Rick and Morty - Characters & Cast

Initially, his motivation appears to be pure scientific curiosity and amusement at the expense of others. However, his true, overarching motivation is revealed to be vengeance against Rick Prime for killing his family. After achieving this, his motivation becomes unclear, shifting towards protecting the family he has and finding a new purpose in a meaningless existence.

Rick begins as the epitome of a nihilistic, hedonistic super-genius who drags his grandson on traumatic adventures for selfish reasons. His character is defined by his catchphrase "Wubba Lubba Dub Dub," which secretly means he is in great pain. Initially portrayed as almost invincible and emotionally detached, later seasons gradually peel back his layers. The reveal of his "crybaby backstory"—the murder of his original wife and daughter by another Rick (Rick Prime)—re-contextualizes his behavior as a decades-long, trauma-fueled quest for revenge. His journey is one of slowly and begrudgingly accepting his need for family. While he constantly pushes them away, moments of genuine affection and sacrifice show his evolution. After finally killing Rick Prime in Season 7, his life's purpose is gone, forcing him into a new existential crisis about what to live for now that his vengeance is complete.

His initial motivation is simply to survive Rick's adventures and win the affection of his crush, Jessica. As the series progresses, his motivation evolves into a complex desire to protect his family, keep Rick from completely self-destructing, and carve out his own identity separate from his grandfather. He seeks a semblance of normalcy and meaning in a life defined by chaos.

Morty starts as a timid, anxious 14-year-old who is easily manipulated by Rick. He serves as the moral compass, often horrified by Rick's actions. Through countless traumatic experiences, including burying his own corpse after they switch realities ("Rick Potion #9"), Morty becomes jaded, more capable, and increasingly assertive. He develops from a passive sidekick into someone who frequently challenges Rick and even acts independently. While he adopts some of Rick's cynicism, he never fully loses his core empathy. His arc is a coming-of-age story warped by cosmic horror, transforming him from a boy into a hardened survivor who understands the universe's indifference but still chooses to care.

Her primary motivation shifts from seeking social acceptance among her peers to craving adventure and her grandfather's respect. She is driven by a desire to prove her worth and not be left behind. In later seasons, she is also motivated by a fierce, if dysfunctional, loyalty to her family.

Summer begins as a stereotypical teenager obsessed with popularity and her phone. Initially resentful of Rick and Morty's adventures, she eventually demands to be included. She proves to be far more adaptable and ruthless than Morty, often impressing Rick with her cynical and violent tendencies. Her arc involves moving past superficial concerns to become a capable and integral part of the adventures. She develops a deeper, more complex relationship with Rick, sometimes understanding his nihilism better than anyone else. She grows from a background character into a formidable force in her own right, often saving the day herself.

Beth is primarily motivated by a desperate need for Rick's approval and a fear of being ordinary like her husband, Jerry. She constantly seeks validation for her intelligence and life choices. This evolves into a motivation to understand herself and find personal freedom, as represented by the choice between her domestic life and the adventurous life of Space Beth.

Beth is an intelligent horse surgeon plagued by deep-seated abandonment issues stemming from Rick leaving her as a child. Her entire life is a struggle between her desire for her father's approval and her resentment towards him. She is locked in an unhealthy, codependent marriage with Jerry. A major turning point is in "The ABC's of Beth," where Rick offers to clone her, allowing one version to stay with her family while the other explores the universe. The existence of "Space Beth" forces both Beths to confront their identity, desires, and self-worth independent of Rick and their family. Her arc is about accepting her own capabilities and choices, and learning to define herself on her own terms, not just as Rick's daughter or Jerry's wife.

Jerry's motivation is simple: he wants a normal, quiet life and the love and respect of his family. He is driven by his deep-seated insecurities and a desperate desire for approval, particularly from Beth. He consistently tries to assert his role as the family's patriarch, usually with disastrous results.

Jerry is the embodiment of mediocrity, insecurity, and simple-mindedness. He is constantly belittled by Rick and often by his own family. For much of the series, he serves as a comedic punching bag. However, his character undergoes a subtle but significant arc. After his divorce and reconciliation with Beth, he begins to develop a sliver of a backbone and self-worth. Episodes like "Solaricks" show that in some contexts, his simplistic survival skills can make him surprisingly competent. While he remains fundamentally insecure, he evolves from a pathetic figure into a slightly more self-aware, and occasionally respected, member of the family whose defining trait is his unwavering, if pathetic, commitment to his family.