The episode that defines Futurama?

[:]

Which episode do you think defines our beloved show? Displays the most Futurama characteristics? If you had to show a person their first Futurama ep what would you show them?

As for me, I think Xmas Story, as we know, is the unofficial all around ep.  My favorite episode, The Sting- I also believe this episode has many Futurama aspects all throughout even though it was pretty romancey (which I have no problem with  ).

[#1 :]

'Parasites Lost', I think eveyone here knows why.

[#2 :]

Parasites Lost or Roswell.

[#3 :]

love's labours lost in space

[#4 :]

 

Originally posted by Futurama_Hil:
If you had to show a person their first Futurama ep what would you show them?

Um, how about Space Pilot 3000?  Why not begin at the beginning?

[#5 :]

I can't pick one, but I'll pick three:

Godfellas: Defines the element of using the setting to explore deeper concepts.

Jurassic Bark: Defines the element of using the setting for character based and often emotional stories.

Roswell that Ends Well: Defines the sci-fi comedy element.

[#6 :]

 

Originally posted by David A:
Um, how about Space Pilot 3000? Why not begin at the beginning?

You could, but I wouldn't. Wasn't my first ep, and I figured out the setting from my first few episodes. 

[#7 :]

I think Put Your Head on My Shoulder. It's one of the funniest, and shows everything that was great about the show. The plot is a great use of the sci-fi stuff to enhance a plotline, and there's some low-key shippiness and nerdy humour as well. It was the first episode I really loved.

[#8 :]

I thought Deep South was the funniest!  That episode had every concept for a perfect story of Futurama.  Also, A Bicyclops Built For Two was an episode that defined the show!

[#9 :]

I believe that what defines an all around great episode of Futurama is one that features all the Planet Express crew, doing something that is purely sci-fi in nature.
Such as, The Farnsworth Parabox.  It features the enitre crew(X2), and doing something very sci fi.  it even has a few shipper moments with Fry and Leela.  Great!

[#10 :]

Time Keeps on Slippin'

Little space travel,
little waky aliens,
little superscience,
little romance,
little hilarity,
little bittersweet.

Little bit of everything, in a big way.

[#11 :]

Xmas Story was a very well-rounded episode in my opinion, but I think Space Pilot 3000 or The Series Has Landed defines the show much better.

[#12 :]

SP3k

Roswell that Ends Well

or

Where No Fan Has Gone Before! (but only if they're slightly trekkie)

[#13 :]

Where No Fan Has Gone Before hardly "defines" Futurama - it was basically just a long tribute to Star Trek.

[#14 :]

once again...
True...very true

[#15 :]

I think that The Series Has Landed really sets the stage for the rest of Futurama.It pretty much introduces everyone to the audience.

[#16 :]

Even though episodes like The Series Has Landed and Space Pilot 3000 set the scene very well, I don't really feel that the show got into the full swing of things until When Aliens Attack.

[#17 :]

True...very true

[#18 :]

I agree with Pitt on "Time Keeps On Slippin'," but my top choice is "Amazon Women in the Mood." It features the best supporting cast (Amy, Zapp, Kif, etc.) and they're all at the top of their game. Even Zoidberg, who is in the episode for a few minutes total, is hilarious. We have Kif/Amy shippiness,and we have continuity with them and Leela/Zapp. There are great sci-fi jokes, great sex jokes, and some very smart comedy.

[#19 :]

Well, Futurama itself is in many ways a parody/tribute to science fiction, so I think its a fair choice.

"Amazon Women in the Mood" and "Parasites Lost" might need to be added to the list of defining episodes as well, maybe "Luck of the Fryrish" too.  Not because I think they truly define the show neccasarily ("Luck of the Fryrish" would be a good substitute for "Jurassic Bark" on my list though), but because they were the first part of the show's reinvention of itself in season three.

[#20 :]

 

Originally posted by canned eggs:
Parasites Lost or Roswell.

Agreed. Parasites lost is both funny and shippy, while Roswell is pure hilarity the whole time.

[#21 :]

Flight to remember, Parasites lost or The Sting - Funny and shippy, a good balance of them. Well rounded episodes.

[#22 :]

To me the episode that defines Futurama, even though I haven't seen it is The Why Of Fry....

As you may or may not know most of what I love about the show is the whole back story with Fry....it's so damn clever how they brought in new plot points through all 4 seasons....I think it's brilliance....

Jurassic Bark is another defining ep (and one I've seen) sad yes but it's so well done....

If I had to show somebody the show for the first time though I would go with the pilot because you have to show them how it all began, and if you're not hooked after that, you never will be....!

Well maybe not but it's hard not to be....or something

[#23 :]

If I were sitting someone down to introduce them to Futurama:  Love's Labour Lost In Space. 

If they were a trekie: Where No Fan Has Gone Before.

If they weren't big on S/F:  Jurasic Bark (It's Dolomite, Baby!).

If they liked Futurama:  Roswell That Ends Well or The Sting depending on wether I want to show off the characters or the writing.

And, if I just wanted them to laugh, either The Problem with Popplers or The Farnsworth Parabox.

[#24 :]

I'm choosing "Parasites Lost".  In my opinion it was the pivotal show of the entire series, when the show switched from the sitcommy early episodes to the shippy later episodes.

[#25 :]

In my opinion it would have to be *Both* "Space Pilot 3000" and "The Series Has Landed" Taken togeather as a two part exposition. I mean that was the show I fell in love with. Although it isn't technicaly what Futurama ended up being which was somewhat dissapointing.

[#26 :]

After seeing the show evolve over it's 72 eps, I would state that several criterea be met in order to qualify as a "Defining" ep.

The Professor (preferably with a wacky invention or experiment) must be an integral part of the plot.  The Leela/Fry thing must be in full force.  The entire cast of principles must make a contribution.  The writing must be solid and evenly distributed between humour, drama, shippyness and unpredictability.  The storyline must address concerns and/or foster events that would re-appear in later eps (continuity, folks)   The animation must show off the incredible talents and imaginations of the creators. 

"Parasites Lost" meets all of that in my opinion.   

[#27 :]

Its gotta be Space Pilot 3000, or Future Stock

[#28 :]

I'd say Spice Weasel makes the best case. 

The funny thing about SP3K is that for a lot of people it wasn't the first episode they saw and yet it doesn't make too much of a difference. It's a good episode to get a deeper understanding of who the characters are initially and why they're all there, but it hardly spoils your enjoyment of the show if you see a bunch of later episodes first.

[#29 :]

How the bloody hell am I the first one to mention Luck of the Fryrish to be THE defining episode of Futurama?

Sure, it's been mentioned, but I'm the only one to give it precendence.

Although I can't especially argue with evan's choice of Amazon Women, since it is #2 on my list.

[#30 :]

 

Originally posted by Nixorbo:
How the bloody hell am I the first one to mention Luck of the Fryrish to be THE defining episode of Futurama?

you are so british.
I want to say "I, Roomate," just to be an asshole.

I'll say Amazon Women, because Fryrish is a bit too sentimental to be the defining episode.

[#31 :]

 

Originally posted by Nixorbo:
How the bloody hell am I the first one to mention Luck of the Fryrish to be THE defining episode of Futurama?

Sure, it's been mentioned, but I'm the only one to give it precendence.

Although I can't especially argue with evan's choice of Amazon Women, since it is #2 on my list.

I did mention it over in one of the "Fall Madness" threads.

And even though it's redundancy, I'll mention it here as well. 

[#32 :]

Time keeps on slippin has it all, Funnyness, sci fi things and its all goo-ey at the end..

[#33 :]

If I'm going to show Futurama for the first time to me mates, I'll have to see what floats thier boat..

If its someone sentimental (loves the mushy-mushy stuff) then The Luck Of The Fryish, Jurassic Bark and (especially!) The Sting could be used. My little sister cried during the end of Jurrasic... She was hooked ever since. 

If he/she is more on the contemporary side then I personally believe that Time Keeps On Slipping would be a good choice (as said previously by mikey, it has a balace of everything).

For the more, shall we say, ones that appreciates
the more rauncy(sp?) aspects of TV, then surely my first choice would be Amazon Women in Da mood. Although Spanish Fry and Love's Labour Lost In Space are good candidates too, they however requires viewers to know a little bit more about Futurama to really find it funny.

Witout a doubt Trekkies will find Where No Fan Has Gone Before or Love's Labour Lost In Space's "July 17..Point Two!" joke a real blast.

Other episodes can be show later when they are safetly addicted. :P

[#34 :]

Hey, isn't 300 Big Boys the episode that literally defines Futurama?

 

Rosanne: "Futurama." Noun. I don't know, you just watched it dummy - what are you asking me for? Hey, here's a fun definition. Idiot...noun...you! (Laughs) This has been Roseanne, your guide to the world of facts!

Granted, 300BB is not the episode I would show first, but in a stricly literal sense...

[#35 :]

Space Pilot 3000

[#36 :]

...because...?

[#37 :]

 

Originally posted by Futurama_Hil:
If you had to show a person their first Futurama ep what would you show them?

Space Pilot 3000, followed immidately by Roswell That Ends Well.

Then they're hooked. This is a tested formula, and as such has worked at least once. On one of my mates, who now watches DVD's back to back in marathon sessions.

[#38 :]

The episode that defined futurama for me was; Parasite Lost.

[#39 :]

"I Roommate" - just to be VF's asshole

"Parasites" best matches the criteria (my criteria) for a defining episode.  It has great character representation and development, great sci-fi - including a tribute to past sci-fi stories, very shippy (I don't need this but it helps the show), and the comedy is pure gold.

I've always started friends off with SP3k though, and it always seems to get them horribly addicted, so maybe it should be on the list as well.