In line with the series’ usual references to Hollywood movies, “Rick and Morty” Season 3 will feature a Mad Max themed episode. Creator Dan Harmon confirmed this in a recent interview ahead of the show’s return at the end of July.
The 'Mad Max' appeal
Harmon said that they have wanted to pay homage to George Miller and decided to do so in Season 3 with a Mad Max-themed episode. The showrunner said that they used the movie’s dystopian nuclear wasteland and post-apocalyptic genre as backdrop. “[We] got to design all of those vehicles and weapons and characters, and explore themes of manhood and womanhood,” Harmon told Time.
Harmon did not reveal further details about the episode, although fans can likely expect lots of fighting and road rage. The trailer for “Rick and Morty” Season 3 also gave a glimpse at this Mad Max-themed episode. At the 0:13 time mark in the video below, you can see a chase happening with the mad scientist driving what appears to be a customized vehicle with artillery. This scene is straight out of George Miller’s “Mad Max” movie. More references to the blockbuster film are in the trailer, including the scene at the 0:26 and 0:46 mark.
Season 3 only gets darker
The Mad Max-themed episode aligns with the turn in which the series is heading. Harmon told the publication that the installment gets darker.
Harmon said that “new kind of dark things happen,” and the premiere is a good example of one of these things. Episode 1 ended in a sinister way when Rick warned Morty not to get in his way and just obey whatever he tells him to do. Harmon described it as a dark thing for the scientist to tell his grandson.
Regardless of the series taking a darker turn, the creator assured that Season 3 does not stray from its usual tone.
The titular characters still continue to work together and go on their intergalactic adventures. Morty is still an overly anxious teenager who blindly follows whatever his grandfather tells him to do. Episode 1 hinted that he has no choice but to remain loyal to Rick, otherwise he may suffer the same fate as the Galactic Federation and his father Jerry.
Airdate for 'Rick and Morty' Season 3
The show returns to screens on July 30 at 11:30 pm EST. The series returns with Episode 2, titled “Rickmancing the Stone.” Fans believe the episode is a play at the 1980s film “Romancing the Stone,” which may see the titular characters on a jungle mission to save Summer.
