Rick and Morty Co-Creator Explains Why Rick’s Fake Origin Became the Real Thing

Rick and Morty has finally confirmed the final missing pieces of Rick’s tragic origin story with the first episode of Season 6, and one of the creators behind the series opened up about making the original fake-out origin story a reality in later seasons! Rick’s origin story first came into play with the third season’s premiere, “The Rickshank Redemption,” but Rick had brushed it off as a joke. Only for the series to reference this story once more back in Season 5’s big finale episode and confirmed that this actually happened to Rick C-137 and wasn’t a fake out at all.

Rick and Morty Season 6 added the final missing pieces of Rick’s story as it changed his relationship with Morty forever, and series co-creator Dan Harmon opened up about making that original fake-out story the real version of his origin. Speaking to Polygon about Rick’s origin fully explored in Season 6’s premiere, Harmon explained that he was happy to see the origin played off as fake before, but because he had liked it, he also didn’t want to insert an origin for that reason so early on into the series. But notably, confirmed that this is indeed Rick’s origin. 

“I was happy [making it appear fake] because I myself felt that that was Rick’s backstory and I liked it. But I didn’t want to impose it, at that early stage in the show’s run,” Harmon stated to Polygon. “So having established at the top of season 6 what [if] that is accurate? I would never say to an audience, Or maybe not! I find that a little abusive to fans. I’m pretty comfortable saying that’s the truth. That’s how it was framed in the show; he showed Morty the truth, that’s what it was. And we can’t retcon that.”

While Harmon jokes about potentially teasing fans about another potential swerve after all these reveals, it does feel good to see that it’s truly confirmed as the truth moving forward. As Rick now has to deal with Rick Prime, and Morty fully absorbs knowing everything about Rick’s true origin, there’s an even more intriguing path for the series heading into the rest of Season 6 and beyond. 

How did you feel about Rick and Morty making Rick’s joke origin the real thing? What do you think it will mean for Rick moving forward? Let us know all of your thoughts about it in the comments! You can even reach out to me directly about all things animated and other cool stuff @Valdezology on Twitter!

via Polygon