Thoughts on 7ACV18 – The Inhuman Torch – SPOILERS

[on:]

Original Airdate: July 10th, 2013. Bender becomes a heroic firefighter but the crew suspect him of arson; people have begun mining helium from the sun, thanks in part to the Professor's antiheat technology. Rate and Review.

[Reply #1 on:]

That flame IS a inhabitant of the Sun! Nailed it!

Anyways, I enjoyed this episode LOTS!! Best of the Season so far!

Don't know if it's because last week's was such a piece of crap compared to this, or if this truly was awesome! I gave it a 9/10 for the polls. Definitely Classic Futurama. Glad they didn't overdo the Fry-Bender bromance, like last week.   And Fry in his Underpants is always a treat, at least for Mr. 0nuki. Thank god we don't need to hear him squeal about that crap anymore.

[Reply #2 on:]

I really liked this one alot, definitely a classic. Am I the only one who thought the animation looked better than usual on this one?

[Reply #3 on:]

Two words: Praise Gilgamesh!...and this episode (make that five now). Had many jokes to love, I felt like Leela looked a lot like Chell. I have a confession: The downside is that it looks like Fry and Bender's friendship is dying, still I can accept any episode where Fry and Bender's friendship turns sour. I mean, the main reasons we are here are because of the science, mathematics, maybe the jokes. Overall good episode, loved the Farnsworth Lanes part  

A great 8.5/10

[Reply #4 on:]

Really, really damn good episode. Loved it, would have fitted right into the original run.

Amazing animation, great high sci-fi concept, even the IRL references didn't bother me all that much. Plus Leela in her underpants is never a bad thing.

[Reply #5 on:]

Great job on this one, probably the best of the series so far. Nearly all the jokes hit. Zappa and Kif's brief appearance was great, as was the first act altogether, especially Bender's accidental heroism. Strong, well-structured plot and a good flow. 9/10.

[Reply #6 on:]

This one was a lot of fun and arguably my favorite of this year's run so far. The pacing and story were solid and the jokes were all pretty much spot on. Right now I'm feeling a solid 9 on this one.

"What's that sound? Did they elect a new pope?"

[Reply #7 on:]

I thought it was about a 7.4/10 overall.

Much better than last week.

[Reply #8 on:]

I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. The first half was so densely packed with jokes that there was barely a moment where I wasn't giggling. Although I said I was sick of Fry/Bender plots, this one worked for me for some reason.

I'll get a bit more in-depth later, but right now I'll say this is a solid 8/10. A great last episode from Dan Vebber.

Favourite parts:

-Farnsworth dunking Zoidberg in the lava and stealing his ice cream
-"Bite my shiny metal axe!"
-"We can have four idiots and a fat guy, but not an arsonist!"
-Zoidberg sliding down the pole
-The Professor's bowling alley
-Beeler leaving a lipstick mark on Bender
-The newspaper headline "Cat rescued, also two other people."

[Reply #9 on:]

This was a cute episode, which made some sort of sense! The pacing was good, the gags had me laughing, and I was just immersed throughout. Perhaps I've been a harsh critic on the previous two episodes, but I still retain they're mediocre-to-bad. This one has restored hope for the remaining episodes (as well as those animatics on another thread).

A respectable 7.5/10

[Reply #10 on:]

Surprisingly, I like this episode. I'm going to have to agree with everything that UrL said. That's that for now... I have other things to watch.

[Reply #11 on:]

I'm too tired to say a lot other than this had a genuine classic feel to it, the story was simple but had a good progression, the ending is a tad rushed but I think it hit the right notes. Also had one of my favorite opening title taglines in forever if you understand the reference.

9/10

[Reply #12 on:]

I didn't really have any expectations going into this episode, but I really liked it. Right from the cool opening shot it was visually stunning and there were a lot of great jokes scattered throughout the episode.

I liked that it managed to maintain a feeling of classic Futurama for most of the episode. Also, the flame immediately reminded me of Calcifer from Howl's Moving Castle and that made me so happy.

I'll give this one an 8/10.

[Reply #13 on:]

I loved how the crew was giggling when they heard the miners voices.  When they began to sing camp town racers I lost it, great episode.  9/10 because nothing is ever perfect.

[Reply #14 on:]

Well after 4 episodes, we finally get an episode that actually feels mostly balanced good all around. Yeah, it’s definitely not perfect and has a few problems, but compared to the previous Season 7B entries, this was pretty damn solid all the way.

For the premise, it’s good in its own simple way. The Planet Express crew becomes the city’s fire department. Not particularly special or interesting, but it’s still always kind of neat to see the company become something else and it usually leads to some good laughs, which this episode did. Most of the first half of this was pretty filled with jokes (Zapp and Kif’s minor appearance, the helium voice changes, Zoidberg pole dancing) and never felt too boring or bad in its pacing. The jokes kind of start to spread out a bit more after the crew suspects Bender of arson, and even more when the flame escapes, but it was still pretty funny throughout.

Second thing I should probably mention is the sun creature. I’ve always found it very fun to see new aliens and creatures in Futurama, and considering how scarce they’ve been in the newer episodes, this was pretty great. It had a cool design, a great voice, and a nice threatening personality to him. I probably would’ve liked to have seen it more, but what it did show was pretty awesome.

Overall, the episode was good and somewhat Classic Era feeling, but if I had to complain about one thing, it would probably just be the really rushed ending. There was absolutely no reason or explanation to why those giant sun creatures came to Earth to capture the flame. If they had Bender bring the flame back to the sun or had him contact them, that would’ve worked, but instead they appear out of nowhere without any indication to end the plot. Whoopdedoo. I also didn’t really care for Fry’s attitude to Bender in the 3rd Act. Maybe it’s just from my memory of how awful he acted in last week’s episode, but he just a bit meanish to Bender, even with the thought that he lied to him.

Still, I liked the episode pretty well. Bender was once again good here, most of the jokes worked, the animation was outstanding (then again, most of 7B’s animation has been pretty intriguing so far), and despite the ending, it was a nicely paced and overall good episode that’ll hopefully start 7B’s run of amazing episodes to the end.

Overall: 8.4/10, or 8/10 for the poll.

[Reply #15 on:]

Wow, this was a very good episode! Nearly everything was unexpected and I loved it from beginning to end, no other words for it than saying 10/10

Zoidberg pole dancing was awsome "Zoidberg! Quit turning us on and go polish your nozzle!"

[Reply #16 on:]

I loved it. Almost perfect .

9/10

[Reply #17 on:]

Just epic. Too many awesome things in this episode, I loved it. Great jokes, stunning animation, nice plot. I loved the whole solar mine part and I didn't find Flamo dumb at all, his voice is really awesome.

9/10

[Reply #18 on:]

A rare episode this season I actually liked MORE after a re-watch.

An adjusted 7.9/10 overall.

[Reply #19 on:]

I actually quite liked this one. It felt on par with the weaker episodes of the show's original run. It had a lot of good going for it, even if it was flawed with a bit of iffy characterisation and a slightly rushed ending.

I give it 5/10 by Futurama's standards and 8/10 by overall TV standards.

Hopefully this half-season will continue to build upwards from here.

[Reply #20 on:]

I liked it. Reminded me of Law and Oracle. Something to do with Fry in a uniform. Many lols, great story, to me Fry seemed a little out of character at times, but the ending was great, even if a little rushed.
I loved the beginning, with Leela's response to the Prof and then the helium voices.

8/10

[Reply #21 on:]

That was great. Best episode for a long time, and it had a real classic feel to it (especially in the first act).

There was such a barrage of jokes and visual gags that I'm going to have to rewatch it a few times to catch it all. Lots of good, quotable lines, and some stunning animation with the helium mine. The story was simple and effective, and there was a real novelty in seeing Planet Express transform into a fire department (I particularly loved the alarms). I can't believe it's taken this long for the inevitable "house fire" sequence that every show must have.

Flamo was a great villain (reminded me of Katz, who was also voiced by LaMarche and obsessed with the lava pit). I love seeing new alien species, so it was good to have several in this episode. My only criticism was the deux ex machina ending with the sun dudes. In fact it took me by surprise, as I was expecting Bender to seal Flamo with the heat exclusion spray, or something. The writers did seem to recognise the ridiculous ending though, with the "Goodbye forever" line, so I'm going to allow this.

[Reply #22 on:]

I unfortunately have to agree with people on the dues ex machina ending. It didn't feel like it was really foreshadowed very much, and the sun entities appeared with little to no warning. There's been much worse examples of this in the show though, so I won't bag TIT (hehe ) too much. I like Dorsal Axe's idea of Bender somehow using the spray to stop Flamo.

Anyway, this episode was still great. Good job Futurama staff. I may even knock my score up a notch. Bam!

[Reply #23 on:]

"You clearly weren't paying attention to what I was about to say." ~Farnsworth

Loved this episode. This one and Fry and Leela's Big Fling are my favourites of this half-season so far.

[Reply #24 on:]

The idea of Bender extinguishing the flame with the Professor's anti-heat spray is a great one, shame the writers didn't think of that! But the ending wasn't as slapdash as some have been this season, and honestly I didn't consider it's flaws until they were pointed out here - I was having too much damn fun to notice.

I think I'll be awful nice and knock my score up a notch to 8.5/10

[Reply #25 on:]

Farnsworth Lanes eh? That was pretty damn funny.

Finally, we have a decent episode this series. This was BY FAR the best of these first 5 episodes. Good story, great jokes, and a decent all-rounder.

[Reply #26 on:]

"...would be an agonising suicide mission."
Professor:"Good news, everyone!"

I had doubts with this one due to subject of firefighting, but with episode concentraing to Bender's egoism Fry's trust towards Bender, it was very good. Changing of Fry's and Bender's opinions of each other along the twists was done well.

The helium mine and things happening near the sun were not close to being possible, but it didn't bother, since it was represented scientifically (but that's what sci-fi is ). Flamo was interesting character, but other "burning characters" were too much... Also, destroying Flamo could have been more clever.

"Oh no you probably don't."

Overall good episode with great plot twists. Fry/Bender -theme was interesting.
8/10. "We're in agonising pain!"

[Reply #27 on:]

I agree with the comments about the deux ex machina ending--but I didn't care! I loved this episode. People have mentioned nearly all the especially hilarious jokes. For some reason, Fry's line about how the sun's heat would sear their flesh, sealing in their juices tickled the hell out of me--maybe because my husband had just grilled some pork chops (and they were rather dry. ) Morbo's hurried attempt to conceal his crying had me laughing.

And the appearance of the Professor's thingmonger!

Also, the flame immediately reminded me of Calcifer from Howl's Moving Castle and that made me so happy.

Heh! Me too.

I've been wondering why it was so effective and felt like classic Futurama. I think no one acted out of character--I didn't think Fry did at all. It wasn't just the steady stream of jokes. Bender was a hero by accident, on account of him being a jerk, and then continued acting like a hero out of pure selfishness. It all fit into the classic Futurama mold.

One thing that I thought was going to happen was that Bender would unwittingly melt the polar ice caps when he brought the flame creature to the Arctic, and then some sort of hilarious chaos would ensue, and he would save the earth somehow. But I'm glad that wasn't done.

Despite the non-organic appearance of the sun aldermen, I thought the ending was lovely: Fry and Bender bathed in the sun's loving rays, as they hit each other out of some sort of demented bro-love.

My only disappointment: Hattie using the word "watchamacallit" when she could've easily said her trademark "kajigger."

[Reply #28 on:]

I liked this one. I don't think as much as everyone else here seems to so far, but it had some great lines.

"You clearly weren't listening to what I was about to say."

"My baby's in that podium!"

"Quit turning us on and go polish your nozzle!"

"The locations create a perfect shape of some kind!"

"I made a rope from my clothes. But then this fire started!"

I actually thought the episode went downhill a bit once Flamo was introduced. I really didn't find him that interesting. I, along with many others here it seems, thought Bender would stop him with the heat exclusion spray, but what actually happened was fine. I also thought him going to the Arctic was going to lead to a joke about Flamo melting the entire Arctic, so ended up laughing in advance at a joke that never came. Weird. The Professor's bowling alley was superb, however. A solid 8/10, and the best of the season so far.

[Reply #29 on:]

seeing Nibbler painted as a Dalmatian was awesome.

[Reply #30 on:]

I agree that over the last few episodes it looks like fry and benders friendship is dying. But so far this seasons hasent been that great. I think saturday morning fun pit though is gonna be a good one.

[Reply #31 on:]

I agree that over the last few episodes it looks like fry and benders friendship is dying. But so far this seasons hasent been that great. I think saturday morning fun pit though is gonna be a good one.

[Reply #32 on:]

I didn't like how sounded the plot and for some reason I hated it when I watched it for first time yesterday but...I just ended to watch it again. Even if the last act was kinda weak and my opinion,also I don't dig that flame at all (was kinda dumb), this episode has good quotes and jokes.

Also "Heroic robot saves cat! also two people" gave my big laugh.

And maybe it's just me but the whole mine part,reminded me to what happened to these chileans mine-workers years ago.

7.5/10 It's one of these episodes that I know are good,but I wouldn't watch again.

[Reply #33 on:]

I really enjoyed this one, much more so than I expected to actually. I was wary of another Bender-themed episode, but this far exceeded what I expected it to be.

I thought nearly all of the jokes worked very well and that everyone was in character. Bender and Fry's relationship was also much more enjoyable in this episode than last week's. The only thing that irritated me a bit was the deus ex machina ending. Even that didn't bother me very much, though; I just wasn't particularly fond of it, so it didn't really detract greatly from the episode.

Overall, this was a 8/10 for me.

[Reply #34 on:]

One thing that I thought was going to happen was that Bender would unwittingly melt the polar ice caps when he brought the flame creature to the Arctic, and then some sort of hilarious chaos would ensue, and he would save the earth somehow. But I'm glad that wasn't done.

I thought this as well. They kept the plot very focused and the episode worked so well because of it.

[Reply #35 on:]

This was a GREAT episode. Reminds one of the Futurama we love.
I was fascinated by die space station near the sun. That whole rescuing saga was first class !!

10/10.

[Reply #36 on:]

Had a lot of great jokes and a decent plot.
9/10

[Reply #37 on:]

Excellent episode. Solid concept, beautiful visuals, lots of laughs, and a great emotional piece on Bender and Fry. The second half of season 7 is proving itself a winner so far...

9/10

[Reply #38 on:]

Amazing animation, great high sci-fi concept, even the IRL references didn't bother me all that much. Plus Leela in her underpants is never a bad thing.

(Of course, they ruined it by having Hermes wear the same outfit.)

"...would be an agonising suicide mission."
Professor:"Good news, everyone!"

Who DIDN'T expect this line? 8-)

And the appearance of the Professor's thingmonger!

Finglonger.

***

I agree that this had a classic Futurama feel to it. It was also nice to see Nibbler again, who seems to have been missing from the past few episodes. Morbo's "They might never not see the light of day again" was a neat twist as well.

[Reply #39 on:]

Is there any credible website where you can watch the new episodes on-line for free?  It would be nice the CC would have the new episodes on Demand.