Rick and Morty is one of the most creative animated series I have ever watched. With its sci-fi concepts, the show can truly run for an unlimited number of seasons, keeping up with the likes of The Simpsons and Family Guy. However, when it comes to long-running series, there are bound to be seasons that miss the mark or are not near what the show was at its peak. Well, I'm glad to say that Rick and Morty season 8 does not suffer from that, with the four episodes I watched being the show in top form.

Justin Roiland, who was fired from Rick and Morty, voiced the title characters for six seasons, so it took me some time to get used to the new voices behind the iconic characters. Throughout season 7, I would routinely point out moments where I felt the voices were not exactly up to the same level, be it in of similarity or just the emotion added to the scenes. However, Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden are more comfortable in their roles in season 8. This time around, I have zero problems with the voices and just hear classic Rick and Morty all the time.

Rick And Morty Season 8 Knows When To Go Big & Small

The Animated Series' Well-Known Formula Works Wonders

Rick and Morty does have canon events that carry over from season to season. The show also tends to bring along some form of narrative structure to each season, resulting in a major finale. Having watched only four of season 8's ten episodes, I can't say exactly how this is going to pan out. However, I love how the series is making the most of its ability to pull from past seasons and break new ground in season 8 so far. It continues to make things feel fresh and exciting while having the show's continuity in mind.

If there's one thing Rick and Morty truly is — it is unafraid.

There is a particular episode that leans heavily on what came before. It's one of my favorite episodes of the season, bringing bloody action, major reveals, and stunning visuals to the table. Interestingly, even an action-packed episode like that manages to bring about some deep realizations for the characters. I'm a fan of the darker, more intimate moments we get with Rick and Morty — and some other characters — in season 8. While fun adventures with creative set pieces and the use of technology make for a splash, these insightful moments make the characters and the world more engaging.

Rick and Morty would also not be what it is without some truly wild one-off episodes that go for concepts I would never have thought of. Not all of these ideas land in season 8, but one of the reasons why I will always stick with the show is due to the big creative swings the writers continue to take season after season. If there's one thing Rick and Morty truly is — it is unafraid. Season 8 follows that creative direction, and both the smaller-scale episodes and giant events are exciting.

The Smith Family Shines In Wild Scenarios

Summer & Beth Get A Touching Storyline

The Rick and Morty season 8 premiere is easily one of the season's best episodes. It fits right in with that idea of going as big as possible in of action and worldbuilding, which the animated series excels at, while also providing effective character development. It's an episode that spotlights the Smith family in a great way and shows why Rick and Morty are not the only stars of the show. Summer and Beth get a particularly touching storyline together that showcases their dynamic, similarities, and different ways of thinking better than most seasons before it.

As for the series' main stars, Rick and Morty's dynamic is analyzed in different ways throughout the season, and they continue to be phenomenal together, working as the show's best team.

Jerry also gets a chance to shine in season 8. While he continues to be in the family's periphery in a way that I think the show will never change, the character is at the center of a storyline that starts with a somewhat simple concept and then takes off to become one of the wildest episodes of the show. As for the series' main stars, Rick and Morty's dynamic is analyzed in different ways throughout the season, and they continue to be phenomenal together, working as the show's best team.

Besides the characters and stories, I have to praise season 8's visuals. The animation is as fluid as ever, making the action scenes run smoothly. The gore is constant this season, with quite a few horrific deaths per episode. The show does not shy away from it, which adds to the visceral experience, especially when Rick treats it in the most nonchalant way possible. There are also several gorgeous backdrops as we go to different planets, and it helps the show feel as immersive and grand as it should be, making Rick and Morty season 8 an all-around gem.

Rick and Morty season 8 premieres Sunday, May 25 on Adult Swim.