Over its nine-season run, Rick and Morty has amassed an eclectic roster of strange entities, from multi-dimensional clones and cyborgs to anthropomorphic avian species. While many serve as fleeting punchlines during Rick and Morty’s intergalactic escapades, foundational supporting characters like Birdperson, Unity, and Mr. Nimbus have significantly enriched the show’s lore. With even recurring figures like President Andre Curtis securing their own spotlight, it was only a matter of time before another fan-favorite returned. That moment arrives in season 9, episode 5, premiering June 21.
[Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Rick and Morty season 9, episode 5.]Longtime viewers will recall “Lawnmower Dog,” the second episode of the series, where Jerry—annoyed by his pet dog Snuffles’ house-training habits—coerces Rick into augmenting the animal’s intelligence. The experiment backfires spectacularly. Snuffles, rebranding himself as Snowball, evolves into a sentient leader who constructs a mechanized exoskeleton and elevates the cognitive capacity of his fellow canines to orchestrate a global canine revolution.
The episode famously riffed on Christopher Nolan’s Inception, as Rick ventured into the canine subconscious to thwart their plans for human subjugation. Snowball ultimately opted to migrate his pack to an alternate dimension, leaving audiences with a tongue-in-cheek tease that a canine-governed civilization would make for an excellent spinoff. Since then, the writing team has toyed with how to revisit this loose thread.
“It’s been a recurring topic in our writers’ room,” co-creator Dan Harmon shared with Polygon. “That original Snowball episode ended with a meta-commentary on the potential for a spinoff, so we always left the door ajar to revisit that narrative.”
In the latest installment, “Jer Bud,” Morty finally journeys to the dogs’ hidden planet. He discovers that these hyper-intelligent canines have begun selectively breeding indigenous hominids as pets—a sharp, uncomfortable satire of humanity’s own history with pet ownership and breeding practices. Snowball, clearly self-conscious about his society’s ethical failures, reacts poorly to Morty’s presence, and what begins as a social visit quickly devolves into a brutal uprising.
“We were drawn to the prospect of a Last King of Scotland-inspired dynamic,” explained showrunner Scott Marder. “It’s a complicated reunion between old friends, set against a backdrop of escalating conflict.”
By the episode’s conclusion, while some semblance of peace is restored between the protagonist and his former pet, the canine civilization lies in shambles. Whether Snowball undergoes a genuine evolution or descends further into tyranny remains to be seen—though fans certainly hope it won’t take another thirteen years to find out.
Source: Polygon
