Review: "Mars University" (Season 1, Episode 11)

Ah, the old stomping grounds.

Airdate: October 3rd, 1999

Synopsis: While on a delivery to Professor Farnsworth's university, Mars University (located, where else, Mars), Fry learns that his college dropout from the 20th Century was useless. Fry has a new resolve- enroll at Mars U, and drop out. However, he feels a sense of jealousy for Farnsworth's "project", Gunther- a monkey with a hyper-intelligence chip in his brain.

Meanwhile, Bender meets up with a chapter of his old Robot Fraternity. Realizing that they're a bunch of geeks, Bender tries to get them to loosen up by pulling pranks - one that gets them in the crosshairs of the Dean.

Review (SPOILERS): It is statistically proven that college/university rocks. What stat am I citing? My brain and various media... truly accurate sources of information.

So what better way to get into sci-fi hijinks than COLLEGE!!!!

Bizarrely enough, though, the end result is probably one of the weaker episodes so far - not a bad episode, by most means, but one that could've been better.

The main plot of the episode revolves around Fry and his relationship with Gunther. To say they don't hit it off is an understatement- they have an instant contempt for each other. Gunther is quick to realize that Fry is, well, a bit loopy. Fry responds with contempt for Gunther's intelligence. OK, I'll be the first to admit, the setup to the conflict could've been better. I know there's only 22 minutes, but still.

However, it's less the setup and more the impact on Fry that the writers focused on. Once Gunther proves his intelligence, Fry tries to sabotage Gunther's popularity. Is it just his impulsive, self-serving nature? Or is there a hint of regret- regret that he's not as intelligent as Gunther was made into by Professor Farnsworth? It's an interesting analysis.

Gunther's character is also interesting - a rebellion against the nurture that Farnsworth created, yet a rebellion against the sort of nature that Fry thinks Gunther "deserves". In short, he chooses not to be perfected nor to be confined to natural stereotypes - he forges his own path. Pretty symbolic - after all, he's the closest thing Farnsworth's had to a son thus far.

However, most people remember this episode for it's Animal House subplot. Nerds find Bender, want to be him, and follow in his lead of debauchery. While it is funny, I must say that it's a tad weak on substance.  Which is fine, but it seems more like a homage to movies like Animal House and American Graffiti than a send-up. I'll admit to not seeing either of them, so I might be out of the loop, but I did see the next closest thing.

For a true parody, I refer viewers to "Homer Goes to College", from the fifth season of The Simpsons. In "Homer Goes to College"... Homer enrolls in college to maintain his job. Thinking he can skate on by, he tries to ease up the lives of his study group, which works as well as you expect. More than being a mature, brilliant parody of college movies, it really showcases brilliant character dynamics - like those between Homer and his study group. Homer acts like an impulsive jackass, believing that's how college works, and the nerds utterly fail at it.

I didn't get that too much with Bender and his group - Bender largely just tapped into their ids, and drove them to insane stunts. The nerds aspire to popularity, which is kind of a cliche plot. It was funny, but rather simple.

As for the comedy... it was good, but not exemplary. That, plus an episode that had good, but not outstanding, character, is an episode that is, again, good, but not great.

RoooBOTTTTT HOUSE!!!!!!

Tidbits:

• Before anybody asks... yes, I got writers block. That, plus finals, meant my blogging crawled to a trickle. Thank god for summer.
• Farnsworth's reaction to Gunther leaving is hysterically dark. Whether it's an outburst in anger, or a glimpse at a darker side of Farnsworth, is up to debate. I'll just go with the former and move on.
• I love how the opening "caption" is "Transmitido en Martian en SAP". Coincidence? I think NOT!
• Also, take note in the cold open that, when Gunther is moving inside the box, Fry cowers behind Leela. Small moments like that really showcase the character dynamic.
• What class does Farnsworth teach? "Mathematics of Quantum Neutrino Fields". Ah, obscure math references. What kills it, though, is Fry signing up. "Mathematics of Wonton Burrito Meals." Of course I had to name my Futurama blog like this.
• I dunno, but the rivalry between Snooty House and Robot House reminds me of the Young Ones episode "Bambi", where the main quartet face off against Footlights College in University Challenge. Let's just say that the results... are quirky, to say the least.

Favorite Scene: I'm going to put this without spoiling the episode, but at the end of the episode, we get a parody of the ending of Animal House. The clincher, without spoiling anything? Bender steals everything of value from Robot House after all is said and done. What is all being said and done? Watch the episode, my friends.

Least Favorite Scene: Leela's condemnation of Fry's behavior at parent's night. Character it might show, but it did not sound that natural. Even lampshading it didn't help.

Memorable Quote: Fry's first class is "20th Century History". You'd be surprised at how well he does in that class, especially since the professor declares that the only way to ace the class it to have lived through the 20th century.

Professor: "What device invented in the 20th century allowed people to view broadcast programs in their own homes?"

Fry: "Oh! I know this! W-What do you call it? Lite Brite!" (Gets electrocuted) 

Score: 7.75.