By Samantha Nelson
Published June 21, 2026
In the vast, chaotic multiverse of Rick and Morty, continuity is often treated as a suggestion rather than a rule. Over the course of nine sprawling seasons, the Adult Swim juggernaut has introduced a dizzying array of bizarre entities, from interdimensional parasites to sentient, alcoholic vegetables. While most serve as one-off punchlines in the frenetic adventures of Rick Sanchez and his grandson, Morty, a select few—such as Birdperson, Unity, and the eccentric Mr. Nimbus—have transcended their episodic origins to become pillars of the show’s evolving mythology.
Now, as the series hits its stride in its ninth season, showrunners have reached back into the archives to resurrect a fan-favorite antagonist who hasn’t been seen in over a decade. In the fifth episode of Season 9, titled "Jer Bud," the series revisits the intelligent dog who once threatened to subjugate humanity: Snowball (formerly known as Snuffles).
The Origin: From Household Pet to Global Threat
To understand the weight of this reunion, one must look back to the very dawn of the series. The second episode of Rick and Morty, "Lawnmower Dog," aired in 2013 and established the show’s penchant for blending high-concept science fiction with deeply unsettling domestic satire.
The premise was simple: Jerry, frustrated by the family dog’s inability to grasp basic house-training, pleads with Rick to augment the pet’s intelligence. Rick complies, but the result is catastrophic. Snuffles, the humble family pet, evolves rapidly, gaining the capacity for complex thought and deep resentment toward his masters. He renames himself Snowball, constructs an elaborate mechanical suit, and begins an uprising, arming other dogs with advanced weaponry to flip the power dynamic of the human-pet relationship.
The episode was a masterclass in genre-blending, serving as both a parody of Christopher Nolan’s Inception—with Rick and Morty diving into the dreams of the family members to resolve the crisis—and a biting commentary on the ethics of animal treatment. The episode famously concluded with a meta-joke regarding the potential for a spin-off, suggesting a planet run by dogs was a concept that held significant narrative gravity.
The Return of the King: A 13-Year Wait
Thirteen years later, "Jer Bud" finally delivers on the promise of that early, iconic storyline. The episode centers on Morty’s long-overdue visit to the planet where the dogs relocated after abandoning Earth in the original episode.
However, the utopia Morty envisioned is far from reality. Upon his arrival, he discovers that the intelligent canines have mirrored the very behaviors they once sought to escape. They have engaged in the selective breeding of a native hominid species, keeping them as pets in a disturbing reflection of real-world puppy mills and the ethical complexities of domesticating living beings.
The episode forces a confrontation between the now-adult-like Snowball and a cynical, experienced Morty. Snowball, appearing increasingly self-conscious about his role as a planetary leader and the moral decay of his society, must grapple with Morty’s visceral reaction to the state of his world. The narrative quickly spirals into a The Last King of Scotland-esque political thriller as Morty is dragged into a hominid uprising that threatens to shatter the canine empire.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Rationale
For the creative team behind Rick and Morty, returning to the Snowball character was a deliberate choice rooted in long-term world-building.
"It’s been a longstanding topic at the top of the season when we’re coming up with ideas," series creator Dan Harmon explains in an interview with Polygon. "That first episode with Snowball specifically ended with a meta-reference to the idea of a spin-off or something. It was always in the back of our minds, a lingering thread that we knew we wanted to pull on eventually. It was deliberately crafted with the feeling that maybe there will be more to this story."
The challenge, according to showrunners, was not just bringing the character back, but evolving him in a way that felt consistent with the show’s dark, cynical tone. Scott Marder, one of the show’s key showrunners, emphasized the importance of the character’s emotional complexity.
"We were really drawn to the idea of Morty returning to a situation that felt like a political thriller," Marder notes. "We wanted to explore an already complicated relationship with an old friend—an old friend who has gotten himself into an even more complicated, perhaps even morally bankrupt, situation. It just felt like it had a lot of inherent conflict that we hadn’t tapped into yet."
Implications for the Multiverse
The resolution of "Jer Bud" leaves the dog planet in a state of precarious ruin. While Snowball and Morty manage to reconcile their past, the sociopolitical landscape of the planet is irrevocably changed. The uprising, the exposure of the "hominid mill" practices, and the destruction of the palace structures suggest that the "dog planet" will no longer be a safe haven or a quiet footnote in the show’s history.
This episode serves as a reminder of Rick and Morty‘s unique ability to utilize its vast library of characters to enrich the present. By revisiting the "Lawnmower Dog" plot, the show provides a rare sense of stakes. It is no longer just about the adventures of the week; it is about the long-term consequences of Rick’s reckless inventions and the way those consequences ripple through the universe.
Furthermore, the episode invites viewers to consider the longevity of the series. As the show approaches its tenth season, the willingness to revisit 13-year-old plot points suggests a narrative confidence that few animated series achieve. It signals that no character, no matter how minor or how old, is truly retired.
Future Prospects and Legacy
The critical reception of "Jer Bud" has been largely positive, with many praising the show’s ability to return to its roots while maintaining the darker, more introspective tone of its later seasons. The juxtaposition of a childhood pet with the realities of imperialist power dynamics highlights the show’s enduring strengths: its ability to make the audience laugh while feeling deeply uncomfortable.
As for Snowball’s future, the ending of the episode remains ambiguous. The character has survived a civil war and the moral collapse of his society, suggesting he is a survivor at heart. Whether he remains a recurring figure in the series or fades back into the background of the multiverse, his return has successfully bridged the gap between the show’s humble beginnings and its current, complex iteration.
"Hopefully, it won’t take another eight seasons and 13 years to see the character again," the creative team muses. But in the world of Rick and Morty, time is fluid, and the past is never really dead. It is merely waiting for the right moment to return, armed with a mechanical suit and a grudge.
Conclusion
"Jer Bud" is more than just a nostalgic callback; it is a testament to the meticulous planning and character development that sustain Rick and Morty. By bringing Snowball back into the fold, the writers have proven that they are not just interested in churning out new, high-concept adventures, but in honoring the history of the show itself. As the series moves forward, fans can look forward to more of these reunions, knowing that in this multiverse, every loose end is a potential story waiting to be told.
