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Author Topic: Thoughts on 7ACV23 - Game of Tones - SPOILERS  (Read 43379 times)
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PEE Poll: How was this episodo?
1/10 Mike Rowe shat on this   -2 (2.4%)
2/10 Just kill this show already!   -0 (0%)
3/10 I blame Zoidberg for such an episode!   -1 (1.2%)
4/10 Not good at all.   -2 (2.4%)
5/10 Wait, what was this?   -2 (2.4%)
6/10 Mehh   -0 (0%)
7/10 Pretty good   -5 (6%)
8/10 Good!   -7 (8.3%)
9/10 Rowe did this...?   -27 (32.1%)
10/10 Futurama Reversed the Shark!   -38 (45.2%)
Total Members Voted: 84

AdrenalinDragon

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #200 on: 11-24-2013 20:42 »

So, I watched this episode last night and its plot holes and failed emotional ending couldn't be overlooked for me. It's probably the most overrated episode of Season 7 to be honest.

I mostly agree with you, Stephen (also totalnerduk). I rewatched it again not too long ago and it didn't do much better for me on second watch. I know people say you shouldn't focus on plot holes or things that don't make too much sense in an episode, but this episode always felt a bit lazily written for me and it really bothers me. They also try to go for that sappy ending at the end but it's not really built up well throughout the episode and just comes out of nowhere and still doesn't work for me. I also think this one doesn't deserve all the praise it gets either. Sure, the concept is great and there are some good jokes dotted around the episode, but I think even an 8/10 is pretty generous for this episode and consider it really overrated too.
Beamer

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #201 on: 11-26-2013 11:03 »

The ending was "not really built up well throughout the episode?" Fry spent a great deal of screentime trying to have a moment with his mother again. And given that the whole damn episode was blurring the lines between dream and reality in the first place, the ending was the perfect way to bring the two together. The writing was just fine. It certainly wasn't up to the standard of, say, The Luck of the Fryrish, but as far as "poorly tacked-on sappy endings" go, Cold Warriors is still far and away the worst offender.
Monster_Robot_Maniac

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #202 on: 12-29-2013 21:45 »

I think this episode was the send-off for the true fans of the show, whereas Meanwhile was the true finale. I say that because of how much fanservice was applied to this one; Things like the parody of the fan-favorite Nibbler stories, having a very long flashback to Fry's life, letting Fry's new friends interact with Fry's past associates, and giving us an emotional ending with Fry's mom, wrapping up the stories about each one of Fry's main family members (Fryrish, Roswell, Bark, Warriors, and this one) all make fans of the show get more of what many have wanted to see for some time. It's nice that they revisited or acted out these ideas, to give the series a more 'final' feeling. Do you guys agree?
If this didn't make sense to you, sorry. What I'm trying to say is a little hard to put into words. :facepalm:
TheMadCapper

Fluffy
UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #203 on: 12-29-2013 22:16 »

I understand, and I agree in some regards.

Game was great for those who aren't big fry/Leela shippers. It explored some more of Fry's family and past, and even got the PE crew into the mix. The fact that Fry is a man unexpectedly torn from his place in time isn't always treated seriously, but there would obviously be a lot of turmoil involved, and Game helps resolve that a little.

Meanwhile

Let's add Stench and Stenchability to the pile shall we?

I think the writers all had an understanding that it might really be the end this time for Futurama and they focused on giving the long-time fans some closure. These final episodes weren't laugh riots (though they certainly had their funny moments) instead they were to wrap things up. I feel like the series really has ended now, where earlier cancellations felt too soon.
Monster_Robot_Maniac

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #204 on: 12-30-2013 00:07 »

Even Murder on the Planet Express could be added, in a lesser way..
I like that they made the last few episodes served as finales to specific characters or even ideas, as like you said, it made this really feel like the final season, where everyone gets a happy ending and it's all wrapped up in a nice bow.
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #205 on: 07-21-2014 13:25 »

So, I don't think we've really talked about how the Nibblonians (or at least, Nibbler) have the ability to place someone's subconscious into not only someone else's dream, but the dream of someone else who has been dead for over 1000 years. That seems pretty powerful to me, I wish they would have explained it a little more, but oh well.
UnrealLegend

Space Pope
****
« Reply #206 on: 07-21-2014 14:49 »

I guess there's only so much you can explain in a 21 minute episode. On the other hand, I don't remember them ever explaining Nibbler's other ridiculous powers. Remember when he teleported out of the universe and came back a couple of movies later with no explanation? I remember being annoyed with that back in 2008.
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #207 on: 07-21-2014 22:46 »

That still annoys me, too!
Scrappylive

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #208 on: 08-22-2014 07:38 »
« Last Edit on: 09-20-2017 22:29 »

Futurama is many things. Futurama is comedy. Futurama is science fiction. Futurama is satire. Futurama is adventure. Futurama might not succeed at every attempt in these fields, but one thing it always succeeds at is its few attempts to go emotional and pull on those heartstrings.


Story
Yes, I cried. Just prior to the final scene, I was thinking that the episode was good but could have done more. And then on that final note, it did more than I could have ever imagined. Very, very touching.

The story was inspired and well-paced. I'm not sure what my favorite aspect of this story was. We got an adventure into the past. We got a dream episode. We got Fry interacting with his family. We got Fry's workmates interacting with his family! We got to revisit December 31, 1999. We got plenty of callbacks. We got good jokes. We got an emotional ending. We got a lot.


Plot
There were some plotholes in this episode, but I don't think they broke the episode in any way. The more ambitious a Futurama episode is, the more I wish we could see it produced as a movie instead -- and I mean a typical 90-180 minute film that is not designed to be broken up into four episodes. The worst part of the plot for me was that the audience was led to believe that Earth was in danger due to the previous planet's destruction, but the Nibblonian was simply looking for his car keys. Why would Digby destroy planets in order to find thousand year-old keys? What gives, eh?

Other than the nonsensical Nibblonian aspects, I really enjoyed this plot and the scenarios and interactions it provided. I loved how there were various audio cues that were modified by Fry's memory to slightly resemble the elusive tone. Very nice touch! I especially like that we got a deeper look into Fry's family life. It's more comedic to display the contempt, but it's profound to see Fry's past and what it really means to him (as well as what he really means to his family).

Maybe I do kind of miss this place. Maybe I just convinced myself I hated it 'cause I knew I could never come back.


Funny
This wasn't the funniest episode, but it provided plenty of lines and visual cues that really entertained. None of the jokes seemed bad to me. The Shazam joke definitely wasn't great, but I don't understand all of the hatred for it.

My favorite line from this episode: Philip, have you lost weight? Mr. MacFarlane, you strike again!


Characters
Every character was in-character, properly used, and at least somewhat involved in the plot. Other than Nixon, Agnew, and Digby (and a one-off joke from Randy), this episode did not need any extra characters to drive the plot. We had the Planet Express crew, Fry's family, and characters that filled roles in Fry's last night in the past. Everyone served a purpose and provided their appropriate humor.

Also, why was Nibbler running away from Seymour in Fry's parents' living room? Did Seymour try to mark his territory? :p


Classic
This episode had the "classic feel." I love that we got to explore more of December 31, 1999, and we got to do so in a way that did not retcon anything. In fact, it was downright respectful to the established mythology.

Game of Tones was full of callbacks! Fry's relationships in the 20th century. Noticeably F.A.T. and the rest of the breakdancing crew. Fry's bored reactions to some of the events of his last night in the past (a nod to the fact that we've seen those events so many times now). Tricky Dick's love of Charleston Chews. Vergon 6. Bender's pleasure derived from transfering electricity.


Visuals
As always, this episode was a visual treat. Some of my favorite shots include the view from the bottom of Fry's laboratory bed as the Professor is preparing the Radio-Cranial Dream Injector and the establishing shot from above the Planet Express building with the building and ground cracking and owls flying upwards toward the camera. Futurama is art.


Gripes
The aforementioned plotholes are my only gripe for this episode, and as I mentioned they don't really break the episode for me.


Highlights
 • Darned kids. In my day, sound didn't travel through space!
 • There it is again! It's driving me crazy. Why am I the only one whining?
 • Hologram off.
 • But I guess the memory is gone forever. (Sad) Like Kaboom! cereal. (Dry) And my family.
 • Fry's physical reaction upon being injected.
 • (A brick falls on Randy's head) Ow. Suing! (The Planet Express sign falls on him) Ow.
 • Fry licking Seymour. And blowing his nose into him.
 • Mom!? You know Leela? / Nope!
 • The entire encounter between Fry's family and workmates.
 • Mt. Shushmore


Overall
Not quite perfect, but as perfect as 21 minutes of animated comedy can get. The Late Philip J. Fry and Game of Tones are the best of the new run for me.
10/10

Hello!? Pizza delivery for... I.C. Weiner? Ah, crud! Every time!
Chris9000

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #209 on: 01-07-2017 11:34 »

It's pretty good-ish. Not great. But the ending is.
Tachyon

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #210 on: 01-07-2017 13:18 »


This is one of my favourite episodes, especially the end.  To me, the beginning is a mash-up of of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home".

Chris9000

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #211 on: 01-13-2017 23:20 »

Where can I find the song at the end? I've searched it up on YouTube but all I get are covers... Unless the version in this episode was a cover by someone else? Or was it the original? Either way, where can I find the version that was used in this episode?
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #212 on: 01-14-2017 16:10 »

Or was it the original? Either way, where can I find the version that was used in this episode?

transgender nerd under canada

DOOP Ubersecretary
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« Reply #213 on: 01-14-2017 19:03 »

It's also linked to on the first page of the thread.
SpaceGoldfish fromWazn

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #214 on: 08-30-2020 21:13 »

One thing I noticed about a lot of the Cc episodes is that some of them seemed to have their entire plots be formed around a mediocre or outright terrible pun and it explains their disjointed covulated nature.   This episode was genuinely awful yet the moments with Fry and his m are perhaps most heartbreaking and poignant in the show.  It's sad that it was cocooned by the horrible storyline... A parked car that destroys world's and that's the justification for the unimaginative way to shoehorn  a game of thrones reference?  Urgh.

Now I lost my mom three years after this episode aired and I cried like a baby.  I had started to dream about all the people who've died before her and after and I kept dreaming repeatedly of them and thinking if I open my eyes it'll be fine they're here they didn't die and .. well. 

Seeing Fry just broke my heart.  I don't think I've ever wanted to reach into a screen and comfort a fictional character but I did.  I just wanted to give him a massive hug and tell him it'll hurt, it'll always hurt, a piece of you just goes away and it never comes back when you lose your mom even if you didn't have such a good relationship or one very different to the one you find on a mother's Day card.  And you will never really find answers to those questions you never got to ask.  Closure is a myth sometimes.   I just wanted to let him sob it out and let him know that lots of people love him in his fictional universe and mine.  Its like I wanted him to be real so I could let him know id be there for him? Isn't that weird.  Maybe I wanted him to comfort me... Fry always seems to know just how to cheer someone up when they need it.  I always find it weird that people in and out his universe don't seem to notice how kind he is and how big hearted he is thet it borders on the angelic and I wish more people would be like the ultimate good guy.

The episode was a mess but you have to have a heart of stone to not be moved by that sweet boys anguish.  Fry is just too good at looking like a kicked puppy when he's sad, let alone experiencing absolute despair.
Tachyon

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #215 on: 08-30-2020 23:44 »

The title doesn't bother me at all...no more than Silence of the Clamps, for which I watched the Jody Foster film just in case the writers dropped any references. I was adopted, and lost my adoptive mom seven years before Tones, and it just rips my guts up to watch it. But silly premise or not, I really enjoy the episode.

transgender nerd under canada

DOOP Ubersecretary
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« Reply #216 on: 09-03-2020 07:18 »

The episode was a mess but you have to have a heart of stone to not be moved by that sweet boys anguish. 

Alternatively, if you recognise cheap tricks to exploit you emotionally, it's quite easy to not be moved at all, and merely think that the episode is a mess.
SpaceGoldfish fromWazn

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #217 on: 09-21-2020 21:07 »

No watching my mom die and spending years afterwards dreaming she was still alive along with the rest of my family and then waking up to realise all over again my entire family is dead and theyey are not coming back made it impossible to not relate to this episode personally. It was for me a very moving depiction of grief and very relatable.
Tachyon

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #218 on: 09-21-2020 22:09 »

same, if slightly different circumstances.

Tedward

Professor
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« Reply #219 on: 09-20-2023 18:02 »

Inspired by recent comments on "Game of Tones" from the "The Inhuman Torch" review thread...

The ending of Game of Tones is excellent, but it's a total arse-pull after an episode that's largely illogical and half-baked.

I remember thinking this before and I still hold this position now: setting aside arguments over the emotional content's effectiveness or the logic of the plot, something I give "Game of Tones" credit for is demonstrating that it is possible to have time travel into the past that's consequence-free in itself (in that it's just a dream and, because no one is actually going into the past, there's no danger of changing history) but still has high stakes...and in doing so, I think it bolsters my criticism of "All the Presidents' Heads." I really disliked that the head-licking in that episode led to actual time travel (which I think is a bad idea) rather than just a head-trip fantasy (which might have been kind of fun), and if that episode's excuse was that it had to be real time travel in order for there to be any tension, "Game of Tones" provides the counter-argument for how such a story could work; sure, the past stuff is only a dream, but there's a mystery to be solved and a ticking clock in the present motivating it.
cyber_turnip

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #220 on: 09-21-2023 19:03 »

It honestly makes this episode so incredibly frustrating because all the pieces of a masterpiece are right there. They're just assembled completely haphazardly, like they thought they had another week to finish the script and then it was just taken off their hands, unfinished.

Quote
Alternatively, if you recognise cheap tricks to exploit you emotionally, it's quite easy to not be moved at all, and merely think that the episode is a mess.
To be fair, I think we all love "Jurassic Bark" and that's the exact same thing. There's no deeper thematic meaning or resonance to Seymour having waited for Fry all those years. It's pure emotional manipulation... and it works.

That said, seasons 6 and 7 were abundant with these "we clearly came up with this wonderful, poignant idea and wrote the episode backwards to accommodate the final scene" episodes and, historically speaking, they're quite strong in spite of the emotional manipulation being employed. I find it odd that season 8 hasn't really even tried to do this once yet. The closest they've come is the end of "Children of a Lesser Bog". It's a Futurama staple.
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