Thoughts on [4ACV12] - The Sting

[Reply #360 on:]

Definitely my favorite episode of the entire series, and an amazing episode from start to finish. I'm not much of a shipper, but I do enjoy how the Leela-Fry relationship was played out in this, from a whole new perspective. The emotions showed by the two were great, and even touching at some points in the episode.

Aside from that, I liked how they were able to squeeze in a few jokes ("Don't Worry, Bee Happy" stands out) and references to past episodes (the funeral scene is full of past characters).

Need more eps like this, and less bitchy cyclops malcontent please.

Second.

Overall, it's a brilliant mix of emotion, humor, sci-fi and continuity.

10/10

[Reply #361 on:]

The great thing about "The Sting," I think, is that it's not an overtly shippy episode. Compared to an episode like "Parasites Lost" or "Time Keeps on Slipping" (the latter probably being the most sappy-shippy episode of the original run), I think "The Sting" almost downplays the ship--or at least doesn't rely on and/or exploit it.

Yes, at this point in the series it had been established that Fry loves Leela and that Leela is mostly unreceptive to his advances--but it had also been established that Fry and Leela are great friends. So I think the episode works really well as both a testament to the romantic potential between Fry and Leela (and, yes, several scenes in the episode--like the dancing-and-sleigh-riding stuff, and the clutching-Fry's-picture-whilst-being-swarmed-by-bees moment--are incontestably ship-tastic) and as an exploration of guilt and what happens when you lose a friend and blame yourself for that loss.

Most of the emotion the episode generates is less of the I-lost-my-one-true-love variety, and more of the I-fucked-up-irreparably-and-now-my-friend-is-gone-and-I-have-to-live-with-the-consequences-of-my-selfishness-for-the-rest-of-my-life variety. And, I don't know, I'm more able to relate to that second thing than to that first thing; I'd imagine that's true for most fans, particularly those who don't live and breathe for the shippy stuff. I guess what I'm saying is that this episode manages to cater to shippers without excluding non-shippers; you can read a lot of Leela's actions in this episode as romantically-motivated, but you can also read them as purely platonic gestures. The level of affection displayed towards Fry is secondary to the level of guilt Leela feels about his death. That guilt, and the psychological downward spiral it sends Leela on, is what the episode is really all about, I think.

Ultimately, then, this episode is just so brilliant--wonderfully-structured, emotionally true, and absolutely hilarious--and I definitely fall into the watch-it-on-a-loop-forever-and-ever camp that spira mentioned. I understand that it might not be everyone's favorite episode--but it touches on so many emotions that I think are universal, and I just love it so very much. With the possible exception of "The Late Philip J. Fry," I think this is the most, like, accomplished episode of the series. Not necessarily the best, but the one that is the most carefully- and masterfully-crafted--the one I think the writers ought to be most proud of.

[Reply #362 on:]

I agree with Spacefish that this ep has some of the best Leela-writing in the whole series, and with Gorky that the whole thing is so real and relatable, and with bendingunit6 that "Don't Worry, Bee Happy" is so funny and so well-placed, and with everyone that this episode is great.

I love that the whole crew is in here and plays some part but it never feels crowded (also, they threw a whole lot of cameos in here without it feeling crowded). I love the pacing. I love that even though I've seen this episode like thirty times, every time I watch it I remember the first time I watched it and was like "what is happening" and to some extent I am able to relive that even though I can probably quote the whole thing.

[Reply #363 on:]

Another episode I feel is a bit too overrated. Don't get me wrong, I loved the first act, but the rest was just on a mainly good role, until the ending. But I still really like it alot.

8.5/10

[Reply #364 on:]

Really good one.  I agree with most people's opinion in this case, this one's a classic.  I always like the funeral scenes for whatever reason.  I also like the Leela's dream plot.  Just a true classic episode of the show.  9.5/10