One great thing about Dan Harmond and Justin Roiland's cartoon show is that they pay a lot of attention to details. Unlike most cartoon shows, Rick and Morty cares a lot about continuity (although the show do delve into multiple timelines at the same time).
That's why small details on the show usually mean deeper things, and fans have learned to look out for easter eggs and persistent details that usually lead to major plot points.
Rick and Morty's Season 4 is only three episodes so far, but it's never too early for our favorite characters to have their personalities develop. Although it's not easily recognizable, thoughtful fans would be able to make the conclusion given some consideration.
What's Happening to Rick Sanchez
Stop reading if you haven't watched the latest season's third episode. If you don't mind spoilers or if you've already watched the latest episode, continue reading.
In Season 4, Episode 3 One Crew Over the Crewcoo's Nest, we see Rick and Morty compete against another crew on who could obtain a Crystal Skull. Filled with countless twists and turns, the episode was full of over-the-top heists complete with double-crosses and surprising reveals.
The opposing crew is led by one Miles Knightly (voiced by Justin Theroux), who challenges Rick in a Heist-Off. Initially outsmarted by Miles' crew, Rick reveals that he actually planned ahead of any of Miles' plans with the help of his latest invention, the Heist-o-Tron. As a result, Rick wins the bet against Miles, where the loser has to join the other crew.
But winning against Miles wasn't enough for Rick. In addition to revealing that he was actually miles ahead against his opponent, Rick also dumped some undesirables in Miles' bag.
So, Rick Poops In a Bag. Where's the Character Development?
Rick's celebratory defecation in Miles' bag is actually not just a childish act to humiliate his opponent. Observant viewers would note that Rick is actually shy about his call of nature, usually beating the bush around his needs and using euphemisms to refer to the act.
In the previous episode, The Old Man and The Seat, Summer revealed that Rick doesn't like letting others know that he's going to the potty. He would instead pat his stomach and go on "solo adventures." Rick is so insecure about his bowel movement that he even had a planet entirely for his fecal disposal.
Rick's insecurity may be rooted in the fact that humans don't have absolute control over their bowel movement. Rick, a notorious control freak, can't stand the fact that he doesn't have control over one facet of his body. Thus, beating around the bush and his indirectness towards bathroom breaks.
Also in episode 2, Rick feuds with Tony (voiced by Jeffrey Wright), who had been using Rick's personal toilet planet. Enraged, Rick plans to kill Tony, but when the latter revealed that he had recently lost his wife, Rick ended up sympathizing. The episode continues a dilemma—Rick wants to kill Tony out of vengeance, but he relates to Tony's pain, while Tony is also trying to become friends with Rick.
The conclusion of that episode led to a change in Rick's heart, and we see him finally relieving himself without being bashful. In one scene, he simply says that he's going to the toilet, and not just any toilet—he goes to a public bathroom inside a convention center.
In the course of two episodes, we see Rick lose his poopy shyness. With it, probably, is his desire to be in complete control of everything. Rick has finally come into terms with the limitations of what he has control over.
