The last new episode of Rick and Morty aired on Adult Swim on October 1, 2017. Given that time has lost all meaning this decade, that’s roughly 30 years ago. But our long national nightmare is finally over (well, one of them at least), because after its longest hiatus yet the show returns this weekend for its fourth season. Since it’s been a while, here’s everything you need to remember from season three.
Jerry and Beth Are Back Together
After years of teasing a breakup, Beth and Jerry finally split in the season three premiere, when Beth chose her father over her husband. Their separation led to a tough year for Jerry after he lost his job with the destroyed Galactic Federation. He lived in a crappy apartment, had his unemployment check stolen by a wolf, was hunted by his alien girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend, and got involved in a failed attempt to kill Rick. But in the season finale, all was well after Jerry, having discovered some self confidence, got back together with Beth.
Beth Might Be a Clone
Jerry reunited with Beth in the finale, but it might not have been THE Beth. Rick offered his daughter a chance to leave her family behind and explore the world, leaving an exact clone in her place, in the episode “The ABCs of Beth.” The fake Beth could seamlessly fill in for Beth in every way until she returns… if she ever returns. It was not clear whether or not Beth actually took this option. The evidence does point to her having taken Rick’s offer, and in the finale Beth had an existential crisis because she wasn’t sure either if she was a clone or not.
Rick Lost His Power as Head of the House
Rick opened the season a prisoner of the Galactic Federation, after Jerry had turned him in at the end of season two. Rick escaped their clutches and destroyed the entire Federation; still mad at Jerry for betraying him, Rick orchestrated Beth and Jerry’s separation, which installed Rick back in the Smith household. But in the season finale, Rick was left submitting to Jerry upon his return home. While the rest of the family was happy about the reunion—especially Morty and Summer, who had been struggling with their parents’ impending divorce—a marginalized Rick was not.
As if that wasn’t humiliating enough, Rick even had to lie to the president about being Fly Fishing Rick so he could end the hostilities between them.
Evil Morty Is President of the Citadel of Ricks
In one of the series’ best episodes, “The Ricklantis Mixup,” Evil Morty successfully won election as President of the Citadel of Ricks. He quickly consolidated his power, killing any disloyal Ricks and Mortys who threatened his rule. It’s still not clear who Evil Morty really is or what he wants, or even why he tried to frame “our” Rick for murder in season one. But one thing is clear: Evil Morty is more dangerous than ever.
Things Turned Around for Mr. Poopybutthole
In the final segment of the season, Mr. Poopybutthole let everyone know he was not only doing much better physically, but that he had married and had a child. Then he warned us it was going to be a very long wait for the next season. He was not lying.
Featured Image: Adult Swim
