Thoughts on 6ACV10 - The Prisoner of Benda - SPOILERS

[Reply #80 on:]

I have been waiting for more than 6-7 years for Scruffy to get more screen time... and he did not let me down in the least. It was perfect.

I know what you mean, but I always thought of Scruffy as getting the right amount, believing too much would kill the joke. I still don't think an episode should be based on his deep emotions, but I've started to realise that the amount he gets in this one and the first act of Lethal Inspection is awesome.

[Reply #81 on:]

Any show where the denouement depends on math gets an A+ from me. speedracer and Fnord, I'm glad you checked that the writers were honest and that the resolution wasn't a stupid Deux Ex Machina (that would've really ruined the episode for me) as I couldn't do it!

[Reply #82 on:]

This ep was just loaded with good stuff.  I can't decide if I liked it or the TLPJF better.  Although I will say that while I had the heads up on TLPJF's greatness, this one was a total surprise for me.

Also, forget Fry/Leela, I now ship Scruffy/Bucket.

[Reply #83 on:]

I’m actually mildly disappointed that the characters’ voices went along with their minds for each switch, since you’d think those would be separate…plus, it might have been a fun challenge for the voice actors to speak lines in their usual voices but as the character whose mind is in that voice’s body. But I suppose that might have been too confusing, and I do love the way each character’s physicality and movement changed anyway.

Overall, though, this was indeed a great episode with plenty of laughs, a twisted but cool concept, and a good number of new characters too. I’m surprised at how much material was packed into the episode; the story moved along quickly, but by the end I didn’t feel like it had been too short unlike some of the earlier episodes this season. I’m quite happy with this one.

And poor Scruffy; still, he’s as great as ever!

[Reply #84 on:]

I’m actually mildly disappointed that the characters’ voices went along with their minds for each switch, since you’d think those would be separate…plus, it might have been a fun challenge for the voice actors to speak lines in their usual voices but as the character whose mind is in that voice’s body. But I suppose that might have been too confusing, and I do love the way each character’s physicality and movement changed anyway.

I sort of agree, but then I would also have found it rather unconvincing that they were able to convince the others they had switched minds.  So it's a trade off, I suppose.

[Reply #85 on:]

Hilarious episode full of slam-bang thrills! Bender going on a heist to rob that emperor in Amy's body, and Leela thinking Fry didn't like her on the inside and end up in Farnsworth's and Zoidberg's bodies was awesome! The best part was the circus, Farnsworth and Zoidberg as Fry and Leela and Zoidberg and the bucket blowing up the apartment was just excellent beyond words! The beginning with Linda and Morbo was funny, and the Japanese emperor was funny was well! My third favorite episode of the season! 5/5!

[Reply #86 on:]

loved!  I could not stop laughing, that is all

[Reply #87 on:]

I must add, by the way, how I am CONSTANTLY ANNOYED by Big Bertha's voice being the one of the fortune telling gypsy, and her face being that of the Robot Hooker.

[Reply #88 on:]

I can't decide whether they went all the way out of love of one-upsmanship. Either way I guess I should take what I can get...

[Reply #89 on:]

I also loved how Zoidberg continued scuttling sideways even when occupying Fry's body.

"Wow, a floor!"

[Reply #90 on:]

That was one of the funniest episodes I've seen!

[Reply #91 on:]

Here's my review of "Bodyswap" ... (Woops, sorry, wrong series ... "The Prisoner of Benda")

One of the funniest science fiction stories I've ever read/seen, enjoyable throughout. ("Inertia" by Rudy Rucker is probably #1.)

Some of the weirdest pairings so far: the Professor/Zoidberg, Scruffy/Amy. (I'm sure someone at the forum is writing an alternate scene for Scruffy and Amy.)

"Stop kicking me around!" is a funny in-joke. (Nixon said it in 1962 after losing a governor's race.)

Now I need some help from the shippers out there ... I seem to vaguely recall a story where a prince (or someone of royalty) runs across an identical twin who's a peasant, and they agree to switch places. What the peasant doesn't know is that there is a plot to assassinate the prince. It seems like the peasant-posing-as-prince discovers this, and he manages to convince the assassins that a swap has taken place. No, it's not "The Prisoner of Zenda." Any help?

I think you're referring to Mark Twain's "The Prince and  the Pauper", wherein a prince does switch places with a pauper. Great story, and I think the first one in which the rich-swaps-with-poor device was used. And BTW it's not really a "shippy" type of story.

[Reply #92 on:]

I absolutely loved this episode. I thought it was hilarious. Sure body-swapping is a classic but I thought they did it really well. First episode of this season that I have given a 10.

[Reply #93 on:]

Good News everyone! IGN Has given this episode a Brilliant score of 9.5 out of 10.

[Reply #94 on:]

Good News everyone! IGN Has given this episode a Brilliant score of 9.5 out of 10.

Excellent news Deserved too. I've watched this episode 3 times now, and I have decided it's my favourite episode ever, out of all 98. It just had so many great moments that it's gonna be hard to beat for me now

[Reply #95 on:]

It's just a shame that IGN gave The Late Phillip J Fry a 7 out of 10.

[Reply #96 on:]

I prefer TPOB to TLPJF - but yeah, TLPJF definitely deserves at least a 9

[Reply #97 on:]

after first watch, the episode in general felt a little forced to me... will refrain from rating before another watch or two

something to nitpick about:
Isn't Zoidberg's race suppose to die after they 'pass on their genes'?

[Reply #98 on:]

I doubt he actualy did.
I don't think Fry(in Zoidy's body) would be able to ... "fully function".
Also his partners body was a human male, so I don't think there was much... "closure".
If you get my meaning.

Zoidy's head fin didn't pop until the end of the scene which to me further suggests Fry didn't know what he was doing. In Zoidy's body I mean.
That may be why they enjoyed it so much. New and unusual experience and all.

[Reply #99 on:]

That or Fry/Zoidberg was on the bottom. It makes sense knowing Leela. Enjoy that image for a moment will you.  

[Reply #100 on:]

That or Fry/Zoidberg was on the bottom. It makes sense knowing Leela. Enjoy that image for a moment will you.  

Good god...  

Rule 34 be damned. *pukes again*

[Reply #101 on:]

I think people are looking too deeply into the Zoidberg/Farnsworth 'sex' scene haha

[Reply #102 on:]

My work here is done.

[Reply #103 on:]

I’m actually mildly disappointed that the characters’ voices went along with their minds for each switch, since you’d think those would be separate…plus, it might have been a fun challenge for the voice actors to speak lines in their usual voices but as the character whose mind is in that voice’s body. But I suppose that might have been too confusing, and I do love the way each character’s physicality and movement changed anyway.

If you like that idea for a body switching episode I think you will like Farscape. The body switching episode on that show had everyone using the same voices the bodies belonged to and since Farscape is live action the actors had to not only impersonate each other's voices as close as they could that their vocal cords were comfortable with but get their mannerisms as well.

I think people are looking too deeply into the Zoidberg/Farnsworth 'sex' scene haha

I wonder how short of a wait it will be before an episode related fanfic is written...

[Reply #104 on:]

Knowing Freako, he's probably finished one already...

[Reply #105 on:]

Knowing Freako, he's probably finished one already...

Fanart, not fanfic.

He'll love that people are rooting for one though!

[Reply #106 on:]

I thought that this episode was really good -- but it was probably the most disgusting episode of Futurama EVER!

Several characters chunking out; Zoidberg's butt barnacles; and Zoidberg and the Professor got at it. [Ugh! Wretch!]

One of the funniest things about the episode was the unrequited love between Scruffy and his wash bucket. I can't believe that Scruffy passed up the opportunity to have sex with Amy (or at least her body); he's both the most moral and stupidest character on the show.

I really liked the Hungarian Emperor-bot; I think he's now my third favourite robot character behind Bender and Hedonism Bot. His treacherous cousin Bazell and cheating fiance Flavia were also great. Does any else think that Flavia was modelled after Paris Hilton? With her doe-eyed expression and slutty Barbie doll appearance -- except with boobs (robot boobs). I liked the robot joke about how they’ve been having an affair for 700 years – and the real Emperor-bot was supposedly oblivious to what was going on behind his back.

It was clever how the Professor needed the Globetrotters to help him solve the equation for getting everyone's minds back into their own bodies. I don't have a mind for math but I bet it was correct that they only needed two extra people to make it all work out.

And of course, Bender is the only one who doesn't learn a lesson from the whole thing, and immediately returns to thinking up a con to steal the Emperor's crown again.

I rated it an 8/10 because the gross Zoidberg and the Professor makeout session was so traumatic that I had to deduct a point. Sans that scene, this episode probably would've ranked just below "The Late Philip J Frye". Regardless, it's still this season’s second best episode.

[Reply #107 on:]

Tedward and Svip beat me to it, but I'd still like to bring up my problems with the voice thing. It dragged the episode down for me that the writers did the whole thing of a person keeping their original voice regardless of what body they are occupying. When I read the basic synopsis, I was really looking forward to the actors stretching their vocal cords to inhabit each others characters (Leela with a Jamaican accent, the Professor using Spluh and Guh all the time). Then, when I saw that Comic-Con Reel, my fears were confirmed that they were taking the easy way out. I was hoping that it wouldn't be a big deal, and it isn't, but it is a bother. I get that it would have been confusing, but I think the fun value would have made up for it. I was hoping the writers would trust the strength of the characters, that they would still be communicateable as themselves due to body language, accent, tone of voice, and actions, but I guess they decided that it simply would have been too confusing for most viewers. I'll just chalk it up as a missed opportunity.

Aside from that, I thought The Prisoner of Benda was o.k. I'd say the individual stories were hit and miss, with Amy, Hermes, The Professor, and Bender's not being particularly interesting, while Fry, Leela, Zoidberg, Emperor Nikolai (as Wash Bucket), Wash Bucket, and Scruffy's being much more entertaining. I'm not completely sure why this episode doesn't work for me like 300 Big Boys or The Farnsworth Parabox or (to a lesser extent) The Deep South do (other stories with a focus on the crew as a whole (the first two having many B-plots being the A-plot)). Something about the episode doesn't quite grab me like those did. It's probably because I wasn't uninterested in anybody's story or purpose in those episodes, but I didn't like about half the stories presented in this one. I just don't think mini-Hungarian robot acrobats are that funny, go figure.

[Reply #108 on:]

I enjoyed this ep a lot, very funny and great use of the characters. Well told stories and some classic moments. Zoidberg and Professor's bodies kissing at Elzars, what a disgusting scene! One thing I thought was odd though is near the beginning out the window by the TV when Bender walks past, there's a load of water. I thought the water was on the other side of the Planet Express Building? It's the same window Roberto jumped out of onto the road. Animation goof? Aside from that though, great ep, and Scruffy had a great moment too! 9/10

[Reply #109 on:]

Tedward and Svip beat me to it, but I'd still like to bring up my problems with the voice thing. It dragged the episode down for me that the writers did the whole thing of a person keeping their original voice regardless of what body they are occupying. When I read the basic synopsis, I was really looking forward to the actors stretching their vocal cords to inhabit each others characters (Leela with a Jamaican accent, the Professor using Spluh and Guh all the time). Then, when I saw that Comic-Con Reel, my fears were confirmed that they were taking the easy way out. I was hoping that it wouldn't be a big deal, and it isn't, but it is a bother. I get that it would have been confusing, but I think the fun value would have made up for it. I was hoping the writers would trust the strength of the characters, that they would still be communicateable as themselves due to body language, accent, tone of voice, and actions, but I guess they decided that it simply would have been too confusing for most viewers. I'll just chalk it up as a missed opportunity.

I can understand what you're saying. But for me, even though it would have technically been more intelligent writing, it would have been far too confusing to follow without feeling bombarded. So I'm glad they did it the way they did. I still get what you're saying though.

But having said all this, best ep EVER for me.

[Reply #110 on:]

BUCKET!  The best new sub-character of the season.  Wow this episode was wall-to-wall gags and fun.  Really superb.

[Reply #111 on:]

Poor bucket.  We have to get her together with the wine dispenser at the Wong Ranch.  You know, the one who has had his hope file deleted? (By Amy herself, no less!)

[Reply #112 on:]

This is my mind:

Show spoiler

This is what happened upon viewing this episode:

Show spoiler

[Reply #113 on:]

Frida, as long as you had a photo calendar to keep you occupied in the second spoiler, I don't see any problem with any of that.

One of the funniest things about the episode was the unrequited love between Scruffy and his wash bucket. I can't believe that Scruffy passed up the opportunity to have sex with Amy (or at least her body); he's both the most moral and stupidest character on the show.

How is that stupid at all? Scruffy's never shown an ounce of stupidity ever. He's definitely the most moral and loyal character on the show ("Scruffy believes in this company").


On the voice swapping: sure, I'm sure John could do a Professor voice and Lauren might be able to do a Bender-esque voice, but try to imagine for a second Katey attempting to do a Jamaican voice for a second. Or think of Billy doing Fry doing Zoidberg. And think of towards the end of the episode when everybody was all switched crazily. No, keeping the body's original voices would've gotten far too confusing. Ken Keeler, DXC, & Co. knew what they were doing when they choose to keep the voice and mind together.

[Reply #114 on:]

with Amy, Hermes, The Professor, and Bender's not being particularly interesting...

The "cure" for Amy's compulsive over-eating was worth the entire Amy arc.  

The scene with Fry/Zoidberg laying in bed with Leela/Farnsworth, both content (a post-coitial cigarette would have made that scen perfect) was a howler.  Then it hit me: This is pretty sick/creepy.

Still, once again the writers confirm that Leela and Fry are in some sort of relationship, as Leela has gone from not giving Fry a chance and treating him like dirt; now she's taking everything he says and finding hidden meanings.  Guys who aren't married, I promise you that this is as true to real life as it gets.

[Reply #115 on:]

How is that stupid at all? Scruffy's never shown an ounce of stupidity ever. He's definitely the most moral and loyal character on the show ("Scruffy believes in this company").

I started to ask the same earlier, but then I answered my own question - soryn probably thinks it's stupid to be moral when you have something to gain from being immoral. All too common a belief these days.

[Reply #116 on:]

I hope that in a future episode, it is revealed that Scruffy is getting the biggest paycheck of the entire Planet Express crew.

[Reply #117 on:]

Wouldn't be much of a stretch either, considering how the crew complains that the Professor ignores minimum wage laws and then put them on severely reduced pay.

[Reply #118 on:]

Pretty good, although all of a sudden they're a couple again? Jeez, pick a story and stay with it!

Eh, I've gotten used to that now.  I really loved this episode.  All the jokes were great. Bender dancing in Amy's half-naked body is perhaps one of the best scenes ever in Futurama.



Kryten:I liked Fry's expression when he thought Leela was perhaps in Amy's body.  It was like in your fanfic where Amy and Fry can't stop love making and how they solve it at the end is funny.

I felt that this episode had a few scenes cut out due to timing.  Hopefully they will be available on the dvd releases.

[Reply #119 on:]

This is my second favorite episode of the season behind TLPJF.  Overall I liked TLPJF better, but this episode had the best humor of the new season and the pacing was  perfect.  The writers managed to throw in meaningful mini story arcs for everyone, even poor Scruffy!  I'll rate it a 9/10.