Thoughts on 6ACV09 - A Clockwork Origin - SPOILERS

[on:]

Same old deal. Review and discuss the new Futurama episode 'A Clockwork Origin' in this thread and consider posting a short review on CGEF, too!

[Reply #1 on:]

Sorry for late unlock, been out of the house. Let the nit-picking commence!

[Reply #2 on:]

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Usually when somebody makes an episode about some sort of controversial issue they pick a side and then preach to the point where it's not funny no matter what you think about the issue. That's the sort of thing I was expecting. Instead what I got was an episode that managed to make fun of everybody while still showing both reasonable positions (not the extremist nut jobs) as being valid. That is how you make a good controversy episode.

The managed to pull of another interesting pairing to by putting Cubert and Zoidberg together.

"Wow!What are you some kind of dumpster Jedi?"

I also love how it only took the Professor two hours to build the ship but it took him twelve to build the slingshot.

[Reply #3 on:]

Much better than last week's episode. Not an amazing episode, but it was very good. About ties with Lethal Inspection for #2 episode of the season so far.

I also liked that both sides of the debate were made fun of, and the episode didn't bash me over the head with a message. It was too busy being funny.

I also found Cubert tolerable in this episode, believe it or not. (But I don't blame Zoidberg for hating him...)

And Leela and Amy are both hot with the cave-bikini look. Rrrrrowr!

Anyway, I'd give it an 8.5, but since I can only rate it a whole number, I'll round it up to 9. This episode delivered, and I'm hopeful for the next 3.

[Reply #4 on:]

i absolutely love how Zoidberg takes care of bullies... "just act pathetic" isn't that how he always acts! lol! the episode was a great way to make fun of a controversial issue... and the way that the robot evolution mirrored humanity was great! i was the first one to give it a 10!

[Reply #5 on:]

Another winner. Although I will admit that I missed the first several minutes...what I did see was very funny. It was a good story that made fun of both sides of the issue.  

I also really liked that it was a semi-legitimate scifi story. Prop Infinity, as much as I liked that one, was a pretty flimsy premise--it existed only so they could do some gay marriage commentary. This episode had a cool premise (living on a planet of rapidly evolving robots) regardless of the topical issue that it is making fun of.

[Reply #6 on:]

Not as good as last weeks! but not too bad, it had its moments but the whole pace of the episode was off to me. the whole fight with the dinosaurs was way off base with where the episode was going and felt out of place.

all and all 5.0

[Reply #7 on:]

Sorry, bendersfender, but fighting robot dinosaurs = WIN.

[Reply #8 on:]

I thought it was a pretty good epsidoe. Definitely had a solid feel to it. However I didn't find myself laughing as much. I loved the b-story though. I also loved when Bender stayed in the cave.. like the cavemen did when "the solar rays" hit the planet. And the evolution theory mirroring that of humans.. really nice touch.

And maybe I missed the ending but why did Zoidberg end up hating Cubert? Because he was copying him with the claws?

[Reply #9 on:]

Guh, because everybody hates Cubert.

[Reply #10 on:]

@tServo2049 Exactly! so even the second most annoying character on the show got sick of him... cubert being the first most annoying... this sounds like it should be started in a new thread.... im too lazy right now...

[Reply #11 on:]

Guh, because everybody hates Cubert.

what the schmell?   

[Reply #12 on:]

Sorry, bendersfender, but fighting robot dinosaurs = WIN.

Case in point.

"This is a really cool way to die!"

[Reply #13 on:]

I wasn't the biggest fan of the first act as it seemed like they were headed in a preachy direction, but I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of it (with its nice little decidedly non-preachy twist at the end).  All in all, I just thought this episode was fun, and I too loved the B-plot.  Zoidberg's parental tips were great, I just wish there had been more.

[Reply #14 on:]

Very clever episode in its overall scope and theme; unfortunately wasn't all that funny outside of a few isolated jokes (FSM...really can't think of much else that made me laugh off the top of my head), and the Zoidberg-Cubert plot was completely useless.

[Reply #15 on:]

Show spoiler

I liked Benders suggestion that evolution was jump started by a robot at the end.
And how it was shot down by the proff. lol
Especially in light of the Godfellas episode.

I gave it a 9.
Plenty of lol moments, and who can complain about a scantly clad Leela??

[Reply #16 on:]

Good episode, definitely the funniest of the new season. A lot of laugh out loud moments in this one for me. Flying Spaghetti Monster was a nice nod. So does that make two planets now that are inhabited by robots?

9/10

[Reply #17 on:]

About the same as last weeks. Ok but not great! I didn't like ape guy at all he was unfunny. The planet was cute.

[Reply #18 on:]

Pretty good. Zoiby finally gets a subplot (with yet another strange pairing), and the evolution gags worked well.

[Reply #19 on:]

I liked the episode overall, but was anyone else bothered by how far away Leela and Fry seemed to be in this episode? There was no subtle eye gestures or occasional dialogue nods to their 'relationship' here. Following the half questionable "I might not have a man" line from last week, I'm starting to feel worried slightly.

Spoken like the shipper I am, though.   I'm sure I don't need to fret.

[Reply #20 on:]

I liked the episode overall, but was anyone else bothered by how far away Leela and Fry seemed to be in this episode? There was no subtle eye gestures or occasional dialogue nods to their 'relationship' here. Following the half questionable "I might not have a man" line from last week, I'm starting to feel worried slightly.

Spoken like the shipper I am, though.  I'm sure I don't need to fret.

...but ... but ROBOT DINOSAURS!

[Reply #21 on:]

...but ... but ROBOT DINOSAURS!

Hah! Okay, let me try again.

I loved-

The robot threeway battle of destruction
Leela's mock response to the ship being eaten
The Professor needing four pianos
The 'future exhibits' lines
Skimpy wear for Leela and Amy
Bender knitting

I did enjoy the episode, just letting my obsession with the love lives of fictional characters get in the way of being truly happy like the fool I am. Ignore it.

[Reply #22 on:]

...and who can complain about a scantly clad Leela??

Who would even notice Leela when she's next to a scantly clad Amy?  

[Reply #23 on:]

I get what you're saying, Chives. But I didn't care in this episode, this is a non-ship episode anyway and nothing in this episode cheesed me off (not even "I'm gonna miss Spencer," that was a funny line -- and it's hard to take that seriously when she's talking about a *robot caveman*...)

Oh heck, maybe they do have an active relationship in the periods of time not covered by the episodes, that we don't get to see...

To bring the discussion back to the episode, I nearly lost it when I saw Bender's eyeballs-on-a-spring in the robot evolution display. The background jokes in this one rival those in the classic episodes...

[Reply #24 on:]

...and who can complain about a scantly clad Leela??

Who would even notice Leela when she's next to a scantly clad Amy?  

Me for one. Although, Im confused. Who is this A-me you speak of?
Are you refering to that rather homely looking female that was annoyingly always standing next to the glorious Hot mama that is Leela?

[Reply #25 on:]

And so the age old battle begins again.

[Reply #26 on:]

  Not to get into the argument, but Amy can't be homely... she's rich, she can afford to look anyway she wants... i'm sure cosmetics have come a long way since the year 2010...  but that's enough on that debate from me...

[Reply #27 on:]

I liked the episode overall, but was anyone else bothered by how far away Leela and Fry seemed to be in this episode? There was no subtle eye gestures or occasional dialogue nods to their 'relationship' here. Following the half questionable "I might not have a man" line from last week, I'm starting to feel worried slightly.

Spoken like the shipper I am, though.  I'm sure I don't need to fret.

Yeah, but the thing is, the writers are playing an odd little game in which Fry and Leela are together, except when they're not. It's not a game I find much fun to watch. As for the rest of the ep...not that much fun to watch either, despite the clever idea of the robo-dinosaurs being killed off by a solar flare.

The only reason I'm still paying for cable right now is because of Futurama. The last two weeks, I don't think I've been getting my money's worth. I'll give it one more week...

[Reply #28 on:]

Brilliant episode. Has proper sci-fi, background gags, a sideplot, and lots of Professorial goodness. So why did I only give it 6/10 ?

There were a couple of things that I felt weren't given due coverage. I mean, the whole robot civilisation thing was good, but I think it could have been better. The Cubert plot felt like it was taken further than was needed (the end gag and the first gag in said plot being all that were necessary), and there was not nearly enough mockery of the whole evolution/creation debate. Roboklahoma made me laugh, but jeez. The whole purpose of the episode seems not to have been to crack jokes at idiots on both sides of the argument, but to draw robot dinosaurs. Whilst cool, robot dinosaurs do not provide me with nearly as many laughs.

I was hoping for something more than "God may have started evolution" as a conclusion. I mean, I could've asked a six-year-old and gotten that as an answer. Which is why mocking both sides is much funnier, and much more fun.

[Reply #29 on:]

I missed the first few minutes, but I enjoyed most of the rest. Zoidberg seemed out of character dealing with Cubert. I liked one of the exhibits at the Robot Museum: the NANDerthal.  Heh. Wish they explored the robot-cave-men a bit more, seemed to have potential. I'll hold off on a score until I re-watch with the first few minutes.

[Reply #30 on:]

This episode was great! I loved that they made fun of both sides of the debate and that, in the end, they agree that both theories have some merit to them rather than say it went one way or the other.

I also liked the way they had both an unusual pairing with the Zoidberg/Cubert B-story but also had the whole crew together (aside from Zoidberg) for the A-story.

Also, on the subject of humour: I thought this episode had lots of really great laugh-out-loud moments which is always good.

And as for the shippiness: I think this is the perfect example of a non-shippy episode, there's no shippy moments between Leela and Fry (which makes sense because the episode isn't about Leela and Fry) but there's nothing really to say that they're not together. Unless you're the type of person who takes throwaway jokes like the "I'm gonna miss Spencer" on seriously, that is.

Anyways, I'd say about an 8/10 for this one.

[Reply #31 on:]

something about this episode just didn't work for me.  It was an interesting idea for a story, and I liked that they played both ends of the evolution debate toward the middle, but I dunno... I kinda feel like the story never actually got off the ground.  I didn't laugh more than a couple of times, and the B plot with Zoidberg and Cubert was meh.  Maybe this'll be one of those eps that gets better on a second viewing

[Reply #32 on:]

I liked the episode overall, but was anyone else bothered by how far away Leela and Fry seemed to be in this episode? There was no subtle eye gestures or occasional dialogue nods to their 'relationship' here. Following the half questionable "I might not have a man" line from last week, I'm starting to feel worried slightly.

Spoken like the shipper I am, though.  I'm sure I don't need to fret.

Yeah, but the thing is, the writers are playing an odd little game in which Fry and Leela are together, except when they're not. It's not a game I find much fun to watch. As for the rest of the ep...not that much fun to watch either, despite the clever idea of the robo-dinosaurs being killed off by a solar flare.

The only reason I'm still paying for cable right now is because of Futurama. The last two weeks, I don't think I've been getting my money's worth. I'll give it one more week...

So give up cable and buy the episodes fron iTunes (I'm assuming that you're based in the USA).

[Reply #33 on:]

Wish they explored the robot-cave-men a bit more, seemed to have potential.

That bit didn't seem to go anywhere.  I'm not sure why they even bothered.  Also, the professor's pants falling down after he removed the elastic was so predictable that I think it would have actually been funnier if they hadn't fallen down.

Still, robot dinosaurs.

[Reply #34 on:]

I like how the ending wasn't very preachy and they realize they're equally crackpots.

[Reply #35 on:]

robot dinosaurs = win.

my favourite episodes are those that rely on sci-fi and math.

great episode, and i too want a science mobile :P

[Reply #36 on:]

Don't you mean robosaurs?

The Flying Spaghetti Monster is the main deity of Pastafarianism. Does that mean there's a planet called Pastafaria somewhere in the Futurama universe? (More about the FSM/Pastafarianism can be found at Wikipedia; I'm surprised no one has added ACO to the "sightings" part of the article ...)

When the Professor leaned back in one scene, he had a nose that looked like Cubert's (just not pushed up against his face). I'm not sure whether this has been shown before or not. (I suspect that within an hour, someone will post a framegrab from an earlier episode, though.)

There was a continuity error around when the robosaurs died off: Fry crashes to the planet's surface (once while being held by a Robodactyl, and once by himself).

About whether robots can evolve, well you should read the Wetware books by Rudy Rucker. (Hey, anything by him is worth reading.)

[Reply #37 on:]

I gave it a 7/10. It was fun to watch, but a bit stilted at times (the pacing seemed a bit strange, but maybe that's just me). At first I was a bit disappointed that they seemed to be going in a "creationism and evolution are just as valid" direction (as a staunch supporter of scientific rigor, I absolutely disagree with that sentiment) but was relieved that they spun off into a more science-friendly "how can we be sure life in our universe wasn't the product of life somewhere else?".

Loved the FSM cameo. It made me smile.

[Reply #38 on:]

6/10 for me.  On par with AOTKA.  The lowest I've given any of the new shows is 6/10, with TLPJF getting the only 10/10 I've given the new batch.

Enjoyable.  Even hooking up Futurama's least likable characters (Zoidberg/Cubert) wasn't too bad.  For the people worried about "the ship", I noticed that Fry and Leela were close to each other during most of the episode, even sleeping on the ground at the Mars U. ampetheatre after people long deserted the Dr. Farnsworth vs. Dr. Banjo debate.  It was somewhat out of character for Fry to passively watch Leela being carried away by Cavebots, but having him object or try to rescue her would have destroyed the episode.

So, I can't put my finger on it, but this episode looks pretty full to me but I can't force myself to give it a higher rating.

Still, a 6/10 episode of Futurama is almost an 8/10 episode of Mythbusters, so that means I'd rather watch a 6/10 episode of Futurama than an episode of anything else.

[Reply #39 on:]

At first I was a bit disappointed that they seemed to be going in a "creationism and evolution are just as valid" direction (as a staunch supporter of scientific rigor, I absolutely disagree with that sentiment) but was relieved that they spun off into a more science-friendly "how can we be sure life in our universe wasn't the product of life somewhere else?".

When you can develop a scientific proof that shows without any doubt what actually constitutes reality and how everything came to be, that'll be the day that I subscribe to your newsletter.