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Author Topic: Which season has the best first episode?  (Read 3818 times)
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PEE Poll: Which season has the best first episode?
Season 1 (Space Pilot 3000)   -10 (27.8%)
Season 2 (I Second That Emotion)   -3 (8.3%)
Season 3 (Amazon Woman In The Mood)   -10 (27.8%)
Season 4 (Kif Gets Knocked Up a Notch)   -1 (2.8%)
Season "5" (Bender's Big Score)   -5 (13.9%)
Season 6 (Rebirth)   -6 (16.7%)
Season 7 (The Bots and the Bees)   -1 (2.8%)
Total Members Voted: 36

UnrealLegend

Space Pope
****
« on: 12-11-2011 06:20 »

Sorry if a thread like this already exists; I had a quick search and couldn't see one.
Now, of all the six seasons, which one gives the best first impression? I am talking about production order, not broadcast order.

I would say that "Amazon Woman in the Mood" was a fantastic start to Season 3, and is easily the best of those options. In fact, most of Season 3: Disc 1 is pretty awesome. :p
futurefreak

salutatory committee member
Moderator
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #1 on: 12-11-2011 11:01 »

OOOOooooooo....excellent question. Another good one is who has the best finale...

I am going to have to go with Space Pilot 3000, can't beat the first episode of an excitingly new sci-fi series! :D
Inquisitor Hein
Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #2 on: 12-11-2011 13:29 »
« Last Edit on: 12-11-2011 13:45 »

OOOOooooooo....excellent question. Another good one is who has the best finale...

I am going to have to go with Space Pilot 3000, can't beat the first episode of an excitingly new sci-fi series! :D

Signed.
Though other episodes were more "fluent", SP3000 just laid the groundwork for them all.

"I second that emotion" is my second favorite. It had one of the imhO most hilarious new twists regarding a classic plot. Just imagine the following dialoge:
"Well..we gotta put Leela in the typical -Damsel in Distress Role not giving a shit- and put a new twist to it"
"Okay. Let me guess: She frees herself and kicks ass?"
"No...-Giving a shit- suddenly becomes an effort, and she must learn to REALLY give a shit..."
"Erm..what?" :D

About Amazon Women: My impression regarding that episode depends on Groening. Should he one time dare to make an equally female-bashing episode, AWITM will become the work of a writer. Until then, it's just the ranting of a politically overcorrect coward :D
(I don't mind a writer go against one group, but I will look down on him for the cowardice not daring to go against another).
Gorky

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #3 on: 12-11-2011 13:37 »

I love the pilot, and I think it's a great introduction to the series--it shows what the show is capable of, in terms of humor and character and emotion. However, on the heels of what I consider one of the best episodes ever, season one itself is kind of uneven. So, in that respect, the pilot is kind of a misleading introduction to season one, though a terrific introduction to the series as a whole. (I realize that's a dumb distinction, but it makes sense in my head.)

Anyway, I voted for "Kif Gets Knocked Up a Notch." In addition to being one of the most underrated episodes of the series, it serves as a great introduction to season four. It's funny (the scenes with the Grand Midwife make me laugh harder than almost anything else in the series), it has heart (the ending, with the combination of the music and the Leela-like tadpole blinking at the camera, is oddly touching), it does interesting things with the characters (I love Amy's freak-out), and it has some neat sci fi elements. All in all, I think it's a great way to kick off what I consider the best season ever, a season which that, by itself, is driven by humor and heart and great characterization and sci fi coolness.
Otis P Jivefunk

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #4 on: 12-11-2011 14:30 »

It's a toss up between the first three. Space Pilot 3000, brilliant ep and awesome introduction to the show. I Second That Emotion, one of my fave eps, just great fun all-round. Nibbler is the character he should be, and all of the characters are great. Lots of humour, and the introduction to the sewers added a whole new dimension to the show, very clool. Very underrated ep. Amazon Woman in the Mood is also a fantastic ep, extremely funny and has great animation too...

Kif Gets Knocked Up A Notch is one of the worst eps of the entire show in my view, I was shocked at how much it sucked when I first watched it after having high hopes from the other Season 4 eps that had aired before it. The whole thing was unfunny, didn't interest me and was painful to watch in places. Bender's Big Score is alright, pretty good movie, got a bit annoying in places but it's not bad. Rebirth was again alright, not bad, but a sense of them still finding their feet again hindered it. Some nice jokes, but got a bit over the top even by Futurama standards...

In the end I picked I Second That Emotion because I love the ep, it's pure good Futurama...
DannyJC13

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #5 on: 12-11-2011 15:05 »

BBS, it shouted "FUTURAMA IS BACK", and besides that, it was legendary anyway. :D
TheAnvil

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #6 on: 12-11-2011 15:24 »

The pilot is very possibly my overall favorite episode so I have to say that one.
transgender nerd under canada

DOOP Ubersecretary
**
« Reply #7 on: 12-11-2011 16:23 »

I voted for Rebirth. SP3000 is the show's opener. As a season pilot, it's fantastic but nothing's ever going to be able to live up to that again - so it's an unfair comparison. In addition, the early voice-acting lets it down just a smidge. Plus, it's not an episode that actually does a lot with characters - they're only just being introduced. So it lost marks for me there.

ISTE is a good episode of Futurama, but a weak season opener. It's got a lot to recommend it, but not much that makes it stand out above, say, TPWP or Xmas Story. It's a good episode in a sea of good episodes, and that's what brings it down as a season opener for me.

AWITM is not the best episode ever, but it's a very good season opener. In fact, it almost got my vote. What lets it down is the overabundance of male vs. female jokes, really. It's not entirely successful in keeping the level of sophisticated sci-fi humour in keeping with the style and tone of the show whilst making a bunch of sex jokes. It's got some great moments - some fantastic moments in fact - but overall isn't what I'd call the best. Good, but not the best. It's a C+ (very close to a B) in terms of quality for me, when compared to the rest of the overall run.

KGKUAN (pronounced Kay Gee Kwahn in my head) is another that came close to taking my vote. But I did feel that it deserved to lose marks for the cop-out ending that didn't really allow anything in the show's dynamic to change. Amy and Kif don't have to deal with parenthood for another twenty years. Suddenly, a whole arena of weird alien baby jokes have been shelved indefinitely.

BBS suffered from too many fails. BWABB would have made a better introductory movie to the series, IMO. It's a good movie, but as a "season" opener, the first episode lacks a certain something.

Rebirth... wow. Rebirth, I discovered when thinking about this, has it all. It's a re-introduction to the characters, has a sci-fi plotline and an epic opening. It's got shippiness, it's got weird aliens, it's got huge Farnsworth devices, and it's funny. It's also got one of the best ever lines from Zapp.

"Wheee!!"

So, I voted for Rebirth. Whilst Season 6 contained a few disappointments, the opening to the season was phenomenally well done and deserves recognition.
cyber_turnip

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #8 on: 12-11-2011 17:35 »

For me, this comes down to whether or not you'd consider Bender's Big Score in its entirety to be season 5's opener or just Bender's Big Score: Part 1.

If it's all of Bender's Big Score, then that's without doubt my favourite of the selection. If not, I'd probably go with Amazon Women in the Mood.
Zmithy

Professor
*
« Reply #9 on: 12-11-2011 18:27 »

Tried to keep myself from voting SP3000.. couldn't.. it's just too damn good, and it does it's job of being a pilot so brilliantly well, there's the neat little bonding pieces between the crew, the fast pacing and I always get a real kick out of the ending... they crammed a whole ton of Fry/Bender/Leela character development into the pilot, it felt like you'd really managed to "get" the characters after only 20 minutes of airtime.

Rebirth for second choice, and amazon women for third...
KurtPikachu2001

Urban Legend
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« Reply #10 on: 09-24-2013 15:46 »

What were some of your favorite season preimeres?  It could be from any season?   Mine are:

A Flight To Remember

THe Honking

Rebirth

The Bots And The Bees

UnrealLegend

Space Pope
****
« Reply #11 on: 09-24-2013 15:52 »

I remember asking the same question ages ago.

I think Rebirth is my answer; it did an excellent job of shooting Futurama back into episodic format, and has a super-cool story to go with it.
Beamer

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #12 on: 09-24-2013 15:52 »

Rebirth would definitely be my favourite premiere. I was enthralled with the ending of Into the Wild Green Yonder and that episode most certainly lived up to the high expectations I had. :)
transgender nerd under canada

DOOP Ubersecretary
**
« Reply #13 on: 09-24-2013 16:23 »
« Last Edit on: 09-24-2013 16:36 by totalnerduk »

My favourite season premiere will always be SP3K, I think. It's our introduction to a good chunk of the Futuramaverse, and it's a pretty damn good episode, even against the various "best ever" candidates that came along later (like TLotF, RTEW, TKOS, TLPJF, etc).

But, assuming that the pilot doesn't count as a season premiere in your universe (since the comparison is somewhat unfair), I'd have to pick Rebirth. As UnrealLegend and Beamer have said, it did an excellent job of re-establishing the series as a succession of self-contained episodes, and it was also extremely funny. Which is always nice.

Oh, and UnrealLegend did indeed ask this question a while back. Looking back, I gave the same answer then as I've done now (except that I used a lot more words the first time). It's nice to know I'm reasonably consistent.
futurefreak

salutatory committee member
Moderator
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« Reply #14 on: 09-24-2013 18:28 »

Merged Kurt's thread with this one, and the poll has been updated to include season 7. I also allowed member to change vote if they prefer season 7 one over the rest now.
Tweek

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #15 on: 09-24-2013 20:39 »

Space Pilot 3000: The story about the pizza guy was interesting till it got spoilt by freezing him for a thousand years :p

Seriously; Amazon Woman In The Mood  :flirt:
Mr Zoidberg

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #16 on: 09-24-2013 20:48 »

The pilot. Can't beat it. Not just an epic start to a season but an epic start to a show, which makes it even better.
cyber_turnip

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #17 on: 09-24-2013 21:25 »

7. The Bots and the Bees
6. Bender's Big Score: Part 1
5. Rebirth
4. Kif Gets Knocked Up a Notch
3. Space Pilot 3000
2. I Second That Emotion
1. Amazon Women in the Mood


Or, if we're talking broadcast seasons, like Kurt was:
9. The Bots and the Bees
8. Bender's Big Score: Part 1
7. Rebirth
6. Neutopia
5. Crimes of the Hot
4. Space Pilot 3000
3. The Honking
2. A Flight to Remember
1. Roswell That Ends Well
Monster_Robot_Maniac

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #18 on: 09-24-2013 23:26 »
« Last Edit on: 09-24-2013 23:32 »

I chose Space Pilot 3000, as It sets up the entire series almost flawlessly, and is extremely memorable. Honestly, it's one of the best Pilots i've ever seen, and it's one of the very few Pilots that are actually on Par to the quality of the rest of the series' episodes.

I will add, though, that I'm basically on Tnuk's side when it comes to Rebirth. I don't think we could've asked for a better new season premier, as this one had everything we wanted. It's for sure my 2nd favorite opener, but it's very, very close to being my #1.

Lost My Phone

Professor
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« Reply #19 on: 09-25-2013 02:19 »

I'll go with Season 1. I mean, a lot of the other seasons had good first episodes, but Space Pilot 3000 started it all.

*Fun fact: KGKUAN aired almost a year after Season 4 began airing because of Fox's idocy. :p
Eternium

Professor
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« Reply #20 on: 09-25-2013 07:21 »

Season 6 was the best season in my opinion, season 5/4 earns a second place for less than hero^^ 7 overal... I think 5th, 7b though, easily 3rd
TheAnvil

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #21 on: 09-25-2013 09:41 »

I'm surprise that Bots and Bees has virtually no love. It's such an awesome episode.
UnrealLegend

Space Pope
****
« Reply #22 on: 09-25-2013 10:46 »

I'm surprise that Bots and Bees has virtually no love. It's such an awesome episode.

Most of these votes were made 2 years ago; before TBATB existed.

Also, there's much better options on the poll.
cyber_turnip

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #23 on: 09-25-2013 17:54 »

I think that "The Bots and the Bees" is a pretty atrocious episode, personally.
transgender nerd under canada

DOOP Ubersecretary
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« Reply #24 on: 09-25-2013 20:30 »

I think that "The Bots and the Bees" is a pretty atrocious episode, personally.

It's not as bad as the episodes that comprise the true nadir of the show, such as TFHS and TCW, but TBatB is a pretty weak season opener, and raises a few awkward questions about continuity and some of the way that robots work. Overall, I think it's down there in the bottom third of episodes. But on the upside, it does have a couple of really good moments between Bender and Ben. I wouldn't call it "atrocious" so much as "poorly-executed". It could have been so much better. But then again, it could have been so much worse, too.

It's certainly the weakest of the options, and definitely deserves to be in last place.
Mr Snrub

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #25 on: 09-25-2013 21:52 »

Amazon is the only episode I love. So it's an easy pick.
cyber_turnip

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #26 on: 09-25-2013 23:43 »
« Last Edit on: 09-25-2013 23:48 »

It's not as bad as the episodes that comprise the true nadir of the show, such as TFHS and TCW, but TBatB is a pretty weak season opener, and raises a few awkward questions about continuity and some of the way that robots work. Overall, I think it's down there in the bottom third of episodes. But on the upside, it does have a couple of really good moments between Bender and Ben. I wouldn't call it "atrocious" so much as "poorly-executed". It could have been so much better. But then again, it could have been so much worse, too.

It's certainly the weakest of the options, and definitely deserves to be in last place.

I agree that it doesn't represent the very worst of the show, but it's only a notch or two better than that.

It's one of few episodes of the show that I'd give as low as a 6/10 by overall TV standards.

It has a few good moments, but it has lots of horrible moments and the writing, overall, is just horrible. The entire subplot with Fry drinking lots of energy drink is just retreading "Three-Hundred Big Boys", minus the amusing pay-off. Instead, there's an incredibly clunky attempt at turning the thing into some sort of Christmas parody.


For the record, the few episodes that I'd give a 6/10 are "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela", "Attack of the Killer App", "The Futurama Holiday Spectacular", "The Bots and the Bees", "The Thief of Baghead", "Zapp Dingbat", "The Butterjunk Effect", "Near-Death Wish", "31st Century Fox" and "Calculon 2.0". I'd say that "The Bots and the Bees" is probably the best of that bunch, but it still represents an uncharacteristically weak episode of the show.
Beamer

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #27 on: 09-26-2013 06:40 »

I enjoyed The Bots and the Bees quite a bit, though mainly because I was absolutely dreading it when I heard about it, but I think they covered the obvious questions like "how can robots have kids" quite well, and while it hardly came close to bringing me to tears or anything, the emotional element was certainly unexpected. More importantly, I was laughing the entire way through, which was a pleasant surprise for something that I thought would be an episode I'd struggle through. However, the fact that it was paired up with the far-superior A Farewell to Arms definitely overshadowed it.

I would say the weakest out of all the season premieres would be Kif Gets Knocked Up a Notch. It's just not that funny, and it seems to be trying to tug at the heartstrings in a way that simply doesn't happen for me. Granted, it didn't air as an actual premiere, and even then, it's still far from a terrible episode (things like the angry dome and the introduction of the grand midwife were fantastic); just a bizarre choice to put first, really.
UnrealLegend

Space Pope
****
« Reply #28 on: 09-26-2013 06:47 »
« Last Edit on: 09-26-2013 06:49 »

For me, TBATB was almost great, but the Fry subplot is easily the worst B-plot the show's ever done, and the way it was tied into the main plot was laughably bad. Aside from that, it's good. I like the way the Ben was written out, and the opening was excellent. I loved the little montage of the crew racing to the Planet Express HQ and thought it was a perfect season opener. The episode itself wasn't, however.
Beamer

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #29 on: 09-26-2013 06:49 »

It was given so little focus that it hardly even constitutes a b-plot. More of just a running gag, really.
Monster_Robot_Maniac

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #30 on: 09-26-2013 23:52 »

Here's my opinion - Now in List Form!

1.Space Pilot 3000
2.Rebirth
3.Bender's Big Score
4.I Second That Emotion
5.Amazon Women in the Mood
6.Kif Gets Knocked Up A Notch
7.The Bots and The Bees


I personally like TBATB alot, although it wasn't a very good season opener. I think AFTA should have been the opener, as it's got a way better storyline and much better comedy.

I thought TBATB was very good at showing emotions, myself. The scenes between Bender and Ben were all pretty heartfelt, and showed that Bender isn't all bad, and in fact, is somewhat good. They wrote out Ben rather well, too, without rushing it or simply making him dissapear. The Fry subplot was better in the comedy aspect than the story aspect, so I can see why some didn't like it. I enjoyed it for the absurdity of it, myself. Not a classic episode, but not bad either.
cyber_turnip

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #31 on: 09-27-2013 12:47 »

I found all of the Bender/Ben interaction to be very tacky and false. It didn't feel like they were showing us another side of Bender so much as it felt like he was out of character.
Beamer

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #32 on: 09-27-2013 13:51 »

I didn't think it felt false. He connected with Ben because he reminded him so much of himself. There's nothing Bender loves more than Bender.
cartoonlover27

Professor
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« Reply #33 on: 09-28-2013 00:08 »

I didn't think it felt false. He connected with Ben because he reminded him so much of himself. There's nothing Bender loves more than Bender.

There is something beautiful in the fact that Bender, though disliking him in the beginning, grew to love his son enough to let him follow his dream and ruin their relationship. That said, I loved this episode, except for the Fry subplot, that was pretty lame. I think that Bender and Ben really made the episode, it's not my favorite opener, but it's certainly up there. I'd probably either say Space Pilot, because it started it all and was one of my favorites, or Rebirth for great storyline and writing.
moonbus69

Bending Unit
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« Reply #34 on: 09-28-2013 01:33 »

Curious...

'Space Pilot 3000' got my vote for Best 1st episode of any season,

Though 'Amazon Women In the Mood' is my fave ep of all the seasons 1st epsodes!

(...must be cause of the Snoo-snoo, baby!)   :D
Monster_Robot_Maniac

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #35 on: 09-28-2013 02:13 »

Here's yet another version of my list, now in Ratings Form!
SP3K- 9/10
ISTE- 7/10
AWITM- 8/10
KGKUAN- 7/10
BBS- 9/10
Rebirth- 9/10
TBATB- 7/10
Jezzem

Urban Legend
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« Reply #36 on: 09-28-2013 03:07 »

Here's my list.

SFKHJ - 9/10
PIOTH - 8/10
NVQAEU - 7.7/10
WIFBVL - 6.879/10
OTINS - 5.01/10
WWFFV5 - 4.999999999/10 
PRVNE - 1/10
Monster_Robot_Maniac

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #37 on: 09-28-2013 03:20 »

SFKHJ - 9/10
PIOTH - 8/10
NVQAEU - 7.7/10
WIFBVL - 6.879/10
OTINS - 5.01/10
WWFFV5 - 4.999999999/10 
PRVNE - 1/10

Dude, you forgot GRTYFS. :nono:
Mr Snrub

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #38 on: 09-28-2013 20:57 »

My brain is now MIA, presumed KIA.
Anna3000

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #39 on: 09-30-2013 20:04 »

Wow, I'm stupid; I just stared at Jezzem's list for way longer than I should have trying to decipher which episodes those were supposed to be.  :nono:

Anyway, my favorite first episode is a toss up between "Space Pilot 3000" and "I Second That Emotion."
I love SP3K because it sets up the series wonderfully and managed to make me feel sympathy for and like the characters almost immediately, which is quite rare for me. "I Second That Emotion" is one of the funniest episodes in my opinion. For me, it's one of those "classic" episodes that can always cheer me up and make me laugh, even after seeing it may times.
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