Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Rick and Morty season 4, episode 3.
Mr Poopybutthole is back, and he means business. In the latest Rick and Morty episode, "One Crew Over the Crewcoo's Morty," a familiar face has returned to help the titular characters pull off the ultimate heist (or so he thinks). This is the character's first meaningful return to the series since his introduction in "Total Rickall."
Now known by the moniker "Professor Poopybutthole" (he's teaching a class on Maya Angelou), the yellow alien is recruited by Rick and Morty to assist them with their heist scheme. The character is a fan favorite, and his return has been teased multiple times throughout the series, such as the Poopybutthole Thanksgiving short in 2017 and the post-credits scene following the season 3 finale.
The character originated in season 2 episode 4, "Total Rickall," he character served as a run-on joke and Chekhov's gun of sorts: Mr. Poopybutthole's introduction implies that he, a "zany, wacky character," is an alien parasite that survives and multiplies by implanting fake memories. The twist at the end of the episode occurs when Beth eventually shoots Mr. Poopybutthole, only to realize he is not a fabricated character, but a genuinely a beloved family member. The scene that follows is among the show's best jokes and darkest moments.
Since "Total Rickall," Mr. Poopybutthole has had several cameos in the series, but no significant roles to play in the story. "One Crew Over the Crewcoo's Morty" corrects all that by giving him dedicated screen time and a truly badass karate fight sequence. It's a triumphant return for a character who was shown relearning how to walk in the "Total Rickall" post-credits scene.
Mr. Poopybutthole promised fans he would return to the series in the season 3 finale's post-credits scene. The production of season 4 was delayed due to contract negotiations between showrunners Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland and the show's network, Adult Swim. Rick and Morty has so far brought back the other beloved characters Mr. Meeseeks and Gearhead (also known as Revolio Clockberg Jr.), and with the show's landmark 70 episode renewal, it is likely that more will return in the future.
"One Crew Over the Crewcoo's Morty" left viewers with a scene between Rick, Morty, and Poopybutthole relaxing on the roof of the Smith's home. The conversation reveals that the professor has been fired following his physical altercation with his students, potentially freeing the character up for more adventures with the show's titular characters.
The next episode of Rick and Morty airs December 8, 2019, on Adult Swim.