When an Old Friend Returns, Expect the Unexpected
The Enduring Legacy of Unique Characters
Throughout its extensive nine-season run, the animated series Rick and Morty has captivated audiences with its eclectic array of characters, including genetic duplicates, extraterrestrials, enhanced humans, and avian-human hybrids. While many of these figures contribute to fleeting comedic moments during the interdimensional escapades of Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith, certain recurring allies and adversaries, such as Birdperson, Unity, and Mr. Nimbus, have significantly enriched the show's narrative fabric and contributed to Rick's character development. Notably, Rick's recurring antagonist, President Andre Curtis, is even slated for his own spin-off series. Now, another fan-favorite character with potential for a standalone narrative is set to reclaim the spotlight in the fifth episode of Rick and Morty's ninth season, scheduled for broadcast on June 21.
Snowball's Genesis: A Canine's Ascent to Sentience
In the series' second-ever episode, "Lawnmower Dog," Jerry's exasperation over his dog Snuffles' carpet-soiling habits leads him to enlist his genius father-in-law Rick to enhance the pet's intelligence. This intervention, however, takes an unforeseen turn. Snuffles not only acquires the ability to use a toilet but also begins to question his domestic role and humanity's treatment of canines. Adopting the name Snowball, he engineers a robotic suit for himself and other dogs, boosting their intelligence to his own level.
A Clever Homage to Cinematic Masterpieces
The entire episode serves as a brilliant satire of Christopher Nolan's film Inception, with Rick navigating Snowball's dreamscape to dissuade the dog from his global domination plans and his intention to subjugate humanity as pets. Instead, Snowball opts to lead his canine brethren through a portal to an alternate realm. The episode concludes with a self-referential jest about the potential entertainment value of a dog-governed planet, perhaps in an 11-minute, storyboard-driven series. Since then, the creative team behind Rick and Morty has been exploring avenues to fulfill this humorous promise.
The Creative Impulse Behind Snowball's Revival
"It's been a persistent topic of discussion at the beginning of each season when we brainstorm ideas," series creator Dan Harmon revealed to Polygon. "That initial episode featuring Snowball specifically concluded with a meta-commentary on the concept of a spin-off, hinting at the deliberate possibility of further exploring this narrative."
Morty's Unsettling Journey to Snowball's Realm
In Rick and Morty season 9, episode 5, titled "Jer Bud," Morty finally ventures to Snowball's planet. He discovers that the highly intelligent canines have been selectively breeding a native hominid species to serve as pets, a revelation that deeply disconcerts Snowball, who is keenly aware of Morty's reaction to these disturbing practices. (This entire premise serves as a scathing indictment of real-world issues such as puppy mills and selective dog breeding.)
Uprising and Reckoning: The Unforeseen Conflict
Before long, Morty's leisurely plans at Snowball's opulent palace are disrupted as he is unwillingly embroiled in a hominid rebellion, plunging the planet into a devastating conflict.
A Familiar Dynamic in a Complex Setting
"We were drawn to the concept of Morty revisiting a scenario akin to The Last King of Scotland, confronting an already intricate relationship with an old companion who has found himself in an even more complicated predicament," showrunner Scott Marder shared with Polygon. "It felt like it offered a wealth of engaging conflict."
The Lingering Question of Redemption
Ultimately, Snowball and Morty reconcile, leaving the dog-ruled planet in ruins. Perhaps Snowball will genuinely alter his ways this time, or he might embark on even more terrifying ventures. One can only hope that it won't take another eight seasons and 13 years to witness the character's retur
