For Rick and Morty fans, Season 3 was where the series became almost mythical in the animated block known as Adult Swim.
The season picked up where Season 2 left off, with Rick's nihilistic worldview keeping him from building a bond with his family. Season 3 broke a record, becoming the highest-rated season in the history of Adult Swim, even beating out the staple of the animation block, Robot Chicken. The season also garnered a slew of awards.
Three years after the season's closer, "The Rickchurian Mortydate," premiered, there are some things about this fantastic season that fans may have missed, or may have forgotten about. Here are 10 things that you missed during Rick and Morty's legendary third season.
The Lack Of An Interdimensional Cable Episode
In the first two seasons of Rick and Morty, the writers have always included an "interdimensional cable themed" episode that took viewers on a mind trip. The writers decided to switch things up in Season 3, ditching the semi-traditional episode for an anthological episode, "Morty's Mind Blowers," that surprisingly worked just as well. The Interdimensional Cable didn't reappear in the show's later seasons.
The One Episode Most Fans Missed
Season 3 could be considered the season that the series found its sweet spot (although fans will contend that the series always had one). Nearly all 10 episodes achieved the two million-viewer bar, but there was one that was surprisingly missed by most fans. "The Rickshank Rickdemption" was the only episode not to gain two million viewers, which leaves some to wonder why that was so.
A Sudden Premier
It may be forgotten today, but back before Season 3 premiered, there was no teaser nor advertisement as to when the season would premier. Then, on April 1st, the season premiered without warning, which was considered an April Fools stunt by the creators. In addition to the sudden premier, the premiere episode, "The Rickshank Rickdemption," played on a continuous loop throughout the night, further fueling speculation why that was the only episode not to break two million viewers.
It Wasn't Supposed To Be 10 Episodes
For fans who are wondering why the episode count for Season 3 was small, it wasn't because they wanted it. The first two seasons of the show had 14 episodes and Season 3 was supposed to follow in the same format. However, at the last moment, Cartoon Network only ordered 10 episodes for Season 3 instead of its normal 14. The shortened season may have actually been a blessing in disguise for Rick and Morty as it allowed the series to break viewing records.
Rick Created A World Just For Young Beth
In the episode "The ABC's of Beth," viewers found out that Rick had created a world specifically for Beth when she was just a child. While Beth and a childhood friend visited this world, her friend wound up getting trapped in the world, and Beth, as an adult, had to go back and bring her friend back to reality. It was an interesting tidbit that viewers may have missed.
Rick Toxins Were Toxic
The adventures Rick and Morty embark on can be stressful, so in the episode "Rest and Ricklaxation," the duo decide to hit up a spa where they will be able to remove their toxins. It turned out that Rick's toxins were really toxic, so much so that it took on a life of their very own. It was a chance for viewers to see where Rick's dark side came from, and it may be one that may have been forgotten today.
Rick Created A Deathtrap While Drunk
There are a lot of questionable things that Rick has done over the years, but one that fans may have forgotten from season three was the time when he created a deathtrap while he was drunk.
It occurred in the episode "Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender," where Rick and Morty were summoned to stop Worldender but got caught up in the drunk deathtrap Rick set for themselves. It was just another questionable move by Rick, except this time, some fans may have forgotten.
Rick Was Still In Prison
When Adult Swim dropped a bombshell on fans by cold premiering Season 3, we found that Rick was still in galactic prison, where he was put at the end of Season 2. With time to think, Rick masterminded a plan to escape the prison, which seemed to work as, by the next episode, Rick and Morty were back at it with their galactic adventures.
The Earth Was Under The Control of The Federation
Casual fans may have forgotten this little tidbit, but when the season premiered on April Fools Day, the Earth was under the control of The Federation, the intergalactic government that serves as the main antagonist for our favorite animated duo. By the time Season 3 premiered, The Federation had nearly 6,050 planets under its control, which included Earth.
Rick Became A Pickle To Get Out Of Therapy
With the parents split up, the family decided to go to therapy in the season's third episode. However, Rick wasn't down for therapy, so he turned himself into, of all things, a pickle to duck family therapy. As usual, this idea didn't end well as he became stuck in his pickled body and had to fight his way to get to the session so that he could turn himself back to normal.