Thoughts on 6ACV06 - Lethal Inspection - SPOILERS

[Reply #80 on:]

I just seen it and thought the ending was adorable. Bender and Hermes make a good team

[Reply #81 on:]

Oh ya I'd also like to point out that when they get to Mexico Bender says

"Last week I was in Italy"

If that were true Fry and Farnsworth shouldn't be in this episode.

[Reply #82 on:]

Very good! The only slightly weak part of the whole episode was the first act, but other than that it was superb! I love the pairing of using Hermes and Bender, it was funny and good character development for those two. Although I got the twist really early in the episode, the ending still touched me. The Killbots were still funny and the Leela subplot was decent too! I liked how they revisted the Central Bureuacracy, and finally we had a third act that was decent in the new season! Overall, a solid 9/10 and definatly felt like "classic" Futurama almost the whole way.

[Reply #83 on:]

I thought the premise was really interesting and I was glad to see Hermes finally get a chance to do something in this season; his pairing with Bender was wonderfully bizarre and it really helped push them in a new direction. There were plenty of funny moments and overall I thought it was solid. I can't wait to watch it again because I know there was a lot that I missed.

8/10

[Reply #84 on:]

Did anyone else notice the "Adobe Photo Shoppe"?

[Reply #85 on:]

Okay, it's been a long day so this might sound a little disjointed.

Wow, this season is really starting to feel more and more like classic Futurama. Some things that I really liked about this episode were:

The whole Bender/Hermes pairing, that we got to see some more of Hermes' bureaucratic side again and more of the Central Bureaucracy, the fact that there were lots of good sight gags. There are probably more that I'll remember later, but whatever.

Now, as for the twist: I saw the twist coming when they were in Inspector #5's house and Hermes was comforting Bender and I was a little worried that it would end up being some unsatisfying reveal or something, but then the fact that Bender didn't find out but the audience did (and with such a touching montage) really caught me by surprise and even made me say "aww" out loud.

9/10

[Reply #86 on:]

This was a funny episode, with references to the past but forging onward and providing fresh material as well. I gave it 8 out of 10.

New Futurama is delivering the goods.

[Reply #87 on:]

   Did anyone else notice the "Adobe Photo Shoppe"?

Yes (at least one other poster did as well). I also particularly liked "¡Ay! Cantina Turner".

When Leela first mentioned that inspectors were bureaucrats I immediately thought it might turn out to be Hermes but I soon forgot about that until the montage/big reveal at the end.

I want to know why Bender couldn't have just got a wireless backup unit installed?

Hey, TMC's back.

[Edit]

Did anyone notice that the letter "B" on the Central Bureaucracy building is McDonald's golden arches turned on it's side? (Hence the "Over 2 billion wating to be served" joke, I suppose.)

[Reply #88 on:]

I wasn't keen on the whole Bender as a baby thing for continuity's sake but I guess with this and Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles, Bendless Love is just being retconned. Maybe Bender remembered his birth incorrectly I suppose.

+1 on that.  I noticed another retcon, sort of; while Bender doesn't have a full backup, his personality can be copied (or at least removed) - it was done in "How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back".

As for the song, it was "Baby Love Child" by Pizzicato Five - my mistake; I'm just so used to people asking that question (and I have a feeling this one is going to be asked quite a bit as well, so we all should memorize this answer).

The song was "You Are My Little Bird", sung (I think) by Elizabeth Mitchell.

-- Don

[Reply #89 on:]

pretty good episode.

[Reply #90 on:]

It was a Pretty sweet episode, Hermes got a good Role for once too. The ending wasn't that much of an 'Awww' ending IMO. Still made me feel Sorry for Bender a little though. And the music choice could have been Slightly better. 7/10

[Reply #91 on:]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the sign saying
"Mexico: Silver Medal Winner, Mexican-American War."

that was the funniest part for me... had me in stitches, but it was great all around, lots of jokes like that and lots of wordplay too.

[Reply #92 on:]

Yep, I’m pleased with the episode; it felt the most like the original series to me and was both funny and charming. I loved the Bender-Hermes pairing and was happy to see Hermes get some attention and development anyway, especially since it seemed like the previous few episodes relegated him to just a few one-liners. I was hoping for a tiny bit more of the Leela-in-charge B-story, but I don’t know if anything more would have been necessary; at any rate, I’m glad that there was that one scene with her hiding the alien message in the first place since just to briefly break from the main story and remind us that things are still going on at Planet Express. Is this one of those instant classic episodes to be later looked back upon with awe? I don’t know…my own first impression would say no, since it wasn’t among the most intensely hilarious episodes of the show and I agree with those who found the ending just a little bit forced (but still touching), but at this point in the season and having only just watched the episode I can’t say how I’ll see the episode later on. I can say that it was enjoyable to watch and I hope that the rest of the season continues to be as good or better.
 
As far as the twist goes, it crossed my mind several times during the episode that Hermes might be Inspector #5, but I didn’t feel certain about it until near the end; I did feel certain that they’d show who it was eventually though, even as some sort of joke at the end or something, since I didn’t think it would be like Futurama to leave the audience with that kind of question. While I was moved by the ending, and I don’t think there has ever been information indicating that Hermes never worked for Mom (she does have a huge company, after all) or lived in Mexico at some point, it still feels kind of…cheap, maybe?...to have a plot twist explained in such a way. But why would it? Couldn’t learning new things about characters’ history and relationships just be called character development? Maybe I’m just feeling this way because the twist reminded me of the Professor’s robosexual relationship one from “Proposition Infinity” of which I was not fond…at least this one couldn’t be considered a retcon (not that the PI one necessarily was) and was handled much better.
 
Yes, the ending montage is in the same spirit as those of “Leela’s Homeworld” and “Jurassic Bark,” but I think the song choice here was a detriment to the montage; I honestly found it a bit annoying. Maybe I’ll get used to it in the future, though…and while I admit that the song during the “Leela’s Homeworld Montage” is kind of strange too, it seems like that one works whereas this one didn’t do it for me (however, I don’t know if that’s just the nostalgia talking).

Oh ya I'd also like to point out that when they get to Mexico Bender says

"Last week I was in Italy"

If that were true Fry and Farnsworth shouldn't be in this episode.

Maybe Bender went back to steal things he didn't get to the first time.

[Reply #93 on:]

Or him and Leela stayed there until Fry and the Professor got back.

[Reply #94 on:]

By far the best episode of the season.  Loved the HHRHGB callbacks.  Sappy ending was overly sappy.

[Reply #95 on:]

Futurama delivers yet another awesome kick-ass episode!  Loved how Bender and Hermes went on an adventure to seek out the mysterious 'inspector'!  I liked the rip on Paul Lynde on Hollywood Squares, the 'Dial-A-Bomb' and the dumb killbots who give Scratch and Grounder from Sonic a run for their money!  The whole Tijuana scene was hilarious!  I liked how Mexico looked like a desert from the Road Runner cartoons!  Hermes and Bender were awesome in this together!  There should be an episode where Bender, Leela, Hermes, and Amy all go on an adventure!  Best episode since Proposition Infinity!  5/5! 

[Reply #96 on:]

While I was moved by the ending, and I don’t think there has ever been information indicating that Hermes never worked for Mom (she does have a huge company, after all) or lived in Mexico at some point, it still feels kind of…cheap, maybe?...to have a plot twist explained in such a way. But why would it? Couldn’t learning new things about characters’ history and relationships just be called character development? Maybe I’m just feeling this way because the twist reminded me of the Professor’s robosexual relationship one from “Proposition Infinity” of which I was not fond…at least this one couldn’t be considered a retcon (not that the PI one necessarily was) and was handled much better.

Yeah, I thought Hermes having worked for Mom was a bit too easy, plot-wise, but at least they dropped hints about it in this episode (he knew Mom wouldn't want a defective robot roaming the streets, tarnishing her good name), and there's nothing in the rest of the series to directly contradict it (things like the details surrounding Bender's birth, and his age (didn't he say he was, like, three years old in one episode?) have always been fairly elastic, so that part of it doesn't really bother me). If I want to fan wank--which I guess I do, even though it's not really necessary--I'd say that Hermes probably started working for Mom shortly after he stopped limboing in the wake of that tragic "Your backbone can't take it!" moment that we saw in the flashback in "A Flight to Remember."

The Professor having a random robot lover for roughly forty years of his life almost certainly contradicts what we know of his past--particularly his past with Mom--and was introduced in "Proposition Infinity" because otherwise we wouldn't have had all that, uh, brilliant social commentary about gay marriage and homophobic, hypocritical pundits. The reveal with Hermes at the end of this episode was much more emotionally satisfying and much less of a stretch in my mind, which is why it didn't bother me at all (whereas the Professor thing in PI annoyed the hell out of me).

[Reply #97 on:]

This episode is my personal favourite so far in this series.

[Reply #98 on:]

I was in Canada when it aired (and still am) so I had to download this one from iTunes. And about halfway in, I forgot that I was watching a Season 6 (or 7) episode. It was like the good ol' days. It felt like it was trying to be a Leela's Homeworld episode, however, but that made me like it even more.

At the beginning, Fry's voice sounded a bit off to me, but it got better as the episode progressed (despite how little Fry there was in this one) and Fry's design looked off at the beginning too. Maybe I'm just nitpicking way to much and just want to find something to not like in the new episodes, but it was just a bit different. (Still loved the episode, though.)

Also, for once I like Hermes... he shows a lot more character in this. I hope next week is good, if not, better!

[Reply #99 on:]

Firstly, I'd like to say "Made You Look!"  tagline in the opening theme totally got me laughing because I did indeed look. Damn them for knowing I'd look! >.>

I really liked this episode and it's obvious nerdy jokes (Rubik's Cube cubiles? sign me up! and Adobe Photo Shoppe... Oh you writers and your nerd references). I laughed several times at Bender's crying and sorrow... I'm just a heartless jerkward like that. I thought at some points the story rushed a bit but whatever. The whole episode was good enough for me to not be bothered by it. I also thought Hermes' bit seemed a bit too convenient but hey, we haven't gotten much character development on him in comparison with the likes of Fry, Leela or Bender so I'm cool with it. I thought the ending was adorable and a bit ironic because Bender now likes Hermes but hates Inspector #5 but that was done on purpose. Anyways I'd watch this one again in a heartbeat.

[Reply #100 on:]

At the beginning, Fry's voice sounded a bit off to me, but it got better as the episode progressed (despite how little Fry there was in this one) and Fry's design looked off at the beginning too. Maybe I'm just nitpicking way to much and just want to find something to not like in the new episodes, but it was just a bit different. (Still loved the episode, though.)

I thought that too!! His voice sounded more of regular Billy West for a bit!! Then it got better, but still, very weird...

[Reply #101 on:]

Just rewatched this episode, and the sign that Hermes and Bender crash into when they get to Mexico--"Welcome to Mexico: Silver Medal Winner, Mexican-American War"--got a legitimate guffaw from me. I'm not usually one to notice background gags like that, but that sign (in addition to the Adobe Photo Shoppe) was hysterical.

[Reply #102 on:]

At the beginning, Fry's voice sounded a bit off to me, but it got better as the episode progressed (despite how little Fry there was in this one) and Fry's design looked off at the beginning too. Maybe I'm just nitpicking way to much and just want to find something to not like in the new episodes, but it was just a bit different. (Still loved the episode, though.)

I thought that too!! His voice sounded more of regular Billy West for a bit!! Then it got better, but still, very weird...

Me too!

I really liked this episode! I liked it so much that I had to say it here, which I haven't done previously. Great jokes, good laughs. I hope they continue on the same way

[Reply #103 on:]

Just rewatched this episode, and the sign that Hermes and Bender crash into when they get to Mexico--"Welcome to Mexico: Silver Medal Winner, Mexican-American War"--got a legitimate guffaw from me. I'm not usually one to notice background gags like that, but that sign (in addition to the Adobe Photo Shoppe) was hysterical.

Damn I'll have to look for that next time. I missed that. I also wanted to note the running gag with Bender's ass but like an idiot I forgot about it until a few minutes ago. I really am starting to wonder what Bender can't do with his ass. He can butter popcorn, sharpen pencils, shit bricks.... *sighs* Do I daresay Bender is my new favorite character?

[Reply #104 on:]

Something else I just thought about: if Bender's backup drive is supposed to be inside him, then couldn't he be "killed" anyway by something that could destroy his entire body, drive and all?  (For example, in "Love and Rocket", when the ship's computer tried to fly the ship, Bender included, into a quasar that would crush everyone into a quantum singularity.)

-- Don

[Reply #105 on:]

He clearly explains how it works.  His backup unit is basically a device that transmits an image of his current being at a reasonable rate -- wirelessly -- to some remote location (I guess Mom's factory).  What he lacks is a unit to update his being at this remote location.  I'd assume he is reserved in the files anyway, but has never been updated.

[Reply #106 on:]

+1 on that.  I noticed another retcon, sort of; while Bender doesn't have a full backup, his personality can be copied (or at least removed) - it was done in "How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back".

The floppy disk backup mechanism must produce a compiled low-level assembly code backup that would only run properly on that specific hardware, whereas the wireless backup unit must decompile a cross-platform compatible version that can be downloaded into a newer replacement robot.

Also, from the other episode, it appears that once Bender's personality has been transferred to the floppy disk, it doesn't exist in him anymore.  There must be a cryptograpic mechanism that prevents multiple working copies from existing simultaneously.

[Reply #107 on:]

LOVED this episode!
In my opinion the quality of the episodes has been increasing as the season goes on and this ep reached my top.

I find it hard that there will be better episodes than this, but if the next ones are just as good I'll die happy.

Laughed out loud several times, many more than in any of the other episodes.
I loved the humor throughout the whole episode, even when zoidberg takes off his labcoat and show's his Ink Defence - up close I'd never say his defense would ink as much as we see in the next scene..

It was kinda obvious that hermes would turn out to be inspector #5 but even with the knowledge of how it'd turn out it was really fun to watch. I'd never think that hermes and bender could pull it out as a pairing and that was a pleasant surprise.

I'd already heard it in a video on the comedy central website with it, but the best line to me was 'Thanks to denial, I'm immortal' still laugh just thinking about it

Even if upcoming episodes surpass this one, this one is still in my top. 10/10

[Reply #108 on:]

Hmm I'm in the minority on this one, it came off as an overall adequate. I didn't like it but I didn't not like it either.  The lack of Fry and Leela really brought it down for me, I just didn't seem that into the pairing of Hermes and Bender. This is probably my least favorite episode so far.

6/10

EDIT: The lack of there being any B-plot also hurt my opinion since it seemed like a lot more could have happened then what did. The ending was predictable and tried too hard to be sappy. I'll have to watch it again to see if it improves but I'm skeptical.

[Reply #109 on:]

I was surprised how touching the ending was; it reminded me of the best emotional endings, like Jurassic Bark and Leela's Homeworld.

[Reply #110 on:]

I liked this episode. I didn't really like the beginning too much, but it seemed to get better towards the end. The ending was quite nice. It was definitely "aaaaawwwwwww" worthy. =)

8/10

I liked last week's episode, and I liked this episode, and I cannot wait for next week's.

[Reply #111 on:]

I thought it ended too quickly other than that thought it was a good episode and good character development for Hermes

[Reply #112 on:]

Love it, best episode of the series so far, as far as I'm concerned.

I did kinda see it coming about Hermes being the one who had passed him, right from when Bender asked to track him down and Hermes was a little apprehensive.

It was funny, touching in the same way as Luck of the Fryrish and Jurassic Bark, among others, and the call-backs just rounded it off. The call-back to the guy standing in line at the bureaocracy was a killer, and the lack of a B-plot didn't bother me at all since it was focused and interesting the whole way though.

The end montage was also sweet as hell.

It get's 10/10 from me.

[Reply #113 on:]

btw, when Nutmeg says 'series', she means 'season'.

[Reply #114 on:]

Yeah, that.

Bah, I'm tired, leave me alone.

You may all throw things, if you wish.

[Reply #115 on:]

* Future Shock throws things.

Yes, I agree, even though I'd read how the ending was, it surprised me how they did it, and I really liked it. So they showed Hermes opening the file then Hermes on the computer, but they should have shown the computer part first, to make you realize that was how he got on.

[Reply #116 on:]

I loved this episode, especially the ending. I think the silly visuals (Hermes holding a baby robot Bender) pushed it enough in the direction of comedy where it didn't come off as sappy to me. I thought it was a good mix of cuteness and laughter and emotion. It worked for me.

There were a lot of laughs (I love bureaucrat humor! The Morgan Proctor episode is one of my favorites, and this was a great follow-up), and any action scene that involves limbo-ing is always a winner in my book.

Definitely the best of the new season.

[Reply #117 on:]

Not a big fan of this one, though I did laugh at the kill-bots and the Paul Lynde material.  The episode had that feel-good Ken Keeler good-feeling feeling of feeling good, but the end was a bit forced (but in a good-feeling kind of way). 

So far this season, if you took out the Susan Boil bit, there would not be a "bad" episode, just degrees of good.  This one may be near the bottom, but the bottom is fairly high, so I can't complain.

[Reply #118 on:]

gahahahahaha

"thats what you get for calling tech support" just awesome

[Reply #119 on:]

Igner has grown a moustache!

I just spotted it after watching the episode for a second time. Very odd. Do you think this is some kind of animation error in his tiny appearance this episode, a set-up for the future or some kind of in-joke that I don't get (although I must admit, the I find his style of moustache to be hilariously 'him').


Also, Phil Lamarr replied to my comment on Twitter about the episode which makes me go all fangirly.