New Futurama speculations (Spoilers ahoy)

[Reply #480 on:]

Well, this isn't really speculation, but just a thought I had.

Anyone notice that except for Season's 4 and "5", Futurama doesn't make much of its season finale's? S1-3 ended with a standard comedic episode that had little to no impact on the characters and/or universe. S4 and "5" ended with episodes that meant quite a bit (though both also doubled as series finale's, so that's one obvious reason why).

What I'm saying is, does anyone else think that the writers should take their chances and end season's with a bang from now on? I think that Devil's Hands and ITWGY are quite brilliant, so I'd like to see more finale's in their veins. Anybody with me?

[Reply #481 on:]

Hear, hear!

[Reply #482 on:]

What I'm saying is, does anyone else think that the writers should take their chances and end season's with a bang from now on? I think that Devil's Hands and ITWGY are quite brilliant, so I'd like to see more finale's in their veins. Anybody with me?

Definitely. It would be really good if they embraced just enough continuity to keep the general "advancing" sort of feeling Futurama usually has (as well as to keep intrigue and by extension viewer interest high, even though fans would probably keep watching anyway), but not so much as to make the original series run look like it's more disjointed than it is. I can't see the latter happening, but I'd love to see more attention to the finales and such like you said.

On a related note, this reminds me again that I wish Futurama had a few more season- or series-spanning story arcs to run across the contained episodes.

[Reply #483 on:]

Well, Futurama is essentially being reborn with this second return (hell, the first episode is tentatively titled Rebirth), so there's no reason the writers should let up. I don't think many want Futurama to go backwards, so we fans should support any (for lack of a better word) maturing the writers want to take with Futurama.

After all, we didn't bring it back just so it could become stale. So bring on better continuity, closer character relationships, more sci-fi stories, and whatever else they can come up with. Every season of Futurama should be trying to beat the previous ones, not just match them.

[Reply #484 on:]

That's true. I was just saying that I didn't want the new episodes to make the earlier ones look inferior by comparison, but now that I think about it that wouldn't be bad at all. The show should just get better and better, and whether or not one thinks the movies are an example what kinds of formats or stories "work," I think we all hope for a return to classic Futurama and then some so that we can continue to be amazed at how funny the show can be or how surprisingly emotional the situations can get.

[Reply #485 on:]

That's true. I was just saying that I didn't want the new episodes to make the earlier ones look inferior by comparison, but now that I think about it that wouldn't be bad at all. The show should just get better and better, and whether or not one thinks the movies are an example what kinds of formats or stories "work," I think we all hope for a return to classic Futurama and then some so that we can continue to be amazed at how funny the show can be or how surprisingly emotional the situations can get.

To me Futurama just seemed to get better as the seasons progressed. I'm sure we'll get some Emmy award winners next season. Futurama has always been a fantastic show. You're right, I've always loved how Futurama could be a Si-Fi animated comedy but still have some "deeper" moments. As I've said before I don't think we have much to worry about. I'm sure the writers won't take the dark path The Simpsons has followed.

[Reply #486 on:]

I agree that the show did get better as it progressed (or at least it took more risks and was more varied in the types of episodes it had), and that's not to say that it wasn't very good at the beginning either. Although Futurama's original cancellation was unfortunate, it was fortunate for the show that the writers knew or suspected that the end was coming; they were able to tie up the story arcs they had started earlier such as Leela's origins, Fry's destiny, and continue advancing the Kif-Amy relationship and the Fry-Leela 'ship as well. Let's hope that Futurama does indeed have even bigger and better things in store for its new episodes!

[Reply #487 on:]

Well, Futurama is essentially being reborn with this second return (hell, the first episode is tentatively titled Rebirth), so there's no reason the writers should let up. I don't think many want Futurama to go backwards, so we fans should support any (for lack of a better word) maturing the writers want to take with Futurama.

After all, we didn't bring it back just so it could become stale. So bring on better continuity, closer character relationships, more sci-fi stories, and whatever else they can come up with. Every season of Futurama should be trying to beat the previous ones, not just match them.

exactly.
each season should beat the last to a quivering,bloody pulp.

[Reply #488 on:]

I agree that the show did get better as it progressed (or at least it took more risks and was more varied in the types of episodes it had), and that's not to say that it wasn't very good at the beginning either. Although Futurama's original cancellation was unfortunate, it was fortunate for the show that the writers knew or suspected that the end was coming; they were able to tie up the story arcs they had started earlier such as Leela's origins, Fry's destiny, and continue advancing the Kif-Amy relationship and the Fry-Leela 'ship as well. Let's hope that Futurama does indeed have even bigger and better things in store for its new episodes!

That's just what I was trying to say. The show just keeps getting better and better and lets hope it stays that way!

[Reply #489 on:]

The other day I watched the finale of ITWGY on sky one. I thought the ending was very weird. I mean they just fly over to a black hole or whatever it was, and then it opens up like the starting animation, and then the credits come on, and I was like- that's it? ITWGY was going to be the last thing they ever did with futurama, but thanks to the DVD sales, there's going to be a new season. But if it was the last thing they ever did, that would be very disappointing.  

[Reply #490 on:]

You really weren't paying attention were you?

[Reply #491 on:]

I love the ending for ITWGY. I have that movie on my iPod and I always replay the last scene over and over every day. Haha.

[Reply #492 on:]

I love the ending for ITWGY. I have that movie on my iPod and I always replay the last scene over and over every day. Haha.

My condolences, that's very very sad.

[Reply #493 on:]

Okay, well, since that last hope went off so well, how about these?

I always thought that one of the more interesting additions to the Futuramaverse were the Chronotons. These little particles literally made up of time have so much potential for future storylines. The two episodes they've been used in have been great, and used them in unique ways, so there's got to be more that can be done with them.

The Farnsworth Parabox is a great episode, but I've always been a little disappointed that the other universes were given so little time. I'd like a sequel to that episode, because I don't think Futurama got the full squeeze of parallel universe bits out of the first one. Perhaps it could be called Parabox Squared?

So, anybody agree?

P.S. Actually, I'd be surprised if the sixth season time travel episode didn't use Chronotons as an explanation.

[Reply #494 on:]

I do agree. In regards to the Chronotons, I hadn't really thought about them too much in relation to future stories or anything, but now that you've mentioned them it would be nice to have them used again. And, now that I think about it, what we've heard about the set-up for the time-travel episode sounds kind of like the time skips anyway...

Speaking of old ideas used anew, an episode featuring the Parabox-specific parallel universes again may seem to be a bit of a rehash, even though there are certainly many opportunities for an exciting new story to come out of the existing material. After all, the crew does possess a box containing the universe; you'd think that would be important (it's presumably a good thing that no one else in Universe A knows about the box). It seems a little harder to imagine the writers making a sequel of sorts to "The Farnsworth Parabox" since it was a single-episode sort of story while the Chronotons were only a part of "Time Keeps on Slipping," allowing them to be used in other stories as well. Then again, "The Why of Fry" is in a way a sequel to "The Day the Earth Stood Stupid," so it's not out of the question that the parallel universes could play a larger role again (on the other hand, TWOF and TDTESS are part of the series-spanning Fry arc, so I guess they have a good reason to be part of a larger story. This just further demands a greater number of story arcs!).

[Reply #495 on:]

There's going to be a sneak peek at the first new Futurama episode at Animation SuperCon:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/sfl-ent-to-do-futurama-100109,0,5255697.story

[Reply #496 on:]

Yes, yes, we knew that already.

[Reply #497 on:]

Yes, yes, we knew that already.

Sorry. So, is anybody going?

[Reply #498 on:]

Yes, yes, we knew that already.

Sorry. So, is anybody going?

My friend is. I told him to youtube it, like I mentioned that in annother thread.

[Reply #499 on:]

He'd better Youtube it. I'm not going to that event (which is a shame)

[Reply #500 on:]

Or a huge relief for everyone involved.

*swish*

[Reply #501 on:]

I just found some information on slurmed.com that was revealed at today's animation supercon.  Big spoilers!

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•The 1st pisode (1acv06) of Season 6 picks up right where (Into the Wild Green Yonder) movie left off

•Sadly for many people, the series will feature a "literal" rebirth of the characters

•The original concept of the 1st episode was to take place in new universe where they were taken as prisoners, but Matt Groening said that it should be a rebirth instead (please don't boo Matt)

•The 2nd episode (2acv06) will feature Zapp and Leela in a Eden-like planet (we knew that, but not the Eden-like part)

•In the 4th epsiode (4avco6), the Hyperchicken will make appereance (we all love the Hyperchicken haha!)

•The 2nd and 4th episode will be kinda more filthy than if they had been on FOX. "Comedy Central censors helped them push envelop of language" (that rises the question, what if they wanna put those 2 episodes on FOX later on)

•The Space Pope will appear in Season 6. It involves Bender grave robbing in vatican.

•There will be a "Anthology of Intrerest III" episode (the one with the "What if" machine)

•According to David X Cohen, we will elarn more about Nibbler and his powers, like the "Partial Nibbler satisfaction"
•In an episode, we will see the future of the iPhone, that it will be implanten directly in your eye

let the bitching begin!

[Reply #502 on:]

I know the thread title says "spoilers ahoy" but since SO put his info in a spoiler button thingy i didnt want to risk the wrath of angry Peelers by refering to it outside spoilers

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Sweet!! I've been saying for months i wanted space pope in an episode cant wait for that, the rebirth on the other hand..... well im not too pleased.

Hyperchickens always great, as is Zapp and leela but even better is there will be more TALES OF........................... ............................. ............................I NTREST!!

Also I hope the flexibilty on language doesnt make them make a "Spanish Fry" every week, as good as it was (in one thread i even said it was my favourite episode)  it wasnt classic Futurama so i hope they just keep doing what they were doing pre-cancellation but with only a few liberties taken.

[Reply #503 on:]

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Sounds like they are going to change to show into some kind of "Lost in Space" type thing. Which I kinda already guessed.

[Reply #504 on:]

Hmmm that doesnt sound too far from the truth.

[Reply #505 on:]

I read some of slurmed's comments on Twitter. Here's the part that interests me most:

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Amy will be again with Kif, Fry will have to conquer Leela's heart again RT

I'm fine with the former. As for the latter:

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Well, it could work, I guess. A frustrated, lovesick Fry is a hell of a lot of fun and a lovable kinda guy. And I can see why Matt chose to do this. Fry's pursuit of Leela is one of the show's major storylines. Matt only resolved it because he expected ITWGY to be the end of the series. So for the record, I'm okay with this...my only concern is how Leela is handled. I hope she's not portrayed as being cold to Fry. God knows she gets enough grief already from mindless shippers. The girl has a right to say no, and in Fry's case, it's somewhat understandable. But I hope she's portrayed as being justifiably doubtful. Anyway, I'm all a-tingle for the new series to start. Make of that what you will. 

[Reply #506 on:]

Show spoiler

Amy will be again with Kif, Fry will have to conquer Leela's heart again RT

I'm fine with the former. As for the latter:

Show spoiler

Well, it could work, I guess. A frustrated, lovesick Fry is a hell of a lot of fun and a lovable kinda guy. And I can see why Matt chose to do this. Fry's pursuit of Leela is one of the show's major storylines. Matt only resolved it because he expected ITWGY to be the end of the series. So for the record, I'm okay with this...my only concern is how Leela is handled. I hope she's not portrayed as being cold to Fry. God knows she gets enough grief already from mindless shippers. The girl has a right to say no, and in Fry's case, it's somewhat understandable. But I hope she's portrayed as being justifiably doubtful. Anyway, I'm all a-tingle for the new series to start. Make of that what you will. 

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Well, a possible way to get around Leela is her saying that it was just an impulse, and that she thought that they may have not made it through the wormhole. She may be portrayed with some secret feelings for Fry though. For example, she might not think she is ready for a relationship with him yet, and sort of turn him away in that sense, but still kind of want it. It will probably be awkward between them for a while.

[Reply #507 on:]

Show spoiler

Amy will be again with Kif, Fry will have to conquer Leela's heart again RT

I'm fine with the former. As for the latter:

Show spoiler

Well, it could work, I guess. A frustrated, lovesick Fry is a hell of a lot of fun and a lovable kinda guy. And I can see why Matt chose to do this. Fry's pursuit of Leela is one of the show's major storylines. Matt only resolved it because he expected ITWGY to be the end of the series. So for the record, I'm okay with this...my only concern is how Leela is handled. I hope she's not portrayed as being cold to Fry. God knows she gets enough grief already from mindless shippers. The girl has a right to say no, and in Fry's case, it's somewhat understandable. But I hope she's portrayed as being justifiably doubtful. Anyway, I'm all a-tingle for the new series to start. Make of that what you will. 

Show spoiler

Well, a possible way to get around Leela is her saying that it was just an impulse, and that she thought that they may have not made it through the wormhole. She may be portrayed with some secret feelings for Fry though. For example, she might not think she is ready for a relationship with him yet, and sort of turn him away in that sense, but still kind of want it. It will probably be awkward between them for a while.

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That's one way of dealing with it. What would work a little better for me, however, is if not all of the PE crew got through the wormhole intact; they all lose a certain amount of memory. In Leela's case, she forgets about her declaration of love, while Fry remembers it very clearly. I think it would make Leela a little more sympathetic if she simply doesn't remember what she said, rather than deny it.

We'll just have to wait and see what Matt comes up with...

[Reply #508 on:]

Show spoiler

Amy will be again with Kif, Fry will have to conquer Leela's heart again RT

I'm fine with the former. As for the latter:

Show spoiler

Well, it could work, I guess. A frustrated, lovesick Fry is a hell of a lot of fun and a lovable kinda guy. And I can see why Matt chose to do this. Fry's pursuit of Leela is one of the show's major storylines. Matt only resolved it because he expected ITWGY to be the end of the series. So for the record, I'm okay with this...my only concern is how Leela is handled. I hope she's not portrayed as being cold to Fry. God knows she gets enough grief already from mindless shippers. The girl has a right to say no, and in Fry's case, it's somewhat understandable. But I hope she's portrayed as being justifiably doubtful. Anyway, I'm all a-tingle for the new series to start. Make of that what you will. 

Show spoiler

Well, a possible way to get around Leela is her saying that it was just an impulse, and that she thought that they may have not made it through the wormhole. She may be portrayed with some secret feelings for Fry though. For example, she might not think she is ready for a relationship with him yet, and sort of turn him away in that sense, but still kind of want it. It will probably be awkward between them for a while.

She said it before they even saw the wormhole.

[Reply #509 on:]

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he means that maybe they loose some of their memory when they go through the wormhole. So, while going through the wormhole, Leela could have lost the memory of the moment she declared her love for Fry and kissed him.

[Reply #510 on:]

If so, Nibbler did it, I've been speculating that ever since I saw the shadow.

And can we stop talking in spoiler tags? Screw the knowledge blocking pansies.

[Reply #511 on:]

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If the characters are going to be literally 'reborn' then that might mean that they aren't going to remember anything.    This could be the reset to reset all resets.

[Reply #512 on:]

Thus why nibbler's shadow was on the ship.

[Reply #513 on:]

Show spoiler

If the characters are going to be literally 'reborn' then that might mean that they aren't going to remember anything.    This could be the reset to reset all resets.

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Hmm...  yeah I wonder what precisely they could mean by this "rebirth" exactly?   I had thought it might be something to do with the Universe.   And if they do mean it to be reset then what about that one episode with the time-traveling where Fry was supposedly going on a date with her or something?

And I knew it about the "pushing the envelope"...

[Reply #514 on:]

Show spoiler

If the characters are going to be literally 'reborn' then that might mean that they aren't going to remember anything.    This could be the reset to reset all resets.

Show spoiler

Hmm...  yeah I wonder what precisely they could mean by this "rebirth" exactly?   I had thought it might be something to do with the Universe.   And if they do mean it to be reset then what about that one episode with the time-traveling where Fry was supposedly going on a date with her or something?

And I knew it about the "pushing the envelope"...

That was speculation.

[Reply #515 on:]

It kind of sounds like these new episodes will just be one big reset after the other....

[Reply #516 on:]

They pushed the button so hard it got stuck.

[Reply #517 on:]

Show spoiler

If the characters are going to be literally 'reborn' then that might mean that they aren't going to remember anything.    This could be the reset to reset all resets.

Show spoiler

Hmm...  yeah I wonder what precisely they could mean by this "rebirth" exactly?   I had thought it might be something to do with the Universe.   And if they do mean it to be reset then what about that one episode with the time-traveling where Fry was supposedly going on a date with her or something?

And I knew it about the "pushing the envelope"...

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It seems to me like the rebirth could just be a convenient way of resetting the character ages (not that's it's the only way of doing that).  In ITWGY Fry's what, 33 (+1000) years old?  Putting him back to 25 makes sense if you plan to continue the series for several more years without changing the youthfulness of his character.

I'd be extremely disappointed if they mindwiped everyone.  Especially since there's no real need to do so...

[Reply #518 on:]

Show spoiler

If the characters are going to be literally 'reborn' then that might mean that they aren't going to remember anything.    This could be the reset to reset all resets.

Show spoiler

Hmm...  yeah I wonder what precisely they could mean by this "rebirth" exactly?   I had thought it might be something to do with the Universe.   And if they do mean it to be reset then what about that one episode with the time-traveling where Fry was supposedly going on a date with her or something?

And I knew it about the "pushing the envelope"...

Show spoiler

It seems to me like the rebirth could just be a convenient way of resetting the character ages (not that's it's the only way of doing that).  In ITWGY Fry's what, 33 (+1000) years old?  Putting him back to 25 makes sense if you plan to continue the series for several more years without changing the youthfulness of his character.

I'd be extremely disappointed if they mindwiped everyone.  Especially since there's no real need to do so...

Remember, cartoon characters don't age. (Not all the time, anyway)

[Reply #519 on:]

Remember, cartoon characters don't age. (Not all the time, anyway)

That's when the show is on a sliding timescale. Futurama isn't because the year in which it takes place is frequently listed and the number of years since the characters first met is referenced. It goes in realtime; unlike The Simpsons or Family Guy, which exist in some kind of timeless Universe.

Though there really was no point in having the gap between the series' end and the films being the same amount of time that Futurama was off the air here in the present. I suppose they just want to keep it exactly 1000 years from now.

No matter, I'd guess the future has some pretty good anti-aging cream.