Nibbler's Current Role

[on:]

Something I never really hear people talk about, what are your thoughts on Nibbler becoming a member of the crew and openly speaking in a human voice to them? Doesn't it go against his secret mission(s)? Did you prefer him as a cute little Dark Matter pooper?

[Reply #1 on:]

This is a good point, one which I think I also raised in my review for Overclockwise. It's definitely worth discussing in detail. I'm personally not a fan of Nibbler talking unless it's for a secret mission or some crazy storyline, and then only to certain people who he then memory blanks afterwards with the stuff that tastes like purple...

As far as the regular set-up of the show should be, in my view Nibbler should still be the dumb pet that everyone thinks is cute, eats practically everything in his way, and poops out steaming balls of dark matter. Having him talk at the Planet Express table along with the rest of the crew doesn't sit right with me, something feels off with the character relationship balance when that happens...

Maybe I'm old skool and too stuck in my ways, but I don't like it. I also don't like how Leela seemingly couldn't give a fuck about Nibbler anymore, and is happy to up and leave Nibbler without a care in the world...

[Reply #2 on:]

I agree that I am not much of a fan of Nibbler being treated like a crew member. That just doen't bode well with me. Though it is true that perhaps Nibbler constantly having to blank everyone's memories could have gotten old, I thought he was funnier and more interesting as a dumb pet.

[Reply #3 on:]

Yeah I agree with the general consensus. Nibbler speaking and having everyone be ok with it really ruins the mystery of his entire race. I don't find him as mysterious, if a bit underused but I would like to know more about him and the Nibblonians. 

[Reply #4 on:]

I actually quite like the fact that he now speaks openly. It's a bit of real plot development, as opposed to the consistent return to status-quo that tends to annoy me about most cartoons. Also, he's one of the few characters who isn't retarded in some way or another. Before he revealed himself the only people who weren't stupid or crazy were Leela and Hermes, who both have problems nevertheless. Nibbler should be utilised as a 'straight man' to the rampant insanity of the rest of the crew, juxtaposed against the fact that he's actually a furry little critter that eats everything. Kind of the same way that Brian used to be used in Family Guy - the 'normal' dude who questions the animated craziness and then pauses to lick his own crotch. It's funny.
Furthermore, if they ever decide to revisit the whole 'Mighty One' arc, bring back the brainspawn, or tackle the reference to 'the Other', it'd be nice not to have the plot erased from the minds of the characters once again. That always struck me as a cop-out, once again, to return to status-quo. Let them remember it.

[Reply #5 on:]

Furthermore, if they ever decide to revisit the whole 'Mighty One' arc, bring back the brainspawn, or tackle the reference to 'the Other', it'd be nice not to have the plot erased from the minds of the characters once again. That always struck me as a cop-out, once again, to return to status-quo. Let them remember it.

Maybe Fry finds a T-Shirt with the writing "I saved the Universe, and all I got was this stupid T-Shirt" and wonders where be got THAT from.....

Well, I am also in favor that he speaks openly now. The hungry little bugger was fun, but rather a one-trick pony. We had that joke often enough, and imhO there is no need for further repetitions.

The quality of "openly intelligent" Nibbler will depend on the writers alone, anyway...

[Reply #6 on:]

That's true. We have goren some funny stuff out of the new Nibbler, like Nibbler on the Roof, and there might be a lot more coming. That wouldn't be the case were he still playing "cute thing".

[Reply #7 on:]

That's true. We have goren some funny stuff out of the new Nibbler, like Nibbler on the Roof,...

Yeah, and the best part about that: He even made Leela leave with that one (unfortunately, she came back)...

(Nah...I'm just messing with you.... )

[Reply #8 on:]

With the initial posts of a consensual support that oldskool mute Nibbler was better than vocally English Nibbler, I am kinda surprised at the poll results. But the poll is a little vague on whether you mean he should have never spoken in the first place, or shouldn't speak around them now.

I prefer Nibbler to how he has grown and changed as a character. Initially, that little pooper bugged the dark matter out of me. He was fidgety, a nuisance, and Bender didn't get along with him. I didn't understand what the big deal was. Then when we found out he was derived from a race of super intelligent beings, and that they had their hand in Fry's freezing, I was very intigued. Now that I know he is really like that, I can withstand his cutesy animal act. I really liked his role in That Darn Katz!

[Reply #9 on:]

I'm happy with the situation. At least there was a character development, but I still want episodes focused on Fry's destiny and the nibblonians.

[Reply #10 on:]

But the poll is a little vague on whether you mean he should have never spoken in the first place, or shouldn't speak around them now.

I mean should he of blanked their memories in BBS so he didn't eventually become a member of the crew or not. (Bender's Game added to this, leading up to That Darn Katz!)

[Reply #11 on:]

Nah, I don't think so. Then every time he talked you'd have to do something like that and it would get old fast. The way they did it worked. It made for questions at the time...but now it makes sense. It's the future, dammit!

[Reply #12 on:]

I am really hoping for more development of the whole Nibbler plot. I do agree that it is good to see this level of character development, but I feel like the instances of real plot furthering are few and far between and as such, fans lose some of their excitement. Is anyone really actively awaiting more information re The Other, for example? No one would shun such info, of course, but as a whole we are no longer very eager about it.

I don't know about Nibbler, exactly. I wish his talking self was funnier.

[Reply #13 on:]

Is anyone really actively awaiting more information re The Other, for example?

YES. I feel like we were screwed out of an awesome episode in the original run because they didn't address this further. I'm still waiting. It would be interesting to see how this pans out (if it ever does).

[Reply #14 on:]

Well, yeah, everyone wants more information about it. I meant, is anyone heavily actively discussing it anymore? Not really.

I don't know if anyone ever was, though.

[Reply #15 on:]

I asked Eric Rogers about whether "the other" would be brought up again, he's either lying or seriously doesn't know.

@DannyJC13 umm maybe?? I have no idea, my friend!

[Reply #16 on:]

I think it is just one some detail us diehard fans cling to. Like the shippers clinging to Fry sleeping with the mayor's wife. Some things are meant to be taken with a grain of salt, probably.

[Reply #17 on:]

The mayor's wife thing is probably supposed to come with some salt bits, but the way Nibbler delivered the Other line plus all the implications of that episode make me think that line wasn't just some throwaway thing.

[Reply #18 on:]

I think it is just one some detail us diehard fans cling to. Like the shippers clinging to Fry sleeping with the mayor's wife. Some things are meant to be taken with a grain of salt, probably.

But DXC did bring it up in that interview... Before most fans really took serious notice of it.

[Reply #19 on:]

Was he the one who gave that "one sentence left unaddressed" quote? Because yeah, The Other is the only sentence that plausibly fits that quote and that statement isn't the sort of thing you go casually dropping in the earshot of nerdlingers.

[Reply #20 on:]

Whatever it was, it seems like they long since forgot that line while the rest of us are left on the edge of our seat waiting for more clues.

[Reply #21 on:]

I would be fine with "The other"  just refering to Leela being the reason for Fry to save the universe and return to the Future.
Nibbler's advice not to give up on Leela could be some kind of convenience lie:
"I'll return to the Future and save the universe if I have a chance with Leela. Do I have a chance?"
"Hm...erm..oh yeah, sure, sure...."

[Reply #22 on:]

They need to bring back the brainspawn for a multi-episode arc. That would justify Nibbler's continued presence.

[Reply #23 on:]

Alternatively, Lord Nibbler could come up with some other reason to stick around. Brain spawn are getting kinda old and busted. Presumably the brain spawn are not the only thing the Nibblonians care about.

Edit - And Nibbler should be out of the closet as an intelligent being. But he's been an adorable pet for so long that for the most part he and the crew should unconsciously settle back into their old relationship. Occasional comedy opportunity when they break out of those patterns.

[Reply #24 on:]

Brainspawn only got two episodes.
It was intimated strongly that they were the sole reason Fry was sent to the future, and therefore the underlying foundation of the show's original premise.
They deserve to be revisited on a grander scale, with the rest of the characters being made aware of their threat and Fry's role.
...If only so we could watch a DOOP armada try to attack them and become stricken by stupidity and crash into one another.

[Reply #25 on:]

Two episodes is a lot for Futurama. Only a few baddies get more than 1 episode starring them. Mom, Santa, the robot mafia, and the brain spawn are all I can think of off the top of my head - and Mom and the mafia are more like characters than villains who only exist for purposes of being overcome by the PE crew. The brain spawn are not characters. They are one-dimensional contrivances that have no existence beyond being the bad guys. They make robot santa look fleshed-out and deep by comparison.

Fry's already saved the Earth (and subsequent planets on the brain spawn agenda) and then the entire universe from brain spawn. That's enough reason for him to have been brought to the future, I say.

[Reply #26 on:]

I agree that there need to be more episodes about Fry being the Mighty One/against the Brainspawn. It WAS the reason he was sent to the future, and Leela's role as "the Other" has not been explained either...

[Reply #27 on:]

I would certainly welcome one or two more Fry vs Brainspawn episodes.
As i already stated before: A good parody lives by giving traidional plots a new twist, and Fry's lack of abilities forces the writers to give his rescues exactly that new twist (while "the chosen one" aspect is such a famous sci fi classic )
@ animegeekmom > Btw..welcome to the board

[Reply #28 on:]

TY Inquisitor!!! That's why Fry is such a GREAT hero!! He is so geniune, so caring, so emotional, but also so naive and "stupid", but he has these amazing moments of incite that make him such a wonderful character.

[Reply #29 on:]

And I totally spelled incite wrong....insight there. That bugs me...anyways back to the original topic which I never touched on at all. I liked Nibbler better after I saw the Day the Earth Stood Stupid for the first time. I prefer him in the intelligent being mode. His deep, important voice with his cutness is just a wonderful contradiction!! He has such a presense....man I am spelling stupid today. I am the greetest. There is no beating Nibbler on the Roof either. TOO FUNNY! However, Leela does seem to give him less attention, now that his sentience is known to all.

[Reply #30 on:]

You do know you can Edit your posts instead of double posting... Can also let you fix typos...

[Reply #31 on:]

sweet ty.

[Reply #32 on:]

The brain spawn are not characters. They are one-dimensional contrivances that have no existence beyond being the bad guys.

But they are fun. The ability to make everybody stupid, and to imprison people inside fictional realms are both aspects that a lot more humour could be derived from.
Plus, as I said, we could use a truly epic battle.

That's enough reason for him to have been brought to the future, I say.

Probably, but re: the thread topic - it was the reason Nibbler was sticking around keeping tabs on him. If Fry's already executed the function of the Mighty One, then why would the little guy still be on Earth? Surely he has family and friends waiting for him back on Eternium. If the Brainspawn aren't still a potential threat... or if there isn't some other role for Fry to play... then Nibbler's continued presence doesn't make sense.

[Reply #33 on:]

Alternatively, Lord Nibbler could come up with some other reason to stick around.

Presumably the Nibblonians have something on their minds besides the brain spawn. Lord Nibbler could remain on earth in some other capacity.

[Reply #34 on:]

Some other big bad enemy requiring the use of someone without the Delta brainwave? We've already had two of those. It would stretch the imagination a little if there were a third bad guy with abilities based on telepathy that Fry is destined to defeat. Make more sense just to bring back the Brainspawn. Or maybe just one Brainspawn, separate from the collective and more powerful. Like in that fanfic I wrote.
http://www.peelified.com/Futurama-Forum-6/Topic-15800-0-Blame_it_on_the_Brain_by.html

[Reply #35 on:]

* Xanfor gets sudden urge to reread....

[Reply #36 on:]

Why should there be anything requiring the delta brain wave? We've already mined that vein. I'm sure the Nibblonians have other concerns to address.

[Reply #37 on:]

But that's his only unique trait.
Unless some very clever writer comes up with a clever plot device about how he's a temporal paradox, being his own grandfather, and so has some kind of esoteric relationship with spacetime, meaning that he alone can prevent the destruction of the universe. But that would have to be one really clever writer.

[Reply #38 on:]

Why should there be anything requiring the delta brain wave? We've already mined that vein. I'm sure the Nibblonians have other concerns to address.

With the whole universe to chose from, there might be other villains/species  relying on mental attacks. Fry's immunity toward their mental attacks is an ability that can be reused, about the same way the professor makes a new invention, Leela flying the sapceship, Bender moving extremely heavy objcts, etc.. . With Frys's ability the most crazy one, it cannot be used as often as the other ones, of course, but still something that might come handy from time to time... 

[Reply #39 on:]

The brain spawn are not characters. They are one-dimensional contrivances that have no existence beyond being the bad guys.

But they are fun. The ability to make everybody stupid, and to imprison people inside fictional realms are both aspects that a lot more humour could be derived from.
Plus, as I said, we could use a truly epic battle.

That's enough reason for him to have been brought to the future, I say.

Probably, but re: the thread topic - it was the reason Nibbler was sticking around keeping tabs on him. If Fry's already executed the function of the Mighty One, then why would the little guy still be on Earth? Surely he has family and friends waiting for him back on Eternium. If the Brainspawn aren't still a potential threat... or if there isn't some other role for Fry to play... then Nibbler's continued presence doesn't make sense.

ITWGY already proved that Fry has continued purpose in the future being the Mighty One beyond the Brainspawn. So I agree with Coldangel here.