Rick and Morty is coming back to Adult Swim with new episodes later this month, and Season 8 is proof that the animated series is stronger than it ever has been. Rick and Morty Season 8 was released in a bit of a different manner than the previous few seasons. Thanks to all of the changes behind the scenes heading into the release of Season 7, and a delay to production following strikes, Rick and Morty Season 8 is the first season in a while to not release at a yearly pace. Instead, fans have had to wait a little longer for this new season to hit.

That extra bit of waiting might have been tough for Rick and Morty fans, but it was clearly the right move. What was really missing from Rick and Morty Season 7 was the sense of stability from what had come before. It was naturally a given considering how big the changes behind the scenes were leading into Season 7, and thankfully things have gotten back on track with Rick and Morty Season 8. It’s found its groove once more, and it’s the best it has been in years.

Rick and Morty Season 8 picks up from where the previous season left off, but much like previous seasons, has plenty of standalone adventures that see the titular duo taking on wacky new situations. This was one of the big requests fans have had over the previous seasons as while the serialized elements were definitely welcome, there was an even bigger ask for a return to this episodic format. The four episodes shared from Rick and Morty Season 8 for this review carry a little bit of both elements, and the balance seems better off than before. There are details in each episode for fans to poke through, but don’t throw off the self contained nature of each episode.