Futurama comes to an end tonight. So like the army of Benders saluting their 500-foot tall creation, I decided to give salute to the best moments this series has given us as fans. To help me with that, I invited Tulsa World correspondent and my Futurama-viewing partner Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton to add in some of her own favorite moments as well.
Also, before we begin this list, let me just say that to avoid any bloodshed this is not a top 10 list. These are just our personal picks for our favorite episodes and moments in the series. Plus, that would take too much work and in honor of Fry and Bender’s work ethic, why would we do more work when we don’t have to?
LENZY'S PICKS
So after watching “Futurama” for 13 years in both first run and syndication, my initial reaction to the cancellation announcement was “Eh, Comedy Central execs will change their minds in a few years when they’re hurting for ratings.” However, given how Wednesday’s episode is being promoted compared to the other presumptive series finales, it looks like they are serious this time.
So, with that, my top five “Futurama” episodes, in chronological order of their first air date:
“The Series Has Landed.” - The series’ second episode, “The Series Has Landed” introduced us to Amy, Zoidberg, Bender’s reaction to magnets and the undervalued bit character, the Crushinator. It also further establishes the sly pop culture references in each episode that we’ve all come to expect. “That’s one small step for man…and one giant line for admission.”
“Love’s Labours Lost in Space.” - The series’ fourth episode is the introduction to Zapp Brannigan and his namesake law, Kif Kroker and Nibbler thanks to Professor Farnsworth’s “tax-deductible mission of charity.” That, and mixing Shakespearean references with real velour and champagne is just a recipe for awesomeness.
“Amazon Women in the Mood.” - The third season premier has just the right level of Zapp Brannigan. Even though Billy West is solid, I still wonder how Phil Hartman, Matt Groening’s original choice for the role, would have sounded while getting abused by giant Amazonian women. Bea Arthur’s guest spot as the Femputer is just an added bonus.
“Jurassic Bark.” - This season four episode is one of three during the entire series that has left me hunting for Kleenex. It is very well done and at the time of its initial air date 11 years ago, helped fill in some of the gaps in Fry’s back story. However, because of the episode’s heartbreaking waning minutes (and my dog’s habit of curling up with me when I watch television), I generally avoid the episode whenever it pops up on the program listings. It is just that much of a punch in the gut.
“Idle Hands are the Devil’s Playthings.” - The original series finale from the show’s run on Fox, this episode has a toned down, but still satisfying emotional payoff at the end. Ten years after its initial airdate, my husband and I still quote this episode at each other on a regular basis. That, and it has Dan Castellaneta – better known as the voice of Homer Simpson – as the Robot Devil. Even HedonismBot can’t ignore that.
Honorable mention: “A Bicylops Built for Two” (season two), “War is the H-Word” (season two), “Bend Her” (season four), “In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela” (season six), “All the Presidents’ Heads” (season six).
CHRIS' PICKS
"Godfellas" – Bender becoming a god is perhaps one of the scariest ideas imaginable. However this episode had some of the most hilarious outcomes. As Bender drifts helplessly through space, he becomes inhabited by tiny being called Shrimpkins who call Bender their Metal Lord. Bender tries to answer the prayers of his followers, but each time he does more harm than good that ultimately culminates into a holy nuclear war. In the end Bender learns the valuable lesson that being a god of a civilization deserves a light touch.
"Roswell That Ends Well" – Having a show around the premise of a guy from 1999 traveling to the year 3000, it is only natural that the Planet Express Crew would travel through time itself. After a freak microwave popcorn incident, the crew travels back to 1947 and end up in Roswell, New Mexico inadvertently becoming the supposed alien craft that landed in Area 51. But that isn’t the only thing they accidentally cause. Thanks to Fry’s incompetence in trying to save his supposed grandfather, he accidentally becomes his own grandpa by sleeping with his grandmother book-ended with his famous scream. The episode also has excellent sight gags such as Professor Farnsworth causing chaos in a hover recliner and President Truman arriving via shipping crate.
"Parasites Lost" – In the continuing saga of Fry trying to show how much he loves Leela, Fry gets the opportunity to prove it due to a gas station egg salad sandwich filled with worms. Thanks to the worms inside Fry’s body, they make him a better man and even sets up the events for the first series finale. The entire episode is filled with love, action, betrayal and a storyline that is worthy for any old-fashioned Magic School Bus fan.
"Law and Oracle" – Who would have guessed Fry would make such a great cop. Fry quits his job at Planet Express and joins the police force. With some great references to the movie Minority Report we get a cool new character in the form of Police Chief O’Mannahan and spend more screen time than we ever have with Police Robot URL. “Awwww yeah.”
"Jurassic Bark" – Futurama does great in the field of humor, but when it goes for dramatic moments it nails them every time. There have been multiple moments from Fry moving stars to show his love for Leela to Hermes saving a baby Bender from being junked, but nothing comes close to the story of Seymour. The tale of Fry’s dog is so powerful that Lenzy can’t even watch it while I myself must always watch if I ever catch it on. Those final moments of Fry not wanting to bring his dog back to life because he says Seymour had a happy life without him and then seeing what truly happens leaves tears in my eyes every time.
Great Moments
As an bonus, here are some great snippets Futurama has produced.
These are our personal picks for our love of Futurama. What are some of yours? Leave them in the comments below so we can reminisce with you.
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