Adult Swim's sci-fi comedy Rick and Morty needs a happy ending and a proper stance on the main characters' relationship. The fan-favorite animated sitcom, Rick and Morty, began airing back in 2013 and was renewed for a total of 70 more episodes after its third season. The show's signature brand of abrasive comedy hinges on Rick and Morty's dynamic; two characters who are diametrically opposed and yet still go on adventures together.

Rick and Morty season 5's finale sees the return of the mysterious "evil Morty" who made his first appearance back in season 1 episode 9 (spawning many evil Morty theories). Evil Morty is a character who despises all Ricks due to their manipulation of, and disregard for, Mortys. Season 5 ends with evil Morty offering Morty to join him as he travels to a different universe where Mortys are not subject to the Ricks' will. Morty refuses the offer and remains with Rick. This ending leaves the viewer with a number of questions, not only concerning the future of evil Morty, but also the future of Rick and Morty's relationship.

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Rick and Morty needs its protagonists to resolve their conflict by the end of the series. While the strange and toxic relationship between Rick and Morty is the core of the series, it can't go on forever. The writers have to put an end to the uncertainty of Rick and Morty's dynamic eventually; either Rick has to own up to his genuine emotions once and for all, or Morty needs to exit the toxic relationship.

Rick and Morty: Evil Morty at the citadel

The series has already shown Morty rebelling against Rick, like in season 5 episode 9 where he goes off with Nick, another resentful old acquaintance of Rick's. Nick represents what Morty might become if he lets his hatred of Rick take control of him, implying that he needs to find a healthier way to deal with his frustration towards his grandfather. Season 5 episode 9 of Rick and Morty ends with Rick admitting that their relationship was abusive. However, by the end of the next episode, the two are back together again. The problem with this is that no matter how many times the writers make it clear that this relationship is abusive and toxic, that dynamic is the status quo of the show, so it must always return to it.

As co-creator of Rick and Morty, Dan Harmon, stated in the DVD commentary of season 3 episode 4, "That's the point of having an alcoholic guardian [...] it's never going to be official that this person doesn't love you [or] that they love you." This ambivalence is representative of Rick and Morty's nihilistic philosophy. The characters (and by extension, the viewer) is never quite sure if there's room for sincere emotions in this series. This is why the series needs a happy ending, in order to contrast the rest of the show's nihilistic attitude and give the viewer the sense that it wasn't all for nothing.

Rick & Morty could definitely end on a tragic note. A sad ending would be consistent with the series' most depressing themes. However, what's certain is that the writers need to take a definitive stance on Rick and Morty's relationship in order to ensure that the story doesn't become repetitive and unsatisfying.

More: Rick And Morty's Darkest Villain Is Krombopulos Michael (Not Evil Morty)