After years of multiverse destruction, existential crises, and fan theories spiraling across the internet, Rick and Morty has returned with a Season 9 premiere that immediately reignites one of the show’s most important storylines. Episode 1, titled “There’s Something About Morty,” brings back Evil Morty — the calculating alternate version of Morty who has evolved into perhaps the most dangerous figure in the franchise.

Premiering May 24, 2026, on Adult Swim, the episode marks a major shift for the series. Instead of simply revisiting an old villain for nostalgia, the premiere pushes Evil Morty into emotionally unpredictable territory while escalating the stakes of the show’s already fractured multiverse.

The result is an episode packed with anime-inspired battles, universe-ending technology, and uncomfortable emotional tension between Rick, Morty, and their most feared counterpart.

Evil Morty Returns — and Rick Has Been Working With Him

The premiere wastes little time before revealing its central twist: Rick has secretly been communicating with Evil Morty behind Morty’s back. According to the episode, Evil Morty has been coercing Rick into helping him through the use of the Omega Device — a terrifying machine first linked to Rick Prime that can erase every variant of a person across infinite realities.

In practical terms, the weapon gives Evil Morty leverage over the entire Smith family.

The emotional impact on Morty becomes the episode’s real engine. Watching Rick cooperate with a hyper-intelligent alternate Morty triggers insecurity, jealousy, and fear. What initially appears to be another multiverse mission gradually turns into a study of emotional dependency and identity.

One of the most striking aspects of the episode is how it reframes Evil Morty. Rather than portraying him purely as a cold strategist, the premiere suggests he is emotionally isolated — a teenager who may secretly crave Rick’s validation despite spending years trying to escape the toxic Rick-and-Morty dynamic.

TV Insider’s recap described the episode as “a major shift in the character of Evil Morty,” particularly after Morty directly accuses him of loneliness and emotional attachment to Rick.

The Collective Raises the Stakes Beyond the Citadel

The episode introduces another major threat: a cosmic entity called The Collective, voiced by Tilda Swinton. The being consumes universes and absorbs entire realities, forcing Rick and Evil Morty into a temporary alliance.

Critics have compared the creature to a fusion of Marvel’s Galactus and Star Trek’s Borg collective. The battle against it becomes one of the most visually ambitious sequences the series has attempted.

Reviewers noted that the animation style leaned heavily into anime influences, particularly Akira and Dragon Ball-style combat choreography.

IGN described the confrontation as “scope and spectacle to spare,” praising the large-scale destruction and kinetic action sequences that push the show to “its visual limits.”

The episode’s visual escalation reflects a broader trend in modern adult animation. Shows that once relied primarily on dialogue-driven comedy are now competing through cinematic action, high-budget animation, and serialized storytelling.

Why Evil Morty Still Matters to the Franchise

For longtime fans, Evil Morty is not simply another recurring antagonist. He represents one of the few ongoing mythological threads in a series that often resists traditional continuity.

Since his first appearance, Evil Morty has symbolized rebellion against the abusive Rick-and-Morty system that dominates the multiverse. He escaped the Central Finite Curve, manipulated entire civilizations of Ricks, and played a major role in defeating Rick Prime.

That history makes his emotional vulnerability in Season 9 particularly surprising.

Some critics embraced the change. Others questioned whether the character is losing the philosophical edge that once made him so compelling.

IGN’s review argued that Evil Morty “feels mischaracterized” in the premiere, saying the show risks reducing a once-complex figure into “Rick’s possessive mad science buddy.”

Still, even critics acknowledged the episode’s entertainment value and ambitious scale.

Dan Harmon’s Approach to Canon Still Defines the Show

Part of what makes Rick and Morty unusual after nine seasons is its refusal to become fully serialized.

Co-creator Dan Harmon has long resisted the idea that canon should dominate storytelling. The series frequently alternates between major mythology episodes and absurd standalone adventures, often mocking audience expectations in the process.

That philosophy remains visible in Season 9.

Although Evil Morty returns as the centerpiece of the premiere, the show still treats him as a disruptive force rather than the permanent focus of the season. Reviews and commentary surrounding the episode suggest fans should not expect him to dominate every episode moving forward.

Instead, the series continues balancing lore-heavy storytelling with episodic chaos — one reason it has survived longer than many of its animated contemporaries.

Adult Swim, Streaming, and the Expanding Audience

Season 9 premiered Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Adult Swim. New episodes air weekly, with the finale scheduled for July 26.

The series remains one of Adult Swim’s most recognizable global franchises, even after the cultural frenzy surrounding the show cooled from its peak years between 2015 and 2017.

Streaming continues to play a major role in the show’s reach. According to current release plans:

• Episodes air weekly on Adult Swim
• Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, Sling TV, and similar services provide live access
• HBO Max and Hulu begin weekly streaming releases starting June 15, 2026
• Individual episodes become available for digital purchase after airing

The shift highlights how animated television has evolved into a streaming-first ecosystem where cable premieres still matter culturally, but long-term engagement increasingly happens on-demand.

The Show’s New Era Continues to Evolve

Season 9 also further establishes the post-Justin Roiland era of the franchise.

Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden continue voicing Rick and Morty, respectively, after Adult Swim recast the roles in 2023. Critics have generally praised the transition, with several reviews specifically highlighting Belden’s ability to differentiate Evil Morty from standard Morty through subtle vocal performance.

The broader ensemble remains intact, including:

• Sarah Chalke as Beth
• Chris Parnell as Jerry
• Spencer Grammer as Summer

Despite major production changes over the past few years, Adult Swim has already confirmed additional seasons beyond Season 9, signaling continued confidence in the franchise’s long-term future.

What the Premiere Means for Season 9

The final moments of “There’s Something About Morty” leave Evil Morty in custody after intervention from the Time Cops, but the episode strongly implies his story is far from over.

More importantly, the premiere resets the power balance.

For the first time in years, Evil Morty no longer has total control. Rick neutralizes the Omega Device by erasing its blueprints from existence, stripping his rival of the leverage that once made him untouchable.

At the same time, the emotional cracks revealed in Evil Morty may prove even more dangerous than his technology.

That combination — emotional instability mixed with universe-level intelligence — could shape the rest of the season in unpredictable ways.

And for a show built on chaos, unpredictability remains its most valuable asset.

Conclusion

Nine seasons in, Rick and Morty continues doing what few long-running animated series manage successfully: evolving without completely abandoning its identity.

“There’s Something About Morty” blends explosive sci-fi spectacle with character-driven tension, revives one of the franchise’s most compelling villains, and deepens the emotional complexity between Rick and Morty in ways that could influence the series for years to come.

Whether viewers see Evil Morty’s new direction as brilliant character development or a controversial reinterpretation, one thing is clear: the Season 9 premiere has put Rick and Morty back at the center of conversation.

And for Adult Swim, that may be the biggest victory of all.