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Since its launch in 2013, Rick & Morty has become one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved adult animations, having won two Emmy Awards for most outstanding animated program and, as of last year, claimed over 10 billion views worldwide.

So by the time the sixth season aired last year, there wasn’t a huge deal of hype. It was pulling in decent audiences, but also facing competition from other adult cartoons such as BoJack Horseman and Big Mouth.

Rick & Morty has been around since 2013, so why is everyone talking about it now?Credit: Adult Swim

However, its seventh season, which debuted on Monday, had fans and critics talking months before it finally hit screens.

Beyond a surprise cameo from Australia’s own Hugh Jackman, the first episode suggests the season follows the same formula as previous instalments. So, why has a seemingly run-of-the-mill season become such a big deal?

Let’s rewind. What is Rick & Morty?

Rick &Morty follows the ridiculous, often death-defying, sci-fi adventures of Rick Sanchez and his grandson, Morty.

The show was created by Dan Harmon (Community, Strange Planet) and Justin Roiland, who also voiced both Rick and Morty, for the first six seasons.

Why is everyone talking about it now?

In January, the series’ network, Adult Swim, fired Roiland after it was revealed he had been charged with domestic violence, a charge that was ultimately dropped.

In 2020, he was charged with corporal injury and false imprisonment by menace, fraud, violence or deceit against a woman, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Associated Press.

Rick & Morty co-creator Justin Roiland was kicked off the show in January after it was revealed that he was charged with domestic violence.Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File

Roiland, now 43, pleaded not guilty to the charges, all of which were dismissed in March of this year.

NBC News reported in September claims that Roiland had allegedly engaged in a pattern of inappropriate sexual conduct, predominantly with young fans, while working on Rick & Morty. Roiland also denied these claims.

The seventh season is the first without any input from Roiland, leaving many viewers questioning how the show could maintain its identity, particularly when lacking Rick and Morty’s trademark voices.

Who is the new Rick and Morty?

The new voice actors were shrouded in secrecy until the first episode dropped this week.

Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden voice Rick and Morty respectively, both of whom are relatively unknown voice actors, but do a pretty convincing job.

Each voice sounds slightly flatter than the originals, lacking some of the manic energy Roiland imbued them with, but this is likely to go unnoticed by more casual viewers. In fact, they’re convincing enough that the writers didn’t even feel the need to include a gag poking fun at the fact that they sound different, like they did in Roiland’s other former show, Solar Opposites.

Is the new season actually any good?

It’s not terrible. Clearly aware of the structural changes they had undergone, the show’s team appeared to be intent on proving it was still business as usual by reminding viewers of other beloved elements of the show beyond its titular characters.

The first episode, How Poopy Got His Poop Back, sees Squanchy, Birdperson and Gearhead – all fixtures of previous seasons – return to host an intervention for a heartbroken Mr Poopybutthole (another fan-favourite).

The episode largely coasts on the familiarity of these characters, pulling attention away from Rick’s new voice. Notably, Roiland also formerly voiced Mr Poopybutthole; however, John Allen convincingly revives him.

What does any of this have to do with Hugh Jackman?

Though no stranger to high-profile cameos, season seven seems to up the ante by featuring Hugh Jackman playing a fictionalised version of himself – a self-absorbed party addict.

Hugh Jackman plays himself in Rick and Morty.Credit: Adult Swim

Jackman employs his trademark Aussie self-deprecating humour, is half-naked for the majority of the episode and even sings a song. But a scene that’s sure to get fans of the entertainer talking shows his character seemingly talking about his marriage.

He finds Mr Poopybutthole – in the midst of a separation – staring at a photo of the actor and his wife on their wedding day.

“The best bloody day of my life,” says Jackman, who, it turns out, is actually referring to the Tony award sitting in front of the framed photo.

Depending on when the episode was written and filmed, it’s either the show displaying its trademark self-awareness, or the world’s most awkward timing, given Jackman recently announced his separation from Deborra-lee Furness, his wife of 27 years.

The first episode of Rick & Morty season 7 is available on Netflix, with new episodes dropping each week.

Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.

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