Rick and Morty season 3 episode 10 review: A surprising conclusion to the darkest season yet

*Spoilers for 'The Rickchurian Candidate' ahead*

Rick and Morty was dark, but was the third season the duo’s darkest adventures yet? Short answer: yes. While there was nothing on par with turning an entire world turning into Cronenberg monsters, Rick managed to kill an entire mysterious European base as a pickle, break up The Vindicators, destroy the Citadel of Ricks (only for Evil Morty to take over) all while Morty pummelled people in a post-apocalyptic world and went full American Psycho after a detox.

Rather than go darker with the season finale, though, creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland decided to slam the reset button. By the end of the episode, almost everyone was much happier, all thanks to (clone?) Beth and Jerry being back together. “Things will be more like season one,” says Beth during the final moments, “just more streamlined.”

A surprising choice, perhaps, but a logical one. Harmon has a writing mechanism called the ‘Story Circle’ in which a character starts in a familiar setting, goes through some s**t, eventually returning to that familiar setting. As a result of the journey, though, the characters are changed. Harmon normally applies the method to episodes — hence why Rick and Morty nearly always starts with the duo at home — but here to an entire season.

Where the premiere started with Beth and Jerry together, the writers tore the family apart — plus the Citadel of Ricks — only for the finale to bring everyone back together having grown.

First, Summer has become an even more hardened teenager. Killing Deathstalkers was therapeutic, allowing her to eventually grow closer to Beth, who herself has gone through a major transformation (after killing inbred creatures in Froopy Land). Even Jerry has grown, becoming ever so slightly less of a wimp, confidently kissing Beth during the finale.

So, where does that leave Rick and Morty? Morty just wants a normal life with a normal family. If that means Rick not being around, so be it. Come ‘The Rickchurian Candidate’ and the teenager even leaves Rick behind. For Morty, there are now things more important than just 20-minute in-out adventures (and the same can be said of the show).

Rick, meanwhile, continues to be Rick. The characters almost an oddity to Harmon’s story cycle, arrogantly marching forward the same as always. By doing so, though, Rick has alienated himself from the ever-changing Smith family.

During the finale, we see the mad scientist attempting to out manoeuvre the President — last seen during the ‘Get Shwifty’ episode — claiming to merely want Morty to get a selfie. Really, as Morty realises, Rick just wants to win; to prove himself better than everyone else. While the bombastic fighting display takes place, Morty wanders off without Rick even realising.

When the less-kosher Dr. Who does realise Morty’s gone, there’s anger. The feud with the President gets flung out the window: Jerry’s now the enemy once more having taken the family away. But Jerry’s not the enemy. The family have just moved on, and Rick has to as well.

What’s perhaps most intriguing about the episode — another stellar instalment, although the meta-references are becoming slightly overdone — are the final moments. As Beth addresses how ‘being motivated by Rick leaving’ will no longer play a role in the show, Rick’s realises his power over the family has been diminished. As we zoom into Rick’s face, you have to wonder: come season four, will Rick take the family down an even darker route to remain in power? Time will tell. For now, though, I can’t wait to re-watch season three in all its glory.