Rick & Morty Season 7 Finale Twist Reflects Clever Callback to Season 1 Episode

The season 7 finale of Rick and Morty left fans in awe with a shocking twist, yet this innovative narrative device is not new to the series. Since its debut, Rick and Morty has continually explored and subverted the traditional formats of both family sitcoms and sci-fi narratives. As part of Adult Swim’s offbeat animated lineup, the show frequently presents its protagonists with genre archetypes, a trend set to persist in the upcoming season 8, which promises even more clever parodies inspired by iconic films like Alien, Pandorum, and Passengers.

In contrast to earlier seasons, the seventh season finale, titled “Fear No Mort,” ventured into a darker existential realm. This episode elevated the stakes by introducing a haunting version of Rick’s deceased wife, Diane, while trapping Rick and Morty in a surreal alternate reality. The climactic twist revealed that Morty had been experiencing a solitary confrontation with his own fears, particularly the painful notion that Rick might not need him, leading him to conjure a world where Diane existed alongside him.

Echoes of Season 1: The Fake Rick Twist in Season 7

Morty’s Simulation in Season 1, Episode 4

Throughout “Fear No Mort,” the audience is led to believe that Rick accompanies Morty to confront his nightmares. However, the chilling revelation comes when it’s disclosed that Rick was not there at all; rather, he was a mere figment of Morty’s imagination. This plot twist has deep roots in the series’ earlier work, notably in season 1, episode 4, titled “M. Night Shaym-Aliens!” In this previous episode, Rick grapples with the manipulation of aliens who create entire faux realities to his detriment.

During the end credits of “M. Night Shaym-Aliens!” , a drunken Rick demands that Morty prove he isn’t a part of a simulation. The episode concludes with Rick discovering that the many layers of realities he navigated were themselves encompassed within a larger illusion. Despite his efforts, the experience profoundly unsettled him. This earlier exploration of reality and simulation foreshadows the narrative twist in “Fear No Mort,” where the version of Rick that Morty engages with is revealed to be an illusion.

The Effectiveness of Season 7’s Twist: A Fresh Take on Familiar Themes

“Fear No Mort” and Its Unique Approach to Rick’s Character

Rick and Morty looking into the fear hole

Whereas “M. Night Shaym-Aliens!” had a lighter tone, marked by a whimsical storyline as Rick outsmarts alien thieves, “Fear No Mort” opts for a weightier emotional investment. The episode plunges into Morty’s psyche, addressing real fears and insecurities. Even though the twists from both episodes share similar thematic undercurrents, the seventh season’s conclusion manages to offer a fresh narrative that feels impactful rather than repetitive.

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