The Rick and Morty season 7 finale, “Fear No Mort,” opens at a carnival of nightmares, and Rick and Morty aren’t scared of any of it. This used to be scary, right? They’ve seen too much.
That’s where the episode starts, and it’s a deep dive into the darkest corners of the mind from there, where our favorite interdimensional duo confronts what scares them the most. Spoilers lurk around every corner, so if you haven’t seen the episode yet, consider this your fear warning.
First, I want to shout out Baby Know-It-All for holding it down for her old man while I was dealing with a cold. It sucked, but I survived. Thank you guys for making her feel welcome. I really appreciate it. If you missed last week’s episode with her hosting, go check it out.
This season’s been a wild ride, and “Fear No Mort” is no exception. It’s been a season of unpredictability, with each episode swinging between wacky one-off adventures and major canonical shifts. All I’m saying is that our beloved duo have really evolved throughout this journey.
A Hole in the Men’s Room at Denny’s
The episode puts Rick and Morty through their toughest challenge yet, which is facing their deepest fears. They stumble onto that carnival of nightmares, but being the seasoned adventurers they are, nothing really impresses them anymore. That is, until a mysterious man in black pitches them something even scarier.
“Did you know Earth is the home of the single scariest place in the galaxy? I can show you if you’d like.”
“We were headed that way anyway.”
This man leads them to a Denny’s. Yes, you heard that right. A Denny’s, where they find out about the Fear Hole in the men’s bathroom. You jump in, the hole manifests your greatest fear, you conquer that fear, and you come out, well, fearless. And you get your picture on the wall.
Rick and Morty, ever the daredevils, decide to jump in, with Morty taking the lead. Inside they face nightmarish creatures, and after a fierce battle they emerge from the hole seemingly victorious.
Still in the Hole
Trust me, it gets weird. A younger Rick holding Diane crashes through the ceiling, urges them to take care of an almost killed Diane, and then dies. The Smith family is understandably shocked, but our duo suspects they never actually got out.
“We’re clearly still in the hole.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
As they try to tell reality from illusion, Rick hypothesizes that they’re experiencing Morty’s greatest fear.
“Your greatest fear is me getting Diane back and being happy again.”
“What? Why?”
“Because then I won’t need you. Look how scared you’re getting just talking about it.”
“I’m not scared, I’m insulted.”
To test the theory, Rick immerses himself in the scenario. Meanwhile Diane and Beth are left bewildered as Rick callously dismisses their reality. Beth tells him, “Dad, you’re traumatizing her,” and Morty finally gives it up: “You were right, Rick. I’m really terrified right now.”
Rick’s efforts to reconnect with Diane involve building a robot that serenades her and serves her breakfast. The gesture, apparently reminiscent of their past, temporarily wins Diane over. The emotional roller coaster continues with a zoo visit, drinks and heartfelt confessions. The emotional authenticity of that moment is actually kind of startling, even in the bizarre circumstances they’re under.
What Morty Is Actually Afraid Of
As Rick grows increasingly ill, a result of the Fear Hole feeding on him, Morty gets desperate. He seeks out the man in black at Denny’s, who answers him cryptically.
“I doubt your grandpa has more fear than the average in a Denny’s. If anything he seems pretty brave. Certainly not afraid to die. Maybe that makes his fear extra delicious.”
In a drastic move, Morty confronts his own fears to save Rick. That includes picking up a spider, revealing embarrassing secrets at school, and even starring naked in a school play.
As they try to break free from the Fear Hole’s grasp, Rick and Morty face several iterations of their fears. Time passes in a montage showing them aging and experiencing life’s milestones, continually asking what the nature of their reality even is.
The climax is a profound realization for Morty: his fear is Rick never acknowledging his importance. Morty confronts it, understanding that the real Rick never entered the hole with him. After a series of mind-bending events, Morty wakes up in the original Fear Hole with Rick waiting outside. “Your fear of relying on Rick has been delicious,” he’s told on the way out.
Rick explains the impossibility of facing two people’s fears at once. That leads to a touching moment where Morty, seeking validation that he can’t be replaced, embraces Rick, understanding he’s back in reality.
“Am I irreplaceable?”
“I mean, define irreplaceable.”
“That’s good. Good. I’m back.”
The episode wraps up with Rick placing a photo of Morty on the hall of fame of those who braved the Fear Hole.
The Post-Credits Swap
In true Rick and Morty fashion, we get a post-credits scene featuring Mr. Poopybutthole. Turns out he stole a portal gun, and he replaces a happily married version of himself in another universe, ending the episode on a note of existential duplicity.
Of course, that’s not good enough for the likes of Rick and Morty. The very final moment has his wife giving her husband the proverbial stink eye. Will this prove to be another unresolved finale ending, or will we revisit it in seasons to come?
Pros and Cons
This is a brand new thing I’m going to call pros and cons.
The episode really shines with its character development. Rick and Morty are facing their deepest fears this time, and it’s not every day you see these two confront something as profound as their innermost anxieties. The way they handle the Fear Hole challenge is both engaging and revealing, and it gives us a deeper glimpse into their psyches.
Another standout is the episode’s creativity. A Fear Hole located in a Denny’s bathroom is classic Rick and Morty: bizarre, unexpected and oddly thought-provoking. Plus the carnival of nightmares setting. That’s visual storytelling at its finest, blending the show’s signature absurdity with a darker, more introspective tone.
Despite the episode’s strengths, it does tread a fine line with its complexity. The multiple layers of fear and reality can be a bit of a brain twister. That complexity, yeah, we’ll call it that, is part of the show’s charm, but it might leave some viewers feeling a bit lost in the maze of Rick and Morty’s fears.
The other potential downside is the emotional heaviness. It’s a departure from the usual lighthearted, albeit darkly humorous, tone of the series. The shift is brilliantly executed, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially for fans who tune in for the show’s more straightforward comedic escapades.
“Fear No Mort” is a beautifully crafted finale that digs deep into each of these characters and hands our protagonists a unique creative challenge. Its complexity and emotional depth might be a bit overwhelming for some viewers, straying from the traditional Rick and Morty formula. But in true show fashion, it pushes the boundaries in a way that’s both intriguing and kind of thought-provoking.
The Verdict
The Rick and Morty season 7 finale, “Fear No Mort,” is a solid 9 out of 10 on the Know-It-All Index.
It’s a mind-bending journey through fear, reality and the complex relationship between Rick and Morty. It entertains, and it makes us ponder the deeper aspects of their characters while it’s doing it. For me it’s a perfect blend of existential dread, emotional depth and the signature Rick and Morty weirdness.
So there you go. Now you know. And if knowing’s half the battle, you’re halfway to being a know-it-all yourself.
What did you think of this season finale? Heck, what did you think of season 7 overall, from Rick finally defeating his nemesis to the more streamlined storytelling? And does that Mr. Poopybutthole ending ever get picked back up? The conversation lives in the comments on the video above. Never forget: everyone loves a know-it-all.
