Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Review: "A Head in the Polls" (Season 2, Episode 3)

Just hope the silent majority doesn't mind Robot bodies, Richard Nixon.
Airdate: December 12th, 1999

Synopsis: After a mining accident on Titan that trapped over 1000 robots, the price of titanium skyrockets. Seeing profit potential, Bender pawns his body (40% titanium) and begins living life as a "decapitated" head. Despite his initial pleasure, a conversation with the Presidents of the United States - particularly Richard Nixon - makes him realize what he gave up.

Speaking of which, Earth is holding an election to determine who will be the next President of the Planet. The two candidates up for election - Jack Johnson and John Jackson - are not only identical clones, their political positions (despite being members of the Tastycrats and the Fingerlicans, respectively) are completely identical.

Nixon, having listened to Bender's story, decides to buy Bender's body and use it to run in the election (citing a loophole in the Constitution). Disgusted, Bender, Fry, and Leela realize that the only way they're getting the body back is through a break-in at a hotel in Washington.

Review (SPOILER ALERT!): Studying politics is right up there with studying history, watching science fiction dramedies, and eating Taco Bell on my list of "favorite pastimes". It's a world of tragedy, comedy, and backstabbing that shapes the way we live.

There's a Futurama episode about that, and it is hysterical - probably gonna be my favourite of the season.