'Rick and Morty' Season 9 Is Over: The New Chapter Got 100% on RT, but Is It Really Worth Watching?

The ninth season of Rick and Morty concluded on July 27. The creators continue to advance the overarching plot with small but confident steps, a trend that became even more apparent in this season.

Here's why the new season is worth watching, even if you've grown tired of the depressed genius.

Even After 9 Seasons, 'Rick and Morty' Remains the Best Animated Series for Adults

The ninth season of Rick and Morty is more than just another collection of wild adventures, it's a profound exploration of the main character's inner world – the creators delve into Rick's depression in various ways, employing unexpected plot twists.

The premiere episode, "There's Something About Morty," opens with a surprise crossover involving Evil Morty that quickly escalates into a confrontation. The characters defeat a local Galactus and traverse multiple worlds, but this proves to be a feint.

Ultimately, the season focuses less on reckless escapades and more on internal struggles. Its standout episodes offer fans a glimpse into Sanchez's mind – the creators fearlessly reveal his vulnerability, making this season particularly valuable.

'Rick and Morty' Season 9 Features a Wide Array of Striking and Gripping Episodes

The episode "Ricks Days, Seven Nights" deserves special attention for its parody of the series Severance. In it, Rick splits his personality so his alter ego, Ted, can have fun on another planet while he takes a vacation.

When Ted learns that he is an artificial creation, he refuses to return, instead, he begins inventing things and starts to resemble Rick. This serves as an excellent metaphor for Sanchez's relationships with others: the more intelligent he is, the more isolated he becomes.

In the episode "A Ricker Runs Through It," it is revealed that Rick built a robot named Reese to serve as a form of two-factor authentication in case his alcoholism leaves him locked in his garage. The episode contrasts the ways in which Rick and Morty view fundamental human relationships.

While Morty sees the value of friendship in Reese, Rick views it as a deliberate illusion. Ultimately, he easily creates another robot, underscoring the fact that he has learned no lessons.

Season 9 Delves Deeper Into the Inner Worlds of the Two Main Characters

The most striking episode revealing the depth of Rick's depression is "Erickerhead," in which Rick accidentally cuts off his own head with a portal. His body and brain then exist independently and develop their own senses of self, concluding that they are better off apart.

The brain, no longer burdened by hormones, lives free from cravings for alcohol, while the body is free to indulge in physical pleasures. Their conflict ends with a truce sealed by oral sex, a moment that emphasizes Rick's extreme narcissism.

The final episode, "Field of Dreams," follows Morty as he travels across universes and encounters a "normal" version of the Smith family. In this reality, Rick is a respected professor, however, Morty's arrival and his plea to be taken home triggers a process of degradation.

Morty realizes that his grandfather cannot be "normal" because if he were, he would cease to be the person Morty loves.

Where to Watch 'Rick and Morty' Season 9?

Rick and Morty Season 9 is available to stream on Max and Hulu.