Thoughts on [4ACV09] - Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles

[Reply #80 on:]

Finally got to see it!
I love this last run of futurama, its all light hearted and good fun. I loved how when Farnsworth got younger he actually lost his senality (sp?), he was still the same character and u got the same vibe off him, but he actually seemed younger, like how he handled "Bender without a cause" and when he explains about his antedote for the tar, and just shrugs off benders comments, he actually seems like someone that age.

Benders de-aging really got to me, not just because it doesnt make sense, but because I feel its impossible, esspecially since they already explained his birth. I think he could have been used well in the episode if he didnt get youth-a-cized.

Ah well cept for bender, great ep I must say, I love these light hearted eps, reminds me of season1, pure whackiness, but yes I like the dramatic eps too.

roll on more eps!

[Reply #81 on:]

The best line must have been "Teddybear Junction. The worst scumhole in the galaxy."
I don't usually laugh out loud when watching Futurama, but that line had me cracking up for minutes!
Sad thing is, that was me in my mid-teens, playing Master of Orion on my computer and basically knowing just a little too much about space and solar systems. So if Farnsworth's any measure, I'll soon be a pothead and a hippie 

[Reply #82 on:]

 

Originally posted by MuscaDomestica:
About Zoidberg not changing into other forms before he aged to death, that is his final stage, the reproductive one. The other forms were immatures.

Blahhhh you don't get it. That's the entire point. If zoidberg had suddenly exploded into some tremendous, horrifying giant squid or something after what we all *thought* was his final stage, it would have been very, very typical of futurama's countless "WTF?!?" moments. Who's to say a decapodian couldn't change into something for just the last few hours of its life? 

[Reply #83 on:]

Introducing the parents too soon? When they only have like 6 or 7 episodes left?

I liked them in this ep, a lot better then they were in Hero.

[Reply #84 on:]

I like leela better as a mutant than an alien. Mutants are just plain cool, and it's a little more believable than an alien that just happens to resemble a one eyed human.

[Reply #85 on:]

After rewatching this episode, and catching all the good lines, I still love where the Prof. is picking up the kids from the sewers.

"Sup.  Kids ready?"

"I had a few beers, but I'm cool to drive."

[Reply #86 on:]

I just watch this episode. It's one of the best Futurama episodes ever!!!

[Reply #87 on:]

Frikkin' etiology!  Sorry for the lengthy hiatus, guys.  I like to watch two new epsiodes back-to-back whenever possible and I didn't want to see anything on PEEL until I was all caught up (for fear of spoilage).  Right now, I have the same dilemma as did Juliet: I'm really baffled by Pazuzu the Gargoyle.  I am absolutely convinced that there was meant to be some profound, deep significance to him but I can't seem to figure out what it is!! 

Hopefully you guys know me by now -- always trying to figure out a deeper meaning in things.  That's me, Mr. Futurama Etiology.  This time I'm so sure there's something really profound here and it just eludes me.  I did some reading up on the "real" Pazuzu (a Mesopotamian demon-god) and there appears to be some connection to the cult of Lilith, whom I believe is partly the inspiration for Leela in both name and character.  I also learnt that owls are closely associated with the worship of both idols and it's curious that owls infest Planet Express and all of New New York (apparently replacing pigeons in the ecological niche they formerly occupied).  I still have a hunch there's something much deeper lurking just beyond the tip of my tongue.  Your thoughts, please?

[Reply #88 on:]

thats very interesting idea, Chanukah Zombie 

[Reply #89 on:]

The UK's now what, only two episodes behind the US? Cool.

Hilarious episode as well, the best for ages in terms of sheer LOL moments (the sight of DS9 getting wasted by the PE ship's high-beams set me off, and then after that it was hard to stop). The race was a little bit overlong, but unlike the similar scene in 'The Cryonic Woman', at least they remembered to put some jokes in this time!

The youth-o-crew were great too, especially Farnsworth. And fat spotty Amy cracked me up! How cruel were her parents?

[Reply #90 on:]

 

Originally posted by Chanukah Zombie:
  Your thoughts, please?

Another possibility could be that Pazuzu is a demon in Dungeons & Dragons.

Judging from the audio commentaries the staff at Futurama are D&D nuts, and we've already seen several references to D&D in the show. Admitted I would feel slightly more certain about this if David X Cohen had written the script, but still...

Some links on Pazuzu, the D&D demon.

Pazuzu and the Utukku

A quote from here:

Pazuzu is Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms--that is, he rules the skies within the abyss.  All evil flying creatures must obey him if within sight of him.  He does not compete for territory, and freely wanders the evil outer planes, being on generally good terms with everyone from Asmodeus to Demogorgon.  His preferred source of worshippers is lawful good clerics and paladins whom he has corrupted by trading favors.

And finally a drawing of Pazuzu, from a German D&D site. It actually looks slightly like a gargoyle:

[Reply #91 on:]

 

Originally posted by payndz:
The UK's now what, only two episodes behind the US? Cool.

One episode, actually - The Why of Fry was the last episode to be shown in the States. You do know there's no Futurama next week, however as it's the Simpsons 300th night, right? 

[Reply #92 on:]

I'm really surprised that this episode is being rated so highly. 'Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles' was one of the worst, if not THE worst episode of 'Futurama'.  When I first read the episode description I thought it'd be bad, but I gave it a chance.  I didn't think it'd be this awful, though.

It started off well - the scene with the Professor driving was great (although jokes about the aged were pulled off better in early Simpsons and Futurama episodes), but as soon as everyone was youthed, it just became stupid.  Young Hermes and Amy might as well have not been there (and Amy's parents - usually great characters - didn't have one funny line).  The baby Bender didn't make sense, and although the idea of Leela wanting to experience her teenage years properly was a nice idea, it was pulled off awfully.  I usually like her parents, too, but they didn't make me laugh once in this episode.

Zoidberg's transformations were a good - if overused - idea, though. 

I think my main problem with this episode (apart from the lack of jokes) was that it was more fantasy than science fiction.  You can say that they were youthed with tar and chronotrons if you like, but it might as well have been a wizard.  And what about the fountain of ageing?  Hardly original.

The race scene was a waste of time, too, and I didn't find the gargoyle funny.

After a terrible season 4, I had been thinking that season 5 was a bit better, but this episode really pulls it down.  Surely an episode with as great a premise as 'The Why of Fry' can't be bad, can it? Can it?  I'll find out soon enough..

I know I'm not the most popular person here for these bad reviews I've written over the past year. I just wish I'd found this place sooner, because the first two seasons, plus a lot of the third one, contained some of the funniest TV moments I've ever seen.

[Reply #93 on:]

Hey, it's to each his own whether you like an episode or not. Some people think "Fear of a Bot Planet" was hilarious, but I thought it was out of character for Bender to be acting so "oppressed" so soon. That's what a forum is for, to express and discuss views.

Sometimes episodes just won't "click" with some viewers, whereas others instantly rate them as one of their highest. It's a tribute to Futurama that for every episode on people's "worst" list, there's at least one person for whom it was the best episode ever.

Because Futurama's style ranges from the scientifically plausible to downright fantastical, there are bound to be those who feel some episodes are too "scientific" and those who feel that there was too much fantasy involved. If you don't like an episode, you should say so - there's no point in lying.

I realise this post is rambling on a bit now  , but suffice it to say, I loved the episode. I can't fault you on your critique of originality, however - but there are always some episodes which plenty of shows end up doing.

[Reply #94 on:]

   

Originally posted by Mike!:
I think my main problem with this episode (apart from the lack of jokes)...

I haven't got round to reviewing this episode yet, but wow, it was absoluetely packed full of jokes. IMO it has to be one of the funniest episodes ever, just behind 'A Tale of Two Santas'. I totally respect your opinions and views, Mike, but I couldn't disagree more with your review   

[Reply #95 on:]

As CyberKnight said, opinions vary, and nobody will judge you on reviews of a cartoon show. To each his own, and sometimes it's refreshing to read a negative review of soemthing you find great, because it give you the oppurtunity to see the episode in a different light.

I'm just surprised you didn't find anything redeeming in TMLH, there were a lot of great moments in this episode, and I think it's the best of the season. Just Zoidy's and Farnsworths different stages was worth 4 points alone.

[Reply #96 on:]

How anyone could dislike a show with a line like "With my last breath, I curse ZOIDBERG!" is beyond me... 

[Reply #97 on:]

It was slightly wierd, but funny and very enjoyable 

[Reply #98 on:]

 

Originally posted by Mike!:
  Surely an episode with as great a premise as 'The Why of Fry' can't be bad, can it? Can it?  I'll find out soon enough..

You'll probably be disappointed 

[Reply #99 on:]

 

Originally posted by Teral:
I'm just surprised you didn't find anything redeeming in TMLH, there were a lot of great moments in this episode, and I think it's the best of the season. Just Zoidy's and Farnsworths different stages was worth 4 points alone.

Not to mantion Deep Space Nine getting blown up, huh, GUL Teral? 

This is the best and funniest episode of McSeason 5 by a country mile.  Farnsworth driving the ship at the beginning had me laughing so hard I could hardly breathe.

Also, the Leela subplot fits into this episode far better than in "Less Than Hero".

[Reply #100 on:]

 

Originally posted by PCC Fred:
 Not to mantion Deep Space Nine getting blown up, huh, GUL Teral?   

That shot propelled this episode out of the "amazing" category right into "sci-fi legend".

Best moment of the season! 

[Reply #101 on:]

 

Originally posted by Grim:
Benders de-aging really got to me, not just because it doesnt make sense, but because I feel its impossible, esspecially since they already explained his birth. I think he could have been used well in the episode if he didnt get youth-a-cized.

The trouble is, if Bender hadn't been youth-a-cized, he could have saved the crew at the end instead of Leela, so she could have remained a teen.

[Reply #102 on:]

I thought baby Bender was shooo shweeet.
Anyway, I didn't know that Leela's parents would be tied to the show this much. Maybe I'm not getting something, but it's softening Leela's character too much. I mean, she's nice, but not as in-yo-face as the last couple seasons. Oh wait, it was better the other way. Well, my point remains valid: Leela's parents aren't fit for regular characters. Actually, it's just because of the airing. "Less Than Hero" and "Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles" are 5 episodes between each other, but they aired one after the other. Also, after "Less Than Hero," which wasn't all that great, I hoped to see a really cool episode without much emotional interference, though there needs to be emotion, but not much, and I got Leela's parents again. Alright, after this long rant, I think we can all agree that spaghetti tastes good. Case closed.

[Reply #103 on:]

Anyway, onto my actual review. I thought this ep was absoluetely awesome! IMO It's second best in Fox's 'so called' Season 5, after 'The Why of Fry'. They're both really different episodes though, almost opposite which is refreshingly cool. This one is packed full of great jokes and humour, and a wacky storyline that worked because of the humour, and it was just cool. Seeing them all young was awesome, it would have been awesome to see what affect the youth tar would have had on Nibbler. I also loved the sewer race, some of the best action in any Futurama episode, and funny throughout as well. I've noticed that a lot more attention has been drawn to the sewers during the Season 4 production block, which I think is really cool. The graphics in this ep were pretty neat, and the very beginning was class, I just wasn't expecting it. Overall, one of the best episodes, ever   

[Reply #104 on:]

This ep was great. loved the old folk jokes and the professors voice as he shouted for his gargoyle lol.
Baby Bender was so funny 

[Reply #105 on:]

I Loved this episode! 
The Professor was hillarious!
It was great to see Amy fat! 

[Reply #106 on:]

*Bumped for Rage Dump*

Hilarious, brilliant, I loved this one.... 

Before my review....
 

Originally posted by DrThunder88:
I think they were brought into the series too soon,

Too soon....? The final season is too soon....? Makes me wonder if Futurama hadn't been cancelled, how long it would have been before they were introduced....?

Anyway I will review after seeing it again....but Zoidberg's transformations were great, as was the Prof's aging....'sup   

ok seen it again, loved it even more....seeing the gang as kids was really funny, the professor as the ultimate mad scientist  His voice has really come along nicely I reckon....

All the other good stuff has been mentioned so I won't babble on....and it was cool to see finally where Ghoulishmoose gets her avatar from....

[Reply #107 on:]

I thought the episode was great, very nice feeling to it, quite light hearted as someone has said. I especially liked the Professor in this episode "damn you predicatble colon!!"

[Reply #108 on:]

Ok, I can't find this in the bbs anywhere else, so I am going to ask.  I'm not even sure it was a joke, but it seemed like one that I can't quite figure out.  At the end of Teenage mutant Leela Hurdles, after they get out of the fount of aging, Leela says something to the effect of "I'm think I'm even a couple years younger" and Amy  says "oh, me too" and winks.  is there some sort of joke here that I'm missing?  Normally, amy doesn't follow leela, she puts her down first to show her own superiority.  Ok, thanks

[Reply #109 on:]

Leela was probably being completely honest, and did in fact believe she might be a couple of years younger. Amy thought Leela just intended to use the whole affair as an excuse to lie about her age (passing herself off as younger), and decided to the same. She winks at Leela as a way of saying she was in on the plan, although, as I said, Leela was probably being entirely honest all the time.

[Reply #110 on:]

I found a review of this episode that has opinions of this episode similar to my own at http://www.entertainment-geekly.com/web/general/apr2003/Futurama_Mar30

Anyway, this sadly is the last time we'll ever Leela's parents.    They should have been a bigger part of the Futurama universe, being the long-lost parents of poor lonely Leela and all. I wish Amy, Bender, Zoidberg and Hermes had more screentime in this ep.

This ep. kinda screwed up thecontinuityofFuturama. I mean, since when do robots have any kind of DNA (or RNA)? Are they built the way they are forever? Are the Chronitons still stuck to the PE crew's DNA, or did the Fountain of Aging somehow get rid of them? I think it would be funny if one of the PE crew as a baby wore a blue baggy and sucked on a red pacifier.

To end this reply on a positive note, I loved seeing good ol' Sal again, and I loved the Professor's line about the Tooth Fairy.

[Reply #111 on:]

Dunno why I only just thought of this but as far as Leela sacraficing her youth to save the others in the fountain of aging. If she still wanted her youth then why didn't she just visit the tar pits again?...

[Reply #112 on:]

'Cause the moment was lost.
Also she reconsidered and realized you can't really regain your youth.

[Reply #113 on:]

One of the best episodes, ever!  The Crew being turned into teenagers and kids was awesome!  Espeically how they interacted with each other!  I liked how Leela moved back in with her parents and it's obvious they didn't know how to be parents.  The best part was when Leela and Fry had that big sewer race.  Classic!  The Pazuzu plot was cool, and when they all changed back meaning Leela had to give up her youth for her friends was excellent.  All in all, a great episode!  Every Futurama fan must see it! 

[Reply #114 on:]

i love this episode so much
i loved all of the characters as teenagers then getting younger! It was so funny!!
I LOVE Leela's dad and all the things he said - with the tequilla (sp?) and the silly straw!
EVERYONE MUST WATCH!!!! 

[Reply #115 on:]

i liked the book Snow White Dwarf and the Seven Red Dwarfs, since we just learned about space and school and I finally learned what that was so when i saw that episode again I had the right to chuckle =D

[Reply #116 on:]

Yeah, space is neat, especially when it's cold outside, there's no kind of atmosphere, and you're all alone more or less.

[Reply #117 on:]

*groans*

[Reply #118 on:]

 

Originally posted by Otis P Jivefunk:If [Leela] still wanted her youth then why didn't she just visit the tar pits again?...

Because Bender destroyed it with his overzealous pumping?

And come on, leave her alone, guys!

[Reply #119 on:]

Great episode. Awesome story, funny jokes/gags, the great side of Futurama

9/10