Rick & Morty Season 8 to bring back a major setting of the series

Rick and Morty (image via Netflix)
Rick and Morty (Image via Netflix)

Rick & Morty Season 8 will return to one of the show's most significant places: the Citadel. The upcoming season’s trailer includes clues pointing to the Citadel’s reappearance, which was last featured in Season 5. That matters because the Citadel was blown up in Season 5 by Evil Morty, one of the show's biggest villains overall.

The Citadel's return indicates that Rick & Morty Season 8 will be investigating the aftermath of its destruction and potentially its rebuilding. The footage shows multiple Ricks inside a building resembling the former Citadel, accompanied by Mortys, hinting at a possible return of the Council of Ricks.

This environment has been at the forefront of some of the series' most important episodes and plotlines, so its return might signal a greater emphasis on the show's overall narrative in the next season.


The Citadel's place in Rick & Morty's story so far

The Citadel was initially developed as a sanctuary for thousands of Ricks and Mortys from different universes. It existed as a Council of a Rick-governed society, with Mortys usually being treated badly. With time, the Citadel expanded in numbers and influence. Evil Morty's ascension to President of the Citadel led to a short-lived peace, but he had been secretly scheming for its demise.

In Season 5, Evil Morty managed to penetrate the Central Finite Curve and bring about chaos that destroyed the Citadel. The principal Rick and Morty escaped, but most inhabitants did not survive. The fact that the Citadel was destroyed was a big thing, and the absence of it in the series ever since has made people wonder about what happened to it.


What the Season 8 trailer of Rick & Morty hints at about the Citadel’s comeback

Scenes from the Rick & Morty Season 8 trailer suggest that the Citadel is either undergoing reconstruction or has already been restored. One scene shows several Ricks within a massive building with Mortys serving as waiters, much like how the Citadel existed before this. There is also visible construction in the background behind the building, which makes the rebuilding hypothesis valid.

There is a shot of a damaged structure that resembles the previous Citadel early in the trailer, suggesting exploration of the destruction or ruins. Also, a cowboy-hat and white-suit-clad Rick sitting on a throne-like chair implies a new ruler could be in control of the Citadel.

This raises questions about who now oversees the Citadel and whether Evil Morty is aware of its reappearance or involved in any way. The multiple Ricks and Mortys on the screen also suggest that the Council of Ricks may return, something which would be incredibly important for the story of Rick & Morty Season 8.


Possible impact of Citadel's return on Rick & Morty Season 8

Citadel's return will likely be an integral component of Season 8's main story. It leaves open the potential to explore new mysteries, like how the Citadel survived or was reconstructed following Evil Morty's attack and who is behind its current condition. Having several Ricks and Mortys involved may result in complicated narratives of power, control, and survival.

The Citadel has traditionally turned up in a few of the show's most significant episodes, including "Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind," "The Rickshank Redemption," and "Rickmurai Jack." They have been responsible for driving forward the series' lore and character development.

Hence, Rick & Morty Season 8's emphasis on the Citadel may be indicative of a move back towards more canonical, storyline-driven episodes.


Rick & Morty Season 8 debuts on May 25 on Adult Swim and promises to enrich the plot surrounding this central location.

Edited by Anshika Jain