Is ‘Rick and Morty’ Season 3 Really Over? The Surprise Finale Theory

Rick and Morty season 3 wrapped up last night (at the time of writing this) with the zany episode titled “The Rickchurian Mortydate” in a post-credits appearance from Mr. Poopybutthole, fans were told that they were in for a long await until season 4 arrived.

But was it all just misdirection from showrunners Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland?

A Reddit user has posted an interesting observational theory that points to Rick and Morty still having one more surprise episode coming fans way this year, which will serve as the true finale to season 3. There’s enough to the theory that more and more fans are taking an interest in it. So Is Rick and Morty season 3 Really Over? Maybe. Maybe not…

The Element of Surprise

The first part of this theory points to the fact that Rick and Morty season 3 actually began with a surprise premiere on April Fool’s Day 2017. Some fans believe that Harmon and Roiland are pulling the same type of trick with the finale – and there’s even a target date that the show itself may have already foreshadowed: 

In the season 3 finale epilogue, Mr. Poopybutthole says that the next time we might see him again, he might have a “big, white, Santa Claus beard,” along with some grandkids and ‘all that kind of stuff.’ While on the one hand it’s a joke to the audience saying it’s going to take forever to get season 4 (the show has taken long stretches in between seasons); however, the specific mention of a Santa Claus beard seems almost too on-the-nose to be ignored.

Despite a pronounced declaration from the show itself, the theory is that Rick and Morty will drop one more episode around Christmas one where we will indeed see Mr. Poopybutthole sporting that beard. It could be done one of two ways:

1. A true season 3 finale (season one had eleven episodes, season 2 had ten, so there’s an odd/even season length pattern that could be established). 
2. A season 4 premiere before a very long hiatus (season 3 premiered on April 1st; season 3 episode 2 didn’t arrive until July 30th, so it’s clear the showrunners aren’t beholden to traditional rules.

The other major thing driving this theory is simple: a lot of fans don’t think “The Rickchurian Mortydate” was big enough to be the true finale – especially not for a season that has been rife with major buildup…

The Evil Morty Theory

Rick and Morty season 3’s episode “The Ricklantis Mixup” pulled a major twist out of its hat with the reveal that “Evil Morty” from season 1’s “Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind” has risen to supreme power over the Citadel of Ricks, with some kind of imperial plot that has yet to be revealed (read this theory on that), but probably isn’t going to be good for our Rick and Morty duo. 

A lot of fans figure that, given the epic premiere of season 3 (which saw Rick take down both the Citadel of Ricks and the Galactic Federation), the season 3 finale would then circle back to that storyline, which has positioned for big things thanks to the “Ricklantis Mixup.” In short, many believe that a ture season 3 finale will involve both Evil Morty and the Government (including the resurrected “Phoenix Person”) striking back at Rick. 

There’s some speculation that Dan Harmon teased as much when appearing on Film Theory recently. The interviewer asked Harmon to discuss Evil Morty, to which Harmon responded that he should be asked that question after the finale. Of course, he then segued into saying that the finale was airing on Oct. 1st, so is it more double entendre wordplay like Poopybutthole’s beard comment? Or wishful thinking. 

The bottom line is: Rick and Morty is a show that likes to have fun with its fans and totally mess with them, as well. All we can really do is keep a careful eye out during Christmas season this year, which a lot of hopeful fans will be doing. Meanwhile, other fans are simply saying the season 3 finale was what it was, and that there’s nothing left to do but wait out the long stretch to season 4.

Let’s all be less naughty, more nice and hope that Christmas 2017 brings us a nice gift from Rick and Morty.