine emotions from the audience while maintaining a hilariously absurd tone. While the bond between Rick and Morty has undeniably grown stronger over the course of six seasons, the later seasons, as a whole, have struggled to strike the perfect balance between heartfelt moments and side-splitting humor. However, it's important to note that there are still certain individual episodes that successfully achieve this delicate combination.
This is primarily due to the change in the duo's relationship after the season 3 finale, "The Rickchurian Mortydate". Since then, Rick and Morty don't appear to be enjoying themselves as much as they did in the first three seasons. While this growth in their relationship is a positive aspect, with Rick starting to view Morty more as a companion rather than inferior, it has somewhat hindered their ability to have as much fun as before. This is what initially drew viewers in and made them emotionally invested in the characters.
However, it is important to note that the show has not completely lost its humor or sincerity. The series is still wonderful and has effectively evolved the characters as they navigate their own individual storylines and their shared experiences. Additionally, the show continues to successfully delve into compelling storylines such as Evil Morty and Prime Rick.
Rick and Morty season 7 presents an opportunity for the duo to delve into classic adventures, enhancing their bond through the sheer enjoyment of each other's company. As the heart and soul of the show, their independent escapades promise an array of entertaining and hilarious encounters, thereby amplifying the significance of the heartfelt moments they invariably experience together.