The Unsettling Evolution of Evil Morty: A Rick and Morty Season 9 Reflection
There’s something deeply unsettling about the way Rick and Morty’s Season 9 premiere handles Evil Morty. Not because the episode lacks spectacle—far from it. The animation is breathtaking, the action sequences are anime-level epic, and the voice acting, particularly Harry Belden’s dual performance, is nothing short of masterful. But as I watched “There’s Something About Morty,” I couldn’t shake the feeling that the show had betrayed one of its most intriguing characters.
The Problem with Evil Morty’s New Role
Evil Morty has always been more than just a villain. He’s a symbol of rebellion, a Morty who broke free from the toxic cycle of dependency on Rick. His arc in previous seasons was about liberation—not just from Rick, but from the entire multiverse’s oppressive systems. So, seeing him reduced to a clingy, almost romanticized rival for Rick’s attention feels like a misstep. Personally, I think this new dynamic undermines everything that made Evil Morty compelling. It’s as if the writers, having exhausted his original purpose, decided to repurpose him as a foil for Rick’s ego. But here’s the thing: Evil Morty wasn’t supposed to be just another Rick. He was supposed to be the antithesis of that dynamic.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how it reflects a broader trend in storytelling. When a character’s arc is so tightly tied to a specific conflict, what happens when that conflict is resolved? Do they lose their purpose? In Evil Morty’s case, it seems like the show is struggling to find a new direction for him. Retiring the character might have been the cleaner choice, but instead, we’re left with a version of him that feels hollow, almost like a parody of his former self.
The Spectacle vs. the Substance
Don’t get me wrong—the episode is a visual feast. The battle against The Collective (voiced by Tilda Swinton, no less) is a masterclass in scale and chaos. The animation team clearly had a field day with this one, and it shows. The showdown in the Bunker Dimension, with its Dragon Ball-esque energy, is undeniably entertaining. But as I sat there marveling at the visuals, I couldn’t help but feel that the spectacle was papering over the cracks in the narrative.
From my perspective, this is a classic case of style over substance. The show has always balanced its absurdity with deeper themes—existential dread, family dysfunction, the ethics of genius. But here, the focus seems to be on delivering fan service rather than advancing the characters in meaningful ways. The Collective, for all its grandeur, feels like a one-note villain, and the resolution of the conflict relies too heavily on Rick’s predictable clumsiness. It’s fun, but it’s not satisfying.
The Voice Acting: A Bright Spot
One thing that immediately stands out is Harry Belden’s performance. His ability to differentiate between Morty and Evil Morty is nothing short of impressive. There’s a scene where Evil Morty mocks his counterpart, and Belden nails the subtle nuances that make the exchange feel authentic. It’s a reminder of how much voice acting can elevate a character, even when the writing falls short.
What many people don’t realize is how difficult it is to voice two distinct versions of the same character in a single scene. Belden’s work here is a masterclass in vocal control, and it’s a shame that the script doesn’t give him more to work with. If you take a step back and think about it, the voice acting is the episode’s saving grace, a testament to the talent behind the scenes even when the material itself feels lackluster.
The Future of Evil Morty: A Cautionary Tale
This raises a deeper question: What’s next for Evil Morty? The episode ends with him trapped in a time loop, a fitting punishment for someone who dared to manipulate time. But it also feels like a narrative dead end. Will he return in future seasons as Rick’s jilted archnemesis, or will the writers find a way to reclaim his complexity?
A detail that I find especially interesting is how the show handles time travel. Evil Morty’s downfall is a reminder of Rick’s oft-repeated mantra: “Time travel is a bitch.” But what this really suggests is that the show is more interested in the consequences of actions than the actions themselves. Evil Morty’s fate isn’t just a punishment—it’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of overreach.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, “There’s Something About Morty” is a mixed bag. It’s a visual triumph, no doubt, but it stumbles when it comes to character development. Evil Morty’s new role feels like a step backward, a missed opportunity to explore the deeper implications of his liberation. The episode is fun, but it’s also frustrating, leaving me wondering what could have been.
If you take a step back and think about it, this premiere is a microcosm of Rick and Morty’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s bold, ambitious, and visually stunning, but it sometimes sacrifices depth for spectacle. Personally, I’m hopeful that future episodes will course-correct, giving Evil Morty the nuanced treatment he deserves. Until then, I’ll be rewatching the anime series, where the stakes feel just as high but the characters remain true to themselves.
