Thoughts on [3ACV01] Amazon Women in the Mood

[Reply #40 on:]

actually I think I'll change my mind looking back at it, it was much better than what I said..

6/10

[Reply #41 on:]

This one is great. I'll review more in depth when I have time but just wanted to point out a favorite line: "You win again, gravity!"

(Also, the only thing that bothered me were the Amazons' voices. I realize that's part of the characters but it was annoying nonetheless.)

[Reply #42 on:]

Only one pop-culture reference (giant can of Tab)

The Amazonians also mention having a subscription to Cosmo; and, if you think about it too hard, it makes little sense that people in the year 3002-ish are singing songs from the 1970s and '80s at a karaoke night. Granted, I enjoyed those references, but this was the first time I noticed that they may be a little misplaced.

Anyway, I agree with the majority of posters that this is a really solid, funny episode. I was actually taken aback by how slowly the episode begins, though that may be because I'm so used to the fast-paced episodes of season six; at any rate, this episode is jam-packed with jokes and story without seeming too fast. I'm sure that's attributable to the longer run-time more than anything; I'm just saying that there was a noticeable difference in pacing between this episode and many of season six.

But anyway: Zapp is hilarious throughout ("Oh, I'm sorry, you're crying like a woman"), and I love everything about the Amazonians ("How Tunk look?"), and Bea Arthur is easily one of the show's greatest guest stars ever ("What?! Did you explain how the women's good fundamentals make up for their inability to dunk?").  

I also enjoy the development of Kif and Amy's relationship--and this is one of the few episodes where Amy does some pretty chuckle-worthy things (I enjoy her as a character, of course, but I don't think she's the most hilarious member of the PE crew), chiefly her impersonation of an Amazonian ("My next snu-snu. Out me way").

That said, though, I always think of this as one of the most laugh-out-loud hilarious episodes of the series...but, this time around, there were some things that fell flat. Also, a few things about the plot itself bother me: the absurdity of the entire restaurant becoming hysterical and clearing out at the sound of Zapp's voice (I get that it was supposed to be silly, but it rang sort of false to me and seemed too convenient plot-wise), and Fry and Bender just so happening to crash-land on the right planet. These things don't detract too much from my enjoyment of the episode, and maybe it's just because I'm trying to watch these episodes with a greater critical eye than usual, but I don't know. Those two plot points just bugged me a little.

Also: I feel like the Amazonians start out being sort of repulsed by the notion of snu-snu, and they use it as a punishment for male misbehavior...but they also really like it? I know that's part of the joke, but the attitude towards sex--is it a good thing or a bad thing for the Amazonians?--seemed kind of inconsistent and nonsensical and, again, it bugged me a little.

But yeah, this is still a really great episode, and one of my favorites of season three.

8/10

[Reply #43 on:]

1/10

And that one is only because there were a few funny lines that momentarily detracted from the double standard.

[Reply #44 on:]

Ah, Gorky beat me to a lot of the thoughts I wanted to express, now that I am not programming at breakneck speed to get work done. Yes, I absolutely agree: Bea Arthur's voice work was one of the best things about this ep for me. I just loved every one of her lines, especially, "That does not fempute!"

I know that the "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Lola" songs were out of sync with the time, but they really didn't bother me. I don't know...I guess I am more accepting of these references to contemporary culture because they seem to make the show all the more relatable for me (that's not a real word, but I don't know how else to put it). Now, by "contemporary culture," I really don't mean "pop culture," like Lady Gaga, which seem to be so now and fleeting, and I really don't know if stuff like that are flashes in the pan. I mean, songs like what I mentioned, "Walking on Sunshine," and "Safety Dance" are all established, and corny, and hold a lot of nostalgic appeal for those of us who grew up during the 70s and 80s. I don't know if I'm making a lot of sense. I guess I discriminate in deciding what are acceptable references or not.

Okay, so all that is not what I really wanted to talk about. I think the reason why I like this episode so much is because obviously, it's so funny, and then I think I love that "battle of the sexes" theme. There's definitely a lot of bawdy humor, and overall sexiness--it was sort of like strolling through a Renaissance Festival with all the stinky hippie/Rennies making out and gnawing on turkey legs. Sensual, I guess is what I'm trying to say.

The B-plotine was entertaining, too. Zoidberg and Bender had some great jokes ("I'm here to contaminate your drinking water!"; "But Bender, think of the senoritas!" "Vamonos!")

A solid 8/10 for me (and not just cause Gorky said so!).

(And Inquisitor Hein, I note your point about the double standard between the two sexes: yes, when I think about it, the men were raped, and yup, you're right, a story with Amy and Leela being continuously raped would be icky and disturbing. I really can't begin to discuss something like that on this thread--it would just get too out of hand and wouldn't really be relevant to this thread--but it is unfortunate that we have double standards. There's no denying, though, that men and women are different in some fundamental ways, and that creates a discrepancy in our notions of acceptable behaviors. Anyways, I'm not going to blather on about this anymore.)

[Reply #45 on:]

(And Inquisitor Hein, I note your point about the double standard between the two sexes: yes, when I think about it, the men were raped, and yup, you're right, a story with Amy and Leela being continuously raped would be icky and disturbing

I also do not wish to push the subject any further, but -as probably my last comment in this thread- I want to make that plot just a little more precise :

Not only a story about Leela and Amy being raped...
A story with Amy and Leela trying to rescue the others. And as a "reward" being beaten, enslaved, questioned wether women are allowed to life in chains or wether they should be allowed to life at all (with that society cheered at by Fry and co, who finally show the grace to thank for their tried rescue with the phrase "Sure, women are completely worthless and good for nothing, but we got used to ours and would like to keep them"), and then Amy and Leela -for the grave injustice of making negative remarks about men- being sentenced to death by rape. (And enjoying the rape).

Thinking of that..that plot suddenly does no longer sound funny at all...

Well...as I do not mind a rough humor, I do not have too many problems with the AWITM plot (though I do not consider that a very brillant one).
But I also do not wish to hear an outcry of rage, when a joke is based on someone saying "Women belong in the kitchen", and the punchline turns out it was really the best for the female character to land there. When these jokes create a louder outcry than the AWITM plot, I sincerely do question those folks moral guidelines...

[Reply #46 on:]

Thinking of that..that plot suddenly does no longer sound so funny at all...

The plot isn't funny the way it is, and it baffles me that there are those who consider it such.

[Reply #47 on:]

Inquisitor, I assure you I am no fan of male-bashing humor. Or <insert_group>-bashing humor. The Amazons' rough manners and thoughtless violence really didn't do anything for me at all (though I am wondering if that bit is on par with Three Stooges-type of humor--all the punching, jabbing, hitting, poking, etc, that I am absolutely confused by).

This is an interesting topic to explore, or at least think about, but I absolutely do not want to get sucked into it on PEEL, or any Internet forum, for that matter because I'm too busy as it is (so why the hell am I replying ). And if there were such jokes about traditional gender roles, such as women belonging in the kitchen--well, it completely depends on context. I'm sure Futurama writers are clever and sophisticated enough to put a fresh spin on it, if it ever came up.

[Reply #48 on:]

Wow, I haven't seen this episode in a while. It was a decent episode. The part where I laughed out loud and cracked up was when Zapp was singing karaoke, and everyone was panicking and leaving the restaurant, and then he attempts to pilot it and only ends up flying it into a planet. It really just sums up the incompetence and ridiculous nature of Zapp's character, and Billy West did a great job with the voice acting. However, the majority of the episode revolved around gender-role jokes, and produced a few other laughs for me. And one of my other favorite parts was when Zapp calls for the double date, and Leela keeps replying with "Zero."

I also really liked seeing Kif in his weak state. You really sympathize with him since he has to deal with Zapp, who doesn't understand what he wants and only gives him a book of terrible and demeaning pick up lines, and because, while he loves Amy, he is too nervous to call her.

Plot-wise, it was okay. It was simple and didn't have much too it, when you think about it. Nothing really happens. But it helps to develop Kif's character and to establish a relationship between Kif and Amy, which is a good thing.

Quick note about Amy--I laughed when she grabbed Bender and swore in Chinese. And also when Bender walked away and also swore in Chinese. Made me chuckle.

I give it an 8/10

[Reply #49 on:]

("My next snu-snu. Out me way")

Oh man, I loved that line

[Reply #50 on:]

To be quite honest with you...I do not know how many study sessions I have been to that haven't involved this.

Amy leans down at Leela's side.
Amy: whispering Please, Leela? Kif's like the sweetest guy who's ever liked me.

[Reply #51 on:]

This episode is a really good one. I wouldn't consider it a top 10 or anything like that. I mean everything played out hilariously, and nothing didn't disappoint or make me cringe like some of the new ones do. Still, it was a unique episode, and I think I can safely give this a:

9/10

[Reply #52 on:]

10/10
Possibly my favorite episode ever...while usually sex jokes get on my nerves (too easy and crude), this one was chalk full of goodness the entire way and supplied some of my favorite quotes of all time:
"Oh...your...god"
"She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a Bistro"
"You win again gravity"
"Oh god, youre killing me...OH GOD!! YOU'RE KILLING ME!!!"
"I had snu-snu"

And was a hilarious but even exploration of the Male vs Female dynamic.

[Reply #53 on:]

4/10, and that's being generous. I did not like this episode and I feel it's seriously overrated. Sexism may be funny, but nothing in this episode made me want to do more than roll my eyes. To each his own, I guess.