Rick and Morty Snowball Is Back, and Morty Refuses to Pick a Side — Here’s Why That’s the Whole Point

Eight years after his last appearance, Snowball — the genius dog from Rick and Morty‘s very first episode — finally returns. And in true Rick and Morty fashion, his comeback doesn’t deliver a triumphant reunion. It delivers a civil war, a moral dilemma, and a Morty who refuses to play hero.

So, What Side Does Morty Choose?

The short answer: neither, fully. Morty initially sympathizes with the oppressed “Mancors” (humans) rebelling against Snowball’s dog-led society after learning how badly they’re treated. But when the fighting escalates, Morty ultimately refuses to take command or impose a political solution on either faction — choosing instead to simply stop the violence.

Rick and Morty Episode Breakdown

How the Conflict Unfolds

Morty arrives expecting a heartfelt reunion with his old pet, only to discover Snowball now rules an advanced but deeply flawed civilization. The dogs have created genetically engineered humanoid pets called Mups — an uncomfortable mirror of the very exploitation Snowball once rebelled against as a dog under human rule.

After witnessing the mistreatment firsthand, Morty joins the Mancor rebels in storming Snowball’s mansion. The two former friends face off one-on-one, but their confrontation quickly turns emotional rather than violent, as both realize how much they still care about each other.

The Heart of the Episode: Morty and Snowball’s Reconciliation

Taking shelter in a panic room as war rages outside, Morty and Snowball finally open up. Snowball admits his society repeated humanity’s worst mistakes despite his intelligence, while Morty acknowledges that exploitation isn’t unique to any one species. It’s a surprisingly tender moment buried inside an otherwise chaotic, satirical storyline.

When Morty makes clear he has no intention of leading the society or eliminating Snowball, the fighting between the dogs and Mancors resumes — proving that good intentions alone don’t end deep-rooted conflict.

How Rick Actually Solves It

True to form, Rick’s solution isn’t diplomacy — it’s chemistry. He distributes surplus Worry Worms (the same anxiety-eating parasites from Jerry’s subplot) to dogs, Mancors, and Mups alike, artificially calming tensions rather than resolving them through dialogue. It’s a darkly funny commentary on how easily conflict can be “solved” without anyone actually changing.

This kind of morally ambiguous storytelling fits the show’s long-running tradition of using science fiction satire to explore real social themes through absurd, exaggerated scenarios.

Why Rick Is Proud of Morty

Interestingly, Rick expresses genuine pride in Morty for refusing to take a moral stance — a rare moment of approval from a character who typically mocks sincerity. It reinforces one of the episode’s core ideas: sometimes staying neutral, rather than imposing your own worldview, is its own kind of growth.

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Final Thoughts

Snowball’s long-awaited return delivers exactly the kind of morally messy, satirical payoff Rick and Morty fans expect. Morty’s refusal to choose a side isn’t indecision — it’s the episode’s entire point.

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