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Author Topic: Thoughts on 7ACV09 - Free Will Hunting - SPOILERS  (Read 26606 times)
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PEE Poll: Rate it!
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4   -2 (2.5%)
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Total Members Voted: 79

Rush

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #40 on: 08-09-2012 13:58 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 13:59 »

What I like best was the callback to "Hell Is Other Robots" with Bender's getting high off electricity with that electrical cigarette device, I thought that was a quite witty joke.

________________

As much as I liked this episode don't you think it was a big community error? For I think Bender already had freewill.

For example see this below from the first episode Space Pilot 3000.

Quote

Fry: Wait a second. You're a bender, right? We can get out of here if you just bend the bars.

Bender: Dream on, skin tube. I'm only programmed to bend for constructive purposes. What do I look like, a de-bender?

Fry: Who cares what you're programmed for. If someone programmed you to jump off a bridge would you do it?

Bender: I'll have to check my program ... yep.

Leela: (from outside) Open up!

Fry: C'mon, Bender! It's up to you to make your own decisions in life. That's what separates people and robots from animals ... and animal robots.

Bender: You're full of crap, Fry! [He turns and a dangling wire catches on his antenna and electrocutes him.] You make a persuasive argument, Fry.

[He starts to bend the bars.]

Fry: Come on, Bender! You can do it.

Bender: Can't ... I ... can't ... do ... it!

[The bars bend and break off completely.]

Fry: Yes!

Bender: You were right, Fry! From now on I'm going to bend what I want, when I want, who I want! I'm unstoppable!
x.Bianca.x

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #41 on: 08-09-2012 14:09 »

Not a very good episode. I wonder when I'll get to see it.
Inquisitor Hein
Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #42 on: 08-09-2012 14:14 »

@Rush>
Well..the whole episode's joke was that contradiction.
The character who always did whatever he wanted whenever I wanted suddenly believed he had no free will at all.
The only REAL limitation was his inability to shot Farnsworth first, but otherwise, Bender was the most determined character in that episode (The way he made Fry and Leela basically snap to attention when he shouted at them to follow him was suitable to bring tears of joy to even the most fanatical Drill Sergeant's eyes.)
Inquisitor Hein
Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #43 on: 08-09-2012 16:02 »

So how many times have we seen Leela with her hair down?

I can only think of two other times.  Once when she killed everyone and was in bed with Fry and the other is when she had superpowers and dressed in layers.

I think Leela in "Bender's Game" had her hair down in the shower scene.
Tastes Like Fry

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #44 on: 08-09-2012 16:04 »

I will do a proper review tomorrow when I'm more awake, but just quickly this episode was good. Good, not great. Although there's lines in there I found amusing. I don't feel it was rushed (perhaps slightly in the beginning, but there was a purpose for everything so that's alright.) 7/10

I think this episode connects with the Robot rising up against humanity as foretold in Decision 3012, but I'll elaborate on that tomorrow as well.

Also this. :love: About damn time... although why is Leelas wrist thingy still on? xD
Gorky

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #45 on: 08-09-2012 16:14 »

This was a decent episode by Futurama standards, and an above-average episode by the standards to which I normally hold Bender-centric stories. With the exception of the ending--which bothered me for several reasons*--Bender was really likable and sympathetic and fun to watch. He carried the episode well enough on his own, and I was glad that we got to see more of just the trio working together come act three. Everything from Bender surprising Fry and Leela in the apartment (which, squee) to Bender hugging Mom in acceptance of his "defeat" was probably the best little section of the episode to me; it was the funniest and most well-paced, I thought.

Speaking of the pacing: Good god, was this episode poorly-paced. Too many things on Chapek 9 felt unnecessary, story-wise; certain moments (particularly that scene with the Robot Elders) seemed like they were only included for the sake of having a callback, and did not advance the plot at all. I said this about "The Butterjunk Effect"--an episode whose second act was enjoyable, yes, but came at the cost of having a fully-resolved ending in the third act--and I'll say it again about "Free Will Hunting": I'm okay with having a leaner, perhaps less amusing second act for the sake of a third act that completely ties up all loose ends and doesn't feel insultingly lazy. (Seriously, writers, quit thinking that your rushed, half-assed endings do the trick or are in any way satisfying and/or funny. It's starting to make me mad.)

That said, though, this was still an okay episode. As far as Thoughtful Bender Episodes go, this was no "Godfellas" or "Lethal Inspection"...but, I don't know, it might just be on-par with something like "Fear of a Bot Planet" or "Crimes of the Hot": Bender-heavy episodes where the jerk-y things he does are more or less outweighed by how dang cute he is. I'd say it's a 7/10: not as good as I would have expected from DXC, but certainly better than a lot of new-run episodes.

*Reasons the ending sucks: Bender is an asshole; Farnsworth is very kind, but also very stupid, for giving Bender the free will unit in the first place; Bender is an asshole; Farnsworth should not be able to survive being shot that many times (especially considering how old and feeble he is; he was once almost killed by a tight hat!), and the fact that he does live isn't even funny to me in a ha-ha-it's-a-cartoon-and-real-life-logic-does-not-apply way; and Bender is an asshole.
Dorsal Axe

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #46 on: 08-09-2012 17:14 »

I want to know where this mysterious wall and elevator seperating Farnsworth's lab from the Planet Express hangar has come from.
sparkybarky

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #47 on: 08-09-2012 17:37 »

The ending felt very unsatisfying. I guess on one hand, the trope of the deceived party confronting the character who lied seemed to contribute to the story's continuity. But still, it didn't feel like the most natural conclusion. Re-watching the ending, I got the idea that, what if the resolution was that Bender was programmed to be as willful and disobedient as possible? And so even if any supposedly independent and stubborn decision-making tendency is already predetermined, it's something that he could come to terms with and accept. I don't know how all of this would be revealed; maybe by some gizmo that the professor invented to decode his programming.

The whole episode just felt "off", almost surreal, like I was dreaming a bad Futurama episode that my brain put together (I often dream of songs and movies that my subconscious made up). I found myself frowning during the first act, something I don't normally do.

Still, like that old saying, even bad pizza is good. I loved the MC Escher-esque scene with the monk-bots doing their chores, and the gag where Bender tries to fit differently shaped objects into his free will slot.
SpaceGoldfish fromWazn

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #48 on: 08-09-2012 18:26 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 18:28 »

This was a very yucky episode.   Aside from a few good cameos (such as the Crushinator's sisters at uni, or Ruth and Esther in the courtroom in the end) Mom's one scene wonder and the monastery, the episode was easily Cohen's worst.  Too much cliche, terrible pacing, a storyline that contradicts canon too much, pointless scenes, cameos that also contradict canon, not enough jokes, and a sloppy ending. Bad Cohen, very bad Cohen.

Also, when did Chapek 9 change its name to the Robot Homeworld?  I don't know why that annoyed me, but it did.
Louiswuenator

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #49 on: 08-09-2012 18:42 »

Also, when did Chapek 9 change its name to the Robot Homeworld?  I don't know why that annoyed me, but it did.
It annoyed me too.  I think that was done solely for the benefit of newer viewers who hadn't seen FOABP.  'Robot Homeworld' gives enough exposition in its name alone.
Binder

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #50 on: 08-09-2012 18:45 »

9/10ing this one. Seems I'm in the minority, but I loved it.
SpaceGoldfish fromWazn

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #51 on: 08-09-2012 18:49 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 18:51 »

Also, when did Chapek 9 change its name to the Robot Homeworld?  I don't know why that annoyed me, but it did.
It annoyed me too.  I think that was done solely for the benefit of newer viewers who hadn't seen FOABP.  'Robot Homeworld' gives enough exposition in its name alone.

That's fair enough, but it isn't even the robot homeworld.  Earth is.  The robot monastery even worships Mom as a creator goddess.   Plus, I don't get why they hit the reset button on the planet liking humans for delivering lungnuts.  Or the way nobody seems to remember who Bender is, considering he was a hero not so long ago.
Mongo

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #52 on: 08-09-2012 18:50 »

Overall, this was a mid-range episode.  However, it got there in an unusual way.  Instead of having three more or less average-quality acts, it had a low-quality, fragmented first act, a quite good second act, and a fairly average third act.

I believe that the order of the quality levels of each act makes a difference.  If it had had a high-quality first act, an average second act and a poor third act, it would quite likely have been rated higher overall by most people, since by the time the third act starts, most people will have already pretty much made up their minds about the episode, even if only at a preconscious level.

Also, yet more early Professor/Mom interaction!  Is there a list of all of these little moments where the Professor invents something for Mom's robot company?
SpaceGoldfish fromWazn

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #53 on: 08-09-2012 18:51 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 18:54 »

I hope we seem more of Mom from now on.  She really needs more screentime.   I will always take a few minutes where she is well used (such as knitting a hangman's noose in LI or here) if I only get one or two Mom episodes a season.
WAVer

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #54 on: 08-09-2012 18:58 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 19:18 »

Also, when did Chapek 9 change its name to the Robot Homeworld?  I don't know why that annoyed me, but it did.
It annoyed me too.  I think that was done solely for the benefit of newer viewers who hadn't seen FOABP.  'Robot Homeworld' gives enough exposition in its name alone.

I agree there are several holes in this episode that leaves a distaste in one's mouth. I didn't find this anymore annoying than the part where the Robot Mafia was willing to make a deal with Bender, but the last time they met each other the Donbot wanted Bender dead for squealing to the police, and believed he was dead in Silence of the Clamps. Maybe it shouldn't bother me as much as it does, but I guess we all should kind of be used to episodes somewhat contradicting themselves.
Jarvio

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #55 on: 08-09-2012 19:03 »

Why was bender sleeping in a bed rather than the closet?

Anyway, apart from this... the episode was ok for me. Average. Nothing against it, but not a favourite either. I gave it a 7
Inquisitor Hein
Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #56 on: 08-09-2012 20:14 »

Why was bender sleeping in a bed rather than the closet?

Because Bender came out of the closet... :p :D
Deely

Crustacean
*
« Reply #57 on: 08-09-2012 20:20 »

Well, "the series has ended"

What I feared when I first saw the butterfry effect has come to pass; Fry and Leela are an item, and a lot of the character dynamic is gone from the interactions between the three main protagonists of the series. Maybe this is best reflected in this episode, which might have well been a "bender flashbacks" episode, strung together by continuity errors (which I normally don't mind, but it was done lazily here)

Some neat jokes (and finally some more of Joey Mousepad's incredibly funny dialogue)  in otherwise disjointed writing, but that's about it for "Free will hunting."

Last week was saved by decent writing, but I guess there's only so many ways to have characters break up for the duration of an episode before it gets stale.

The continuous attraction/repulsion between Fry and Leela made for a great dynamic; imo the worst that could happen (which has now happened) to the series is Fry and Leela getting together. That's why I feel they always held that particular closure off and saved it for the "grand finales" such as "the devil's hands".

I know a lot of people on here enjoyed seeing "the relationship" going forward, so I can see why such an episode if great for them with a large emotional payoff, so I won't rate it.
Inquisitor Hein
Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #58 on: 08-09-2012 20:35 »

I know a lot of people on here enjoyed seeing "the relationship" going forward, so I can see why such an episode if great for them with a large emotional payoff, so I won't rate it.

Good grief, your opinion not matching the majority's (I guess it's the majority) should be no reason for you not to vote.
If you do not like that episode, just click on the number you consider appropriate.
A poll is meant to critisize an episode, but certainly not a guys/gals opinion about it.
sparkybarky

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #59 on: 08-09-2012 20:39 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 22:47 »

Why was bender sleeping in a bed rather than the closet?

Because Bender came out of the closet... :p :D

You mean the robosexual closet? :D

And Deely, I agree with Inquisitor--do not be afraid to express a dissenting opinion! I think as long as a poster provides thoughtful commentary about why s/he disliked something, then why not be honest?
MYK

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #60 on: 08-09-2012 20:43 »

I'd say a 7.5 for this one. Good but definitely short of excellent.

The visual gags were on their mark, and for the most part I found it pretty funny. I'm not sure why but I thought it was pretty funny when Leela kept falling asleep in court. I was definitely hoping for more philosophical jokes, but the ones that were there were still pretty good. I thought the lead-up to Bender's discovering he lacks free will was actually quite good-the first courtroom scene reminded me of the one from "Overclockwise". Even though the beginning was disjointed and choppy, it fit Bender's character to do things on an instinctive whim. I liked how they integrated the past relationship between Farnsworth and Mom.

The biggest problem with this episode was the ending, which seems to be a nagging problem in this season-the main reason "Thief of Baghead" and "The Butterjunk Effect" fell short of being great episodes was because of their endings. Bender's inability to reach for the "free-will" device was ridiculous. They could have used more of the time in this episode to show how Bender changed with the free-will device, rather than just going straight to shooting Farnsworth. It was still pretty funny to see him so happy for being convicted of a crime.

The scene with Leela and the bowling ball made me laugh a lot. "Hi, I'm Turanga Leela, and this is Jackass! This one's called the scrunchie bowling ball locksmith trick!  (...CRASH!) "

I hope we seem more of Mom from now on.  She really needs more screentime.   I will always take a few minutes where she is well used (such as knitting a hangman's noose in LI or here) if I only get one or two Mom episodes a season.

I second this, she works very well when she's integrated into an episode. Maybe it's because she's the only fully antagonistic character on Futurama.

Considering the ending, It was quite ironic that this episode DID briefly take the time to tie up a long standing ambiguity with Fry and Leela doing the horizontal boogie. (Would Leela call this the "messy apartment club?")
flesheatingbull

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #61 on: 08-09-2012 20:50 »

Got to agree with the general concensus here. 6.5/10. The first act was cringe worthy, the second act was alright, but i felt that they could have written something better for the robot planet, as the original episode is so good and 'original'. Third act was mediocre, as well. Shooting the Professor wasn't the best way to go, imo.

Oh well. Here is to next week.
SolidSnake

Professor
*
« Reply #62 on: 08-09-2012 20:56 »

Oh well. Here is to next week.
Is it strange that I always see you posting negative stuff on the newer episodes?  :confused:
cyber_turnip

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #63 on: 08-09-2012 20:56 »

The second episode of season 7 that I feel is up to Futurama's usual standards and only the third that doesn't downright upset me to watch.

I enjoyed it a lot. It's far from their best or anything but it was solid.

Last week's was better, but if the rest of season 7 is this good, I'll be happy with it. The plot was nice and touched on some great themes and ideas despite being somewhat messy. It had a lot of nice elements floating around and although it felt like it repeated a few too many gags from Fear of a Bot Planet, it's one of the funnier episodes this season, if not the funniest. It had some great gags dotted about and nothing particularly cringe-worthy.

So yes, I enjoyed it.

6/10 by Futurama's standards.
8/10 by overall TV standards.
Mr Snrub

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #64 on: 08-09-2012 21:02 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 21:32 »

Wow. I really didn't expect this episode to be disliked as much as it is. For me, it's my favourite episode so far this season. It felt like classic futurama to me (I know that's the cliche reason for liking an episode people use when they can't come up with a real reason, but yeah.). It was evenly funny throughout, Leela falling asleep at the courtroom was especially hilarious to me, for some reason, it had some fanservice, the plot was good in my opinion, and I enjoyed the callbacks.

I think the people complaining that the first 5 minutes was too crowded might have been missing the point. Bender was supposed to have the most ridiculously bizarre day ever, to emphasize the point that no matter what he does, it's all pointless. (as evidenced by Fry's (Or Hermes', I forget) line, 'that was quite a day!' which made me laugh). There were some parts that dragged, the bit with the robot elders seemed purely to be a "heh, remember THESE guys?!?!?!?!" moment, and it wasn't really funny. But I did like them going back to that planet in general, as it made sense for the story. Also, does anyone else feel a bit of weight lift off of their shoulders when the crew actually makes a delivery? I don't know if I actually care that much, or I just care that everyone complains about it. In any case, I felt happy after that bit.

I also loved the bit where they were searching through Mom's labs. In my opinion, there need to be more stories that focus purely on the relationship and chemistry of the trio of Fry, Leela and Bender, so I always love it when those three get their moment.

So I gues I'm in the minority, but I'm giving this a strong 9/10, and I'm just sad I won't be watching this again until it comes out on DVD, probably a year and a half or so from now.

Not a very good episode. I wonder when I'll get to see it.
Wait, what?
SolidSnake

Professor
*
« Reply #65 on: 08-09-2012 21:23 »

Hey guys, I had my Bender Figure hold the gun that came with Fry's figure. Then I got my rubber Farnsworth  and had them do this:



Nice little reenactment eh?  :D Now only if the gun was orange.........
transgender nerd under canada

DOOP Ubersecretary
**
« Reply #66 on: 08-09-2012 21:25 »

That's nothing a little paint can't fix. Or a little work in Photoshop/Paint.net/Paintshop Pro.

Do it. It'll be worth it. The digital recolouring, I mean. Not the paint.
SolidSnake

Professor
*
« Reply #67 on: 08-09-2012 21:31 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 21:40 »

That's a pretty darn good idea!

Or if anybody had Leela figure's accessories, they could use her orange gun! It looks identical to the one used in the episode!

Too bad I don't have her....yet!

I ordered the collect-o-pack from 2001 yesterday. It has all 3 characters and their accessories! But I'll have it WAY after we're done talking about this episode. Maybe I'll make a snapshot for next weeks episode.......  :)
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #68 on: 08-09-2012 22:11 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 22:14 »

Managed to catch this ep before I went out this morning, so I've had all day to think about it, and God damn, it's brilliant. Really don't understand the negativity. My only two complaints:

*The overall first act was a little rushed, but not as rushed as the Robot Mafia just randomly appearing out of nowhere and giving Bender money. Like, don't they hate him? And why would they? Why are they there? What? WHY?
*Ending was a little meh as well.

Possibly one of my favourite ever episodes. Very nice. DXC did an awesome job. And I diagree with koldstare64, the "I'm _% ____!" gag is still going strong IMO.

9/10

*edit*

Season 7 has been brilliant so far, only stinker has been 'The Butterjunk Effect', but wow it's just been awesome. Also, anyone else notice the title caption to this ep? 'Warning: Do Not Show To Horses'. :laff:
Spacedal11

Space Pope
****
« Reply #69 on: 08-09-2012 22:59 »

This was a weird conglomeration of season one episodes like Mars University and Fear of the Bot Planet, plus Godfellas, and the Futurama Video Game I felt. I didn't like the first act but I did like the free will idea. It was just oddly rushed. But it was funny, it really was. Fry and Leela were awesome in this. I love how they've kind of rubbed off on each other in terms of mannerisms, like with Fry being the one to say "oh lord". Leela was ridiculously funny here, what with her falling asleep at the trial, her narration of Bender walking off sadly, the bowling ball gag, etc. And yeah I love it when her hair is down. She was super sexy this episode.

But yeah overall it's like they took a bunch of old episodes and smushed them together to make something new. Kind of weird and I don't want to say lazy on the writer's part but interesting

8/10
Inquisitor Hein
Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #70 on: 08-09-2012 23:04 »
« Last Edit on: 08-09-2012 23:05 »

The episode might be problematic for the casual viewer:

FoaBP gave the planet enough time to be introduced properly, we long-term fans do not need that introduction again. Reduce the events on Bot Planet to the necessary new aspects.

Yet, for the casual viewer, it might just be a strange planet, that neither makes too much sense, nor delivers too much funny jokes. (Just imagine you saw that episode without having seen FoaBP).

So, too much callbacks can easily reduce the overall enjoyment for the casual viewer (and they will deliver the "rating-mass"). And FWH was rather callback heavy.
Spacedal11

Space Pope
****
« Reply #71 on: 08-09-2012 23:17 »

SILENCE!

You have a good point Inquisitor Hein.
Mongo

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #72 on: 08-09-2012 23:43 »

I just watched this episode a second time, and I liked it a lot more this time.
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #73 on: 08-10-2012 00:35 »

I think the gum exchange between Fry and Bender is one of the funniest moments ever.
Gorky

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #74 on: 08-10-2012 00:47 »

I quite enjoyed that moment, too, Danny; I like how Fry says "That's deep" with his speech all garbled from the gum in his mouth. Similarly, I loved the totally befuddled tone Fry takes when Bender congratulates him on his brilliant idea of bending the bars on a grate to get into Mom's. It felt very, like, improv-y to me, and I always dig moments like that on animated shows. It lends a kind of looseness and realness to the characters and their interactions that I find pretty neat. I don't know if I'm making any sense, but whatever.
MYK

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #75 on: 08-10-2012 01:26 »

I love how they've kind of rubbed off on each other in terms of mannerisms, like with Fry being the one to say "oh lord". Leela was ridiculously funny here, what with her falling asleep at the trial, her narration of Bender walking off sadly, the bowling ball gag, etc.

This is a really good analysis, not just about this episode, but about the show in general.
 I think Futurama deserves a TON of credit for its ability to make its fans truly emotionally involved in the romantic relationship between Fry and Leela without coming across as corny, sappy, or redundant. I've never been a big fan of romantic comedies (An exception comes across every now and then, but on the whole, not really). But, heck, I'd be lying if I said i don't root for Fry to eventually succeed in winning Leela for good.
fryfanSpyOrama

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #76 on: 08-10-2012 01:29 »

this episode was good, but it felt like it should've aired in the first season.  Bender has done things that seemingly were of his free will before.  Also, I love how subtle Fry/Leela's relationship is portrayed on the show.  The whole Leela in Fry's bed was a hilarious joke.
UnrealLegend

Space Pope
****
« Reply #77 on: 08-10-2012 01:34 »

I feel the need to complain about something: where the hell is Nibbler!?  :mad:
It's been nine episodes so far and he hasn't made a single appearance.
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #78 on: 08-10-2012 01:39 »

I feel the need to complain about something: where the hell is Nibbler!?  :mad:
It's been nine episodes so far and he hasn't made a single appearance.

Nor has Cubert.
MuchAdo

Professor
*
« Reply #79 on: 08-10-2012 01:58 »

And yet, Dwight gets more screen time.

I've noticed this as well.

If Cuberts not in the next one.. that would just be lame.
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