Heartwarming / Rick and Morty

The unusual thing isn't hamsters in butts, but Rick actually being happy.

Morty: You know, you were right about the universe. It's a crazy and chaotic place.
Rick: Well, you know, maybe that's why it could use a little cleaning up every now and then, you know. This one's wrapped up neat and clean because we did it Morty style.

— "Meeseeks and Destroy"

Despite many bleak moments, Rick and Morty leaves room for many bright ones.

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General

• The inherent contradiction and paradox of the series. This show is constantly telling you that nothing matters, that everyone and everything you know and love will die and be forgotten, that no one's special, that you should go and watch TV yet at the same time things like the Rickiest Rick and Evil Morty exist. Here lies the ultimate paradox of the series, nothing's special, until it is.
• Any time Rick shows a more happy or human side to him. Especially for his family.

Season 1

Pilot

• When Morty was having trouble with an easily triggered, knife-wielding bully named Frank Palicky, Rick arrived and protected him by immediately freezing Frank. It was a little much, considering Frank's frozen body then tipped over and shattered him to death, but it's easy to see that Rick cares about Morty's safety.
• Rick's rambling at the end of the pilot can be considered pretty heartwarming. You can see most of it on the Quotes page.
  • As long as you don't think about what having adventures with Rick 'forever and forever' would entail.
• A small one, but Rick wanting to bomb humanity and save Morty and Jessica so that they could start over as Adam and Eve is — by Rick's standards, certainly — a nice gesture.
• Rick gives Morty a heartwarming speech about experiencing new things and facing them head-on, even if you're scared. Well, until he spots an arachnid monster behind Morty and runs like hell.
• After Morty falls down the cliff, Rick chastises him about not turning on his gravity-defying shoes and returns to get the seeds. When Morty calls him out on being callous and not caring about his broken legs, Rick genuinely looks concerned before opening up a portal, leaves Morty alone and crying out in pain for a few seconds, then returns with a serum that completely fixes Morty's legs without any further complaint.

Lawnmower Dog

• Even if it is just a dream, Snuffles, the family's now-sentient dog, is completely willing to give up his kingdom if it means saving Morty's life.
  • Helped in no small part by Rob Paulsen's completely heartfelt reading of "We are not them! We are not...them."
  • "You can call me Snuffles, Morty, and I'm going to miss you too, very much."
• Also from "Lawnmower Dog", Rick and Morty helping Scary Terry (the Freddy Krueger pastiche) through what was probably a recurring nightmare, restoring his confidence and repairing his relationship with his (also scary) wife. Watching Terry wake up and smile warmly at the sight of Rick and Morty is just adorable.
  • Then even after everything, Rick still chooses to hang out with Terry in The Stinger. Being a real friend to the guy.

Anatomy Park

• It's quick, but you can see that Beth and Summer are genuinely supportive and happy for Jerry's parents' unorthodox new relationship, seeing that they are happy with their polyamory. Beth is even considerate enough to not ask for information they don't want to give when Jerry keeps prying to get the details out of them.
  Beth: Whatever it is, it's beautiful, Leonard, and we support you.
• After Morty's quick thinking saves the group from Gonorrhea, Annie hugs him, making Morty chuckle awkwardly. The whole group, even Poncho, smile at this. It's a small moment, but it's still nice.

M. Night Shaym-Aliens!

• "M. Night Shaym-Aliens!" shows that despite his insane, dark, and alcoholic tendencies, you do NOT mess with Morty just to get to Rick. Even if Morty turned out to be a very thorough hologram.
  Rick: They've been trying to con me for years. But they made a big mistake this time Morty! They dragged you into it, and now they're gonna pay!
  • One could argue that, since Rick clearly knew the entire time that Morty wasn't real, his statement above is more heartwarming in that he's telling the aliens that trying to use Morty to manipulate him was their biggest mistake and thus why he chose, rather than just trick them like he normally does, he's going to kill them. They can try and screw with him all they want but creating a bastardized version of Morty? That means you're dead.
  • In that same episode we saw Rick and Morty playing around with the crystals, with Rick clearly enjoying himself.
    Rick: Nothing wrong with just a little bit of horseplay every now and then, little fella!
  • During the final confrontation with Prince Nebulon, what was the one detail of his whole ordeal in the simulation which threw Rick into a blind rage?
    Rick: You simulated my grandson's genitalia? You diabolical sons of bitches!
• After Rick and Jerry escaped the simulation, Rick was actually being nice to Jerry and comforting Jerry when he sees how depressed he is that the best day of his life was all a simulation.
• When Morty tells Rick that crowds freak him out, he comforts the kid, YMMV considering if you think Rick knew Morty was a simulation or not

  Rick: Relax Morty, it's just a bunch of 1s and 0s out there.

• In The Stinger, Rick comes into Morty's room late at night, more drunk than usual. After making sure Morty's real and not a simulation, he tells him he's a good kid, and promptly passes out on the floor with a smile on his face.

Meeseeks and Destroy

• In "Meeseeks and Destroy" when Rick silently realizes Morty was nearly raped by an anthropomorphic jelly bean and throws the bet.
  • And the fact that he comforts Morty when he realizes what happened and the fact that he doesn't ask Morty what happened, knowing he doesn't want to talk about it.
  • Just beforehand, he sees the rather disheveled Mr. Jellybean exiting the same bathroom Morty had been in. There is a subtle look on Rick's face as he puts two and two together that suggests that the thought going through his head is "I'm gonna kill this sonovabitch horribly." He might be a horrible person and role model, but do not mess with his family.
  • That along with the fact Rick goes out of his way to make sure Morty won the bet and gave their adventure a happy ending.
    • A small moment, but while Morty was fighting off Mr. Jelly Bean in the bathroom, Rick slowly starts to have a good time at the bar; having a few drinks, doing karaoke, and even winning some schmeckles (to which he later uses to give the poor village to help Morty win the bet). And when Morty comes back from the bathroom, he immediately apologizes for his negative attitude from earlier and notes that he's having a great time.
    • Not to mention the fact that Rick reopens the portal just to shoot Mr. Jelly Bean with a laser gun.
  • Another nice moment occurs when, as a reward for saving the village, Morty actually receives kisses on the cheeks from two girls. He even happily laughs about it!
• The facial expression of the Meeseeks who helps Beth become a more complete woman. The episode offers a couple of very clear shots on his heartwarming smile.
  • And then the rest of the episode crosses into Nightmare Fuel...
• Beth helps Jerry defeat the Meeseeeks by helping him with his golf swing. She then whispers "I love you" to him.
• This is the first mention of the fact that Jerry got Beth pregnant when they were 17. Considering how often teenage baby daddies abandon girls they impregnate that was actually very big of him to take responsibility for Summer and remain with Beth, even though their relationship tends to be rather wishy-washy.
  Jerry: So...you still thinking about taking that trip?
  Beth: Jerry, look. We don't have a perfect marriage, but I'm not going anywhere. When we were in that freezer, I realized the Meeseeks are like the guys I went to high school with, willing to say anything to "complete their task."
  Jerry: Was I one of those guys?
  Beth: The difference is you didn't disappear afterwards.
  Jerry: Well...I got you pregnant.
  Beth: Yeah...

Rick Potion #9

• Horrifying as the episode was, it's still heartwarming that Jerry and Beth's marriage was saved... even if it WAS in an apocalyptic world that Rick and Morty had to abandon.
• If Rick's casualness about abandoning his Cronenberged earth and moving to another one at the end of "Rick Potion #9" can be taken as an implication that he's done it before, this is the first time he's taken Morty with him. He could just as easily have left him to his fate.
  • Notice that Rick makes sure to take them to a reality that is exactly the same as their old one, save that the two of them are dead. He could have found one where Beth never married Jerry, or where ... but he chose one closest to their reality to make it easier on Morty.
• Rick's opinion on love is really pessimistic but it's based on his own experiences. He tells Morty to focus on science instead of finding love because he doesn't want Morty to have to go through the pain of a bad marriage.
  • Though not exactly stated, it can be implied that Rick was very much in love with Beth's mother, though their marriage failed, it was still there.
• Although the immediate juxtaposition with their gruesome deaths makes it all the more jarring, the fact that the Rick and Morty that get replaced share their last few moments together, bonding and smiling after a successful adventure is a bit heartwarming in itself.

Raising Gazorpazorp

• In "Raising Gazorpazorp", when Rick and Summer were about to be executed for treason against the Gazorpazorpian women, Rick wishes he could have been a better grandfather to Summer.
• While Rick is trying to fix the portal gun so they can go home, a male Gazorpazorp comes in and menacingly approaches Summer before Rick wards him off with a gun. Then he tells Summer to wear the burka he found so he can fix the machine in peace, and taken out of context the dialogue sounds surprisingly normal, with Rick bickering with his granddaughter about her clothes.
• When Rick stops a gang of male Gazorpazorpians from raping Summer and she tells him she wants to go home, the portal gun gets smashed by a boulder and more Gazorpazorpians appear. Rick then says, "Great, I have to conquer a planet because of your stupid boobs." In other words, despite claiming he doesn't care, Rick would be willing to slaughter an entire planet to protect Summer.
• In the cold opening, Morty tries to convince Rick to purchase the sex-bot. Rick doesn't relent until Morty brings up the possibility that Rick will pass on and he'd won't have a souvenir of their time together.
  • And after everything he has put Morty through, the sex-bot is deserved. Even he knows that.
• Jerry and Beth's discussion of Morty's ownership of the sex-bot, which shows their different parenting styles without making either of them seem like the butt of the joke.
  Jerry: Rick, why would you let Morty bring that thing into our house? ... Well, I'm intervening.
  Beth: Intervening with puberty? You'll turn him into Ralph Fiennes from Red Dragon.
• Morty immediately takes to (the very unexpected) Morty Jr. without the slightest reluctance and does the best he can to be a good father. Even after the little ingrate writes a fraudulent tell-all book about their relationship, Morty's still worried about him.
  • The fact that the family are quick to protect Morty Jr. from Rick.
  • When Morty Jr. screws him over, Beth comforts Morty.
    "It's a thankless job. You did the best you could."
    • Morty's not even mad about the tell-all book. He's just concerned with Morty Jr.'s health.

Rixty Minutes

• A small one, but when Morty chooses to watch TV shows from alternate universes while Jerry, Beth, and Summer fight over the device that lets them see their own alternate lives, Rick tells him he's proud of him before changing the channel so they can continue watching TV together.
  • It's bigger than that. Look at how excited Rick was to show them interdimensional cable. While the rest of the family doesn't care Morty clearly does. Other than one moment when Morty asks too many questions about Bill Murray, Rick and Morty have a blast the entire episode. It's probably the happiest the two have ever been in the entire series. Ricky's happy smile as they watch Ant-In-My-Eyes sells it.
• Morty and Summer bonding.
  • To elaborate, Summer finds out that she was an unwanted pregnancy and plans to run away from home. When Morty hears about it, he goes to Summer’s room and tells her about the events of “Rick Potion #9” and how he replaced this universe’s version of himself.
    Summer: So, you're saying you're not my brother?
    Morty: I’m better than your brother. I’m a version of your brother you can trust when he says “don’t run.” Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s gonna die… come watch TV?
    • And she does.
• Beth and Jerry spend much of the episode watching a reality where they both seem to have better lives and their dreams fulfilled, due to Beth getting an abortion and the two of them splitting up, and decide to get divorced when the alternate movie star Jerry has a breakdown and shows up at Beth's door, admitting he loves her, hates his movie star life and spends all his time thinking about what could've been if he had talked her out of the abortion. This causes both versions of Beth and Jerry to reconcile, and it's all very sweet and heartwarming.
• From the same episode, the entire family sharing family time (even Rick looking like he's enjoying himself by the end) in The Hamsters-In-Peoples'-Butts Dimension.
• Rick calls Beth "Sweetie". It's shown many times that he isn't above cursing at the family or insulting them, particularly Morty and Summer, and Jerry he has no respect for but he is never seen doing that to her. His daughter seems to be the only member of the family he doesn't insult and one of the only humans period that Rick actually shows respect.

Something Ricked This Way Comes

• While Rick does end up quitting on it, there's something weirdly heartwarming about him opening Curse Purge Plus and screwing the curses over to make them beneficial to their owners.
• Summer rescues Mr. Needful from suicide:
  Summer: It's not fair! Everyone in this town got something they wanted from you. Even Rick! I was your only friend, and I get nothing?
  Mr. Needful: Okay, I'll give you one thing. Name it.
  Summer: I want to help you.
  • And then when Needful turns on her after she helps him restructure his business. She comes home after crying and tells Rick what happened, he actually comforts her in a nice tone and says "Sorry". Especially after what bitch Summer was to Rick, he was still nice to her and willing to help her get revenge. Rick and Summer bond by working out, bulking up, and beating the hell out of him. And then move on to beating up all kinds of bullies and jerks.
  • The episode also shows that Rick's jerkassery is at least partially a facade. After he burns down his new business and goes home, he immediately looks for Morty to take him on an adventure, then for everybody else, clearly wanting company to the point of asking his "butter-fetching" robot to watch a movie. When Morty does come home, Rick actually restrains himself to avoid sounding too excited.
• Jerry telling the angered Plutonians that he loves Morty, even if they're not listening to him.
• Rick was actually willing to help Morty with his science project, even if his reply was simply "Whatever". For someone who's always condemning school and homework, he actually was taking an interest in Morty's education beyond simply having him available to help him with his own science projects. He even let Morty have his "butter passing" robot to take to the science fair and get him an A.
• When Jerry makes it clear he wants to help, Beth sends Morty a text while adding that she thinks it's a good idea. Despite the text being a little insulting^note "Your father is insecure about his intelligence.", the context is sweet. Beth knows what Jerry's really going through and wants him to feel better, and she knows Morty will understand too.
• Despite initially refusing, Rick does take Summer to work.
• When Rick and Mr. Needful get into a slap fight, Summer gets in between them to stop them fighting - both Rick and Mr. Needful go out of their way not to hit Summer.
• Morty telling Jerry that while he may not be as smart as Rick, he is a genius at being his dad.

Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind

• "Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind" has C-137 (the main one) Rick thanking Beth for cooking food and telling the other Ricks to leave Morty alone.
  • The other Ricks at the C-137 house compliment Beth over her intelligence and skills.
    • The Ricks becoming giddy over Beth mimicking their signature belch-talking.
  • In spite of what evil!Rick says it's clear enough that Rick does care about Morty from how he cries when he remembers moments he's had with him, including picking him up when he was a baby.
    • Plus, Baby Morty looks very happy to see his grandfather.
  • C-137 Rick commenting that he, being the "Rick-est Rick there is" would logically have the "Mortiest Morty". It's a backhanded thank you, but it clearly meant a lot to Morty.
  • Then Jerry bonding with Doofus Rick, and smiling when he sees him outside in The Stinger. This moment gets ruined later on.
    • Doofus Rick just is a CMOH in himself. Out of all the Ricks, he is the only one who is actually nice enough to give Jerry the time of day, spends the day with Jerry, and actually gives Jerry encouragement which Jerry returns. It reaches the point where when he has to leave, Doofus Rick is visibly saddened and Jerry actually cries. Their interactions in that episode are full of W.A.F.F.... only to be ruined by Main!Rick in The Stinger.
    • Especially the scene with Doofus Rick telling Jerry that even though the R2-D2 collector coins everyone mocked him for buying might not actually be worth anything, Jerry obviously likes them, and that's what really matters.
    • Doofus Rick's indications of being every bit as smart as the other Ricks are straight-up charming because of all the little moments where he shows he's got just as much wisdom to go with it. There's something really heartwarming about a Rick who can display his genius intelligence and be honest about Jerry's worthless coins without being a complete dick about it, to the point that it might be a Crowning Moment of Awesome for Rick-kind in general.
• After proving his innocence, the council of Ricks apologizes and offer him a voucher for a free replacement Morty. Rick tells them not to do that in front of Morty but takes the coupon behind Morty's back. It shows he at least cares enough about Morty to not want to do that in front of him.
• That Rick can recognise "his" Morty out of a whole crowd of them.

Ricksy Business

• When Rick tries to put up a Jerk with a Heart of Jerk act at the end, it's obvious from the expressions on Morty and Summer's faces that they are not fooled at all.
• Morty and Jessica bonding over Rick's stuff in the garage.
• Bird Person informs Morty that Rick's catchphrase "Wubba Lubba Dub Dub" actually means "I am in great pain, please help me". By the end of the episode, before pulling the aforementioned act, he says to Morty and Summer that he's got a new catchphrase: "I love my grandkids".
  • To be fair, about three seconds later, he says he was kidding and that his new catchphrase is "I don't give a fuck". Although, as said above, Morty and Summer don't seem fooled or dismayed at all, and they all end Season 1 dancing happily with Rick while he shouts at the audience and dances along with them.
• After hearing what Bird Person told him, Morty decides he'd rather keep going on adventures with Rick and wakes him up so he can pause time and they can clean up the house before his parents arrive. The following montage of the three of them cleaning, pulling pranks, and stealing a TV together is just adorable and it even prompts Morty to notice Rick hasn't said "Wubba Lubba Dub Dub" the whole time.

Season 2

A Rickle in Time

• In one of the many singularities when one Morty's time-stabilizing collar breaks and he falls into the endless void, that time's Rick jumps in after him and uses his own working bracelet to ensure that Morty, and by extension all the other Mortys in each singularity, will be saved, knowing he and all the other Ricks in the various singularities will be trapped there and will cease to exist as a result. His potential last words are incredibly heartwarming:
  Rick: I'm okay with this. Be good, Morty. Be better than me.
  • Not to mention that Rick gave Morty his time-stabilizing collar without a second's hesitation.
    • To add on to this, when Rick gives Morty his collar the timeline doesn't split again, meaning that Rick was absolutely certain about saving Morty's life over his own.
    • Also, when Morty admits that he dropped the collar, Rick doesn't seem pissed at all. A little worried, but not mad.
  • Even more so when you look at the whole situation. 63 Ricks and Mortys are arguing about how much they hate each other, but when the remaining Morty's life is in danger (more so than the other Mortys faced with oblivion anyway) Rick dives after to save him. And if the conditions were right, any of the other 63 Ricks would have done the same despite the bickering you see them do.
  • Plus, Rick knows he would never abandon Morty to die. The other 63 Ricks are positive Morty would be the one with the problem, meaning they're undoubtedly aware that the remaining Rick could activate his collar and save himself leaving Morty to die; however, they're completely confident that they'll both be dead. The reason why? They're absolutely certain that Rick would never save his own life over Morty's, meaning even worst case scenario Rick will try to save him until they both die rather than bail. They're likely thinking about all of this while their grandson they're certain they're sacrificing themselves for is telling them how they never want to see him again. Keeping up the argument by saying that they'll never see anything again is probably a front to accept their fate.
• After Rick unfreezes time, a neighbor named Mr. Benson falls off of his roof, hitting the ground at full force since Summer neglected to place a mattress under him as Rick had told her. He is later seen being taken into an ambulance, seemingly unconscious. At the end of the episode the camera pans out, and Mr. Benson can be seen in a wheelchair, smiling as he accepts a bouquet of flowers from his visitors.
• Jerry manages to trick the vet clinic and the hunter who tried to take the deer by having the Cold Stone employees pretend to be the Cervine Institute so Beth could continue the surgery and save the deer's life.
  • Afterwards, when they return home, Jerry pokes fun at everyone's time collars, which sends Beth into giggling fits.

Mortynight Run

• Rick teaching Morty how to drive. He even seems quite proud of Morty doing this.
• The whole reason for the Jerry Daycare is because the Ricks realized that Jerrys usually get themselves killed within minutes off of Earth. Kind of a sweet thing of them to do just to keep them safe. Heck one of the "Reasons for dropping off" is if the Earth is under siege. And instead of making it a Hellhole Prison, knowing Rick's utter dislike for Jerry, the daycare is filled with everything that Jerry actually enjoys doing. Even the Jerrys that are stuck there don't seem to be that bummed out about it.
  • And even the obvious Fridge Horror here (that the Ricks just keep Jerrys alive at any cost for the sake of their Beths) is proven untrue. Every Jerry has the privilege of leaving on their own terms, even if it gets them killed in the dangerous outside world. Surely at least one Rick could find the means to actually trap the Jerrys if they wished it, so this is presumably on purpose. It's surprisingly considerate of Rick to give Jerry a little more freedom even if it could mean inconveniencing himself.
  • Jerry encountering Beth's second husband, Morty's and Summer's stepfather, from an alternate timeline. He assures Jerry that he raises Morty fine and that there's no replacing Jerry as a father to Morty.
• Jerry mentions how this is the "Eighth to the last straw". He's actually willing to give Rick chances and tolerate his behavior.
• After saying he's out when Morty gives him the option to bail, Rick comes back not two minutes later to save Morty's life and sticks with him for the rest of the episode despite being incredibly angry over having to do so. No matter what he acts like, Rick does genuinely love Morty.
• After giving Morty shit for trying to save Fart, Rick commends Morty for sticking to his guns. Doubles as a Tear Jerker since Morty actually kills Fart, unbeknownst to Rick.
• Think about the Blipz and Chitz thing for a bit. Selling weapons to an assassin to get money to go to an arcade is reprehensible behavior, but for Rick, it's actually rather sweet - he just wanted to take his grandson to an arcade and spend a whole day there. He's super excited to introduce the place to Morty, and later two alternative versions of them that did spend a whole day there are seen giving each other fist bumps and having had a hell of a time. Rick's sarcastic "Must be nice" almost sounds a little bitter that they didn't get to do that.
  • It's even sweeter when you notice, thanks to a minor detail in the intro, that the Rick and Morty we follow through the episode are actually alternate versions of "our" Rick and Morty. The titular Rick and Morty from dimension C-137? They are the one sharing said fist-bump!
  • Rick's continuous references to the Roy game (most obviously the insults to Morty about the carpet store) really show that he was annoyed that they couldn't just hang out for the rest of the day.

Auto Erotic Assimilation

• In the beginning, Morty, Summer, and Rick are just having fun singing along to the radio in his spaceship.
• When the aliens start attacking each other, Morty and Summer immediately run and hide behind Rick, because they know he'll protect them. Aww!
• For an alien hive-mind, Unity is actually a very pleasant life form. Taking over an entire planet stopped hair-trigger race wars, turned around the lives of several citizens and even social classes like prostitutes and hobos, and it even cares enough about others that it not only doesn't assimilate guests but also saves Morty and Summer when it's purged from an entire city's worth of hosts that immediately went back to assaulting each other.
• After Unity blew up the town, Rick expressed concern for his grandkids before he thought about his drink. For Rick, that's really something.
• Seeing Rick having a good time with Unity, even if it's brief. Rick did have real feelings for it and was crushed when it dumped him.
• Rather than having a messy breakup with Rick, Unity leaves a series of letters for him and even signs the letter with "Yours and Nobody else's".
• Rick gives up his pursuit of Unity when Morty reminds him that they are supposed to be going to the movies.

Total Rickall

• The Nintendo 3DS memory. Even if it's an obvious fake, it's so very cute and heart-melting to see Rick out of all people, normally apathetic to others, so excited and full of life for each family member owning a 3DS and playing Nintendo games with each other.
• Doubles as a family-wide Crowning Moment of Awesome when Morty realizes that the mind parasites can only create good memories and that any real person would have both good and bad memories of another real person, because that's what real people have of each other, as opposed to characters from sitcoms. The entire family, save for Jerry, remembers each other's horrible memories of each other and uses that as the crux to unite together as a single family, and weed out the infiltrators.
  • Furthermore, after trying to convince the family for most of the episode that they are infested with parasites, and about to be executed for potentially being a parasite, it isn't Rick that figures out how to save the day. It's Morty. MORTY figured out something RICK couldn't. And Rick, in a roundabout way, acknowledges that fact before helping Morty to save the family and take down the parasites.
• Jerry's friendship with Sleepy Gary. Even though it ended up resulting in more pain for Butt-Monkey Jerry, for a fleeting moment it was heartwarming to see Jerry, whose regular romantic situation is a strained marriage, having a mutually intimate relationship.
  • Sleepy Gary comforting Jerry that he is real, heavily implying parasites despite wanting to conquer Earth, still fell in love in their victims.
• Beth shooting Mr. Poopy Butthole only for it to reveal that he wasn't a parasite at all is a massive Tear Jerker, but it does make just a few things Heartwarming in Hindsight. The implication is he's such a Nice Guy that Beth simply can't remember a single bad thing about him and his interactions and being on such good terms with Rick, unlike for example Pencilvester, were totally genuine.
• Rick saying to Jerry that he doesn't like his "unemployed genes" in his grandchildren. Even if it is a nasty comment, it shows Rick does care for his grandchildren and doesn't like the possibility that Jerry's loser tendencies could ruin them too.

Get Schwifty

• After Rick and Morty see what's happening on TV, they head to the Pentagon to help the government fight off the threat because Rick knows what it is and how to deal with it. For Rick, who cares so little about earth and humans, that's really something.
• Morty is brought into Bird-Person's home, and sees that the wall is filled with photos of Bird-Person's adventures with Rick. Unlike Gearhead earlier in the season, Bird-Person stresses to Morty that he has a real friendship with Rick, and tells Morty to have faith in his grandfather. The best bit of all? One of the key photos on Bird-Person's wall is of a smiling Rick holding a baby Morty in his hands◊.
• Bird-Person was willing to give Morty's family a home and jobs should they escape.
  • Related to that, Bird-Person seems rather fond of Morty (possibly due to Rick?) and sees him as a friend.
• Rick and Morty hugging each other after winning the game show.
• The fact that Tammy and Bird-Person are still in a relationship after at least six months where at first it was suggested they were just going to do a One Night Stand. Turns into a Tear Jerker by the Season Finale, though
• How worried Rick is about Morty after Morty ran off.
• The President hugging Rick and laughing "I love this man!" after Rick reveals his watch doesn't really turn people into snakes.
• Rick telling Ice T that he can't just "float around space forever, not caring". Coming from the guy who proclaimed (and was known for) not caring last season, it's a touching bit of dialogue that shows Rick's character development.
• Jerry and Beth have Summer's respect and are offered prestigious new jobs at the top of Headism, but they refuse. Summer respects them and is successful, but she's clearly not herself so they can't let things stay that way.
• Deciding to raise Summer outside of Headism gives Jerry and Beth new confidence. They declare in front of the church officials that they love and value each other and aren't just together because of their children.
• Water-T's father admitting that he loves his son with his dying breath, followed by Water-T heading off to "crunch the numbers" as a way of avenging him.
• The Cromulons, the floating heads, declare Earth their final winner and conclude their show after 988 seasons. Not only does this make Earth their final winner for what they consider to be the planets with the best talent, but it also means that no other planets will be destroyed by them, saving countless lives.

The Ricks Must Be Crazy

• Just like Auto-Erotic Assimilation, the episode opens up with Rick spending quality time with his grandkids. Where he took them to a universe that not only made a film of their favorite TV show but also to the best ice-cream of the multiverse.
• The car's final defense mechanism: it offers to use its extremely intelligent AI to write a peace agreement between the humans and the telepathic spiders, in exchange for Summer's safety. A nice change of pace after the sheer Nightmare Fuel of its previous methods.
• With the car's ability to poke fun at Summer's valley girl accent, we see the AI has its own personality in a sense, and its sense of humor wouldn't feel entirely out of place being used by Rick. One could argue the measures the car takes protecting the person inside are what Rick would tell it to do to protect him, which displays his level of sociopathic disregard for human life as he programmed it to have, but one could also argue that when given the command "Keep Summer safe" that means that everything the car does is what Rick finds perfectly acceptable if it means protecting Summer. Given that Rick has murdered in cold blood for Morty in the past, (and shoved the equivalent of a robot's testicles down their robot throat after they betrayed him), killing a man sneaking up to her alone in a car, then paralyzing a man from the waist down for further escalating the situation wouldn't be out of place. Horrifying but heartwarming. In fact, the progression between the car and Summer mimics Rick's with his grandkids, starting callous and pathological then making a greater effort to make them feel more comfortable with the solutions used to get out of difficult situations when they grow visibly distressed.

Big Trouble In Little Sanchez

• The whole reason Rick put his mind into Tiny Rick. He felt bad for insulting Summer at breakfast and wanted to help his grand-kids kill the vampire while spending time with them. He even uses his popularity to get his grand-kids noticed by their crushes. Grandfather of the year right there.
• Summer reveals that Tiny!Rick killed the vampire. When she's confronted with that, she simply screams that she loves him and it was for his own good.
• Morty beating up Tiny!Rick for insulting Summer.
• Despite his annoyance with Beth's and Jerry's marriage, Rick does take it upon himself to drop them off at marriage counseling and even picks them up.
  • As monstrous in appearance and personality as it is, "Judgmental Monster Bitch" Beth represents how strong and smart Jerry thinks his wife is. It would be a compliment to her if it wasn't so evil and vicious.
  • It's important to note that, unlike every other demonized mythologization, "Monster Bitch" Beth and "Spineless Worm" Jerry never try to hurt each other. Even at their worst they can't imagine physically harming each other.
    • Even better: those mythologues are each made from the other's perceptions. It's not that they can't imagine physically hurting each other, it's that each of them can't imagine the other would hurt them. They may be co-dependent but it implies a lot of trust on Jerry's part since a) he's apparently aware of how dangerous Beth could be, and b) he knows how much she idolizes Rick. Beth might think Jerry is too weak to be physically aggressive with her, but the fact that the Beth-mythologue doesn't even think of harming the Jerry-mythologue is almost certainly a reflection of Jerry's trust.
    • The therapist notes that they are co-dependent on one another. As crazy as they make each other (and everyone else around them) they really can't function without each other.
  • Beth and Jerry deciding to stick it out with their marriage until Morty finishes high school, and maybe even beyond that.
• A freed Rick calling out on Morty for not being the one to figure out the issue of Tiny Rick. It's easy to miss, but he is indirectly complimenting Summer for saving the day.
  • Even so, he does forgive them for that.

Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate

• Everyone, including Rick, getting horrified at Jerry (Jerry's laser-riddled murder was pretty gruesome in itself) being brutally gunned down. This is probably one of the few displays of concern Rick ever had for his son-in-law.
  • And everyone being relieved when Jerry wakes up in his hospital bed safe and sound.

Look Who's Purging Now

• Rick and Morty just cruising along in space for no other reason than to just have a good time together.
• It looks like Rick and Morty are going to get revenge on Arthricia for stealing their spacecraft. But instead of killing her like Morty's bloodlust commands them to, Rick hears her out, and helps her take out the aristocrats who have been orchestrating the purge Hunger Games-style. That's an amazing bit of empathy from a guy who claims to not care about anything.
• Rick lying about the candy bar causing increased aggression to make Morty feel better.

The Wedding Squanchers

• Rick triggers the messaging creature to capture Jerry and take him to Bird Person's wedding in order to give himself an excuse to attend without admitting he wants to be there for his best friend. He only attends whilst appearing to be kicking and screaming but he makes sure he'll be dragged there.
• Rick gives a legitimately heartwarming speech about how happy he is for Bird Person and Tammy, and seeks to open himself up to others to maybe have some happiness back in his life. Unfortunately, it all goes south immediately after.
• Rick calling Beth 'sweety'. It sounds minuscule, but remember this is Rick we're talking about. And he's still dealing with one of the worst events he's ever seen dealt with (not to mention stressed and terrified in the immediate situation). And yet he still indulges in that small kindness. It shows Rick's great love for his daughter, one of the only humans he shows respect for.
• Morty implies that the reason he and Summer tolerate Rick so much is so that he'll stick around for their mother's sake.
• Morty, Summer, and Beth revealing that they all love Rick, and are willing to live a life on the run forever if it means being together with him. When questioned about if they really would be OK with this by Jerry, they reply "Yes" without a second's hesitation.
  • Morty's response is especially heartwarming because Jerry asks his family the same question that Morty asked Bird Person in "Get Schwifty" (namely, why should they do for Rick when he would never do anything nice for anybody else?). It shows Character Development for Morty and Rick when he proves Jerry wrong.
• Jerry was expressing concern for destroying his children's futures and for hurting Beth by spending a life on the lam with Rick.
• Rick turns himself into a Galactic Federation prison so his family can live a normal life on Earth. Despite how much he tries not to care about others, he will truly put his friends and family above all else.
  • Further, rather than simply turn himself in, he calls in a tip to the Federation in Jerry's name, in order to secure a deal for his family.
• Before he leaves, Rick takes the time to say bye to Morty.
• Morty telling Rick he shouldn't say "Fuck you" to his own granddaughter (Summer).
• The fact that the Federal Alliance keeps their word and allows the Smith family to return to Earth with no problems.
• After being unemployed for over a season, Jerry finally got a job.
• The Stinger in which Mr. Poopy Butthole returns. While he's still suffering from the injury of his previous appearance, he seems to be well on the road to becoming his old chirpy self again.

Season 3

The Rickshank Redemption

• While he says it during a manic taunting rant, Rick declares that while he and Morty will still go on adventures and Summer will sometimes join them now Beth will also join them now that she and Jerry are getting a divorce. It's nice that Rick is going to include Beth in the fun (well, his definition of fun, anyway).
• The entire reason Morty tries to convince Summer to let go of Rick is because he admits he cares about her, even though she is not the Summer from his original universe, even choosing to protect her over the original version when he brings her to said original universe to show how destructive Rick can really be.
  • The same goes for Rick, he admits (or doesn't dismiss the idea) that he loves Summer despite there are infinite number of alternate versions of her by saving her from the Council of Ricks.
  • The extent to which Morty cares about and loves Summer in this episode is really sweet; even though she's not his "original" Summer, she's still his sister, and even though a lot of it was because he was overwhelmed by everyone yelling at him and Rick berating him, once again, he's willing to shoot Rick in the head, seemingly killing him just to protect her in a standoff.
  • And similarly, Summer's Big Sister Instinct for Morty. She tells the Council of Ricks that they can do whatever they want to her, but Morty is to be left unharmed. It doesn't work because the siblings are dealing with a bunch of Ricks (minus the heart of gold that their Rick has), but it's sweet to see Summer defending her brother.
  • While Morty not seeing the note on the fake gun Rick gave him to "shoot" him is a jab at Morty's intellect, it also suggests that Rick gave Morty a way out for being so easily deceived.
• Just how deep Summer's love for and faith in Rick. She is the only person who never bashes Rick leaving the family and spearheads the effort to rescue him.
• YMMV on this one, but the fact that Tammy resurrected Bird Person. Sure, he seems to be on her side now and most likely an evil cyborg, but she still chose to bring him back to life rather than build a robot or something.
• It's subtle, but when Rick's about to destroy the Galactic Federation, his grandchildren have two ideas: Summer suggests that he'll set all their nukes to target each other. Morty suggests reprogramming all their military portals to disintegrate their entire space fleet. Apparently, Rick appreciated the Hoist by Their Own Petard nature of these plans, putting his hands on Morty and Summer's shoulders saying (without a hint of sarcasm) "Good pitches, kids. I'm almost proud."
• Rick shares a hug with Beth upon returning home and promises his daughter he'll never leave her again.
• Even though Summer, Beth, and Jerry from Morty's original universe were left behind in the Cronenberged universe, they survive and have each other, and seem perfectly content with their lives. In particular, Jerry has finally gained confidence and masculinity, and both he and Beth are deeply in love.

Rickmancing The Stone

• Summer going to visit Jerry, giving him a souvenir, and a well-deserved hug.
  • Even though it's played as a joke, Summer making idle chitchat with Jerry about the hookers around his motel. She cares enough about him to actually have a conversation with him.
• Morty bonding with Armothy.
• Also Morty's concern for Summer throughout the episode, worrying about how the divorce is affecting her.
• Rick calling Summer "Summ-Summ."
• Despite being the cause of Beth's divorce with Jerry, (which is the root of her unhappiness in this episode), Rick is uncharacteristically gentle and concerned around Beth, referring to her with affectionate terms like "sweetie" and taking steps to try and help her adjust to life without Jerry. Remember that this is Rick, who is normally an unrepentant jackass even to his own grandchildren who doesn't coddle ANYBODY, but he never once is rude or nasty to Beth. He may be partially faking it, especially as it's partially his fault and it's to his benefit if she gets over Jerry, but some of it is no doubt genuine.
• While a small throwaway gag, robot Morty exclaiming he wants to REALLY experience things, due to growing past his pre-programmed existence, and how he deeply loves his mother. Doubles as a tear-jerker when his pleas to be alive are overridden, and he is destroyed.

Pickle Rick

• Even though it comes on the heels of a grueling "The Reason You Suck" Speech delivered by Dr. Wong at Rick and Beth, and the both of them seem trying to ignore the incredibly valid flaws she pointed out in both of them, it is kinda nice seeing Rick asking Beth if she'd like to drop off the kids and get a drink alone. It's the first time Rick's shown wanting to actually spend time with his daughter, and Beth is clearly excited about it. Maybe either Dr. Wong's speech or Jaguar advising Rick to tell his daughter he loves her had some effect on Rick after all.
  • Rick also apologizes to Beth for lying to her in the first place.
• Rick going out of his way to help Jaguar escape and attempt help save his daughter. Keep in mind that this didn't concern Rick at all and he could have easily just killed Jaguar and leave.
• Bit of Fridge Logic but Jaguar showing up to save Rick and Morty from Concerto in The Stinger, in a world that is very much not Earth, implies Jaguar may have found a way to cross timelines after all. Which means he may be able to find one where his daughter's still alive.

Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender

• The reason this whole adventure even happened was that Morty invoked his "Morty gets to choose every 10th adventure" card. Rick is reluctant, but the fact that he even does this for his grandson is an adorable gimmick for a grandfather to use, especially for someone like Rick.
• Despite his contempt for almost all of the Vindicators, Rick says he likes Noob-Noob the most and even sounded a bit disappointed that he wasn't coming on the mission with the rest. Though subverted later at the party, where Rick seems to have forgotten who Noob Noob is.
• When facing the final puzzle challenge, Rick posits that the solution to the question of what the Vindicators have that he doesn't is Morty himself, since he must have been subconsciously jealous of Morty's admiration of them and fear that Morty would abandon him for the Vindicators.
• In a very easily missed moment, when one of the Vindicators is yelling at Morty, Rick stands by looking unimpressed... until the Vindicator directly insults Morty by referring to him as "that learning disabled kid we do photo-ops with", at which point Rick scowls.

The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy

• The fact Rick actually took Jerry on an adventure because Morty asked him to. It shows he cares enough about Morty and doesn't entirely hate Jerry since he was willing to do so. Even admitting that Jerry should catch a break for once.
  "Jeez, you really do need a win."
  • And, though the location of the episode - a place where nobody can die - is kind of screwed up, it was for the best that Rick took Jerry there. He went somewhere that he was sure someone Morty cared about wouldn't get hurt. Considering what happened in Return of Worldender, this means a lot.
• Seeing Rick and Jerry bonding with each other.
• Rick actually apologizing to Jerry for helping cause the divorce between Beth and Jerry. This is Rick actually apologizing and to Jerry of all people.
• Rick reading Jerry the riot act for 'ruining Beth's life'. In a family that is canonically uncomfortable with declaring love and pride in each other, with Rick as the source of that discomfort, hearing him furiously declare that Beth was his daughter and indirectly praising her intelligence by saying that she "had options" is pretty sweet. It's more than just disgust at Jerry, though there's plenty of that. It's personal outrage and righteous indignation at the man Rick, likely rightfully, thinks ruined his daughter's chances at a better life. While Rick is hardly blameless in his daughter's dysfunction, it's still oddly sweet.
  • There's also a strong undercurrent of Tough Love to his dressing down, by telling Jerry a blunt and painful truth about himself that he didn't want to hear, but most definitely needed to hear. Rick sees him as unworthy of marrying Beth because of his weakness and self-pity, no question, but he also makes the implicit point that these are flaws Jerry is capable of fixing. The best part is that Jerry gets that, and in the end, he pledges to do better from then on.
    • Also, despite Rick laying into Jerry about "shooting 20ccs of liquid dream killer into my daughter", he's never said anything like that about Summer herself. We know that she partly feels like she's the reason her parents are unhappily married, but Rick has never blamed her for the situation or implied things would be better without her. He may be a dick to Summer sometimes, but she's still his granddaughter and he loves her, he's just not happy about how she came to be conceived or that she has Jerry's genes.
  • Rick, despite his feelings toward Jerry, helps him get out of the monster while dressing him down. There's this quote that Dr. Wong, the therapist, brought up when she talked to Rick two episodes ago:
    Dr. Wong: The thing about repairing, maintaining, and cleaning is, it's not an adventure. It's just... work. Some people are ok going to work... while some people would... rather die. Each of us gets to choose.
    • It's made clear that Rick is angry with Jerry, but ultimately decides to helps him, putting in the work and heeding his therapist's advice.
      Jerry: I knew you wouldn't let me die!
      Rick: That was never an option.
• In the end, Rick and Jerry both come to an agreement to keep their ugly moments to themselves, and invited to come in, Jerry, seemingly learning from Rick's speech, decides not to latch onto everyone's sympathy, leading Rick to give a small impressed grin (even if he quickly locks the doors when Jerry seems to regress).
• Beth turning herself into a giant, inside-out monster to help Summer feel better. The girl Ethan dumped Summer for is so touched by this that she ditches him on the spot to go call her mom.
  • It's a bit hard to notice, but by paying attention, it's possible to understand that Beth says to Summer "You're beautiful" before they hug.
• While Morty and Summer don't have the best sibling relationship, Morty in this episode is wholly protective and supportive of her.
  • The first time he appears in this episode has him left wondering what happened to Summer after she runs away from Beth. Morty shows concern for his sister's well being.
  • In a joke that's meant to be a bit of a Squick moment due to the subject matter, regardless, Morty discussing that he would say yes if his daughter asks him if she's attractive is this.
    Beth: I'm sorry I'm not a classic, maternal archetype, okay?! I don't know what to do when you people... come to me with your weird... puberty issues! What are YOU gonna do when your daughter asks you if she's attractive?!
    Morty: I'll say yes!
  • Morty using the machine to disfigure Ethan after Ethan made Summer feel insecure about her body. He even refers to Rick as his grandpa for once.
• Beth actually being a good mother and spending time with her children. We hardly ever see her spend any time with them, let alone be a good mother to them.

Rest and Ricklaxation

• What kicks off the episode? Rick treating himself and Morty to a day spa vacation after a particularly harrowing adventure.
• Healthy Rick telling Healthy Morty he's proud to be his grandfather, and the latter responding that he loves Rick.
• Before the implications of Healthy Morty's nature, he's a positive influence on his classmates: he's inspired one to learn the trombone, inspires another to find her self-esteem, and a bully understands he's not alone in his suffering.
• The first few seconds of Toxic Rick's appearance tells you two things: one, he's an asshole, and two, Morty is extremely important to him. The first thing he does on gaining consciousness is to call out to and find Morty, and includes him in his initial brag as if they were one and the same.
  Toxic Rick: It takes more than that to kill Rick and Morty, motherfucker!
• For a certain degree of heartwarming, considering that the 'healthy' versions of them aren't without flaws: Rick's idea of non-toxicity is essentially behaving like Morty on a good day, and vice versa.
• Both Toxic Rick and Healthy Rick almost immediately stop fighting as soon as Beth enters the room. It seems regardless of their state, both sides still care about her.
• Admit it. You were also happy the moment you saw Morty finally on a date with Jessica.
• Toxic Rick gets a moment when Healthy Rick shoots Toxic Morty:
  Toxic Rick: Morty, not that I give a shit, but are you okay?
  Toxic Morty: Jesus Christ, it hurts!
  Toxic Rick: Quit your bitching, you're gonna be fine! Grandpa's here.
  • Together with this, we now have definite proof that Rick does care for his grandson (even if he considers said care an "irrational attachment.")
• Even after Rick gets himself back to normal, he still thinks for a bit about himself from Toxic Rick's behavior.
  "Man, I really overthink shit when I'm angry."
• It's mentioned off-handedly, but after Healthy!Morty ran off to start a new life, Rick was so upset he kept drunk dialing Jessica about it.
• Morty taking the time to address the woman Healthy!Morty was in a relationship with, figuring he owes her an explanation. Turns out she and Healthy!Morty were pretty open with each other and she's still willing to be with him. Morty declines, since he's not the same person he was, but tells her to keep their apartment.
• Jessica's line to Morty at the end, indicating they've possible struck up a friendship at least:
  Jessica: Morty... it's good to have you back.

The Ricklantis Mixup

• Although the audience never gets to see it, the titular adventure actually goes very well for both Rick and Morty, a stark contrast to most of their adventures where one or both of them suffer.
  • And to add to that, there is none of the strain or conflict in their relationship that has become more prevalent in more recent episodes, harkening back to their earliest episodes.
• Cop Rick is one of the nicer Ricks who actually tries to do the right thing and even turns himself in when he violates various codes. It just goes to show that there are decent Ricks out there besides Doofus Rick.
  • Cop Rick is also noticeably protective of Mortys in general, even Cop Morty, despite obviously disagreeing with his assigned partner most of the time. He pushes Cop Morty out of the way when portal fluid gets flung at them, he's visibly horrified at the conditions the stray Mortys are living in at Morty Town, and he disapproves of violent measures (like tasing or shooting) being used against Mortys unnecessarily. He even tries to be gentle and patient with a seemingly abandoned and terrified Morty, telling him it's OK and carrying him out of the danger zone, and he's visibly upset when that Morty tries to kill him and he has to fight back. Possibly the most intentionally mean thing he does to any Morty is to tell one off for 'bad math' at the Creepy Morty.
• Cop Morty, despite being corrupt and possibly having had his previous partner murdered, actually stands up for Cop Rick and keeps him from being killed by Big Morty and his thugs.
• Factory Rick sending the brainwashed Simple Rick "to a better place". Yes, he was possibly using him as a guinea pig and the better place turned out to be the Blender Dimension, but he clearly felt sympathy for him.
• ...And on a related and somewhat twisted note, Simple Rick's memories. Here's the Rick who prioritized his daughter over science and his own genius, a Rick in a million.
• Slow Rick, a.k.a. Tall Morty, a developmentally disabled Rick kept in Morty class. Teacher Rick is surprisingly polite to him despite how Ricks usually treats those dumber than themselves.
  Teacher Rick: Yes Slow Ri— I mean, "Tall Morty"?
  Slow Rick: Di-did I gradgitatate this time, yet?
  Teacher Rick: Anything's possible, Tall Morty.
• Even though the ending is a The Bad Guy Wins case with the fact that the Morty that won the presidency is actually the Evil Morty from "Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind", the fact that various alternate Ricks are seen carrying banners that say "I'm proud of my grandson" and the Mortys seem pretty optimistic is genuinely sweet to see. Not to mention Evil Morty actually living up to his promises by making things very fair for all Mortys and even Ricks even if it might be just an illusion.
• At the beginning of the special intro, a Rick can be seen carrying a Morty on his shoulders.
• The True Companionship of the four Mortys from the school. They're all very open and comfortable with each other, never have a real fight and Specs offers genuine comfort to Slick when he's upset. Despite what happens to Slick, it's actually quite sweet to see that Lizard Morty, Specs Morty and Fat Morty are still together and seem relatively happy collecting mega fruit, especially since they wanted to make their last day of school count.

Morty's Mind Blowers

• While entirely misguided and resulting in an innocent man committing suicide, it is still kind of sweet to see Principal Vagina defending Morty and attacking Mr. Lunis when he believes he's a pedophile.
• In one of his mind blowers, Morty is ready to kill an alien because said alien nearly killed Jessica.
• When Beth immediately chooses Summer over Morty, the former gives the latter a sympathetic look that shows she isn't pleased with what Beth did either.
• Rick was quite kind for taking Jerry's worst memories, letting him forget about Sleepy Gary and his "best day ever" (which was a bad simulation) and how he was responsible for Gobo's death.
• When Morty has his freakout over true level and begins crying Rick holds him gently and strokes his head, telling Summer to go on without them and that he'll make sure Morty is okay before quietly reassuring Morty everything will be alright.
• When Rick and Morty are approached by what Rick thinks is an evil warlord, Rick immediately tells Morty to get behind him.

The ABC's of Beth

• Rick and Beth help reunite Tommy (actually his clone) with his parents and prevent his father from facing execution for his disappearance.
• Rick, in his own way, helping Beth deal with her identity crisis, namely her reawakened sociopathic tendencies. He offers the choice between making a clone Beth in her place while she lets her instincts loose for a while or simply sticking with the life she already has.
• Kiara's telepathy reveals that Jerry genuinely loves his kids.
• Jerry owning up to his desire to break up with Kiara to save Summer. His willingness to die in place of his kids (albeit who he imperiled in the first place ala Rick) actually causes them to look worried for him when he's not looking and they forgive him enough to help walk him back to his apartment.
• While he claims it was to keep others safe from her, the sheer amount of detail and effort Rick put into ensuring Froopyland was safe and would keep Beth entertained is still quite sweet.
  • From the same scene, the fact that Beth is horrified when Rick seemingly throws himself off a cliff, even though she was calling him out at the time.
• Despite how inappropriate they were, the fact that Rick actually made Beth all the contraptions she asked him for when she was a child, even going as far as making them as similar to children's toys for her benefit.
  • In the same root, the fact that after over twenty years, cutting off all ties with his family and abandoning at least two universes, Rick still kept all the things he made for Beth.
• Rick saying over Jerry's answering machine that he killed Kiara's ex after he told Jerry he was coming to kill him. A small moment, but it's still nice to know that Rick is willing to protect his family.
  Rick: Looking out for ya, buddy.
  • On that same note, Kiara showing that she still cares Jerry by telling him to ignore any of her ex's calls.
• When Beth complains that Rick is bailing on their adventure he states it wasn't an adventure as it needs several things (something to benefit him, entertaining). The last thing he mentions is Morty.
• Rick mentioning a reason for offering to help Beth having to do with her mother, indicating some feelings he may still have for her.
• There's something really sweet about the Ambiguous Situation at the ending. Either option has heartwarming connotations to the family and implications that it might be getting healthier.
  Beth: I don't know if I can do it...
  Rick: Then stay, and luxuriate in the life you can finally know you've chosen. My secret bonus is that no matter what you choose, you finally gonna chill the fuck out.
  • If Beth took the clone, then she has been finally freed from a life she was thrown into against her will when she got accidentally pregnant. She gets to explore and have adventures and life to her full potential of her father's likeness. The clone will be a better mom than her, as she bemoaned about lack of maternal instincts and developing into an Abusive Parent, meaning Morty and Summer will have a better mother.
  • If Beth stayed, then it might mean she will grow into the role of mother and as a person, as she rejects the natural toxicity of her father that is within her and sticks to her family, with her actions in the end meaning that she is ready to be the mom Morty and Summer need her to be and also that she has achieved (or at least is attempting to achieve) peace with herself and who she is now.
    • Incidentally, when Beth asks why Rick would do this for her, Rick gives several answers, but one of them is, "Maybe I love you". This is the first time we've heard Rick say that he loves Beth out loud - perhaps Jaguar's words that he should tell his daughter that he loves her stuck with him, especially since Jaguar will never be able to do the same.
• After Rick travels to a dimension where the pizzeria is still open,
  Beth: "What would we do without you? I love you, dad."
  Rick: "Love you too, sweetie."

The Rickchurian Mortydate

• Rick and Morty are tasked with exterminating an alien creature that has infested the secret Kennedy Sex Tunnels under the White House. They get bored with the adventure almost immediately and instead agree to go home. They then end up having fun playing Minecraft together, which Rick was mocking earlier but begins to enjoy.
  Morty: You like it now?
  Rick: Gotta be honest, Morty. It's growing on me.
  (...)
  Rick: Is this game popular with autistic people?
  Morty: [suspiciously] Why would you say something like that?
  Rick: Cause I'm starting to love it!
  • When they get into a spat with the President Rick looks very proud and amused when Morty is laying into him, chuckling loudly at a couple of quips Morty makes (such as the "Commander-in-Queef" comment, and smirking while Morty sarcastically says how important peace summits are and yells at the President that he sucks). Even if it signifies Morty's growing darkness and Rick's influence, it's still sweet.
    POTUS: Oh, please, Morty. You pay as many taxes as you have pubes.
    Morty: Oh, I got pubes, Commander-in-Queef. [gestures to his crotch] You wanna count 'em?
    Rick: [chortling] Commander-in-Queef!
• After they end up screwing with the President to make a point about how he has no authority over them because they are so much more competent than him, Rick refuses to leave the Oval Office until the President takes a selfie with Morty, which he brushed off earlier. They get into a fight involving brainwashed ninja-children, satellite lasers, bubble shields, missile launches, and invisi-troopers over it, all because Rick was trying to get Morty what he wanted earlier (and even after he later said that he didn't actually care that much about the selfie anymore).
• Jerry helping Beth make peace with the possibility that she might be a clone by reminiscing over a date they had nearly two decades ago. While Beth admits that she hated that memory, it makes her realize how lucky she was to be with simple and honest Jerry. It's that moment that brings the two back together.
  • This line:
    Beth: This isn't the woman you married, Jerry, because this woman loves you.
• After making an enemy out of the President of the USA, Rick implies he wants to leave the universe and find another alternative Earth. Morty refuses to go with him, Summer encourages Rick to stay, and Beth stands up to her father by refusing to let him destroy their newly reformed, slightly less dysfunctional family. At first, it seems like Rick left, and was replaced by the polite Flyfishing Rick, who offers to help the President whenever needed. Then said Rick portals to the family and it's revealed that Rick put on a Paper-Thin Disguise to fix the problem, and decided to stay after all.
  • Summer manages to convince Rick to say by showing him her ability to fart on cue like Rick can. Especially considering how in the first season, she called him out on that.
    • There's also something about how the President is still willing to cooperate with another Rick in spite of everything that just happened.
      Flyfishing Rick: (offering his hand) Friends?
      The President: (deciding to shake his hand) Sounds good to me.
• After Beth's speech when she thinks Rick showed up with a rifle to kill her, he drops it and makes it clear that he wouldn't kill her because she is his daughter. He was going to kill Jerry but ends up conceding defeat.
• In general, the finale is actually pretty uplifting if you ignore the fact all of Rick's plans this season fell apart. The family is back together, and by the looks of it, they seem to be stronger. The fact that each of them had a decent amount of Character Development this season really helped them get their shit in order.
  • The Character Development is particularly poignant for Morty, who finally managed to grow a proper spine. Not only that, Morty also manages to outsmart Rick for a moment and force him to confront his family under his nose.
  • There's also some positive development for Rick, who might be finally shedding the suicidal thirst for adventure that Dr. Wong warned him about.
• The Stinger shows Mr. Poopybutthole fully recovered from last season and now married with a child.
  • Also hanging on the wall of Mr. Poopybutthole's apartment, is a family photo collage that includes pictures of the main cast, including Beth, showing that he still cares for them even after getting shot by her.
• Jerry is finally given some respect by the end, with Morty and Summer taking his side over Rick and with Beth actually standing up for him when Rick insults him.
• That the family did want Rick to stay after everything that had happened. Summer manages to encourage this by showing him her ability to fart on command like he can.

Season 4

Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat

• A quick moment, but when Rick sees that the crystal poachers are about to shoot them, he quickly pushes Morty to the ground and shields him with his body before pulling him behind a rock to safety.
• Rick comes out as a wasp, tired and ready to say anything if it means he gets to go home. Luckily, Wasp!Rick is quite hospitable to C-137, realizing the dude has had a bad day and inviting him to a family dinner. Said dinner goes straight into Black Comedy, but still, after all of the bad dimensions he ended up in, it's nice that Rick gets a break.
  Wasp!Rick:We eat our prey alive, and when we don’t, we lay our eggs in their eyeballs so that our young can feast on their brains when they hatch. When you’re born that big an asshole, the least you can do is have a little empathy."
  • Wasp Rick asks if he can take Wasp Morty with him to help Rick C-137, but when Wasp Beth finds out that her son hasn't finished his homework yet, she gently refuses, and Wasp Rick is just fine with this. This leads Main Rick to realize that he doesn't have it so bad after all.
  • Rick's efforts to return home to his family. Sure, part of it is probably because he doesn't want to live in fascist dimensions and/or non-human bodies, but he also admits to Wasp Rick that he'll say or even think whatever he needs to in order to return to the dimension he came from. Seeing how annoyed he was the beginning of the episode with the new status quo where he isn't the top dog anymore, he could have just taken the opportunity to move to another dimension where he still dominates, but just like at the end of Season 3, he chooses to go back to the family he already has, and this time doesn't even seem to consider ditching them for another reality. For all his bitching about them, Rick clearly does genuinely want to be a part of their family.
• Rick's death and entire struggle to get home in this episode is pretty much all Morty's fault, so it would make sense if he's furious with him. Surprisingly, though, Rick doesn't seem to get mad at Morty at all, just saving him from the ferrofluid plant and removing the death crystal from his head, then gently calming him down and comforting him like a parent who's more just relieved than anything else that their child is safe after making a stupid and dangerous decision.
  Rick: (soothingly, while patting Morty on the head) Shh, quiet, idiot, quiet. It's gonna be all right. You don't get to know how you're gonna die. It's over.
• Beth's genuine care for Morty in this episode. When Rick tries to just drag him off on another adventure like he usually does, she insists that Rick ask Morty to accompany him, and Morty later notes that she now wants to make sure Morty is okay with his adventures with Rick. At the end, she asks Morty if he's okay (since she and Jerry saw his rampage on TV) and hugs him tight, telling Rick that the adventures can't continue if they're going to put Morty in danger and only relenting once Morty himself sticks up for Rick. After how horribly Beth treated her son for much of the previous season, it's nice to see that she really is sticking to her resolution at the end of the third season to be a better mom and do what's best for her whole family.
• In Rick's previous "100 years Rick and Morty" rants in Season 1 and Season 3, he was standing over Morty and yelling nonsensically while Morty just stared at him in freaked-out confusion and asked what he was talking about. This time, though, Morty eagerly joins in and he and Rick are ranting together excitedly about the fun adventures they're going to have. Sure, it quickly takes a mean turn once they both start yelling at Summer, but after such a long time of poor Morty being dragged into traumatizing adventures mostly against his will, it's nice to see him looking forward to the future and the things he and Rick will do together.
• Jessica reveals that her career goal for the future is to become a hospice care worker and comfort dying, lonely old people who don't have anyone else. While hearing this pisses Morty off since it means all his actions were for nothing, it nonetheless reaffirms that Jessica is a Nice Girl who cares about helping people.

The Old Man And the Seat

• Depending on how you look at it, Jerry's fantasy is simply having a successful job.
  • Not just having a successful job; the fantasy was the old woman thanking Jerry. He just wants to feel valued.
• No matter how hard he tries, Rick just can't bring himself to kill Tony.
• The fact that Tony actually saw Rick as a friend, and Rick cared about him enough to comfort his grieving father after Tony's eventual death.

One Crew Over the Crewcoo's Morty

• We get another example of Beth being a good mother. When Rick outright states his intent to get Morty to abandon his attempt at turning his screenplay into a movie, Beth stops Rick in his tracks, saying that if Morty ever gives up on his dreams, it must be by his own choice. While this only causes Rick to manipulate Morty into giving up on his heist movie through an extremely exaggerated heist adventure, it does show that Beth is no longer letting Rick freely get away with his antics, with Rick, rather reluctantly, complying.

Claw and Hoarder: Special Ricktim's Morty

• While the scene in question is rather disturbing, Rick is so disturbed by whatever he saw in the talking cat's brain scan that he warns Jerry NOT to look at it. Then after Jerry ignores this warning and becomes so traumatized to the point of tears, Rick pulls out the Mind-Blower gun and erases his memory of it. He may not like Jerry, but apparently, this vision was so terrible that he genuinely didn't want Jerry to suffer from seeing it. And for Rick, that's pretty telling.
  • Rick didn’t even swear or call Jerry an idiot or anything. He actually looks concerned over his well being in this instance. Also, Rick bit the bullet - probably one of many bullets he has bitten in the past - to wipe Jerry’s memory so he can keep living his life in blissful ignorance.
  • The fact that Jerry wanted to keep his memories to acknowledge the horrors they discovered, with Rick audibly respecting this gesture before wiping him.
  Jerry: Someone has to remember.
  Rick: Someone will...

Rattlestar Ricklactica

• Almost as a perfect follow-up to the previous episode, Rick once again shows an uncharacteristic want to help Jerry out of a bind, even if Jerry doesn't necessarily want to rely on Rick, just about from start to end.
  • First, by making Jerry's atomic matrix slightly lighter than air to make sure he didn't break his neck upon falling off the ladder trying to hang up Christmas lights. Even still, he was even offering to automate the process, if only so he could bring Morty along for a ride.
    • In a Freeze-Frame Bonus, Rick quickly grabs Jerry's foot before counterbalancing his feet.
  • Second, upon realizing that Jerry can indeed fuck up wearing shoes, he brings Beth along to try and find the now-airborne Jerry. Upon realizing he's trying to save face, Rick freezes Beth in time and attempts to (unsuccessfully) bid Jerry back. When Jerry makes it clear that he intends to stave the course for himself, Rick simply creates a clone of Jerry and has it tell Beth that everything's fine.
    Beth: Huh, sounds like he's fine.
    Rick: Yeah, I'm almost kinda rootin' for him this time.
  • Finally, even after Jerry's managed to undermine his own victory by breaking his leg at the end, Rick still fixes his leg up partway. Even with a cynical aside of how lame Jerry is, it's leagues beyond what he would have done for Jerry in earlier seasons.
    Rick: The rest is on you, big man.
• Rick reminding Morty to go to the bathroom is reminiscent of a parent reminding their kid before a long roadtrip... which is, oddly, what they are 'kinda' doing.
  • And the fact that Rick has a can in his ship for when Morty ignores him, showing that this has happened before.
• Though what really happened to Jerry is hidden from her, Beth's concern over her husband is surprisingly genuine.
  Beth: Jerry! I was worried about you.
• Slippy is the only innocent party in the whole episode. She's a pet store constrictor that Morty buys to send into space, and undergoes a traumatizing experience by being sent to a planet where none of the specimens understand her and she's confined in a Gilded Cage with a plate of meat. Finally, the snakes get a professor who can translate, and he starts talking to her. There are no subtitles, but she softens up on having the first kind face hissing with sympathy. Slippy explains that a human boy kidnapped her and sent her into space, before wrapping her tail around the professor. They start making passionate love. Her last scene is going Mama Bear to protect her hybrid babies before the time cops interfere.

Never Ricking Morty

• When the Tickets Please Guy overpowers Rick, Morty immediately tries to defend him, only to get beaten up, held in a chokehold, and used as a Human Shield for his trouble. Rick, for his part, never takes the risk of trying to shoot around Morty to get to the Tickets Guy and potentially hitting him (or shooting through him), eventually just shooting the window so the Continuous Decompression will suck the Tickets Guy out.
• When the air on Morty's tank runs out and he starts to asphyxiate, Rick immediately gives Morty the hose to his own air supply and almost suffocates instead, putting his faith in Morty to tell a good enough story to save him.
• Rick allowing Morty to put the Tickets Please Guy out of his misery, especially because he saw how upset Morty was about it.
  Rick: Happy now?
  Morty: He was suffering.
• A minor example, but it still counts: Morty's Bechdel test story stars his mom and his sister defeating a horde of scorpions. While the details leave much to be desired and fall more into Funny Moments, the fact still remains that Morty, when needing to come up with a story involving independent women, thought about his two family members (rather than his crush, Jessica) in a story that had them kicking ass. It's pretty clear that, despite not always getting along with them, he admires their strength on some level.
  • When their air begins to run out, Rick gives Morty his remaining oxygen and trusts Morty to tell the story to save them both.
• Again crossing over with Funny: at the end of the episode, Rick actually sincerely appreciates the train Morty bought him, and tells him so. His (possibly-drunken) rant praising Morty for engaging in consumerism, and then asking him to give him a kiss, clearly confuses Morty and weirds him out, but he still does give him one (on the forehead), and Rick genuinely thanks him for it, tells him he loves him, and calls him his "little buddy". Doesn't stop him from complaining a few minutes later when the train breaks, but it's still unusually affectionate behavior for Rick.

Promortyus

• Rick and Morty sharing a genuine bonding moment while blowing up the facehugger civilization.
  Rick: God, I needed this. Honestly, it's been a while since I've been able to just let loose, y'know? Just...have fun. I'm-I'm-I'm sorry if I've been taking it out on you.
  Morty: No, I get it, you got a lot on your plate, amigo. I j-just wish you'd open up to me more about it sometimes, y-y'know, I-I'm your partner.
  Rick: (sincerely) Thanks, Morty, I mean that, thank you. Sometimes I get a little in my head, y'know?
  Morty: Hey, man, that head's a good place to be! Just, remember to let me in sometimes, y'know?
  Rick: Will do, buddy.
• Rick and Morty agreeing not to 9/11 the aliens, showing that Everyone Has Standards. Veers into Funny, though, when they decide that doing a Pearl Harbor on them is still in-bounds.
• A mild example, but Rick doesn't mock Jerry for his beekeeping hobby. Sure, he does just completely ignore him talking about it and no doubt considers it lame, but this is also prime fuel for Rick to mercilessly mock Jerry, and he doesn't take it, possibly due to being in a good mood after his latest adventure.
• Beth asking if Summer enjoyed the adventure, which quickly takes a turn for the hilarious when Rick and Morty realize they completely forgot that she came with them.
  • Once they do, the two of them immediately go back for her, and even begin cutting through swathes of the facehuggers to reach her.
  • When they find her, Rick calls her by his Affectionate Nickname for her, "Summ-Summ".
• Bruce and Steve (the parasites controlling Rick and Morty respectively) declaring their love for each other and deciding to run away together (though it's lessened by the fact that it's a Foregone Conclusion that they'll be killed by R&M before they get the chance to do so). Overlaps with Cringe Comedy once they start making out, though, considering who their hosts are.
  • Summer turning serious and tells Steve to give her brother back.
• Rick's reaction when he and Morty believe they are going to die. He apologizes to Morty and holds his hand so they can die together, and when Beth comes in, he is more concerned with Morty and Beth than with himself.
• As Squick-y as it might be, Summer's friend Tricia admits she's attracted to Jerry after seeing him take up bee-keeping. Probably the first time Jerry's ever had that kind of attention just by being himself.

The Vat Of Acid Episode

• Though it's unfortunately all undone by Jerry's usual incompetence, Morty's relationship with his girlfriend while it lasts definitely has quite a few moments of this:
  • First, just the fact that Morty, who is usually so awkward around girls, manages to win over his girlfriend just by being himself. Furthermore, despite them having rocky periods, it's still a surprisingly functional and overall normal and happy relationship. All of which is another indication that Morty actually is more capable of having luck with women than he or others give him credit for.
  • After the two of them break up, they're clearly shown to be miserable apart, and Morty makes up with her by surprising her with plane tickets for the two of them to go on a trip together.
  • Each of them meets the other's parents, and Morty's whole family seems to get along well with her.
  • Also in this montage, after Morty is rescued from the plane crash, he wakes up to see his parents and sister at his bedside, who are clearly very happy that he's okay.
• After Morty's relationship with his girlfriend is undone, he talks to Jessica at school again, and she notes that he seems like he's found himself, and she likes the person he found.

Childrick of Mort

• When Beth finds out Rick impregnated a planet, her first instinct is to make sure their offspring get a more attentive dad than she got.
• It's small and quick, but the Zeus actually compliments the way Jerry had been raising the unproductives… which is probably the first time anyone in the series outside the family has preferred Jerry's methods over Rick's.
• Beth, while denying Jerry sex (due to how bad he smells), still reaffirms her love to him. Even if they were fighting a war against each other literally seconds before.
• Rick and Beth's bonding over building the civilization together. When Rick genuinely compliments her, she squees with joy.
  • When Rick fights Zeus and loses, he asks him to not destroy the city he built with Beth because it is important to her.
• Morty is clearly appalled at Summer's "Reason You Suck" Speech at Jerry and calls her out. It seems that even if Morty thinks his dad is a loser, he still cares about him.
  • Later in the episode, Summer despondently admits to Morty that maybe Jerry actually was right about them having no survival skills.
• Rick is grateful to the kids for (accidentally) saving him and calls them 'my f*cking heroes.' He's also smiling when they grab his arms and start babbling incoherently.
• Beth defending Jerry when Rick starts berating Jerry for giving up godlike power.
  Beth: Well, I was impressed, Dad. It saved my life.

Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri

• Jerry manages to prevent Rick (A man he strongly hates) from getting killed by Phoenix-Person. Even the Beth who still divorced him is impressed and admits that "he has his moments".
• After everything is said and done, Rick offers to show his family the truth of which Beth is real and which is the clone, but Morty, Summer, Jerry and the Beths simply shrug and turn him down because it doesn't matter to them.
• During the sequence in which Rick watches his own mind-blower, three precious memories of Beth's show up: Cradling a newborn Morty, a hug with her now absent mother, and finally, her wedding with Jerry. Rick makes sure that these memories go to the clone Beth.
• Rick goes out of his way to store Bird/Phoenix Person in his garage in hopes of fixing what was done to his friend.
• After Summer and Morty get interrupted mid-squabble over the invisibility belt, they mutually put it aside to come to the rest of the family's aid and forget all about it for the rest of the episode.

Season 5

Mort Dinner Rick Andre

• In the cold opening, both Rick and Morty are in a life-threatening situation, Rick tells Morty to leave him, Morty refuses and eventually saves them both.
• In a stark contrast to season 3, this episode shows Beth and Jerry in a happy, loving relationship where both are willing to experiment for the other with their sexuality.
• When Jessica shows up at Morty's house for the date, as Morty walks forward to meet her, you can see Beth in the background giving a smile of approval, clearly happy for him.
• Hoovy helping Morty with the wine crates and giving him romantic advice. Unfortunately, time flows faster inside the portal...
• Oh, and Morty gets a kiss from Jessica. A full makeout session in fact.
• Morty saying this after getting called an asshole
  Morty: Y'know sometimes you have to be an asshole! My grandpa taught me that!
• Jessica gently lets down Morty after she gets trapped in the other Narnia Time realm for centuries, trapped and unable to move while conscious. She says she needs some time to process what happened, but promises in the future that she'll be ready.
• Mr. Nimbus while arguing with Rick points out that his late wife wouldn't have liked the person he had become, lacking honor or dignity. While Rick is more concerned about Mr. Nimbus establishing canonical backstory, his expression hints that the blow hit.
• A small one, but when Morty and Jessica are grabbed by a mechanical tentacle and about to be forcibly pulled back into the portal, Morty starts calling out to Rick for help. Once he hears this, Rick, who was still arguing with Nimbus after the above point, immediately drops the argument (albeit with his usual snark) and goes to help them.
• Despite getting into a tussle with Rick (for a good reason), Mr. Nimbus doesn't hold it against Beth and Jerry. He still invites them for a threesome and treats them well with his "package".
• Doctor Wong continuing to see Beth and Jerry, even after everything that happened in season 4, should certainly count. She would have been well within her rights to refuse service to them.

Mortyplicity

• One of the decoy families know that they are decoys, and have actually come to terms with their deaths, trying to cross things of their bucket list. Rick even sincerely tells Morty that he's sorry they couldn't make it to his bucket list in time.
• Rick's admission of why he creates the decoys in the first place, however... weird his metaphor may be.
  Beth: Do you just get hard creating sentient life?
  Rick: Actually, I get hard protecting my family.
• Rick made the decoys because he was willing to do anything, no matter how messed up, to protect his family. The reason the decoys all went full on Asimov Cascade? Their Ricks were also willing to do anything to protect their families, including making decoys to shield them. This time, unlike normally, the disaster wasn't caused by Rick being an asshole, it was caused by all the Ricks caring too much to risk letting the other decoys live.
  Beth: You treat life and family as so burdensome, and yet you created an ocean of us because you're terrified of losing either!

A Rickonvenient Mort

• The sheer warmth and love that Planetina had for Morty after he risked his life to protect her from her so-called "friends" and his mom (up until their break-up, at least) is quite touching to see. Planetina becomes yet another girl whom Morty gets to fall for him just by being himself, proving once again that Morty is far better in the romance department than everyone gives him credit for.
• Summer's and Rick's adventure concludes with the former stopping the apocalypse just to break up the latter's crappy relationship with a fling who's only using him. Somewhat surprisingly, while Rick claims to be furious with Summer, he doesn't really act angry:
  Summer: (after a long, awkward silence) Sorry I messed things up with Daphne.
  Rick: Just, shut up. I get it.
  Summer: Really? You're not mad?
  Rick: I'm furious. (Long Beat) Buuut I have to admit, it was pretty "Rick" of you to avert an apocalypse in a tantrum of cynicism just to destroy one dumb relationship.
  Summer: Still. Sorry.
  Rick: Eh. I woulda done the same for you.
  Summer: Promise? (Holds out her pinky for a pinky swear, which Ricks gives her) Love you, Grandpa Rick.
  Rick: Don't make it weird.
• Although a sad end, Beth actually comes into Morty's room to comfort her son on his break up with Planetina. Even sweeter when you remember earlier, Morty had basically told Beth off for trying to prevent him and Planetina staying together.
  • Hell, Beth is shown to be very caring for her son in this episode. When she acts like a parent, it isn't out of obligation or because somebody told her to be like other episodes. She's genuinely concerned and cares for Morty.

Rickdependance Spray

• Rick has several small, quick moments of being protective of Morty this episode, like pushing him behind him in the Cold Opening when the sperm monsters are attacking, quickly grabbing him before he falls out of the plane when it's attacked, and is ready to shoot Sticky when he thinks Sticky is about to attack Morty.
  • Additionally, though Rick's understandably frustrated to learn that Morty caused the problems of the entire episode to happen and then lied, he's not nearly as angry about it as he would have been in the past (such as Season 3); he's annoyed, sure, but mostly brushes it off and focuses more on fixing things.
  • Later, when Morty defends himself from Rick calling him out on this by stating he can't change, Rick scoffs at the idea and states that the entire human species is about changing and improving, citing Robert Downey Jr. as an example. This is a surprisingly very optimistic outlook about humanity from someone like Rick, who normally takes a far more cynical view of the universe and the people living in it.
• Rick, surprisingly, seems ready to be a dad and nurture his Half-Human Hybrid foal with Poñeta, only for it to not even need him. He actually seems disappointed. He bounces back quickly, but it's nice to see more of Rick's softer side this season.
• The President complimenting Jerry for always getting him water when he needs it.
• The President's interactions with Morty are friendlier then previously. In past episodes, the President regarded Morty with either annoyance or indifference. Especially as the President has come to regard Morty as trustworthy, at-least in regards to believing him to always be telling the truth.
  • Even when Morty admits the how and why of the monster sperm, rather than completely ripping into him the President scolds him that, while his urges are understandable, he needs to learn self control.

Amortycan Grickfitti

• That monologue that Rick knows that he's "cooler" than Jerry but he now knows that doesn't excuse his actions was unexpected (in a good way) but in line with the softer Rick we've gotten this season. He flat out admits in the end that he should actually love Jerry.
• While it all goes wrong very quickly, Morty, Summer and Bruce Chutback do try to help Rick's car with her awkwardness at asking out a robot she's grown to like at first sight. In exchange, she breaks them out of alien interrogation - initially with a non-violent method because she thought the kids would prefer it - and does what she can to help the kids avoid parental notice from the joyride.

Thanksploitation Spectacular

• Rick seemed actually remorseful at the two soldiers dying.
  Rick: You just lost two soldiers. Good men.
• When the President attacks Rick in the pen, Morty almost immediately jumps from behind to defend his grandpa.
• Beth standing up for Morty in the garage towards the President insulting the latter.
  Beth: Do not talk to my son that way!
  • It's just another example of Beth really stepping up and trying to set boundaries for her kids this season.
• The Smith Family eating Thanksgiving together (with the President) is surprisingly domestic and sweet.
  • Plus the bonus of Rick's annoyed expression at the President being there, but nonetheless accepting it, also shows his character development. He's at least trying to accept his role in the family.
• Morty's "aw!" at the President giving Rick his pardon.
  The President: Oh, and, Sanchez? You got your pardon.
  Morty: Aw!
  Rick: Shut up, Morty.
  • Again, when Morty says "aw" at the two species hugging. Even Rick and the President admit how heartwarming it is!
    Morty: Aw, they love each other!
    Rick: Never gets old.
    The President: I'll never get tired of that.

Gotron Jerrysis Rickvangelion

• The initial premise of the episode is simple and wholesome enough: the entire Smith family bonding over piloting transforming mechs and fighting giant monsters as a team, and they all have an absolute blast. Even Jerry!
• Despite the crap he takes from his family as Rick's obsession with amassing a GoTron collection balloons out of control, Morty insists on standing up for them even when asked by the (Supposedly) original GoTron pilots to turn on them. He knows full well that even after Rick inevitably tosses them aside, the family will still end up unable to hold the terrible way they've treated each other against themselves. And he's correct, even for Summer, after she comes clean about her need for validation from the rest of the family.
• The Smiths make up, but realize that Rick is still in danger. Summer, Beth, and Jerry are reluctant to go save him, even after Morty points out that he's still family, thanks to how horribly he's treated them. How is Morty able to convince them? Through this Meaningful Echo of Summer's words earlier:
  Morty: As a great leader recently said, we get the family we get. (Summer smiles at him)
• The Yellow Ferret owner, upon seeing Naruto, genuinely telling Rick, "Congrats, man. I think I see the resemblance."

Rickternal Friendshine of the Rickless Mort

• This episode has Rick finally bringing Birdperson back both in body and mind, despite the latter procedure carrying insane risks that Rick usually actively avoids.
• The memory of Tammy reveals to both Rick and Birdperson that despite betraying the latter with a Honey Trap, she really did love him, as evidenced by the fact the two had a child. This revelation is what finally brings Birdperson from wanting to die after all he's gone through, and he leaves afterwards to break their daughter out of galactic prison (for the crime of being a terrorist's daughter).
  • As Rick and Birdperson escape, Tammy looks up with happy tears as she resigns herself to be consumed.
• Rick could’ve simply exterminated Memory Rick for invading his brain and justified it to himself with the excuse of Memory Rick not being real. Instead Rick tells his other self to follow him and he’ll make him real. Memory Rick is overjoyed to hear he’ll become a real being… that is, until he realizes that he might become exactly like Rick in the future and proposes they go for a drink in a memory of a bar instead.

Forgetting Sarick Mortshall

• Rick starts off clearly using the two crows as Replacement Goldfish for Morty to make the latter jealous, but does end up forming a real bond with them, especially after they choose to side with him against the sentient crows. He so appreciates how empathetic they are that he decides to continue adventuring with them at the end of the episode to try to better himself.
• On a related note, he tells Morty at the end that they can't get back together, and assures him it's not because of anything Morty did, but rather because he knows that what they have is toxic.
• When Morty calls Rick to apologize about their fight, Rick doesn't insult him or use the chance to put him down as he might have in the past, but immediately accepts the apology and admits that he's not really faring any better.
• Rick is celebrating his victory over the sentient crows and how he and the two crows are still partners when he sees Morty walking home by himself, injured (and missing one of his hands) and sad by his abysmal failure of a rebound. Rick is horrified by his injury, immediately lands the ship, asks if he's okay, and promptly fixes it for him.
• Believing that their dynamic truly is coming to an end, Rick gives Morty his portal gun as a parting gift.

Rickmurai Jack

• When Rick returns home to the Smiths after being dumped by the two crows, he finds that not much time has actually passed at all, and Morty admits that he just took an aging serum to emotionally blackmail him into returning. Instead of getting angry, Rick admits he totally understands and promptly takes him to the Citadel to get him fixed up.
• He also, soon after, initially rejects the invitation to dinner with President Morty because he (correctly) suspects him to be evil, but relents and agrees to go when he sees how much his own Morty wants to. He also tells him during the dinner how nice it is to have him back.
• Morty is furious upon learning the truth behind the existence of the Citadel Mortys… but he immediately calms down after learning Rick’s backstory, and doesn’t hesitate for very long at all when forced to choose between Rick and Evil Morty, even after learning that Rick only really came back to him when he did because the crows dumped him. The implication being that Morty understands that for all his flaws, Rick genuinely loves him.
• We see that Rick's backstory wasn't made up in the season 3 opener. This means he really did try to choose his family over science before the other Rick forced his hand.
• Rick reluctantly agrees to show Morty his backstory when the latter demands it, but then frantically tries to tell him, too late, not to do it right then, presumably because it knocks Morty unconscious while doing it, which is detrimental when they're in the middle of trying to escape. When Morty wakes up, we see that Rick has been carrying him since then.
  • What is the last thing Morty sees, before he wakes up, at the end of Rick's otherwise tragic backstory? A memory of him and Rick laughing together.
  • It also serves a counter act against the Infinite amount of realities where Rick is a monster. For every reality where Rick is a piece of shit there is a reality where Rick has a healthy relationship with Morty
• Despite all of the horrible crap he's done to do so far, Evil Morty's reaction after escaping the Central Finite Curve: he takes a deep breathe, smiles, and takes out his portal gun to begin exploring a whole new Multiverse free of Rick's influence. No evil monologue, no evil grin, and no indication that he's looking to cause any more harm or trouble. His reaction is one of someone who is finally free from a lifetime of abuse, which is exactly what his motivations really boil down to.
• Despite the fact that evil Morty claims that Ricks don't care about Mortys, Rick and his Morty help evacuate some of the latter's parallel selves out of the citadel, getting them into the Mortyburg ship. Maybe Morty's Hannibal Lecture did stick this time. 
• This post beautifully captures the meaning in this episode.
  Rick didn't even care about killing other Ricks. Rick's entire life after he lost Diane and Beth was centered around finding this one guy. He never found him. And other Rick's tried to kill him due to Rick killing certain Rick's trying to find his one Rick, and he became increasingly more apathetic and heartless. Even this puts a different perspective on Rick and his hatred of himself. It shows that although he was indifferent to killing Ricks-he wasn't killing them necessarily just to kill them. He's killing them to get to a specific Rick. He only wanted to take the pain away…but other Ricks wouldn't see that. So he had to kill them too…I bet he didn't even hate himself at all originally. But his grief pushed him to madness. Eventually he made peace with the other Ricks, but Rick's life still had no meaning. He still had that pain in his heart. So he went to Beth, as a final act of trying to heal that pain that's been tormenting him this entire fucking time. His entire life. His entire life has been about family this entire fucking time. Burning, horrible, loss and family. I honestly think Rick is the most misunderstood character on television…he was always talking about how family didn't matter. When this entire time, it was all his life revolved around. And then Morty. What this all reveals, more than anything else, is that Morty is the one who ultimately healed Rick. Not Birdperson, not even killing other Ricks, not even a replacement daughter. It's all what he's shared with Morty. After having so many years of his entire life being only about vengeance, hatred, death, and isolation, he finally found someone to love again. Someone to kid around with-someone to heal and to teach him how to live again. Morty has endured all his flaws, his stages of grief that Morty didn't even understand or know about. There wasn't even a 35 healing time period where Rick was just traveling the universe for no reason like i thought…he was just avenging Beth and Diane. His entire fucking life. When he met Morty…he was only just starting to process and accepting his grief without trying to "do" anything about it, which is the hardest part of grief of all. And Morty endured all of his toxicity through his grief. Even though he didn't understand one damn thing about it. And that healed Rick. Morty's innocent, unconditional love. Rick's entire story is about love, loss, vengeance, isolation, unbearable pain, and eventually…life through his grandson. Finding his true self again through someone who accepts him for what he is. Accepting tragedy and loving the family he's been given. He'll always have pain in his heart…but he's found a silver lining. Because of Morty. Hence why the show is called Rick and Morty. It all makes sense now..

Season 6

Solaricks

• Now past the "halfway" point of the series (so far with the 10 season order), the whole episode is basically a check in on how characters have changed. And how they've come to realize that though they're a mishmash of alternate dimension versions of themselves, their Family of Choice is very real.
• Jerry turns out to be from a different reality after all, and our Rick and Morty picked him up from the Jerry daycare by accident. However, being sent to the "Season 2" universe, where the character development of the rest of the Smith-Sanchez family has stagnated, allows for Main Jerry to see just how far he, and by extension, the rest of his family have come. When we cut to him, he's enduring "Season 2" Beth chewing him out, but when he answers the door and sees HIS Beth smiling at him, the two hug, and he even admits, in a rare moment of introspection on his behalf, that being divorced for a while was actually a good thing.
  • To make the scene better, we can see Morty, Summer and Space Beth happily waving hello at Jerry from the spaceship in the background.
• After a cavalcade of tearjerker after tearjerker with Rick in his Original Dimension, remembering all the horrible things he did to himself, and others, following losing his Diane and Beth, including making an A.I of Diane that was tailor-made to haunt him as much as possible out of pure self-loathing. His last conversation with A.I-ane really solidifies how much he's connected with the Smith Family beyond Morty, and how much he's come to love and appreciate their presence in his life, that while he doesn't want to "move on" from what happened to his Diane and Beth, his current family needs him, so he needs to move on.
  Rick: I gotta get out of here!
  A.Iane: Because you want to move on~!
  Rick: Because I DON'T!! And I have to. I-I live with a version of Beth now...
  A.Iane: Sounds like a version of nice~!
  Rick: We have grandkids, th-that's who Summer is! She's gonna get me outta here...she reminds me of you...
  A.Iane: Oh really~?! Is she dead too~?!
  Rick: (Horrified Silence) ...Goodbye, Diane.
• The two Beths get to talk out the implications of their "clone life", with Space Beth even admitting that it might be nice to visit more often in the future.
• The Beths hug Morty upon reuniting with him and Rick, even after Summer reveals that their original Rick and Morty have long been dead and buried. When taking into account Beth's flaws as a mother in the past (especially considering how in one adventure, she chose to save Summer over Morty without hesitation when given a Sadistic Choice to let only one live), it's nice to see the concept of infinite realities has no effect on their love for Morty nor does it dissuade them from trying to rebuild the relationship. He's their son, plain and simple.
• Morty and Rick lying next to each other when they think they're about to die. Morty actually crawls over to lie beside Rick and Rick leans his head on Morty's.
• Morty's words to Main Rick about Rick Prime, which are enough to persuade Rick to abandon his chance at revenge to come save the Beths and Summer with him:
  Morty: (After Rick calls him a "suicide bomber"): Takes one to know one!
  Rick: You get it from him, not me.
  Morty: I don't know him! You're my grandpa, Rick! Rick and Morty, a hundred years.
  • Right before this, when Morty realizes that Rick is in Revenge Before Reason mode and doesn't care if he dies taking down Rick Prime, he turns off the ship, walks over to Rick, and prepares to go down the tube to fight Rick Prime in his place, challenging him, "If you don't care if you die, why do you care if I die?" Rick is incredulous, instantly stops him, and tries to tell him to leave, clearly not wanting him to be injured, killed, or Forced to Watch if Rick Prime kills him.
  • Later, when Morty asks Rick if he's just hanging around in the hopes that Rick Prime will show up, worried that he's just using him as bait, Rick seems genuinely surprised by the question, like he didn't seriously consider the thought of doing so (or, if he did in the past, gave up on that a long time ago). He then states that would require Rick Prime to care enough about anyone to show back up. The unspoken implication is that Rick is staying out of love for his family, and had similar motives for keeping Morty with him, rather than any selfish, revenge-driven reason.
  • This is bolstered by the fact that, when he claims he could've just abandoned the rest of the family again, they all brush it off, clearly not believing his blustering about not caring. Jerry even borrows his "I'M ___ RICK!" catchphrase to call him on this, referring to him as "Denial Rick."

Rick: A Mort Well Lived

• Rick hacking his way into the Roy game and trying to collect every piece of Morty without any of his gadgets or scientific tricks, just his ability to convince people. Given he clearly hates dealing with people and is very frustrated with the whole situation but still trying his best, this is actually quite sweet.
• Rick's complete faith in Summer's ability to protect both him and Morty while they are completely vulnerable in the Die Hard-style hostage situation.
• Rick fights against it for a while, but does eventually admit that he really does love his grandson and is trying his hardest to get him back.
• Despite knowing the entire Roy game is just a fabrication, and insisting upon it throughout the entire episode, he does actually keep his end of the bargain and lets Marta live out the rest of her life in the video game. He even rigs it to have its own power source and make sure she can live on without the 'Roy' character. Given we've seen Rick is not above lying to get his way, it's a genuine bit of character development that he didn't just agree to her one condition until the last minute and then take her with him forcefully or shut down the game.

Bethic Twinstinct

• Space Beth gifting Morty a game console clearly bought from outside the earth.
• Even though Space Beth has put some distance from her old life, she still keeps a picture of her and her family in her space apartment.
• Rick giving Jerry the ability to turn into a pill bug may seem weird, but it turns out that it was what Jerry wanted to have—a way to cope and feel safe about an emotionally distressing situation (like, for example, learning that Beth and Space Beth slept together). The fact that Rick did something completely beneficial for Jerry at no cost shows how much their relationship has improved since the beginning of the series.
  • He also states that they did this while him and Jerry drank together. This is already a mile above any other instance of them being together.
  • Furthermore, Rick has tattoos of himself and Jerry as eagles... one on each of his buttcheeks. But nevertheless, it is now clear that Rick and Jerry's relationship is now better than it has ever been.
• Earth Beth attempting to make Jerry come out of his pillbug defense by talking about how much she loves him. And for the rest of the episode, when Space Beth attempts to attack her for still loving Jerry and continues to be hostile to him, Earth Beth is quick to defend him.
• Also, despite being just as disturbed by Jerry's threesome with Beth and Space Beth, which they can hear Right Through the Wall, Rick actually tries to calm his grandkids down and distract them from what's happening.
• Space Beth appears to have recounciled with Jerry and the latter with Home Beth too in the ending scene. Space Beth also promises to watch out for her grandson in space (Naruto), thus ending her homewrecking rampage.

Night Family

• Rick initially refuses to let the rest of the family have a Night Person after telling them about it, but after seeing how disappointed and irritated they all look, quickly relents. Followed by all of them looking forward to getting to be a "Night Family" together.
• Despite the rest of Smiths mocking Jerry earlier for using his "Night Person" as a pen pal rather than doing anything more productive, once the family has been taken hostage by Night Summer, Jerry doesn't hold it against them and is quick to ask Night Jerry to help his family escape.
  • What's more, Night Jerry obliges, and remains on their side for most of the episode (at least until the end, when Rick refuses to accept the Night Family's truce).
  • Beth, after having mocked the Jerrys being pen pals earlier, gives Night Jerry a kiss and a sincere thank-you for rescuing them. And then when Rick wakes Jerry up by slapping him, she is quite happy to have him back.
• Night Jerry encourages a now-awake Summer to jump from the police car her Night Person was driving into his arms and their car. Summer questions why she'd jump out of the fully-functional car she's already driving:
  Night Jerry: Uhhhh...family?
  Summer: Awww! (She jumps and he catches her.)
• While their starting a podcast together about their abs is clearly Played for Laughs, it is sweet seeing Rick doing something simple with Morty that they both seem to be genuinely enjoying.

Final Desmithation

• When Jerry is worried about his fortune cookie saying he's going to have sex with his mother, the entire family is giving him a lot of flak over taking it seriously, to the point that Morty and Summer make some pretty mean-spirited jokes about the fortune happening. Each time, however, it's noted that Rick is just watching these jokes happen with disdain. Eventually, Rick gives Jerry an out from being given a hard time at the zoo by making a false claim saying that there's a scientific anomaly surrounding Jerry's probability of the fortune coming true, and they both have to stay behind. That said, it turns out there really is an anomaly, but it's nice to see Rick putting a stop to any further mean jokes, knowing how serious Jerry was taking it while the rest of the family laughed it off.
• After discovering that Rick wants to keep the fate-altering alien for himself and thus have the power to control destiny at his disposal, Jerry understandably believes that Rick doesn't actually care about him and will sacrifice him to achieve this desire. But at the episode's climax, Rick chooses to let go of the alien monster and let it be sucked into the black hole so he can reverse Jerry's fortune and save him the gross trauma of being forced by circumstances to have sex with his mom. Rick's highly annoyed about this, but it proves once again that he'll put his family's well-being before his own wants.
• Jerry gives Rick a fortune cookie in gratitude with a hand-written fortune that says "Thank You". While Rick comments in his usual deadpan way that this was a complete waste of the last real fortune, he still states that he appreciates the sentiment, and doesn't get annoyed with him over it, just casually saying "Eh, it's cool" when Jerry apologizes.
  • In addition to this sincere thank-you for saving him, Jerry also calls Rick his friend. This actually enrages Rick since it ruins his Purpose-Driven Immortality, but the gestures of gratitude are still very sweet.
  • Rick slaps him in anger because of it. When he sees Jerry almost cry as a result, he quickly looks surprised and apologizes. He also, before walking into the house after Jerry, takes another glance at one of the fortunes (either Jerry's "Thank you" or the one that says he'll make a new friend) and then sticks it in his pocket. However much he may bluster, it's clear that they're enemies no more.

Juricksic Mort

• The Dinosaurs are genuinely benevolent gods, turning the Earth into a utopia while humanity has no need to do anything in return and gets to enjoy its benefits.
• It later gets revealed to them by Rick that their sheer benevolence attracts sentient Meteors that destroy any planets reformed by them. Upon learning of this, they leave Earth and move to Mars in a bid to pull a Heroic Suicide to save Earth.
• The Dinosaurs, in their last collusion with Rick, decide to punish him for forcing them to kill one of the aforementioned sentient Meteors by...closing the rift created by Evil Morty back in "Rickmurai Jack", which is what motivates Rick to finally fix portal travel for real. After 6 episodes of no portal travel, the portal gun makes its grand reappearance. Rick is evidently excited by this development deep inside, as he takes Morty to Boob World immediately.
• The Dinosaurs, after settling on a barren planet, enjoy skateboarding together on the local rock formations.

Full Meta Jackrick

• A couple of quick moments when Rick and Morty are cornered by Story Lord and Jesus and the latter is beating them up:
  • Jesus does a Neck Lift on Rick to keep whaling on him. Morty, despite there not being much he can do, attempts to help by throwing a rock at Jesus to divert his attention away from Rick and onto him, which works.
  • And then when Jesus is menacing Morty, Rick tries to give the latter his Meta Layer remote while urging him to flee, attempting to save Morty and make sure he can escape even if Rick himself does not. Though, unfortunately, Story Lord promptly steals the remote and uses it himself.
• Rick tells Morty that Previous Leon is a Meta character and his life doesn't matter but Morty's life does matter. But one important detail here is that when he is telling Morty that his life matters, he is looking at the camera the entire time. In other words, Rick is telling you that your life matters.
• Rick is a far humbler hero than ever. Rather than getting mad at Morty for criticizing him or pointing out his mistakes and screwing him over like he has in past episodes such as "The Vat Of Acid Episode", he doesn't push back at all when Morty calls him out on freeing Rhett Caan, admitting he screwed up royally. He also doesn't really get angry when Joseph Campbell calls him a pussy, either, agreeing to go along with Morty's suggested plan.
• When Rick and Morty are on the verge of freezing to death during a blizzard in the Meta Layer, Rick drapes his trademark white coat over Morty's shoulders in an attempt to comfort him and provide him whatever extra warmth he can.
• When Morty admits to being pregnant in the 'previously on' spiral, the next clip is of Rick immediately attacking Joseph Campbell on Morty's behalf, presumably for taking advantage of a 14 year old. When Morty insists it wasn't Campbell, Rick furiously asks "Then who?!" and is clearly intent on dealing with it personally, even though by then they have the means to escape the Meta Layer.

Analyze Piss

• Jerry finally stands up for his family's honor—even if it means getting sprayed with piss—by fighting Pissmaster, just to force him to apologize to Summer for making a gross comment towards her. Summer is immediately appreciative of him, happily bragging "That's my dad!" to the neighborhood after he wins.
• The entire family shows Jerry support during and after his Wimp Fight with Pissmaster. In addition to Summer's moment above:
  • The small moment where Morty stops Beth from trying to step in during the fight, giving Jerry the chance to win it on his own.
  • Once Jerry drives off Pissmaster, he looks up, sees Beth, and smiles at her. She tearfully tells him how proud she is and immediately moves in for a Smooch of Victory.
  • And then when Jerry is initially unable to kiss her back because his lip is all busted up, Rick, without so much as a word or glare, casually takes a device out of his pocket that instantly heals all of Jerry's injuries and restores him to normal. Jerry is grateful and thanks him before resuming his kiss with Beth. Yet another moment of Rick being far kinder to Jerry than he ever would have been in the early seasons.
• Though Jerry does get an inflated ego from becoming a hero, he doesn't ditch his loved ones like many other characters do in the same situation. When Mitsubishi gives him a spaceship so he can go commit acts of heroism in it across the universe, Jerry immediately invites Morty, Summer, and Beth to be his crew members and come with him for the adventure, which they happily accept.
• Rick actually makes the effort to see Dr. Wong, though he's reluctant to call their sessions therapy. He's also more polite to her than he has been in previous episodes, and actually listens to her advice and admits that she's right when he sees that it's helping.
• Rick shows his budding sense of empathy has grown further when he realizes how badly Pissmaster was humiliated. He swings by the supervillain's apartment hoping to talk, only to find Pissmaster has already killed himself. Rick then tries resurrecting Pissmaster, to no avail. When Pissmaster's daughter comes by, Rick assumes his identity to put her at ease. After this, Rick decides to masquerade as Pissmaster and reinvent him as a hero with the intention to let Pissmaster die with dignity.
• Also, the fact that Rick was planning to take the blame for being Pissmaster the whole time (claiming it was an effort to boost Jerry's self-confidence) to avoid revealing that the real Pissmaster actually committed suicide and blamed Jerry for it. It doesn't work because Rick ultimately sabotages himself by being unable to keep the secret and tells Morty, who's having none of it and tells the others, but the fact that he was even willing to consider doing this at all is leagues above how Rick used to be.
• A small one by comparison, but Rick refers to Jerry as his son-in-law several times. Even if Jerry's antics still obviously irritate him, it seems like he's finally acknowledging that he's family.

A Rick in King Mortur's Mort

• Even after Morty was sassy to him and took the sword against his wishes, Rick goes to the sun to fetch him not too long after Morty arrives.
• Rick going easy on Morty after Morty tells him he needs to leave.
  Rick: Alright, c'mon lil' junebug. I won't rub your face in this one. I'm guessing you're feeling pretty stupid.
• Right after Rick arrives, Morty points to the mural, says that they need to leave, and wrings his hands. It's nice to know that, no matter how deep of a problem Morty has gotten himself into, he still trusts his grandpa to help him.
• The whole episode is really a case of Heartwarming as Rick is trying incredibly hard to be more supportive and patient with Morty. It backfires a little bit since Morty thinks he's pulling some kind of trick or being manipulative, and he can't help a few snide comments. But Rick genuinely does seem to be trying to put everything he's learned this season to use and show genuine care and affection for his grandson. He even willingly says he loves Morty without it having to be dragged out of him like in earlier episodes.
• He also uses much more physical affection than he has previously, like:
  • Helping Morty up and putting an arm around his shoulder to guide him away from the Knights after Morty asks to leave
  • Patting him on the chest while walking him through how to win a sword fight
  • Putting both hands on Morty's shoulders when announcing he used science to prove a point
  • Hugging Morty comfortingly while promising to help him not get his dick cut off
  • Holds his hand while jumping into the "lava"
  • He smiles more than he has in any other episode
• Rick is genuinely proud of Morty for successfully explaining science to the Knights of the Sun, so much that he proudly stands behind Morty and announces it to the rest of the family. Even better, the rest of the family seems just as excited and proud for Morty and his accomplishment.
  Rick: Ahem! Um, you guys? Someone just used critical thinking and basic physics to destroy their first entire religion!
• The next episode reveals that Rick has been a robot ever since Morty called him boring and took the sword. Rick got hurt, lashed out, and pushed Morty away, but this is growth. He didn't try to hurt or punish Morty, he tried to find a way to keep showing him and the rest of the family love and support even as he retreated to his toxic pursuit of Rick Prime.
• The Stinger is also heartwarming in a weird way, as the sentient hotdogs get rescued by Special Agent Mongo Bongo, who then also helps kill other people involved in their trafficking and free even more of them, eventually letting them go by releasing them into the sea.

Ricktional Mortpoon's Rickmas Mortcation

• The family interactions during the Christmas episode are overall very wholesome, and everyone is very accepting of Rick. Both Beths sit on either side of him on the couch sharing a blanket, there are several adorable group hugs, and Jerry even officially announces that he thinks of Rick as his own father now too and offers to let him carve the ham. Until the point they learn Rick is actually Rickbot, their sections of the episode are full of heartwarming vibes.
• Rickbot does seem truly distraught about having to deceive the family, and also does seem to genuinely care about all of them.
• Even though Morty is upset about the Rickbot deception, he still wants his family to have a good Christmas and tries to maintain it for them as long as possible.
• The President apologizes after his initial rant about Star Wars that made Morty cry, and acknowledges that he shouldn't have treated Morty like an adult. Given all the things Morty's been through that he should not have been through as a 14 year old, it's impressive to see an adult actually acknowledge this.
• Even after being aggressively dismantled by the family, Rickbot does still save the world at their behest and go with Morty to keep him safe during the space White House battle.
• Rick, despite being rude and distant to Morty for the whole episode, does open up a portal to return him, Rickbot, and even the President back to safety in the garage right as they're about to be Thrown Out the Airlock and left drifting in space. He doesn't even make a mean comment about it, either, just stating that Morty should tend to the dying Rickbot.
• Morty genuinely admits that Rickbot was great and he shouldn't have pushed him away, holding and hugging him as he dies.
• Rickbot points out that Rick designed him specifically to make Morty happy. Although the actual Rick has been quite sassy and argumentative for the entire episode, and looks annoyed that Rickbot is telling Morty this, he actually doesn't argue this point at all, and even gives Rickbot a sideways look to show he isn't just ignoring him either.
  Rickbot: Rick literally built me to make you happy, Morty. Anything I do is technically something Rick did. But maybe he can do a little more himself.

Season 7

How Poopy Got His Poop Back

• Apparently Space Beth now is welcome to just...show up for breakfast now. She truly has become like a Cool Aunt to them all.
• We learn that Bird Person has found his daughter who now lives with him, even if she's acting like a rebellious teen.
• While the planned intervention ends up turning into a bender, the fact Rick and friends do this to try and help cheer Mr. Poopybutthole up on his 'birthday' (which turns out to be a ruse but still) is heartwarming in its own strange way.

Air Force Wong

• After getting into an unintentional argument with Summer, who slams the door of the garage and leaves in anger, Rick silently looks down at himself for having started conflict with his grandddaughter and silently says "sorry" while looking pained, having realized that the way he reacted toward her wasn't okay. For a man who once said "your opinion means very little to me" at the show's start, it is evident Rick now feels ashamed at blowing up at her and genuinely values her feelings, and is trying to make good on being a better person toward his family.
• Despite the trouble he caused in the episode, Rick checks on President Curtis at the end, giving him a beer and talking to him, knowing Cuirtis is depressed over what he did for the sake of gaining 100% approval, resulting in the President deciding he might need therapy.

That's Amorte

• You'd assume the cold open was going to be a dream or a simulation due to Rick and the Smith family very rarely being this happy at the same time, with the Smith family sharing dinner together and Morty delightfully exclaiming "it's really nice that we're all spending time together and talking." Turns out it's all for real. Just don't ask where Rick got that spaghetti from.

Unmortricken

• Morty is constantly protective of Rick throughout the episode, both physically and emotionally. At one point, he manages to save Rick's life from Diane-bot by tackling him.
• Even though he hates Evil Morty's guts, Morty manages to also assist him in his fight against Rick Prime by using a Rick Prime bot to shoot a missile to destroy another Rick Prime bot.
• When Rick tells Morty that he can't come when he's coming to kill Rick Prime, he was angry at Evil Morty when he brought Morty along, Evil Morty's response implies that Rick didn't bring his Morty along because he was worried
  Evil Morty: I'm not worried about him, I'm evil.
• Morty hugging Rick after the latter kills Rick Prime, in spite of Rick being covered in Rick Prime's blood. The image was also used in the Season 7 poster◊.
• In the ending montage, the family comes together (including Space Beth) to spend time together and celebrate the demise of Diane's killer, including watching television, washing Rick's car, eating a family meal, and telling stories/jokes together..
  • The ending montage clearly mimics Morty's one from the ending of "Rick Potion #9". But in contrast to Morty's one having Beth and Jerry arguing endlessly, Rick's ending depicts Space Beth, Earth Beth and Jerry enjoying their time together as they wash Space Beth's spaceship. Both of these also occur at the same time relative to the song to display this contrast too.
• In The Stinger, Slow Mobius' wife desperately searches for her husband, who has been erased from all infinite timelines, only to meet another alien, who also lost his spouse. The two hook up and get married with their children happily playing with each other with the married couple also honoring their lost loved ones.

Rickfending Your Mort

• The episode begins Morty finding Rick in another drunken stupor (possibly due to feeling hollow over his vengeance against Rick Prime). It plays similar to how Evil Morty started his Start of Darkness when finding his Rick drunk. But here, Morty is concerned for Rick's wellbeing and decides to sober him up by bringing in the punch card system to force him to go on an adventure with Morty.
• Several clips show Rick using his genius to build stuff for Morty on request. While the guns he designed all backfired horribly on Morty and the living churro turned out to be an irreversible issue, that's only because Morty didn't bother to communicate effectively with Rick, rather than Rick invoking Jerkass Genie like he'd been doing in previous seasons.
• One record shows that Morty and Jessica got to go on an actual date. It's not clear if this was before or after that business with Hoovy's descendants, but it does show that Jessica actually does have some genuine attraction to Morty.
• One event was Rick and Morty going at a Pet Sematary burying Benjamin Franklin. While at first dismissive of Morty wondering if the soil could recharge his phone, Rick realizes they are in a situation where he has no idea how things work and they can test things out. Rick and Morty excitedly bury several things to see what happens and are both clearly having a good time dicking around and testing things for the hell of it. We get to see Rick enjoying being a scientist for discovery's sake and the guys having a good time together.
• Rick genuinely thanks Morty for keeping him stable with the punch cards and adventure notes. The episode ends with them excited for another adventure together, with Rick proclaiming they're back and by surprising Morty with another gun.
  • When they're complaining about the Observer, one reason Morty dislikes him is because he keeps talking down to Rick, even though it started as an argument between the two and Rick brought in the Observer to prove a point.
  • Rick admits he still doesn't trust the cards, but accepts them at "seventy cents on the dollar" to settle the dispute, which Morty readily agrees to. Nice to see they can settle an argument in a reasonable manner.
  • Again keep in mind, this episode is after Rick fulfilled his quest to kill Rick Prime which left Rick empty after it was accomplished. So seeing him happy with his grandson shows he still has something to look forward to in life.
• Morty calling Rick Grandpa.

Wet Kuat Amortican Summer

• Summer going full Big Sister Mode to get back her little brother (who had been turned into a "Kuato"), after he's separated from her, and kidnapped to be sold. She beats her way through the city while chasing his kidnappers, and upon getting him back, holds him protectively.
• Rick admitting to Summer that the reason he's sometimes harder on her than Morty is because he respects her drive to do and get things for herself, which reminds him of his wife.

Fear No Mort

• Rick choosing to not jump into the fear hole, even after briefly considering it, due to him choosing to take Morty's advice.
• Even though it's shown that Morty's greatest fear is that Rick sees him as replaceable or outright doesn't care for him at all, the end of the episode reveals that Rick kept a folded up photo of Morty smiling in his wallet.
• This episode also gives Rick a happy ending and shows him at his best. Ever since season two, every season's final end has made Rick miserable, either because of some tragedy he suffered or his own selfish and toxic actions. But in this ending, where Rick has an opportunity to go into the hole to see his lost wife, Diane, he chooses not to; he listens to his grandson's advice and even hangs up a photo of his grandson to celebrate his victory over the hole. Not only did Rick get a happy ending in this episode, but he also showed that he loved his grandson and valued his input. Rick has indeed grown as a character and is building a better relationship with his grandson.
• Despite being a fabrication in the Fear Hole, Rick and Diane's interactions are pretty wholesome, even considering that, according to the writing team, this might be what their real relationship was like.

Extras

• Mr. Poopybutthole looks over his family album. Who'd have thought such an inherently silly little character could be so damned lovable?
  • At the end, as he walks away to join his family in the next room, he forgoes the use of his cane to do it by himself. Having him complete his physical recovery on top of being a happy husband and father is just the icing on the cake.
• In the April's Fools "Bushworld Adventures" both Beth and Summer try to protect Mordi from Reek, with the latter yelling to "leave her brother alone". Kind of sad that nowhere in the canonical series do they display this level of affection for him.
  • Rick actually likes Jerry here, calling him his "old mate".
  • While it is done in a satirical fashion, Reek thanking Mordi for his help against Uncle Garry is still heartwarming.

Meta

• When David Bowie passed away, someone used the show's song "Goodbye Moonmen" as an ode to him.

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