Review: "The Deep South" (Season 2, Episode 12)

Airdate: April 16th, 2000

Synopsis: Hermes applies for a pet license for Nibbler. Unfortunately, he gets a fishing license instead, one that's not just liberal - it's mandatory. Thus, the crew go fishing in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Bender's antics, though, meet with an unbreakable diamond tether - one that gets caught by a fish, dragging the crew underwater. They survive, but the ship... not so much. While looking for food outside (thanks to the Professor, he can withstand the pressure), he comes across a mermaid, Umbriel (Parker Posey), who takes him to the lost city of... Atlanta.

Review: In 1996, Atlanta was given the opportunity to host the Summer Olympic Games. In spite of a terrorist bombing that killed two people and injured 111 others, the Olympics are widely regarded as a beautiful success for Atlanta, transforming the city into the social and financial capital of the then-blooming American South, even helping to rebut some of the archetypes that were associated with the region in general (racism and poverty, most prominently).

"The Deep South" attempts to fuse the archetypes of "old" Atlanta, "new" Atlanta, and the mythical underwater city of Atlantis. How does it work? Mmm...

I guess we should start with the fact that, well, underwater arenas have never been touched on by Star Trek - mainly because Trek dealt almost completely in the realm of space. As previously mentioned, this deals in the realm of the mythical underwater city of Atlantis, mentioned in Plato's works as an allegory on hubris (overtaking neighboring civilizations) and sunk because of it's decadence.

Atlanta here also sunk because of a sense of overconfidence - it tried to become even more of a tourist trap, lifted itself into the ocean, and Ted Turner's ego finally put enough weight on the city to submerge it. So, in a sense, this is basically a retelling, mixed with a few jokes about the Big Peach, many of which I really liked. We can assume this was a stab at the city's attempts to take advantage of the growth after the 96 Games.

Admittedly, the "southern" jokes are rather standard fare. Having never lived in the South (I have family in Coastal North Carolina, though), I don't think I can accurately paint an opinion on whether they cross the line of good taste or not. Most of the jokes were rooted in the more aristocratic traditions of the "old south" - the Colonel wearing a big suit, owing a mansion, apparent adherence to traditions.

Besides that, the plot isn't nothing special. What it boils down to is "Fry gets a girlfriend, and breaks up with her". Nothing too complex or Earth shattering.

Where this episode does excel is several of the smaller "character" moments.

The dislike of Zoidberg, already alluded to in earlier episodes, is in full force here. He has to eat boots to survive, is ignored, Hermes suggests having him for dinner, and just as he starts to build his own life near Atlanta, his house burns down. Yes, his house burns down underwater. Even the kind Colonel dislikes him. Zoidberg is now Futurama's football, damned to be kicked around by life itself.

Bender's complex relationship with Fry is also explored here. He appears very emotional when Fry informs the crew of his intent to stay with Umbriel. However, back on land, he ruins Bender's attempts to get a $1000 cheque. ("I'm giving it to some giant orphans!") Cue Bender strangling the poor man. Can't put my finger on exactly what the problem is, but this seems a bit tragicomic, even by Bender's low standards.

Even Fry himself is shown to try and accentuate his own talents in order to try and get a girlfriend. Maybe it's just me, but I just found it to be a minor reflection on his own insecurity about himself. It's minor, and also serves to make him a bit of a jerk (he runs out on Umbriel for arguably shallow reasons, as per the status quo), but

There were also quite a few "little" character moments alongside those three...

• Hermes declaring that, despite trying to get a pet license for Nibbler, that he'd chuck the pet in a sack, throw it in a river, and chuck the river into space.
• Leela being more eccentric, even a bit of a jokester - helps show how her interactions with the rest of the crew have influenced the otherwise straight-laced pilot.
• More of Farnsworth's... questionable inventions.
• "Fry! I just knew you were still alive! I owe you ten bucks, Hermes."

So, in the end, it's a decent enough episode. Not the most memorable, but certainly quirky enough to merit a few viewings.

Tidbits:

• The Colonel briefly refers to Fry as a "carpetbagger". There's actually historical precedent to this term - it refers to Northerners who went to the South during the Reconstruction period. Some southerners felt that these new northerners were just taking advantage of the South's defeat for their own financial or political gain. 
• Ironically, from the 1970s on, more conservative Northerners began to retire or relocate to the South, taking advantage of the tax-skeptic, more fiscally libertarian atmosphere, alongside the rapid home development. The bubble burst in 2007, slowing down relocation to the South.
• It is worth noting that the Braves went up against the New York Mets in the 1999 National League Championship Series. Braves beat the Mets, and in the World Series... faced the Yankees. Yankees won. Likely just a coincidence.
• The explanation of how the citizens of Atlanta evolved so quickly? The caffeine from the Coca Cola plant... I'll take it over "Threshold" any day of the week. 
• Also worth noting that, apparently, the Braves will be moving out of Turner Field and heading to the suburbs, come next year.

Favorite Scene: Probably Donovan's "tourism video" - "And also Jane Fonda was there."

Least Favorite Scene: I dunno... I guess they could've done more with Umbriel overall. I mean, she's not a poorly-written character - I think the point was that she was more in-tune with Fry, given her eccentricities - but it could just be me.

Memorable Quote: "Look at me! I'm Dr. Zoidberg, HOMEOWNER!" His one shot at happiness...

Score: 7.