Author Topic: Futurama Season Six (Read 8973 times) Tweet Share

Zetetic · « **Reply #60 on:** July 15, 2010, 12:45:44 am »

Quote from: DuncanC on July 12, 2010, 08:39:05 pm

I really don't think the references were that much more timeless before the "break". There are plenty reference-points that really stick out as early 2000s like that episode based around Napster, and a videogame bit that referenced Nintendo 64 and All Your Base Are Belong To Us.

I'm not sure that 'KIDNapster' can be counted as a reference to a fleeting issue of pop-culture. The whole episode was a rather silly, but enjoyable, parody of the nature of illegal downloading, and 'Napster' is liable to be notable as a byword for that issue for a long time yet, at least amongst much of Futurama's audience. I mean, you haven't noted the '6502' joke (Bender's brain is revealed to incorporate a 6502 microprocessor in background joke) as sticking out as 'early 1980s'. I don't think that the 'what if life were more like a video game' section is really 'early 2000s' either; it incorporates elements from Fry's gaming background. I'd mark it as similar to 'Walking on Sunshine' being a '1985' reference because that's when Fry would've taught his dog to bark it. If anything much the earlier series often referenced things that were already way out-of-date as regards 'pop culture'.

Anyway, I've regretted watching the films, and I suspect that I'd regret watching the new series. Nothing should be able to take away my enjoyment of the earlier series, nor my liking of the how the Fry/Leela ~plot concluded. But I'm sure I'd rue it anyway.

The Cloud of Unknowing · « **Reply #61 on:** July 15, 2010, 01:56:15 am »

Like a lot of people on here I thought the first two were disappointing and the second in particular sucked gravy granules - even the character animation seemed cruder than before - but the third was slightly better and the fourth was actually pretty good. Groening co-wrote the stories on the first two ... can we blame him? He does seem a bit out of the Futurama loop during some of the commentaries.

rudi · « **Reply #62 on:** July 15, 2010, 02:07:05 am »

And I still love a large number of the one-liners.

"It wasn't even in the Janeways Guide"

"Good news, losers" and so on.

I've just watched the most resent series of The Simpsons and it really puts things in perspective let me tell you (a real shame as series 20 was probably the best since s14 [damning with faint praise, I'll admit]).

The Cloud of Unknowing · « **Reply #63 on:** July 16, 2010, 09:19:23 am »

Quite enjoyed the new da Vinci one - some nice throwaway jokes, albeit not at the rate of the classic episodes, and it wouldn't have looked out of place in the original run. I think they're in danger of making Fry too dumb in a tedious way though, a bit like the way Homer Simpson went.

mattjjh · « **Reply #64 on:** July 16, 2010, 09:32:40 am »

really really enjoyed the da vinci one, slightly disorientating with the increase in budget/animation quality. but good to see an episode focussing confidently on two main characters and not have any jarring moments to take you out of the story. feels like the scripting's tightened right up again too. definitely makes the movies a distant memory.

Little Hoover · « **Reply #65 on:** July 16, 2010, 02:22:32 pm »

Quote from: The Cloud of Unknowing on July 16, 2010, 09:19:23 am

Quite enjoyed the new da Vinci one - some nice throwaway jokes, albeit not at the rate of the classic episodes, and it wouldn't have looked out of place in the original run. I think they're in danger of making Fry too dumb in a tedious way though, a bit like the way Homer Simpson went.

It was just for the sake of this story though I think, he hasn't been noticably more stupid in previous weeks and I doubt he will be in most future episodes, but there was an actual reason why they seemed to be making him more stupid than usual, even though it is slightly lazy to do that I can forgive it since there were some funny lines. Also it was a new/freelance writer who wrote the episode so that might have something to do with it.

The Cloud of Unknowing · « **Reply #66 on:** July 16, 2010, 02:54:55 pm »

Quote from: Little Hoover on July 16, 2010, 02:22:32 pm

It was just for the sake of this story though I think, he hasn't been noticably more stupid in previous weeks and I doubt he will be in most future episodes, but there was an actual reason why they seemed to be making him more stupid than usual, even though it is slightly lazy to do that I can forgive it since there were some funny lines. Also it was a new/freelance writer who wrote the episode so that might have something to do with it.

I considered that - on reflection you're probably right. Hope so anyway. I'm all for his "No I'm doesn't" moments, but Fry trying to sit on a bench and missing isn't much to laugh at if it's foregrounded on its own.

non capisco · « **Reply #67 on:** July 17, 2010, 05:17:28 pm »

I enjoyed the visual gag after Fry's solution to Da Vinci's parchment failing to stay flat. Better this week compared to the crap first few, although I still wouldn't say the gags are coming as thick and fast as they used to.

Claude the Racecar Driving Rockstar Super Sleuth · « **Reply #68 on:** July 23, 2010, 06:24:01 pm »

Like much of this season, this week's episode focussed almost exclusively on a pair of characters, in this case Bender and Hermes. It seems that, having brought them together, the writers don't want to deal with Fry and Leela's relationship. It's understandable - many sitcoms have declined once the U has been taken out of UST - but I wonder how long they can dance around it.

That aside, this felt the closest yet to the original run (to the extent that the ending felt like a bit of a retread of another episode, but I can live with that). I'm not entirely sure about the final revelation. It does feel like it alters Hermes' character a bit, but it's not Tanzarian level stuff.

"He said Howitzer!"

Little Hoover · « **Reply #69 on:** July 23, 2010, 07:53:25 pm »

I liked the ending, it's not exactly a huge revelation, and it was a sweet song at the end, even though you could see the twist coming. But it was a nice pairing, take two characters who don't usually talk to each other and put them together and it worked quite well. I feel like I've been saying this for the past 3 weeks now, but it's starting to feel more and more like the futurama of old with every episode, though not quite as funny but easily funny enough to keep me watching and looking forward to it every week.

NoSleep · « **Reply #70 on:** July 23, 2010, 11:02:06 pm »

I'm still wondering whether they are really back on their home planet (harking back to the worm hole). The Zapp/Leela episode re-established the "Leela done it with Zapp" storyline afresh, as if they're trying to make this work for a new audience, as well as the old. I think that's the main problem for the new writers: it has to work for more than the established fan base (despite being back by popular demand). It's been watchable, but without any big laughs, so far.

Absorb the anus burn · « **Reply #71 on:** July 24, 2010, 12:32:29 pm »

Not found anything in the four films or the first 5 episodes to get excited about... But the Hermes & Bender episode had a wonderful conclusion - the best five minutes of Futurama since 'The Devil's Hands'.

There are still lots of weak / obvious jokes, but I loved Mexican Mom ('Madre') and it was nice to see the janitor spitroasting Dr. Z. Scruffy is a much underused character and his perviness has provided some excellent jokes in the published comics.

kidsick5000 · « **Reply #72 on:** July 24, 2010, 09:27:09 pm »

I was underwhelmed only by the first ep. The rest have been going from strength to strength.
I've been watching a bunch of the old ones too. I honestly think the last few are on a par with
the old series. Not there with the best of the series, but don't forget, not every ep of the old days was 100% gold

imitationleather · « **Reply #73 on:** July 24, 2010, 10:52:54 pm »

I thought that was the worst episode of Futurama I've ever seen. Absolutely hated the montage at the end that was trying to be like Luck of the Fryrish/Jurassic Bark but just felt so contrived and stupid. For a series that cares so much about its backstory (what with the characters actually ageing and that) it's just stupid for Hermes and Bender to know each other from so long ago. I know that Bender's origins have been explained in a couple of differing ways that contradict each other before, but that was just lazy and crap. Bah!

Have enjoyed a couple of episodes this season and it's still better than new Simpsons, but bladdy 'ell - what a stinker.

non capisco · « **Reply #74 on:** July 24, 2010, 11:11:40 pm »

Quote from: imitationleather on July 24, 2010, 10:52:54 pm

Absolutely hated the montage at the end that was trying to be like Luck of the Fryrish/Jurassic Bark but just felt so contrived and stupid.

I agree, it felt very much like they'd collated opinion about past episodes and decided "we'll give 'em one with a bittersweet sentimental end, people rated those ones" but went on to do it in a really ham-fisted way. The first time I saw Luck Of The Fryrish it blindsided me as I wasn't expecting something that touching coming from a knockabout space farce, but being as it involved a storyline based around something unresolved Fry had left behind from the time he was meant to exist in (as did Jurassic Bark) it made good narrative sense. This just showed you Bender as a baby and hoped for the best.

clingfilm portent · « **Reply #75 on:** July 24, 2010, 11:21:26 pm »

The ending was a little reaching but before the montage there were two big laughs for me before it- two of the biggest I've had from this series so far.

"Someone said Howitzer!"

"He did it! And he's not lookin' back at that cool explosion!"

Little Hoover · « **Reply #76 on:** July 25, 2010, 10:49:38 am »

It didn't feel to me like they were trying to get the same level of emotion as fryrish/jurrasic bark, the song wasn't as emotional, it just seemed like a nice way to wrap it up. And yeah Herems knownig Bender is a little contrived, but I don't think that means to imply Hermes has known all this time, because he would have passed on thousands of Bending units. It was probably only upon Bender hearing about his defect that he realised it was that one.

Little Hoover · « **Reply #77 on:** July 30, 2010, 02:53:32 pm »

The new episode (The Late Phillip J Fry) was great, I was kind of worried the concept of the episode couldn't possibly live up to it's potential but it really was wonderful.

Claude the Racecar Driving Rockstar Super Sleuth · « **Reply #78 on:** July 30, 2010, 06:29:23 pm »

The best episode of the new series, I'd say. The only gripe was with the Planet of the Apes gag being run into the ground and that's only a minor complaint.

Big Jack McBastard · « **Reply #79 on:** July 31, 2010, 12:44:39 am »

That was a belter, even better than the Da Vinci one which was a return to form.

Slaaaaabs · « **Reply #80 on:** July 31, 2010, 02:34:41 pm »

Easily the best of the new batch. Loved the Zager & Evans parody.

non capisco · « **Reply #81 on:** July 31, 2010, 05:04:31 pm »

That was just all-out fantastic, I was starting to think they didn't have it in them any more.

"I'll just have to shoot Hitler from out of the window. Oh no! I've hit Eleanor Roosevelt!"

Even though I more or less saw it coming, Prof Farnsworth slipping on the lever a second time had me howling. Welcome back, funny Futurama!

stephenjwz · « **Reply #82 on:** July 31, 2010, 06:26:57 pm »

I came in to say ep. 7 was class, people have said it already, so have some duplication.

Claude the Racecar Driving Rockstar Super Sleuth · « **Reply #83 on:** July 31, 2010, 10:22:24 pm »

It no longer feels necessary to say that each new episode could be from the original series. The second and third episodes were cause for concern (upon rewatching, the first one is perfectly fine, I think) but after that it's been getting better each week.

Quote from: non capisco on July 31, 2010, 05:04:31 pm

"I'll just have to shoot Hitler from out of the window. Oh no! I've hit Eleanor Roosevelt!"

Even though I more or less saw it coming, Prof Farnsworth slipping on the lever a second time had me howling.

Second. I love how the whole point of his time machine is to avoid changing history, but then he assassinates Hitler in the most spectacular fashion possible.

Some classic Bender moments in this one, too. In particular the "hambone break" and "Wake up and feel the coffee!"

rudi · « **Reply #84 on:** July 31, 2010, 10:58:57 pm »

Where are you chaps watching ot? My place of choice has yet to upload the bugger...

Absorb the anus burn · « **Reply #85 on:** August 01, 2010, 12:51:52 am »

Yep, best one yet... "That was the old Fry. He's dead now" is one of the best lines I've heard this year - I hope we see more of the friendly brainy aliens who get battered to death by the mutants.

I'll just pretend those four 'films' don't exist... And btw where is Nibbler? Let's hope they're saving up something special.

NoSleep · « **Reply #86 on:** August 01, 2010, 04:36:13 am »

Nibbler attacked the cyber-Leela in the first episode.

teaneck · « **Reply #87 on:** August 01, 2010, 05:02:51 pm »

I saved up episodes 3 through 7 and then watched them yesterday in one sitting in an attempt to approximate how I've always watched the show the first time around (as in on DVD, generally in blocks of five episodes). Of the five I'd say that the eyephone one was the weakest, but it certainly wasn't the worst episode they've ever done. The Da Vinci code one was great, as was the Bender and Hermes episode. But the most recent - greatest hits of time-travel - episode was just superb. Futurama does 'treats' for fans better than any show going if you ask me. I'm thinking specifically of the glimpses of past episodes - A Taste Of Freedom, Future-Stock, Beast...*, and others - that we see from the cockpit, and the Alien Language 1 gag on one of the books Bender burns. And that Hitler bit was beautiful.

^{* Is the bald guy supposed to be Wernstrom and they just fucked up the colours? I haven't seen 'Beast...' in a while but I seem to recall him being there.}

mattjjh · « **Reply #88 on:** August 01, 2010, 11:43:47 pm »

great nerdy callback too to 'the cryonic woman' where the man on the probulator claims he froze himself because he wanted to meet shakespeare and he figured time was cyclical. turns out he was right.

Little Hoover · « **Reply #89 on:** August 02, 2010, 01:06:48 am »

Is it cyclical though? Wouldn't that suggest time itself repeated itself rather than the Big Bang just happenening to repeat itself in exactly the same way over and over. That's why the universe is ten feet lower the 3rd time.