Summary

• Rick and Morty season 8 will have a mix of one-off adventures and overarching storylines.
• The season 7 finale sets the stage for characters to grow independently, while also setting the stage for new stories.
• A mixture of story-based content and singular adventures is the show's new status quo, which it might keep even beyond season 8.

Rick and Morty season 8's structure has been teased by creator Dan Harmon, who revealed what to expect following the many major twists throughout season 7. With a mixture of creative one-off stories and major developments to the overarching narrative, season 7 shone a light on multiple aspects of the show's story. Notable events from the season include Rick killing Rick Prime and Evil Morty getting his hands on an Omega Device.

Speaking with Rick and Morty season 8 will keep up the "flow" and "vibe" of both season 6 and season 7. The creator explained how viewers should expect a mixture of normal adventures featuring the show's main characters, as well as unexpected storylines built out of what they do. Check out what Harmon had to say below:

There’s obviously been a lot of shakeups and transitions that have happened that are luckily coinciding with some of these canonical storylines being resolved. If I could set a framework for fans of the show, it’s the old characters and all these things, but it’s like, this is an opportunity for a rebirth. I mean, the kind of canonical things like searching for Rick Prime, these are things that come out of the ether, and then they acquire this gravity, and then they become a canonical serialized story. I think people should expect more random embers shooting off of that fire and turning into organically gigantic serialized things of their own.

Rick and Morty season 8 arrives on Adult Swim in 2025.

Why Rick & Morty Season 8's Structure Makes Sense

Rick and Morty season 7 ended with Morty leaving The Hole after realizing his greatest fear is Rick seeing him as replaceable, something he confronts and decides isn't a fear he should dwell on. Rick also showed some signs of maturity, as his decision not to go into the mysterious location indicates his happiness with the life he currently lives. The focus of the finale could be setting the stage for season 8's dynamic, which sees the characters understanding themselves independent of each other.

While the storyline in the latest episode sets the stage for other one-off adventures to come, it's clear other characters, like Evil Morty, are still going to appear regularly. For example, the post-credits scene of Rick and Morty season 7 sets up a new plot, as Mr. Poopybutthole killed and replaced an alternate version of himself. This echoes Harmon's statement about season 8, as it shows how unpredictable events can have overarching consequences on the show.

Since a mixture of adventures and story-focused episodes will be what to expect, Rick and Morty season 8 will be keeping to the show's new status quo. This means it's likely future seasons will have a similar presentation, keeping a healthy mix of story-based content with singular adventures that flesh out the world and characters. With new ideas always being presented throughout the series, it remains to be seen what fresh, fun times are ahead for its main duo.

Source: Variety