Bender and the Suicide Booth

[on:]

Many here are of the impression that, had Fry not been frozen, Bender would have killed himself in the suicide booth.  Me, I not so certain, for several reasons.

-First, I think it was implied that Bender likes the "slow and horrifying" option on the booths.  However, the weapons used in that option (a little chainsaw, circular saw, knife, drill bit, and electric prongs) wouldn't really do much to Bender except give him a few puncture wounds (which don't affect him) and a nice buzz (from the electricity).

-Also, it was mentioned in a later episode that he has a self-destruct button on his body.  Couldn't he just use that instead?

-It has been proven during the series that Bender's body can withstand extremes of heat, radiation, etc, so chances are that the "quick and painless option" wouldn't work either.

-If he was going to kill himself, why bother scamming the machine in the first place?

In my opinion, the reason he was using the booth was probably to prove to the world he's tougher (and therefore better) than humans.

Thoughts?

[Reply #1 on:]

Well, there's always the point that it was pilot episode and not all those aspects about Bender were developed, but bullocks! You have a valid point.

Then again, his father *was* killed by a can opener. Maybe Bender could use the machine repeatedly until he's shredded beyond salvation?

Or maybe he was bored and wanted to fool around, and Fry overreacted?

[Reply #2 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ttomalss:
-Also, it was mentioned in a later episode that he has a self-destruct button on his body. Couldn't he just use that instead?

They probably didn't plan that he would have a self destruction button yet. Also they probably didn't have many of Benders aspects planned or developed yet because it was a pilot ep. Good point though. 

[Reply #3 on:]

Commiting suicide in a suicide booth which you helped create has a poetic ring to it. If Bender failed to get killed, he would at least make a twisted pile of metal on the floor for the next user to trip over; it would be how he would want to be remembered.

He scammed the machine because he believes that you actually can take it with you.

It's also a plea for attention; a simple press of a button wouldn't be dramatic enough. Lots of people would have seen him in the queue; it's the equivalent of threatening to jump off a building during rush hour.

[Reply #4 on:]

Good point. He does crave attention over the course of the series.

[Reply #5 on:]

On Bender's note from The 30% Iron Chef, we find out that Bender threatens to commit suicide often (or enough times to make it onto a form letter).  Most of the times, when he threatens it, I really don't think he means it.  He just wants the attention.  That's the whole point of leaving a note like that. I agree with Hedonism Bot that committing suicide in a booth in front of everyone is more Bender than just pressing a self-destruct button.

[Reply #6 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ttomalss:
-First, I think it was implied that Bender likes the "slow and horrifying" option on the booths.  However, the weapons used in that option (a little chainsaw, circular saw, knife, drill bit, and electric prongs) wouldn't really do much to Bender except give him a few puncture wounds (which don't affect him) and a nice buzz (from the electricity).

The suicide booth didn't know Bender was a robot. Since most robots abide by their programming, most don't want to commit suicide. The booth is primarily designed for humans and probably various types of aliens.

 

-Also, it was mentioned in a later episode that he has a self-destruct button on his body.  Couldn't he just use that instead?

The writers came up with that much later...you'll notice that Bender has just about anything he needs suited for the current situation (as mentioned in a commentary) either on him or in his chest cabinet, and those objects usually disappear in the next episode.

 

-It has been proven during the series that Bender's body can withstand extremes of heat, radiation, etc, so chances are that the "quick and painless option" wouldn't work either.

Again, the booths were primarily designed for humans/aliens. Quick and painless would probably have been a gun to the head. Heat and radiation would kill someone much more slowly and would cause an extreme amout of pain.

 

-If he was going to kill himself, why bother scamming the machine in the first place?

Because that's Bender...it's just his personality. Remember his line in In Crimes of the Hot.."Don't touch my stuff when I'm dead.............it's booby trapped!"

 

In my opinion, the reason he was using the booth was probably to prove to the world he's tougher (and therefore better) than humans.

No, during this point in Bender's life he abided only by his programming. He wasn't really thinking about being better than humans.

[Reply #7 on:]

This is quite an interesting thread topic.  And what's with the pointing out "we didn't know this or that yet", this is a nitpicker forum! 

I think the more interesting aspect is that Bender isn't a flat character.  He's robust and actually has developed feelings.  I think even though he threatens suicide so often, he feels very alone and needs other people around him; people like Fry. 

[Reply #8 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ttomalss:
-If he was going to kill himself, why bother scamming the machine in the first place?

 

Originally posted by me, here:
It's not that Bender thinks he's going to need his money after he's dead, he just doesn't want the suicide booth company to get it. He was commiting suicide because he found out that the girders he was bending were being used to make suicide booths. He doesn't like suicide booths, so he didn't want the company that makes them to get his money. He also tried to cheat the machine by getting a "twofer." It's funny, but it also makes sense, if you think about it.

Also, here are some earlier threads about the suicide booths.

Edit: And here's M0le's thread about Bender's invincibility.

[Reply #9 on:]

Don't forget my thread about how often Bender *should* have died. 

[Reply #10 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ttomalss:It has been proven during the series that Bender's body can withstand extremes of heat, radiation, etc, so chances are that the "quick and painless option" wouldn't work either.

Originally posted by Jicannon:
Again, the booths were primarily designed for humans/aliens. Quick and painless would probably have been a gun to the head. Heat and radiation would kill someone much more slowly and would cause an extreme amout of pain.

it would probably be small nuclear explosions, rather than say, toaster wires and a plate of uranium...

 

[Reply #11 on:]

A small nuclear explosion inside something that small? Besides, that would cost a lot more money for Stop and Drop to do.

[Reply #12 on:]

 Bender did say in Godfellas he had a nuclearpile.  So radioactive material is more common but an explosion is not the way to go.  There is probably a ray that vaporizes you. The person that went in before Fry and Bender, we say a flash of light and he was gone.

[Reply #13 on:]

I too say it's just vaporization.  Similar to what Lrrr uses to take care of the waiter in "Popplers".

[Reply #14 on:]

Yeah, I always wondered where the bodies went, and why it was sooo clean in there.... 

[Reply #15 on:]

Wormholes, of course.

[Reply #16 on:]

Yeah I always thought it was a vapor ray,but the light flash could be a futuristic way of cleaning the booth.Or can someone tell me different,because I don't own the DVD.