Fandom culture has exploded with the arrival and growth of the internet. Tumblr blogs and Facebook pages, fan fiction and fan art, it all renders groups of people who take their interest in the content and take it a step further.
Fandoms are nothing new and, basically, are collections of individuals congregating over a common interest. The interest, in this case, is television, movies, and even books.
Where before, a fandom would simply be a group enjoying the content, fandoms have evolved to these fan groups inserting themselves into the media and participating in the fan culture. Not only has the culture evolved, but the avenues in which fans can meet have as well.
The “Rick and Morty” Fandom
The Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim cartoon “Rick and Morty” has created just this. It's a plot line and character cast that viewers haven’t seen before, especially compared with similar shows like “The Simpsons” and “Futurama”. Where these shows gives viewers an overwhelming number of humorous moments compared to serious ones and a portrayal of a dysfunctional family simply for comic relief, “Rick and Morty” gives viewers a sense of realism among the comedy.
When we see Rick and Morty, it’s just a good mix of humor and a dysfunctional family being portrayed in a more realistic manor. The idea of a drunk mad scientist grandfather dragging his grandson along on adventures is just weirdly appealing.
This appeal has held fast even through times of hiatus. Fans turn out fantastic artwork and creative AUs (alternate universe story ideas) which spark a whole new realm of fan art and fan fiction. Fandom has evolved from merely enjoyment to a community that supports and encourages each other in their creative endeavors.
Despite the positivity of modern fandom culture, there is of course a sense of negativity. It’s the internet, after all.
Commonly, members of the fandom will retaliate against each other over differences and disagreements. Shipping wars are the most common, where some members do not agree with fan couplings and therefore argue against it.
Less often, creators and fans will engage in their own form of argument. Some creators do not appreciate the AUs or the fan theories, as it is their content and not the content of the fans. Or, fans can lash out against creators if the show does not go the way they would have liked to see.
Luckily, though, this type of aggression and tension is not common.
The “Rick and Morty” fandom doesn’t have major shipping wars, doesn't seem to get into conflicts with the creators of the show, and there aren’t many toxic members.
Fan Theories
Fan theories are just as they seem, theories about the plots and characters that are created by fans of the show, movie, etc. It could be anything from the mere shipping of characters to entire plot theories.
A fan theory differs from an AU in the sense that an AU is a basis for fan fiction or fan art. There really is no evidence that this could be a part of the content. Rather, it is a creative aspect of fandom culture.
A fan theory draws from events of the show and grows from them.
In some cases, creators monitor fan theories and may even draw concepts from them. There is so much creativity in fandoms, there is bound to be revolutionary ideas that even the creators have not thought of yet.
C-137 Rick and Eyepatch Morty
With such an innovative and creative plot already part of “Rick and Morty”, it is no surprise that fans are engaging and expanding upon the already complex concepts presented.
Overwhelmingly, one theory has grown to attempt to solve the mystery of Eyepatch Morty. Eyepatch Morty arrived in the episode “Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind”, where Ricks of different realities were being killed and their Mortys taken by an unknown source. The Council of Ricks stepped in and suspected Rick C-137, the Rick that viewers see as the Rick they follow each episode. Despite some speculation that this isn’t the case, for continuity purposes we will assume that Rick C-137 is the Rick featured in each episode.
Rick C-137 is not only targeted by The Council, but he is being targeted by whoever the criminal is. By the end of the episode, we see that Eyepatch Morty, a Morty from another reality, is behind the operation. Since Mortys are known simply as a pawn for their Rick, this was quite the twist.
Fan began trying to fill in the missing links between Eyepatch Morty and C-137 Rick, as there obviously must be a deeper reason for the animosity. The main theory: Eyepatch Morty is the real C-137 Rick’s Morty. Meaning, C-137 Rick is not of that reality, either.
1. Rick arrived at the C-137 Smith household after being away for 20 years. He didn’t see Morty grow up. In the episode as Eyepatch Morty’s Rick, under his control, is scanning Rick’s memories, we see his interactions with an infant Morty. In the C-137 timeline, this isn’t possible. He was with another Morty.
2. The opening sequence of the show features an assortment of canon, or real, moments of the show. One of these moments, though, shows Morty being left behind by Rick as he jumps through a portal. The portal closes before Morty can follow him, leaving him to be attacked by frog-like aliens. This hasn't been shows in the episodes, but just as all the other members of the opening are canon, we can assume this is too. Theories say that this is Eyepatch Morty being left behind by Rick. This would create the basis for hatred, definitely.
3. It is totally possible to slip into another reality without being noticed. Rick and Morty have already done it when they destroyed their own, and Rick even states that they could do this a number of times over. There is no saying that the C-137 Rick has not done just this.
This entire theory was created by fans, not the creators. Fans bond over their interest and create an entire community that have a common basis, one that they all enjoy and want to talk about. Luckily, “Rick and Morty” creators fully appreciate their creativity.
What’s Next?
Mr. Poopy-Butthole reveals to fans in the season two finale that the show will resume in “a year and a half”. This puts us in March of 2017. With Rick in prison and the family exiled, fans are eagerly awaiting the premiere. There are many questions that are waiting to be answered.
