Rick and Morty Season 3 Review

Rick and Morty (2013-)
Season 3 - 8 episodes (2017)

Buy Rick and Morty Season 3 on Amazon
Created by: Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon
Starring: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke
Rated: TV-MA

Plot
An animated series that follows the exploits of drunk, careless, super scientist Rick and his dimwitted, anxious  grandson Morty as they traverse multiple universes.

Verdict
I loved the first and second seasons. While this season felt a bit more disjointed, that's likely because I had to wait weekly. This has never been a show with an ever expanding plot line. Each episode is mostly self contained.
This season is as crazy as the other two, and it does explore divorce and the psychological effects, though of course it does that as only Rick and Morty can. The daggers this season throws are just as sharp. It skewers everything in its path.
This show is still just as hilarious and clever, though this season may be the most callous towards the characters. We get a good look at the interpersonal relationships of the characters, none of which are all that healthy. This is something you could almost miss, because this show is just as zany and it's easy to focus on that instead.
Watch it.

Review
The show is always inventive, but this season looks at relationships between the characters while still fully being Rick and Morty. Jerry and Beth split in the first episode. While never a focus, we casually observe the ramifications to Morty and Summer. This season also looks at Rick and Morty's toxic relationship as Rick is his de facto male influence now. There's also the tension between Rick and Beth. This is just a layer in each episode, only coming into focus sporadically.

The first episode covers a lot of ground with Rick initially stuck in jail from the end of season two. Summer takes charge and Rick of course acts like a psychopath. This show is frequently just insane. The episode ends with Beth choosing Rick over Jerry and also Szechuan sauce.

Episode 3: Rick's a pickle.

Episode 3:Denial? They're not in denial.

It's easy to miss this show exploring emotion as it's often so wild. Summer and Morty both adjust in episode two. Episode three introduces Pickle Rick. This season is aiming square at character's emotional centers. Their problems often come into focus. Rick and Beth are both in complete denial about their relationshipo. This show is still just as crazy, but amidst that there's an emotional undercurrent.

Episode 4: The Avengers rip-off, bro.

The divorce began to be a heavy story around the half way mark, but it comes full circle by the end. Episode six looks at healthy and toxic versions of Rick and Morty. A healthy version of Rick has no attachments, i.e. Morty. A healthy Morty is incredibly successful but possesses no conscience. This show is not trying to be moral, but it often raises questions about what's better. Looking at the past seasons, you could say that Morty needs to get away from Rick and Rick's corruption, but while Morty may be successful without Rick, he isn't good.

Episode 7: Back at the citadel.

With episode seven we're back at the citadel and what an introduction. It's a fascinating world populated by Ricks and Mortys. I don't know what it means, but the episode was really good. You could derive a lot of conclusions and ideas from this episode. Is it supposed to have a deeper meaning? Probably, but it's built to generate various opinions.
Evil Morty is back. It's a thread that this show might run with or might leave it until they need an idea. This show isn't trying to tell an overarching story.

Episode 8: It's a clip show, but really well structured.

Episode eight is amazing in that it does a clip show well while still making fun of the gimmick. It references old and never before seen adventures and frames it perfectly. Have you ever wondered how Rick and Morty cope with what they've seen? Now you know.

Episode 10: A big episode.

The final episode teases that season four will be a long wait, and that it will be a lot like one but more streamlined.It's a big send off with a Rick-President ego fight that's as wild as you might imagine and plenty of potshots at the White House and former inhabitants. This episode effectively reboots the story lines, with no cliff hangers like last year.