Rick & Morty Season 7 Completes A Smith Family Mistake That Began Years Before Roiland’s Exit

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Rick and Morty season 7, episode 4!

Summary

• The Smith family’s lack of sympathy and concern in Rick and Morty season 7, especially in episode 4, has made them less likable and relatable characters.
• Jerry, who used to be sympathetic, has lost his caring nature, and the whole family has become cold-hearted and lacking in compassion.
• This heartless nature of the Smiths takes away what made them unique and makes it harder for the audience to root for them, potentially harming future storylines.

An issue with the Smith family that predates Justin Roiland’s exit by years reached a new level in Rick and Morty season 7, episode 4. The Smith family has been a staple throughout the series and while the show tends to focus on its title characters, the rest of the family have had episodes or stories dedicated to them. Already this season, Jerry has had an episode centered on him and Rick, while Beth and Summer have had their own moments to shine previously.

It makes sense to utilize these characters and the show has been better through their involvement. Their characteristics and personalities are a big driving point when it comes to influencing both Rick and Morty. Unfortunately, changes to these characters have begun to have an impact on their overall impact on the show, and not for the better. Rick and Morty season 7 episode 4’s best gags and funniest jokes landed better than most this season, but it has come at the expense of the Smiths’ overall quality. This continues a trend that has been ongoing for several seasons and adds to the challenges a post-Roiland Rick and Morty faces.

The Smith Family (Even Jerry) Are No Longer Sympathetic In Rick & Morty Season 7

While the Smith family used to provide a sense of morality for the show, they are no longer sympathetic in Rick and Morty season 7. In the past, Summer had an attitude but would still frequently be freaked out or outraged by some of Rick and Morty’s questionable antics. Likewise, Beth and Jerry had differing personalities but would often show concern about the path Rick was leading their son down. However. these concerns are barely present in season 7.

Jerry, in particular, proved sympathetic since he was always the punchline for many jokes and was treated poorly. However, he has even shown a lack of care for others as of late. Episode 4’s premise revolves around the family eating spaghetti that is revealed to be made from humans. Rather than being disgusted, the family is upset that Morty told them about it, meaning they were happy to eat other people so long as they didn’t know about it. This unconcerned nature and disregard for human life contrasts with Beth and Jerry’s season 1 attitude, yet has become common as the series has progressed.

The Heartless Nature Of The Smith Family Creates A Likability Problem For Rick & Morty’s Future

The heartless nature of the Smith family in Rick and Morty only appears to bring more problems for the show as it creates a likability issue. Jerry’s insecure and wholesome nature made him the target of many jokes, yet because of that it was easy to warm to him. Beth’s reactions to Morty’s adventures and her ability to confront her own dad made Beth a stronger and more understandable character. Both have become somewhat absent parents, failing to even try and protect Morty which has resulted in them being less distinct characters and harder to like. The whole family has become less relatable as they continue to grow more heartless.

Rick’s influence looks to have rubbed off on the entire family, who now lack any form of compassion. Even Morty seems to have lost his innocent nature. While he did try to find a moral way around the spaghetti fiasco, he ultimately joined the rest of the family in ignoring what they were eating, regardless of it potentially being human. In episode 2, “The Jerrick Trap”, the family was content with shooting and killing several characters without feeling remorse. This cold-hearted nature takes away what makes the characters unique and proves more difficult to like or root for them, harming future storylines that may require sympathy from the audience.

• 

  Rick and Morty

  Release Date:

  2013-12-02

  Cast:

  Spencer Grammer, Justin Roiland, Kari Wahlgren, Chris Parnell, Sarah Chalke

  Genres:

  Animation, Adventure, Comedy

  Seasons:

  6

  Summary:

  Rick and Morty is an adventure/Sci-Fi animated series that follows the intergalactic, inter-dimensional adventures of super-genius Rick Sanchez and his less-than-average grandson Morty Smith. Rick’s daughter, Beth, his granddaughter, Summer, and his hated stepson, Jerry, also take center stage more often than not. Hailing from creators Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the series blends comedy with science fiction as a way of exploring a wide variety of themes aimed at an adult audience.

  Story By:

  Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland, Tom Kauffman

  Writers:

  Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland, Tom Kauffman, Eric Acosta

  Network:

  Cartoon Network

  Streaming Service:

  Hulu

  Franchise(s):

  Rick and Morty

  Directors:

  Dan Harmon, Ryan Ridley, Lee Hardcastle

  Showrunner:

  Dan Harmon