As shocking and impossible as it may seem, Rick and Morty season 8’s trailer seems to tease a potential comeback from the show’s biggest villain ever. Rick and Morty season 7’s ending was a major moment of character development for Morty, who realized he had been living as Rick’s sidekick and failing to focus on his own development. However, this outing wasn’t the most dramatic season 7 episode. That тιтle undoubtedly went to season 7, episode 5, “Unmortricken.”
The most important canon-centric episode since season 5’s finale “Rickmurai Jack,” “Unmortricken” brought back Evil Morty, revealed his backstory, brought back Rick Prime, and finally, brutally killed him off. While Rick and Morty season 8’s arrival was always going to be exciting, this shocking twist was a major part of the upcoming outing’s appeal. Since “Rickmurai Jack,” Rick’s obsessive pursuit of Rick Prime has gradually come to define his entire character arc. As such, the sudden end of this story and Rick’s newfound personal freedom make season 8 feel fresh and unpredictable.
Rick & Morty Season 8’s Trailer Possibly Features Rick Prime
Rick Prime Was Finally Killed By Rick In Season 7 Episode 5
However, viewers may want to temper their expectations. As well as Rick and Morty season 8 teasing a character duo’s return in its episode тιтles, the trailer for the upcoming season seemingly featured Rick Prime’s comeback. Viewers know that this should be impossible since Rick beat Rick Prime to death on-screen with his bare hands. The ending of “Unmortricken” was pretty unambiguous about Rick Prime’s definitive death, but it is still strange and striking to see a grinning, villainous Rick chasing Morty in season 8’s trailer.
Admittedly, this version of Rick doesn’t look exactly like Rick Prime did the last time he appeared, but it also doesn’t look like the show’s usual version of Rick or Memory Rick.
At around the 00:41 mark, a version of Rick can be seen chasing Morty as Morty desperately bangs an improvised frying pan gong in a town center. Admittedly, this version of Rick doesn’t look exactly like Rick Prime did the last time he appeared, but it also doesn’t look like the show’s usual version of Rick, Memory Rick, or another obvious version of the character. Ever since Rick and Morty‘s Prime Dimension was left behind, the show has pᴀssed through innumerable realities thanks to the Central Finite Curve, and most of these contain their own versions of Rick and Morty.
What Rick Prime’s Return Would Mean For Rick and Morty Season 8
Rick Prime’s Unlikely Survival Would Fundamentally Alter Both Rick and Morty’s Arcs
As such, it is possible that this evil Rick is another villainous version of the character that viewers haven’t met yet. However, since Rick Prime always seemed a few steps ahead of Rick, it is also plausible that he had a backup self hidden somewhere, that he somehow cheated death, or that some other plot machinations could facilitate that almost omnipotent villain’s comeback. While possible, this wouldn’t necessarily be good for Rick and Morty season 8.
While Rick and Morty’s comics can mess with its canon endlessly, the show benefits from a more structured approach to serialization. As threatening as Rick Prime was, his return would result in regression for both the show’s main characters. Morty would return right back to being Rick’s sidekick while Rick would lose the sense of finality and closure he finally got in season 7. As such, although it might seem exciting, Rick and Morty season 8 shouldn’t bring back Rick Prime when the cult hit returns to screens.
