Thoughts on [4ACV18] - The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings

[Reply #40 on:]

Mango, it's not odd to cry at the end of such a great series...though I do find it a little peculiar that of all characters, Zoidberg was the one to bring on the tears!

There, there...if it's any consolation, S2 comes out in the US in a few days.

[Reply #41 on:]

Did it occur to anyone that Bender still didn't have his butt back at the end of the episode? 

[Reply #42 on:]

...Zoidberg was the only lobster I ever truly loved!
Well, now I have to find someone to mooch off of so I can drown my sorrows on a DVD binge very soon....*le sigh*

[Reply #43 on:]

Quick list of robots on the Wheel Of Robots;
Flexo
Daisy May 128K
Crushinator
Roberto
Helper
Kwanzabot
Robot 1-X
Clamps
Hedonismbot
Fatbot
Limotron
Destructor
Santa
Joey (Mousepad?)
Tinny Tim (but then where would the other hand come from?)
Chain Smoker
Angleyne
Execu-tor
Preacherbot
Fembot
Hair Robot
Unit 2013
Donbot
Boxy
Lulubelle 7
Humorbot 5.0
Calculon
Url
Foriegner
iZac
Cartridge Unit
Barkerbot
Teenbot
Gearshift
Q.T. McWhiskers
Deep Blue 
iHawk
Cylon   
Patchcord Adams
Liubot
Stage Mom 7.0
Sinclair 2K
Vending Machine
Oily
Coolometer (once again, where would the other hand come from? Tinny Tim?)
Andrew
Monique
Rab-Bot
Lisa
Executive Gamma
Keg Robot
Greeting Card (correct me if i'm wrong, but Comrade Greeting Card had *no* hands, tricky robot devil....)
Eurotrash-80
Nannybot 1.0
Emotitron Jr
Ceiling Fan (once again, where are the hands on this bot?)
Hookerbot
Bender
Robot Devil

[Reply #44 on:]

^^^ What's funny about that list is that Fry indeed knows MANY of those robots.

[Reply #45 on:]

It's been said by many, but I liked the way the last line worked on multiple levels. Leela wants to hear the way Fry's opera ends/We want to see how Futurama ends: Fry and Leela sharing a kiss and walking off together into the horizon.

First time I saw it (yeah, I cheated), I thought it had some pacing issues in the second act; the way Leela suddenly realizes just what's been locked up in Fry's brain that keeps getting stuck or mangled on the way out. But after I watched a few of the older episodes (Parasites Lost in particular, which is almost a precursor to this ep), I realized that the premise of DH is basically "What if Fry accquired the means to express himself?". Because, before now, he's basically been stuck at how to say what's been there all along....the Devil's Hands and the holophoner don't suddenly create this inspiration, they're just tools to implement it. So I think Leela's realization holds water both theme and continuity-wise. Though I would have preferred the scene in question to be a good thirty seconds longer.

The finale was absolutely brilliant. Futurama's put out some real gems (you know which episodes I mean), but I think the third act of Devil's Hands simply trumps all. Zoidberg had the best line in the opera: "I can't believe everybody's just ad-libbing!"

[Reply #46 on:]

Anybody got a bigger a better pic of Fry's fron't cover?

[Reply #47 on:]

Very impressive, MacTech.
How on earth did you catch all those names?

[Reply #48 on:]

Bender probably just got his ass out of the trash can later.

[Reply #49 on:]

wow. i mean seriously wow. i knew it would be good, but wow. Words can't even express. Damn.

And i have decided that in my world, they got together after the show. And stayed together. And i refuse to believe otherwise unless a new ep or a movie proves me wrong.

[Reply #50 on:]

Hey, remember that cel with Fry giving Amy a piggyback ride? We never saw that in any episode, so it's either a deleted scene or a drawing for fun or something that was scrapped.

[Reply #51 on:]

I should be weeping!

...the story didn't grab me on a shippery level, but it was a cute way to end the show.

First two acts were really funny, filled with classic Futurama gags/dialogue. I've never been a fan of the Robot Devil, but he was alright in this episode.

I agree with VelourFog about the singing being awkward. The lyrics and music may have been good, but I just don't like it when the story progresses via song. How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back is one of the few times I can think of, where it actually works.

So this is the end? How sad. TV sucks so much. Tonight, comedy is dead. And tragedy suddenly doesn't seem too great either.

[Reply #52 on:]

 

Originally posted by Atticus:
Very impressive, MacTech.
How on earth did you catch all those names?

I slowed down time.....

on the VCR...

 
just did a frame-by-frame advance, yes i know, i need a life 

[Reply #53 on:]

Wow, what an episode!  The story was beautifully well-written (but, since this ep was written by Ken Keeler, that should be expected.)  The holophoner opera was very well done, and I must say Billy West is a GREAT singer!   

Devils Hand's was definently a worthy ending to the best series ever to hit the small screen.  It's sad, though, that that's it.  There is no more.  But at least Futurama ended on such a fine note.  5/5 

[Reply #54 on:]

It was a great episode ,one of my favorites, but the ending really left a lot of questions. Leela has showed her feelings torwards Fry like that stronger at the end of other episodes before but in the next episode they're not together. I guess I'll just go with Venus and say: in my mind they're together now.
Now, I really hope for it to come back to another channel or get a movie.

[Reply #55 on:]

What is there more to say? Wow.

After a few substandard episodes, the show flies right back across the finish line. I'm not sure if this is the best episode ever, but it certainly is up there.

Nitpicking aside (Leela hearing certain things, the rushed 2nd act, the like), it was a fitting way to end the series. So long FOX, take your Banzai bumpers with you.

It wasn't so much an end as a new begining to the show. A

[Reply #56 on:]

Fantastic note to go out on.  Wonderful episode.  I laughed, I cried, I cursed Fox.

See you on some other network!

[Reply #57 on:]

This episode was really great.  I just can't think of words to describe how I felt at the end.  It's really sad that there won't be anymore episodes.  I thought the opening sequence was really interesting with the ship crashing into the TV screen with Futurama on it, and then the words saying see you on another channel.  As I reflect on that caption I hope that one day, maybe we will see another new Futurama on Cartoon Network or TBS, or in the movies.  But for right now I say goodbye Futurama, it's been fun.
                  

[Reply #58 on:]

It wasn't epic and "The Why of Fry" may have been a better series ender..... But like many things in life the greatest of the tides come from the minor things. IMO I am greatly satisfied dispite it lacking any "epic" battles, changes, or details. It was simply how it ended. Remember what Matt once stated what Futurama was about? A kid who got to be taken from his reality and brought into a new one. To start it all over again and become a sucess? And what happened in the end? He had fame, money, talent, and the ability to please any girl. But he gave it all away. And why? For the true prize... For true love. No ending can ever top having Fry playing the ending of his play and they living happily ever after. No war, no monster, no finale can or ever will beat that. A true series giving the true ending of Fry's tale.

[Reply #59 on:]

Absolutely excellent!  There were laughs, tears, and everything in between.  Even Nixon's head gave an "Aroo" of approval.

Did anyone else notice the opening subtitle gag "See you on some other channel"?  How about the "video feedback" of the Planet Express ship crashing into the humongous screen which usually displays a clip of a "classic" cartoon?  To me that was Futurama giving the finger, albeit in a genteel way, to The Visionaries at Fox.

[Reply #60 on:]

That was the best episode ever! Of the best show ever! The ending was brilliant, although some parts understandably seemed a little rushed. I'm glad I didn't forget to watch like I did when "Obsoletely Fabulous" aired. I'm glad I have a tape of it too, although if I could, I'd have eight.

[Reply #61 on:]

i thought it was a good episode. i loved the line "it always makes me feel better to laugh at other peoples misfortune". it reminds me of myself.

[Reply #62 on:]

Great way to end a really good show.  I never really started watching

futurama that much until I found out that it was dying. To me it was the same

and different as the simpsons in a good way.  This last episode was really

great. Good way to end the show. I really hope someone else picks up

production of Futurama. A lot of Comedy shows really aren't all that funny

anymore. Great show!

[Reply #63 on:]

 

Originally posted by The Master Con:
It wasn't epic and "The Why of Fry" may have been a better series ender

I think the same thing too.

[Reply #64 on:]

I thought the musical bit at the end was excellent and I like how it leaves the door open for a movie if one gets made but it ties up all the lose ends of the series.

[Reply #65 on:]

If not The Why of Fry, probably even The Sting would make a good last episode.  As long as the ending were adjusted so that it would feel like a series finale.

[Reply #66 on:]

I'm an idiot. At 4:00 today, I told myself to tune into Fox at 6:00. And... I forgot.  I simply can't wait until the Volume 4 set comes out on DVD, and I recently moved and no longer have my high speed internet connection, thereby making it difficult to obtain this episode for my viewing pleasure.

But all these people coming out of the woodwork and showing their appreciation for, not only the final episode, but the series as a whole, still gives me some sense of satisfaction.

I know that I won't be disappointed when I finally get to see it. And it's good to know that Futurama went out with some of the most dedicated fans of any television series in history. You guys are the best!

Long live Futurama

[Reply #67 on:]

Aww... This is only my second post and already people are telling me I'm the best... LOL. If you look at the very end of the last holophoner scene, it looks kinda like Fry was running ahead of Leela. Whether they did this intentionally or not, I don't know, but it looks kind of like he's paving a path for the future, speaking poetically.

[Reply #68 on:]

Loved it!! The only dumb thing that Fry did the whole episode was taking so long to choose between robot hands (good) and Leela (great)  Well, I guess we needed the confrontation for the big song finale. Can't believe it's over 

[Reply #69 on:]

I thought this was a great ending...incredibly open ended, yet it was very symbolic. I enjoyed it. Its just sad the leela is still def.

[Reply #70 on:]

And Matt still got to fit in that Nixon goes to Hell.

[Reply #71 on:]

::drops to knees::

OH GOD! I've hardly ever posted before due to lack of wit and now it's all over ._. ::squeaky voice:: Someone hold me   

*Ahem* It certainly was a touching ending though.... OH GOD!

::drops to knees::

[Reply #72 on:]

I was really looking forward to this episode, but after I saw it I was disappointed in it. I know almost everyone else enjoyed it but it just didn't work for me. 

[Reply #73 on:]

Only the good die young.....

A+ ending. No arguements otherwise accepted.

And I bid you all a fond adieu, until the next really sharp and intelligent show comes on TV (which may be a very long time coming)

"See you on the other channel" (when I can afford Cartoon Network)

[Reply #74 on:]

 

Originally posted by Coop:
Its just sad the leela is still def.

I doubt that it would be permanent - and anyways, the final line was "I wanna hear how it ends."

[Reply #75 on:]

I'll tell ya... i've been depressed since saturday (I d-worded the episode since I was not going to be able to see it). It's all over, but what a great episode to end it on. I am a born again Futurama fan. I watched it when it first aired, then for a while I stopped watching it, mostly because football would preempt it. But now I am a born again Futurama fan.

The episode itself rivals Parasites Lost as the absolute best episode. I dare say that it edges out Parasites lost. The Robot Devil was funny as hell (get it? hell!! hahahahahaha). It was good to see Hedonism Bot return, and to see Scruffy as a butler. Zoidberg was great as always. No matter how bad an episode is, Zoidberg always manages to tickle me (in strange places). Call me crazy, but Fry looked good with the Devil's hands, they went well with his red jacket. As a musician, I love the Holophoner.

All in all, I don't think the show could've ended any better. A+ work

"Farewell from the world of tomarrow"

[Reply #76 on:]

So, I guess mArc can take this site down now.

[Reply #77 on:]

All I have to say is this: "I'll take eight."

Actually, if I stopped there, nobody would believe it was me, so I guess I should go on.

Plus, I've just spent half an hour playing a slightly modified version of the Futurama drinking game (you take a shot whenever any of the characters speaks), so it's even harder to stop babbling than usual. (Good thing I already watched the episode on Friday, and even better that I'm not admitting to that here in front of everyone.)

I loved this episode. As others have already said, it wasn't the funniest episode (although I've been waiting for the "bite my shiny metal ass" joke since the show started... and all the jokes on the definition of irony in a Gift of the Magi story were brilliant), but it was one of the best.

We got lots of great cameos, a decent amount of everyone (although a little more of Amy, Hermes, and Morbo would have been nice). Plus, Hedonism-bot was a great character. If only Edward Everett Horton were alive to live his true destiny playing a robotic Oscar Wildish fop....

How I'd improve it: 1. Make it a full hour; they did a great job compressing the story, but it deserved more time. 2. Hell, make a whole extra season--or eight. 3. More Amy, and maybe more Hermes. 4. Some AL3 to keep us busy so we can forget that there's nothing left on TV (at least until South Park comes back in a few months).

One little thing: Why is Fox advertising anime between Futurama and Banzai? Just to piss of Cartoon Network ("OK, you may be showing us up with Futurama, but which one of us got the new Shonen Jump series--so there!" )?

In summary, this episode wasn't nearly as lousy as it was brilliant. A great ending to a great series. Better than Seinfeld's ending, much better than NewsRadio's, and certainly better than the non-ending of Family Guy....

And now, all that's left to do is eat the peacock.

[Reply #78 on:]

Welly welly welly welly well.
Just aired on the West Coast.  So it's all over bar the drinkin'.  I feel they went out in style.  I really liked the episode.  It was a little awkward, with wonderful crappy opera and choppy pacing, but good jokes and nice low key shippiness, not the melodrama I had feared.  And the ending was perfect.

Also, it was really clever to put a twist on the fairly trite "deal with the devil" storyline.  I like how Fry opens in the advantageous bargaining posture, and the devil spends the whole episode making up ground. 

I imagine I'll like the opera better when I watch it again tomorrow when all my friends get back in town.  'Til then.

[Reply #79 on:]

I LOVED THIS EPISODE! This was the best series finale ever! The first act was funny. The second act was funny but then was shocking when Leela got deaf. The Third act was amazing. The opera was brilliantly done and I loved Bender's comment on Godzilla.

"Hmmm...I don't remember fighting Godzilla, but I would SO do it!"

When the Robot Devil, Leela and Fry started singing, I was amazed how well done it was. I could now only hope for a Futurama musical movie. And then when The Devil ran of with Nixon was laugh out loud funny. And the ending was one of the sweetest endings ever to a Futurama episode. It looks like the future will be swell for our favorite animated couple. It tops "The Sting" as the best McSeason 5 episode ever. I hope after this, Matt Groening and crew should start to plan a Futurama movie and close the book on the show.


Overall: A+

"See you on some other network"