Thoughts on 7ACV08 - Fun on a Bun - SPOILERS

[Reply #80 on:]

A good point--and, actually, it occurs to me that there's no real reason, story-wise, that Fry and Leela had to break up. Fry's drunkenness (which, in a roundabout way, led to his being "killed") had nothing to do with being heartbroken, and Leela's guilt and sadness over Fry's death probably would've been acute enough to warrant blanking her memory without her having broken up with him beforehand (though I did love that line about breaking up with her boyfriend, then eating him). I mean, I guess Fry and Leela needed to be separated, spatially, in act one, so that Fry could accompany Bender on his mammoth-hunt without Leela knowing and/or participating as part of the usual trio--but still, that's kind of a flimsy pretext, from a storytelling angle, to break the two of them up.

Well...it rather seemed some kind of "I never want to see you again for the next 24h" break- up. The writers probably just needed Leela to be angry with Fry, to give the reconciliation a more meaningful/deeper aspect.
Sure a collection of small annoyances could have served the same purpose.
Yet, these would have been time consuming, and the episode was alreday rather "crowded". But a "I am breaking up with" you showed that anger, just as well, and required much less time.
Again, it seemed rather like some words slipping out in anger (to be forgotten the next few days), rather than a serious breakup.

Of course, when taking into consideration what Fry endured for/because of Leela in previous episodes, a break-up because of a mere drunken scene is rather out of proportion, and bears the aspects of a certain bitchiness.

[Reply #81 on:]

It did seem a bit out of proportion, considering her reaction to events in Season Six.  Granted, they weren't officially going out by then, but she didn't react as strongly when Fry broadcast her singing butt boil over the net, or when he publicly exposed her as an "ill-bred" mutant in front of New New York's elite, which resulted in her being thrown out.  I would be exponentially more pissed over that than being embarrassed at Oktoberfest.  Even considering the outcome of TMAR, that would be hard for me to reconcile with and rebuild trust IRL.

[Reply #82 on:]

An episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (one of its best eps, too) was all about the gang visiting the Jersey shore, and they actually took great pains to have it bear no relation to the reality show. It does get mentioned, but only to get it out of the way.

1999 Fry, living in NYC, would most certainly know of the actual place. The joke won't make any less sense in 20 years, or even less sense than it would have if it had been made a decade before the MTV show came on.

[Reply #83 on:]

Rum Ham!

[Reply #84 on:]

An episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (one of its best eps, too) was all about the gang visiting the Jersey shore, and they actually took great pains to have it bear no relation to the reality show. It does get mentioned, but only to get it out of the way.

Well Frank and Mac found the more stereotypical Jersey Shore people.

I completely had a brain fart (again) and forgot to watch last night. I'm so sad that I did because I just watched it now and I LOVED it! The neanderthal plot I'll admit is kind of wonky for me but the whole episode was so well paced and every thread was given proper time to develop, that I'll let it slide.

The sloth joke and Bender's rise to First Place were hilarious. My favorite sight gag in a long time though had to have been Bender on the floor coloring, and then seeing his pictures. And hey, it was nice of Elzar to finally show up!

The shipper in me is very happy because it all worked so perfectly. Great episode, will probably watch it again later.

10/10

PS: Scruffy, Bender, and the carrier raven.

[Reply #85 on:]

One of my favorite lines from Fry was: "Battalion A, smash things!  Battalion B, smash different things!"

I'm gonna use that one at a warhammer tourney this weekend to great effect. 

Which fraction?

[Reply #86 on:]

Which fraction?

Spess Mahreens!  Nah, just kidding.  I hate Space Marines.

Tau Empire.  Though, if everything goes according to plan my battalions won't be smashing anything if they can help it.  I avoid CC like the plague.  Just lots of feinting, orbital-dropping crisis suits, markerlights and railguns.  Nothing more satisfying than seeing a squad of expensive Assault Terminators with nothing to assault being picked off one by one.

[Reply #87 on:]

I was a little attracted to Leela... and Fry in this episode.

9.5/10

[Reply #88 on:]

Ah, it had so many things right with it. Fantastic episode. Without trying to sound negative though, I just felt it didn't quite have the spark that some of the other "Emmy episodes" have had. Maybe not quite up there in the pantheon of Futurama episodes, but well within the gates.

9.5/10

I chuckled at the location of "Neander Valley"; formerly known as Nordrhein-Westfalen, I take it? Best part of Germany, IMHO. On a personal note, seeing Externsteine somewhere would have been a treat...although reading into it, possibly 10,000 years out of place.
And it would have been on an extremely personal note too. <_< >_>

[Reply #89 on:]

I was a little attracted to Leela... and Fry in this episode.

9.5/10

.....same here. I mean, that was...a very sexy Oktoberfest dress you have to admit.....I think every girl wants her boobs to look like that while doing the chicken dance. Also, is it just me, or has Fry gotten a lot more muscular?

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Curses! My teenage hormones are kicking in!

[Reply #90 on:]

What’s Fry saying in german? [I feel a funny joke just went soaring above my head somewhere]

You mean when Bender tells Fry he won't get drunk/misbehave on Oktoberfest ?
That's just gibberish: The word sounds like "Ach, Du Freaking Lieber".
"Du" means "You", and "Lieber" means "Dear". Some opressed/hesitating cursing, mixing English and German words rather randomly, but that's all.

Also, is it just me, or has Fry gotten a lot more muscular?

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Curses! My teenage hormones are kicking in!

This probably hints at a certain time passing by. With no lazyness supporting technology, the hunting etc... will have a workout effect on Fry. It's not the first time they used this design change:
E.g. in "Law and Oracle", the initial Fry was shown extremely weak (his arms were thinner than Leelas, they are usually not drawn that way), with a unifrom additionally downplaying his physique. Yet, when he was shown as a fully trained cop, he was much more massive round the torso/shoulders/arms, even when taking the widely cut uniform into consideration.

Also, is it just me, or has Fry gotten a lot more muscular?

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Curses! My teenage hormones are kicking in!

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Well..I cannot see much of a difference to some comments you made before becoming a teenager

Something tells me you are a male Inquisitor Hein..... But, that doesn't mean you can't show a little more of the redheaded Adonis of Futurama they call Fry.....God, I need to get out more...

[Reply #91 on:]

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[Reply #92 on:]

I didn't like the first act. And then it suddenly became amazing. 9/10.

[Reply #93 on:]

One thing I just noticed:
When Leela cried "Ooh, Fry" at the "funeral", it was imhO Katey's most spot on MWC "Aaaaaaaal" voice.

[Reply #94 on:]

Loved it!

10/10

[Reply #95 on:]

Wasn't there a Game of Thrones reference in last night's episode???

[Reply #96 on:]

I was a little attracted to Leela... and Fry in this episode.

9.5/10

.....same here. I mean, that was...a very sexy Oktoberfest dress you have to admit.....I think every girl wants her boobs to look like that while doing the chicken dance. Also, is it just me, or has Fry gotten a lot more muscular?

I'm glad that somebody has mentioned this.  I did not want to look like a perv by bringing up how great Leela (and Amy too) looked in their Oktoberfest dresses, but now that others have mentioned it... wow.

I think that these should become the standard Planet Express uniforms for female employees.  

[Reply #97 on:]

I mean, that was...a very sexy Oktoberfest dress you have to admit.....I think every girl wants her boobs to look like that while doing the chicken dance. Also, is it just me, or has Fry gotten a lot more muscular?

Since they seem to be sexing it up a lil bit this season, they're probably making the main characters more attractive.

^{won't hear me complaining...}

[Reply #98 on:]

awesome episode.  Great that Fry/leela are a couple and it has been subtle for the last few episodes.

[Reply #99 on:]

I'm a bit surprised they didn't do a joke on Leela's name or hair. "Lila" (pronounced the same as her name) means "purple" in German.

[Reply #100 on:]

I must admit that I liked it when Leela started showing off the slits in the Oktoberfest skirt. Grrrowl.

[Reply #101 on:]

I don't know if Coldy's seen this one yet, but I'll bet he'll be pleased/pissed they ended up using 'Orange' and 'Purple' as names for each other.

_{Although it may have been red and purple in his fics, but still.}

I must admit that I liked it when Leela started showing off the slits in the Oktoberfest skirt. Grrrowl.

I was also a fan of this.

[Reply #102 on:]

What’s Fry saying in german? [I feel a funny joke just went soaring above my head somewhere]

You mean when Bender tells Fry he won't get drunk/misbehave on Oktoberfest ?
That's just gibberish: The word sounds like "Ach, Du Freaking Lieber".
"Du" means "You", and "Lieber" means "Dear". Some opressed/hesitating cursing, mixing English and German words rather randomly, but that's all.

The idiom "Ach, du Lieber!" has an implied "God" reference to it ... It translates better as "Oh, my God!"


The scene where the crew was trying not to remind Leela of Fry reminds me of a short sci-fi story called "What's the Name of That Town?" by R A Lafferty. (Most of it can be found starting at http://books.google.com/books?id=Y_FoU_KMOmkC&pg=PA269&lpg=PA269&dq=%22what%27s+the+name+of+that+town%22+lafferty&source=bl&ots=C7OGcqI3j6&sig=wm0-OkIW9WcjP1EyMefzkgm8rh8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SD8bUK73GsbK2AWAqYCIDg&ved=0CDMQuwUwAA#v=onepage&q=%22what%27s%20the%20name%20of%20that%20town%22%20lafferty&f=false )

[Reply #103 on:]

I'm going to implement "Ach du freakin lieber!" in my vocabulary from now on.

[Reply #104 on:]

I thought it meant "Oh you wish!".

[Reply #105 on:]

I've already used it 3 times today.

[Reply #106 on:]

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Sweet as! <3

I mean, that was...a very sexy Oktoberfest dress you have to admit.....I think every girl wants her boobs to look like that while doing the chicken dance. Also, is it just me, or has Fry gotten a lot more muscular?

Since they seem to be sexing it up a lil bit this season, they're probably making the main characters more attractive.

^{won't hear me complaining...}

Nor me
As long as it's not too over the top like Fry in Parasites Lost ><

I'm a bit surprised they didn't do a joke on Leela's name or hair. "Lila" (pronounced the same as her name) means "purple" in German.

Random factoid! I like. Is it purple directly, or is it more Lilac?

What’s Fry saying in german? [I feel a funny joke just went soaring above my head somewhere]

You mean when Bender tells Fry he won't get drunk/misbehave on Oktoberfest ?
That's just gibberish: The word sounds like "Ach, Du Freaking Lieber".
"Du" means "You", and "Lieber" means "Dear". Some opressed/hesitating cursing, mixing English and German words rather randomly, but that's all.

The idiom "Ach, du Lieber!" has an implied "God" reference to it ... It translates better as "Oh, my God!"

That makes a lot more sense, thanks

Also can you use tinyurl.com next time, that mother of a link stretches the page ><

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[Reply #107 on:]

I'm kind of surprised at the CGEF rating. It's currently on 82%, even though here on PEEL it's being acclaimed as one of the best episodes to date.

I just want to know how on Earth A Farewell to Arms is rated higher than this... 

[Reply #108 on:]

I've given some thought to reviewing episodes, recently. I don't know if this review model exists or not already. But this is how I think it ought to be done. Reviewing, that is.

Since I don't really know how to go about creating this, I'll just throw it out here and maybe somebody will decide to do something with it. Probably not, but this way it'll at least stop taking up space in my head.

The best review system would require people to register with a username, their date of birth, and then pick a category. They could describe themselves as a science-fiction fan, a nerd/geek/dork, a cartoon viewer, a "shipper" or a general television addict. Whichever suits them best. Then they can begin rating episodes.

They would then decide, first of all, whether or not they liked the episode. A "like" rating would take them to the next stage, where they could give it a rating out of ten. A dislike rating would skip them straight to stage three, where they would select which three areas (from a list) could use improvement the most desperately. Things like pacing, characterisation, story, believability, continuity, dialogue, jokes, and the likelihood that the material will become "dated" in several years time.

The reviewer would also be allowed to update their "top ten" list after reviewing the episode.

This information would then be used to generate the following:

• How many people liked the episode.
• How many people disliked the episode
• An overall rating out of 100%, obtained by averaging the scores given out of ten. Let's say out of 100 people, 75 gave it a 9, 20 gave it a 7 and 5 gave it a 3. That's a score of 83%.
• The top two or three areas that people felt could have been improved.
• The category of reviewer who disliked the episode the most.
• The category of reviewer who liked the episode the most.
• The category of reviewer who gave the highest rating.
• The age group with whom the episode was the most popular.
• The % of reviewers who picked this as one of their "top ten".

This could be adapted to work with other shows (it's really a matter of what category of reviewer somebody describes his/herself as). Over time, any site implementing this review model would build up a vast database of what works and doesn't work with a particular audience.

There's also things like this to consider. People have different reasons for different ratings. Not all of them are good, but CGEF is an aggregation of a huge number of people with different criteria for enjoyment and different reasons for choosing a particular rating.

[Reply #109 on:]

Svip started a dedicated site/part of the infosphere for only futurama episode reviews so that viewers can get a better feel of the episodes themselves.

Other than that, your complicated social energized television review format sounds like it could become a functional and successful site on its own; it'd probably be like av club, but more user oriented I guess.

[Reply #110 on:]

I chuckled at the location of "Neander Valley"; formerly known as Nordrhein-Westfalen, I take it? Best part of Germany, IMHO.

Yep, you are right, it's in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Neandertal is in fact REALLY located in Nordrhein-Westfalen (though of course not covering the whole Bundesland), so the map made sense*.
The "Wiesn" (Bavarian Name for Oktoberfest) is also relly held since 1810.
Of course, it's location is München, so setting in in Nordrhein Westfalen is the deliberate, grave mistake.

On another note: Anyone else notices the countess of Luftballoon was basically Mrs. Astor with maybe a few pounds more.

*

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Hey, I can even see my place on it...

[Reply #111 on:]

Great episode. Best one since TLPJF imo.
Feels like good ol' classic Futurama.

10/10 from me. I don't usually post, I only lurk, but this episode was just so fantastic, I had to vote.

[Reply #112 on:]

Also, is it just me, or has Fry gotten a lot more muscular?

Heh, I was actually thinking that he looked kind of schlubby during his Magnificent Smooch with Leela--not that that bothered me or anything.

I just want to know how on Earth A Farewell to Arms is rated higher than this...  

Eh, I liked both this episode and AFtA...though I'd definitely rank FoaB higher. I think the problem with the CGEF rankings is that the same people presumably aren't rating these episodes week after week: some weeks, you'll have more shippers (or more old-school fans, or more n00bs) providing a review on CGEF than in other weeks. Those differing preferences are bound to skew the ratings somewhat, and lead to discrepancies like the one you're noting.

Like, I'm sure there's a core of people who post a review on CGEF every week (same as there is on PEEL; I think our ratings are probably "truer," if that's the right word, if only because--with the exception of a few new posters every week--pretty much the same group of people are rating these episodes week in and week out), but chances are there are plenty of people who only review when they remember to, or when they feel like it, or when they are particular pleased (or pissed) with an episode. I don't post a review on CGEF every week, mostly because I'm forgetful--but also because, if an episode's just middle-of-the-road for me, I don't feel the strong urge to give it a '3' or whatever; I'd rather not vote at all.

I've given some thought to reviewing episodes, recently. I don't know if this review model exists or not already. But this is how I think it ought to be done. Reviewing, that is.

I think that's kind of a brilliant idea. In the case of a show like Futurama, users might be able to categorize themselves even more specifically by registering as a newcomer to the show, or as a more long-term fan (not because long-term fans have a better handle on the show than new fans--in fact, I think quite often the opposite is true--but because I feel like we're always contending with the Nostalgia Goggles issue, and it might be neat to see if there actually is a trend of new fans overrating episodes and old fans underrating them).

Or is that what you were hoping to accomplish by requiring users to supply their age? In any event, I think that would be a solid system--though, being a total idiot when it comes to computer-y things, I would have no idea how to set up such a thing. Where's Svip when you need him?

[Reply #113 on:]

I also think reviews would need to be a minimum of 200 words long. Too many reviews on CGEF are just one sentence long.

[Reply #114 on:]

If I may throw one more idea out there on the subject of a review site, it would be to add an element of time.  How well the episode ages over time.

A user submits their review shortly after the episode airs with a score.  Then, say a month later, they would have the option to add to their review, both words and a new score.  They could do this again at 6 months, a year, 2 years and so forth, adding their impressions and a new number each time.  The numbers would average.

Then, when looking at an episode's score, you would see two numbers: An initial rating, and the average rating of how well it has held up over time.  Clicking on an individual review would give you a timeline of sorts, seeing how both the number changed and the impressions over time.

Think of the graphs!

[Reply #115 on:]

This has easily been my favourite episode of Futurama in a very long time. It's inspired me to delurk so I can rave about it. I’ve definitely been more of a casual viewer since the release of the movies, but this episode has definitely rekindled my absolute love of the series. It was funny, clever and the Fry and Leela plot was so sweet! All the things I love most about Futurama.
Plus, Neanderthals. As a big fan are palaeontology/archaeology, that made me happy.    
My favourite things about the episode:

• Zapp. Just Zapp. I don't think there was a line out of his mouth that didn't have me in stitches
• Kif. I want those two to have their own show.
• How Fry came back. I knew he wasn't dead for real The Sting was the only episode I genuinely thought that![/i] but I had no idea how he was coming back. I envisioned some weird cloning from the sausage scenario...
• Fry's "We were going out? Woooo! I mean Noooo!" because I found myself wondering if they were actually an official couple way too many times!
• All of their Oktoberfest outfits. I love seeing the PE crew in different clothes!
• Bender stealing 2nd and 1st place trophies. Oh Bender...
• The animation seemed especially good. I don't know why but I found myself noticing the quality in a few scenes

The only bad thing I have to say about it is that I felt like it was over in five minutes. But I guess that’s really a plus because it just goes to show how captivated I was with the episode!

Also - was the Raven a Game of Thrones reference? Perfect episode... 10/10!

[Reply #116 on:]

The best review system would require people to register with a username, their date of birth, and then pick a category. They could describe themselves as a science-fiction fan, a nerd/geek/dork, a cartoon viewer, a "shipper" or a general television addict. Whichever suits them best. Then they can begin rating episodes.

Sounds good, as long as my information is not used by publishing companies to solicit magazine subscriptions and send catalogs, or by the AARP, NRA, or any political candidates to get my vote.

One thing I just remembered was that National Geographic issue featuring an artist's representation of a redheaded Neanderthal, based on some latest findings that, contrary to popular opniion, some Neanderthals were pale and redheaded:



The article about it is here:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/10/071025-Neandertals-Redheads.html

So, I think it's pretty cool that Fry was portrayed as a Neanderthal, though I don't suppose that the writers were deliberately referring to that, since it seems to be a relatively obscure bit of information.

[Reply #117 on:]

This episode was much better than I was thinking it would be. For that it gets props from me. I think even with my nitpicks on certain aspects (which have probably all been touched upon here) I can't say it was horrible and the I'd never watch it again.


Anyone else wish that brain procedure was real? I know I do.

7/10 and up. I would like to think my opinions would rise after I see it again.

[Reply #118 on:]

Well, looks like Zapp actually goes "au naturelle" underneath that smooth velours.

Spot it, freeze it, regret it.

[Reply #119 on:]

One thing I just remembered was that National Geographic issue featuring an artist's representation of a redheaded Neanderthal, based on some latest findings that, contrary to popular opniion, some Neanderthals were pale and redheaded:

<snip>

So, I think it's pretty cool that Fry was portrayed as a Neanderthal, though I don't suppose that the writers were deliberately referring to that, since it seems to be a relatively obscure bit of information.

I believe that the latest information is that about 3-5% of the DNA of modern northern Europeans comes from Neanderthals, with the percentage decreasing with distance from northern Europe.  The only 100% 'pure' humans are sub-Saharan Africans.  So evidently, Cro-Magnons (early modern humans) and Neanderthals did interbreed when given the opportunity.  Not that this surprises me, knowing what humans are like, but it is interesting that they could apparently produce viable non-sterile offspring.

One particularly interesting fact is, as you mentioned, the prevalence of red and blond hair, along with pale skin, among the Neanderthals.  The incoming humans would have had dark skin and black to brown hair, so when you look at a pale-skinned redhead or blonde, you are seeing the effects of Neanderthal-derived genes.