"I'm a scientist; because I invent, transform, create, and destroy for a living, and when I don't like something about the world, I change it."
— Rick Sanchez, Rick and Morty, Season 3: Pickle Rick
Rick Sanchez of Dimension C-137, commonly referred to as Rick C-137, is the titular main protagonist of Rick and Morty.
He is a megagenius scientist whose alcoholism and reckless, nihilistic behavior are sources of concern for his "daughter's" family, as well as the safety of their son, Morty. Upon the series' inception, Rick's mysterious origins and mental health were large sources of speculation. As time has gone on, more has been revealed about his character; his backstory explaining much of his behaviour. At the same time, Rick has continuously committed more heinous acts, certifying him as the series' anti-hero, bordering on antagonist.
5 Reasons why Rick Sanchez is the best character:
- He's got some of the best humor on television
- He is a “No-Nonsense” Anti-Hero
- He cares mostly about himself - but draws the line with his family
- His character is dark and complex
- Rick changes and learns
"Oh man, Rick! I'm looking around this place, and I'm starting to work up some anxiety about this whole thing!"
— Morty Smith, Rick and Morty, Season 1: Pilot
Mortimer "Morty" Smith Sr. of the Prime Universe/Cronenberged Dimension is the titular central protagonist of Rick and Morty.
He is the adoptive grandson of Rick and is often forced to tag along on his various misadventures. Morty attends Harry Herpson High School along with his sister, Summer. At the beginning of the series, Morty was shown to be an incredibly anxious and submissive teenage boy. However, after going on many so-called adventures with Rick, Morty has seemingly become more confident and his own person, independent from Rick, rather than a mere sidekick.
"Losers Look Stuff Up While The Rest Of Us Are Carpin' All Them Diems."
— Summer Smith, Rick and Morty, Season 3: Rickmancing the Stone
Summer Smith of Dimension C-131 is the tritagonist of Rick and Morty, as a member of the Smith Family. She is the daughter of Jerry Smith and Beth Smith/Space Beth, the older sister of Morty Smith, and the mother of Naruto Smith.
She currently acts as the older sister and the granddaughter of the Morty and Rick, respectively, from the Cronenberged Dimension and Dimension C-137. She is the only other known member of the the Smith Family to be aware of that fact. As the series has progressed, Summer has become more frequently involved in Rick and Morty's adventures. She and Morty often squabble for Rick's affection, but also maintain a unique bond stemming from the revelation that Morty is not her original brother.
“Since we're fighting, if you ever have an affair with that guy, I will come to the hotel room and blow my brains out all over your naked bodies”
— Jerry Smith, Rick and Morty, Season 1: Pilot
Jerry Smith is a major character in Rick and Morty. Jerry is the husband of Beth Smith, the father of Summer Smith and Morty Smith, and the son-in-law of Rick Sanchez. The first six episodes of Season 1 featured Jerry Smith (Cronenberged dimension), while subsequent episodes featured a Jerry who was born in and inhabited the Replacement dimension up until episode 2 of season 2 where he switched places with another Jerry at the Jerryboree.
Jerry is often noted as somewhat of a loser. He constantly attempts to find a career to no avail, leaving his wife Beth to be the breadwinner of the family. However, he is capable of heroism in times of crisis and has saved his family's lives on a few occasions. Jerry's marriage to Beth is often rocky and unstable, resulting in the two finally getting a divorce in the Season 3 premiere. Jerry would spend most of the season living alone and depressed in a small apartment, until he and Beth reconcile in the Season 3 finale, although it's currently unknown if the Beth he re-married is a clone or the original Beth.
Jerry also has an adversarial relationship with his father-in-law, Rick and he often competes with the latter for the admiration of his family. However, that hasn't stopped Jerry from becoming more involved in Rick's space adventures. Currently, Jerry has also taken up beekeeping and produces his own honey.
"Don’t insult my father. He’s the reason our kids are only half-stupid."
— Beth Smith, Rick and Morty, Season 2: Big Trouble in Little Sanchez
Bethany "Beth" Smith of Dimension C-131 is a major character in Rick and Morty. She is the daughter of Rick and Diane Sanchez, the wife of Jerry Smith, and the mother of Summer Smith and the deceased Morty Smith. She currently acts as the mother and the daughter of the Morty Smith and Rick Sanchez from the Cronenberged dimension and Dimension C-137, respectively. She also works as a veterinarian at the St. Equis Hospital.
Characterized by a superiority complex and abandonment issues, Beth gradually came to struggle with her husband over his contributions to their marriage, due in part to his lower-level position and subsequent employment, further driven by her father influencing her feelings of superiority. The two eventually divorced, before reuniting in the Season 3 finale.
Around the same time, Beth grappled with the decision to leave her family in order to find herself or stay on Earth. She ended up leaving Rick to decide for her. Rick decided to create a clone of Beth and randomly sent one Beth to space whilst leaving the other on Earth, leaving it unknown to both Rick and the audience which Beth is the clone.