WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

But at what cost? As this season’s more arc-based structure comes from the results of Rick’s actions from this, it shakes up both the Galactic Federation’s survivors to a vendetta and the Council Of Ricks’ rebuilding. This is controlled by someone far worse than the original leaders Rick personally killed. Both parties have become WAY more of a possible threat to him in the long run. Most importantly, many episodes focus on the repercussions of these choices on the family on a personal, mental, and social level.

The most apparent change was the fact Jerry and Beth are now officially divorced, both pushing Jerry out of the house and making the possibility of the ‘our marriage is terrible’ B-plots between Beth and Jerry impossible. This change resulted in both of them getting much-needed character development and an interesting look at them without the other. But it also had a tiny side effect of bringing out a lot of issues for Morty and Summer due to their parents’ divorce; with Rick as the head of his family, it showcases his inability to handle emotional support and his bad habit of running away from his problems and pettiness.

To start, Morty has one of the most apparent changes as a result of both Rick’s actions this season and the previous seasons. With Morty starting to develop qualities and attributes frighteningly similar to Rick, this is due to the many adventures and abuse suffered from Rick and his family. Morty develops a more assertive and snarky way of handling life, which is not exactly bad, but he also delves deeper and deeper to more..ahem…homicidal ways to handle his problems or anger. Morty tries to kill Rick twice this season (both not exactly unjustified but still not exactly the best sign for his mental state), and he also has little issue murdering people during his stint with Armothy. This is a way to coop with his parents’ divorce in “Rickmancing the Stone” and his perception of a healthy person in “Rest and Ricklaxation” is a literal sociopath.

The “Rickest” action he committed was when he horribly disfigured and stranded him in the woods. Rick and Summer’s breakup could very well have just been Summer’s shallow and insecure perception of Rick’s focus on her physical appearance. This is an action many could say would be Rick’s response to the issue if given the correct motivation. Rick’s only positive developments overall were his use of a backbone as we’ve seen with his ability to call his family and others out for their stupidity, abuse, and shortcomings. Rick’s sidekick appears unphased with the unusual adventures he has with him.