Review: "Anthology of Interest I" (Season 2, Episode 16)

 

Airdate: May 21st, 2000

On October 25th, 1990, a TV showed featured two siblings (and their baby sister) gathering in a treehouse to tell the darkest, and yet funniest, tales of terror. The elder brother regaled two stories about a haunted house and an alien invasion. The younger sister recited one of the great horror poems of antebellum America.

Thus, The Simpsons made a mark on animation history. The "three shorts" episodes became more acceptable for adult-targeted animated shows to execute, albeit one restrained to an annual basis. However, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it would be The Simpsons sister show that sealed the deal for this being a trope in the "adult-targeted animation" genre.

The first "Anthology of Interest" (and, by the way, no matter what the name, the three shorts episodes are all getting the "Anthology of Interest" tag) is framed by the Professor's introduction of his device - the "Fing-Long-er". He uses it to turn on the "What-If Machine" - a screen that generates alternate realities. The main trio all get a chance to see their alternate realities.

"Let's watch, shall we..."

(Warning: Spoilers Ahead)

Review: "The Problem With Popplers" (Season 2, Episode 15)

"I brought my own mic!"

Airdate: May 7th, 2000

Synopsis: The trio wind up on a planet, in search of a food break (welcome to my world). There's no fast food, but tons of another edible life form that looks like fried shrimp. Quickly addicted to it, they call the food "popplers", take them back, and make loads of money off the venture. However, the plan enters a tailspin when it turns out that the Popplers are really the larval stage of Omnicronian development. Yeah... Lrrr is not really pleased with this development.

Review (SPOILERS): In my opinion, there are two types of great Futurama episodes. The first type is the type that stretches the show beyond it's comic exterior to provide a more introspective, dramatic take on it's characters. The second type, a nonstop barrel of laughs, interspersed with well-done character interactions and comedy. This is the latter, and makes this a contender of the best episode of the second season.

Review: "Mothers Day" (Season 2, Episode 14)

Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?

Airdate: May 14th, 2000

Synopsis: It's Mother's Day - a day when all robots pay tribute to Mom, the owner of Mom's Friendly Robot Company. Thing is, she's not a fan of the "jerkwad robots", so to speak. In fact, she's just laundering the money they give her, and turning the lavish gifts into a "hocus-pocus" cure for cancer. This year, she commemorates the 70th anniversary of a tragic event by activating the command antenna on every robot, demanding that they conquer earth for her. They proceed to cause anarchy in New New York City.

However, what happened 70 years ago? Thing is, Mom and Professor Hubert Farnsworth once dated. Professional disagreements, though, caused them to separate. Her sons try and convince Farnsworth to get back together with Mom, or at least get the remote to call off the invasion.

Review: Futurama has largely held to it's dystopic view of the future. The antagonists are ruthless, the protagonists aren't too much better... and, in a way, the world's not too different than our world. I've mentioned it before, but it comes in full force here - this time, Futurama uses science fiction themes to communicate and subvert a love story by showing the insanity of both participants.

Review: "Bender Gets Made" (Season 2, Episode 13)

Bender can get out of this for old time's sake. He just doesn't want to.

Airdate: April 30th, 2000

Synopsis: Bender causes Elzar (his idol) to temporarily blind Leela at a live taping of his show. To try and make it up for her, he offers the crew a dinner at the restaurant. However, he stiffs them with a $1200 bill. To try and get closer to Elzar (and avoid jail), Bender agrees to work off the bill. There, he meets up with the regular diners, the Robot Mafia. Impressed with Bender's attempts to cheat him out of his change, the Donbot offers Bender a spot in the mafia. Here's the problem - his first major hit is on the Planet Express ship.

Review: I think it's time I came forward and admitted something about myself... I never saw The Godfather.

Yes, I'm aware of the horse-head-in-bed scene, and all that jazz, but I never really sat down to watch The Godfather. Most I know about the movie is that Abe Vigoda wound up taking a bit part in Good Burger, where he provided the comic relief in the deep plot about shutting down a competitor to the titular establishment. (We'll get to a plot like that in season 3.)

Oh, never saw Goodfellas, neither. Nor The Sopranos. So, as far as "mafia" movies, I'm going into this with a relatively fresh mind when it comes to the cliches and stuff.

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...

Review: "How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back" (Season 2, Episode 11)

Airdate: April 2nd, 2000

This is where he lost his groove. (Don't worry - he doesn't jump. And no, that isn't exactly a spoiler.)

Synopsis: Hermes tries to prepare for a promotion from the Central Bureaucracy. However, all seems ruined when Bender's cheating at poker leads to the destruction of his offices. Only saved from suicide by threats of a demotion, he is put on paid leave ("the ultimate penalty") and sent to Spa 5 by Zoidberg - a nice, relaxing labor camp.

Bureaucrat Morgan Proctor takes over, and finds out that Fry is an utter slob. Being cooper up by neat freaks at the Central Bureaucracy, Proctor finds Fry's slobbishness attractive, and begins an affair that would make the Major cabinet blush, complete with granting Fry perks and demoting the rest of the crew. Once Bender finds out, well, let's just say...

"I am Bender. Please insert girder."

Review: Ah, the bureaucracy. No institution is more American than the offices often called the fourth branch of government. In many regards, bureaucrats are known as the blood of the public sector - to the point where conservatives a-la Rand Paul talk about the "federal bureaucracy" in an extremely pejorative tone. (Blogger's note - I tend to align with the more left-wing Democratic Party.) Jokes about the utter redundancy of the bureaucracy rarely get old, and this episode goes above and beyond with the satire, while also expanding on Hermes.

Review: "A Clone Of My Own" (Season 2, Episode 10)

Airdate: April 9th, 2000

Congratulations, Wesley Crusher. You are no longer the most hated teen genius in sci-fi history.

Synopsis: Mars University (the college where Fry dropped out of) hosts a surprise 150th Birthday Party for Professor Farnsworth. A recollection of his life makes him realize that he's not long for this world - even if he makes another decade, after that, robots take him away to the Near-Death Star for eternity. Thus, he decides to name a successor - his clone, Cubert Farnsworth, who has been sitting in a tube for a while (thus making him the second of his family to sit in a tube for an extended period of time.) Thing is, Cubert is a bit of a jackass, dismissing every one of the Professor's accomplishments as impossible, and refusing to continue his legacy.

Oh, thing is, the Professor also fibbed a little about his age.

Review: Of al the major Futurama characters, the one I would argue is the most interesting is Professor Hubert Farnsworth. As much of a madman he is, what with his dubious ethics and questionable treatment of his employees (at best), there's also been hints at pathos, that he really has done little with his life. "A Clone of My Own" is the first episode to really dive into Professor Farnswroth's mindset, and the episode reaps the rewards.

Review: "A Bicyclops Built For Two" (Season 2, Episode 9)

Note: sender of E-mail is not as dignified as he appears. Not. Even. Close.

Airdate: March 19th, 2000

Synopsis: While on a Matrix-like "internet", Leela meets another cycloptic humanoid. However, Fry interrupts their transmission before important information can be exchanged. On a trip to deliver popcorn to Cineplex 14, however, the cyclops able to come in contact with the PlanEx trio, and they wind up on the planet Cyclopia. There, Alcazar explains that the two of them may very well be the last of their race. However, not only does Alcazar have a more loutish side to him, the truth about his role as the future of the species is more shocking than meets the eye.

Review (SPOILERS): The cliche of "last of the species" is very much identifiable in science fiction - to the point where even newer takes on the subject tend to subvert it immediately, or add other unique twists - The Last Man on Earth, for example (featuring soon-to-be Gravity Falls alumnus Kristen Schaal). (I'm not getting into the twists, because spoilers.)

Here's the deal - the premise itself is one that, without any sort of twist, is one of the creepier in sci-fi lore. Two people of the opposite sex are the last of their species? Hate to bring this into the picture, but that would be impossible as far as the continuation of said species goes, what with the "incest or death" after "Generation A" reproduces. The inbreeding would devastate the species. And that's without the reluctance on either partner's part. To look at that, Futurama takes on a look at how a domestic situation would play out with this trope - one that dates back to "Genesis". (Reminder: spoilers after the break)

Review: "Raging Bender" (Season 2, Episode 8)

Sticking somebody in a barrel? Yeah, that'll put some butts in seats!

Airdate: February 27th, 2000.

Synopsis: While at the movies (to escape the possibility of Brain Slug assimilation), Bender manages to infuriate a movie patron to the point where he challenges our lovable rascal to "fistycuffs". Catch is, he's actually "The Masked Unit". Only by luck does Bender defeat him. However, he manages to get noticed by the Commissioner of the Ultimate Robot Fighting League, and is signed up to be a professional wrestler, where he learns all about the tools of the trade... mainly, that matches are fixed according to popularity.

Review: Ah, yes. "Raging Bender". Definitely an interesting episode to analyse, if only for the sociological and entertainment aspects of it. This episode not only takes a look at the media empire that is wrestling and pro-fighting, but also tries to take a look at the power revenge. The results, unfortunately, seem a bit underwhelming.

Review: "Put Your Head On My Shoulders" (Season 2, Episode 7)

"Love is in the air, everywhere you look around..." - John Paul Young.

Airdate: February 13th, 2000

Synopsis: Amy goes and buys a new car, having passed her university classes. (Yes, Amy still goes to school. Remember that?) While taking Fry out for a spin on Mars, the car runs out of gas. Waiting for a tow truck, the two become enamored with each other. Shortly after they arrive back at Earth, however, Fry begins to feel smothered by Amy. Good timing, though, since just as he's about to break up with her, an accident puts his head on her shoulder. Literally.

Meanwhile, Bender decides to pull a Jerkass Homer, and start his own business. This time, he scams people out of money in a matchmaking scheme.

Review (SPOILERS): Ah, Valentine's Day. The day of love, loss, regrets, yadda yadda yadda. If my updates to this blog were any slower, the timing would be appropriate for this episode!

Instead, this is the blog's... sort-of Christmas Special. So... Merry Christmas, I guess?