Thoughts on 7ACV25 - Stench and Stenchibility - SPOILERS

[on:]

Original air date: August 28, 2013.

I'm going to say it's not the best, but it's surprisingly good.


Not The Episode With The Dead Dog  
Zoidberg's lovelife was interesting theme. Girl without sense of smell was nice choice with Zoidberg's contradiction between her happiness and his happiness, particularly after being dumbed by most hedious date. Happy ending wasn't expected and could've been interesting to see what it would've lead to.

"I forgot I was a giant crab!"
B-plot of Bender's tap-dancing career didn't sound too interesting, but it showed his brutal personality fully with ironic twist of bringing his rival back to life. It was acceptable with the rival girl being brutal (in competition) as well. Bender, too, had happy ending with another person in the end.

"... - a cute, little heart attack."
Episode was succesful with two plots, worked with pacing and was funny, average episode. It was nothing epic, but well done, interesting episode. 7/10.

[Reply #1 on:]

Original Airdate: August 28th, 2013. A girl named Marianne (voiced by English actress Emilia Clarke) falls in love with Zoidberg as she cannot smell his foul odors, due to being born with no sense of smell. However, Zoidberg (being a doctor) could give her the opportunity to have her sense of smell repaired with a nose transplant, creating a dilemma that could end their relationship. Meanwhile, Bender faces off in a deadly tap-dancing competition. Rate and Review after it airs and stuff.

[Reply #2 on:]

QNF beat you to it.

Annnnd he didn't mis-use apostrophes, so, double win.

[Reply #3 on:]

excited for it

[Reply #4 on:]

I saw an add for Lightspeed briefs.

[Reply #5 on:]

It's pretty great so far! Hope act 2 and 3 can hold this great quality!

[Reply #6 on:]

Act 1 was pretty good. Wasn't fond on the Zindy break-up. I didn't see a problem with Roberto's return and running away. The smell could have gone into his exhaust vent, you know......

Act 2 was better. I liked the montage a whole lot. And the Zoidberg plot was really nice. The Bender plot was good as well.

Act 3 is the most memorable part of this episode. Both plots played out nicely on this act, and both had fantastic endings. One of the best post-cancellation endings.

This was a good episode. I was pleasantly surprised! The episode is worthy of a good 8/10

[Reply #7 on:]

[Reply #8 on:]

But, Box already called it. Back 3 weeks ago.

Just like I'm officially going to call the Meanwhile Thread!

[Reply #9 on:]

Act 2 has been pretty great, too. So far i'm giving it a 8/10, but it'll likely be changed depending on how the last act goes. Looks like this episode is better than we thought it would be!

But, Box already called it. Back 3 weeks ago.

Just like I'm officially going to call the Meanwhile Thread!

I'm calling the first New episode of Futurama thread, whenever it happens!

[Reply #10 on:]

Amy as a nurse just pumps up the rating for this episode.

[Reply #11 on:]

An episode that ends well for old Zoidberg?

Freaking love it.

[Reply #12 on:]

Wow, that was a fantastic ending! This episode deserves a 9/10!

[Reply #13 on:]

That was great! That ending is gonna piss me off if the show doesn't get revived somewhere else. I was in tears when Bender started tap dancing on the girls body.

9/10

ONE.MORE.LEFT.

[Reply #14 on:]

It's alright, I guess.  I would give it a 6, but that's what I gave MotPE which is way better than this one, so I guess a 5 would be appropriate.

[Reply #15 on:]

DXC already said that ZOIDBERG simply can't mate with his own kind without dying, not other species.

With that in mind.... and let's not forget Bender happily dancing on the dead Tonya...

A 10/10.

[Reply #16 on:]

But, Box already called it. Back 3 weeks ago.

Just like I'm officially going to call the Meanwhile Thread!

There is no such a thing as calling the thread.

Episode was well done, fairly average episode with two plots. Maybe 7/10.

[Reply #17 on:]

This episode wasn't particularly impressive, but it wasn't anything to shudder at either.

Quite a few things made me laugh, such as Bender's overly sadistic plot against Tanya and Leela's excitement over seeing Randy.

I was annoyed that they used Roberto again without any explanation of how he's alive. Yeah, he's a robot. He probably has one of those nifty backup copies. But it wasn't even necessary to reuse Roberto for a single scene, especially since robots can't smell a damn thing! It'd be better if they reused one of the human muggers; such as the one from "Less than Hero".

Besides that, the episode was okay, I guess. Bender's tap dancing was probably the episode's highlight, even if it had no connection to the main plot whatsoever. The main story was a predictable drag for the most part, and although I liked Marianne's voice, I found her character to just be the average "perfect" lady. Even Zindy's breakup was disappointing; I was expecting something much more dramatic and over-the-top.

Favourite part:

"I hope she used protection." *puts peg on nose*

I'll give this one a 7/10. It's equivalent to the episodes earlier in the season. A shame that the streak of great episodes came to a screeching halt, but oh well.

[Reply #18 on:]

But, Box already called it. Back 3 weeks ago.

Just like I'm officially going to call the Meanwhile Thread!

It's not fair! It's just not fair!

[Reply #19 on:]

But, Box already called it. Back 3 weeks ago.

Just like I'm officially going to call the Meanwhile Thread!

There is no such a thing as calling the thread.

Says who?

[Reply #20 on:]

One other thing: I seriously lol'd at the opening caption.

[Reply #21 on:]

Really enjoyed the main plot although I was a little underwhelmed with the side story

[Reply #22 on:]

This episode really surprised me, to say the least. I, like many others, expected it to be on the same quality level as "That's Lobstertainment"-Not exactly good, but still....alright.
I'm glad to say that I was completely wrong! This episode was really great, and I'm sure it'll be many people's new favorite of this season (although mine is still MOTPE).
I'll start my review at Part Uno. I felt like this episode started a little bit slowly- at least for the first few minutes of the act. Zoidberg going out to meet his hilariouly hideous-yet still judgemental- girlfriend was both funny and somehwat dragging. I thought the way they introduced the Tapdancing story was very clever, and It fit with the overall story very well. The scene with Roberto trying to rob Zoidy's new girlfriend was pretty funny- and no, I don't mind the fact that they didn't explain Roberto's return. I figure he just went through the 'Ghost in the Machines' shpeil. I thought Zoidy's 'armit odor rays', as I'm going to call them, were very funny, and a humorous way to quickly fend off Roberto. I felt kind of uneasy with Zoidy's new girlfriend at first-she just seemed a little too stereotypical. I'm happy to say, she really developed within each act. With that fact, onto part two-no!

I think that the episode got better starting here. It really set off the story, and introduced the conficts very well. I enjoyed how they showed both ZZ-Berg's and Bendey-Boo's storylines evolving at once, creating one great montage. Like I said, Zoidberg's girlfriend also began to to develop in this act. She bacame more realistic, and you could relate to her disability easier than before. I truly felt bad for her-Imagine, not being able to smell delicious Shepard's Pie, gasping at the stench of scrumptious cheese, wheezing  the odor of your Uncle's Farts-truly terrible. As for Bender's story, I kind of felt like he was too mean spirited in this one, especially when he told Fry and Leela what he planned on doing to the little girl. At least that made sense in the end, though.

The ending was great, at least to me. Bender losing, then stomping on the dead little girl-still, a little too mean, but it's okay, as they became pals in the end. As for Zoidy's ending, I loved it. She liked how he smelled, and even does her Job with him. I loved it!

I've given this Smelly episode a solid 9/10.
Also, did anybody else notice that both of the second to last episodes so far have involved noses? Strange....

[Reply #23 on:]

Also, did anybody else notice that both of the second to last episodes so far have involved noses? Strange....

I didn't, but I noticed that both 6ACV25 and 7ACV25 feature Randy being funny (which is uncommon for him)

[Reply #24 on:]

I feel like this is going to be an episode that gets better after repeated viewings. I can feel it.

I have yet to find out though. But it definitely feels like that kind of episode.

[Reply #25 on:]

I feel they would have had Marianne return in future episodes had the series continued.

Emilia Clarke seems like she is a fan of the show and would have returned for various episodes as well.

[Reply #26 on:]

Wow, this was actually a pretty good episode. Not the greatest episode you'd hope for a second to last episode, but a lot better than what I was led to believe.

The Bender plot, while a bit predictable, was pretty enjoyable to watch. While the plot itself was a bit uninspired, it did have some good scenes from Randy and the other tap dancers. Bender's competition/like of Tanya was pretty interesting to watch, though I did start to get uneasy with Bender dancing on Tanya's body. I mean, he is a robot with a dream of killing all humans, and it did save her life, but Jesus did it feel really mean spirited, even for Bender. Still, their ending together was nice, and it could've been a lot worse.

As for the Zoidberg love plot, it was really enjoyable and sweet. Zoidberg was characterized really well here and I felt pretty bad for him when his date left him and him deciding to give Emilia's character the nose job despite her possibly leaving him. While not as funny as the tap dancing plot, it was still a nice and sweet story to watch, and I especially loved how it kept Zoidberg's girlfriend in love with him at the very end, both a happy ending for Zoidberg and a good conclusion for the final Season.

Not an amazing episode, not a horrible episode, but still a good simple episode for Season 7, and a satisfying episode for the ending days of Futurama.

Overall: 8.5/10, or a generous 9/10 for the poll. And now, I wait for the finale...

P.S. They never explained why Roberto's back from the dead. I already kind of expected this, but it's still really bothersome to me.

[Reply #27 on:]

I liked how Tanya pulled a "Tanya Harding" on Bender.

She even hit Bender in the same leg.

[Reply #28 on:]

Oh my goodness... my heart... eep! So many feels, so little time within 20 minutes. I loved every part of this.

10/10

[Reply #29 on:]

Randy is like this season's Hedonism Bot. He's in so many eps.

[Reply #30 on:]

Is it bad that I can tell Tara Strong did the voice and it sounded somewhere between Bubbles and filly Twilight Sparkle? Either way, loved the character and the story, I wish it was the main plotline instead of the sub-plot. Also Leela and Fry were always together in a couple-y way, it was nice without being distracting from the story.
7/10

Brace yourselves, the end is near.

[Reply #31 on:]

I guess I'll post it in this thread since it's the most active.

I liked that they used the full opening, because I die a little inside everytime they use the shortened version (also I enjoyed the caption).

It was refreshing to see an episode that took place completely on Earth after last week's mostly space-based episode, and I always like seeing relatively mundane plots take place in this crazy setting.

Zoidberg's plot was sweet, but a little light on the jokes, which was okay because I found Bender's plot hilarious (I thought he was being a little mean until it turned out she was just as evil as he is).

I was really happy that Marianne stayed with Zoidberg in the end, mostly because I like the idea of things changing since the show is about to end probably for good. If I had a TV show and I knew it was going to be the last season I'd start changing the status quo willy-nilly.

Anyway, I think this would be a solid 8/10

Also, Leela being so excited to see Randy was just great.

[Reply #32 on:]

Is it bad that I can tell Tara Strong did the voice

I quickly noticed it was her as well. Playing through Batman: Arkham City 6 or so times has really burnt Harley Quinn's voice into my brain.

[Reply #33 on:]

http://www.avclub.com/articles/stench-and-stenchibility,102153/?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=feeds&utm_source=avclub_rss_daily

A.V Club's review.

Not a bad one for once, I'll admit. I'd say a B is a more appropriate grade though if you ask me.

[Reply #34 on:]

"I hope she used protection." *puts peg on nose*

"Peg"? Is that the best you can do? I mean, that's a really overused word. How about "clothespin"?

(Hmmm ... Peg Bundy was played by Katey Sagal ...)

Amy as a nurse just pumps up the rating for this episode.

And a re-appearance of Dr. Goodensexy Cahill.

[Reply #35 on:]

I found this a pretty nice episode, I liked everything together but all and all I think this deserves a 7/10

[Reply #36 on:]

Finally, after a lot of school project i can finally back again. This episode... is great. Bender tap dancing, Zoidberg's girlfriend, i thought their relationship will ends bad as usual, but the ending is pretty good, and i cant say anymore about this good episode i give it 9/10

[Reply #37 on:]

I really liked the episode.

It had not the most brillant/epic/extremely memorable plot, but was well handled, and featured some new twists definitely worth writing about.

- Something good happening to a doormat character can make up nice stories. The Zoidberg plot felt "fair" with an aura of "well deserved".

- Bender was already wrongfully accused of evil in inhuman torch. Yet, the Tapdance contest did not really feel like that theme repeated. Bender actually WAS evil this time, the misunderstanding questioned wether his evilness was adressed towards an innocent or deserving person.

- The episode played heavily with incorrect expectations: You would imagine Zoidberg and Marianne break up, you did not expect the little girl to be evil at first, you did not really expect her and Bender become friends (whose ways also did not really part at the end). The "things turn out differently then expected" appread like a logically planned episode theme to me, not like an overused plot.

- Bender's subplot used the character at his best. His "over the top shenanigans" can get a tad too much with him as episode protagonist. Yet, with just occasional appearances, he can always go full speed, without the whole thing getting tired.

- Cahill's appearance might be a callback to "Ghost in the machines", in which she also treated a heart condition, and both times a big boobs joke was made. Yet, GitM featured Cahill at her normal behaviour: Being competent on the one hand, and then again doing something incredibly stupid (holding her cleavage over a guy who just had a heart attack. Come to think of it, the machine should have done a fast BeepBeepBeep as callback to insane in the mainframe ). Anyway, the "Yes, they are real" seemed like a rather cheap, crammed joke at first. Yet, it could be seem as a "Okay, here is the big boob joke you all expect. That one has to suffice, because I am in a hurry, as you see someone is dying here".

- Is it wrong that Bender tapdancing on the little child's "corpse" cracked me up? It probably is. But then again, I am an evil person who should not be allowed in decent company anyways...

- The shippers will probably find lots to say about Fry consoling Leela regarding that appearant death. Well...it was rather first run behaviour: Sensitive, but not whiny Fry (at least not bursting in tears at every minor occasion), and sometimes overemotional Leela. Speaking of Leela: I assume some folks will consider her hugging Bender suspiciously long I think I remember an interview in which the writers mentioned Bender/Leela was the last pairing they have not used. So, with 7b being the last season, I assume they intentionally took the last opportunity to add some minor Leela/Bender couple jokes/hints.

- The ending as parody of a married couple driving off in their limo was hilarious.  Also, another wrong expectation: The scene really SCREAMED for Marinne to have become an ungrateful bitch, who does not need Zoidberg any more and acts accordingly.
A funny, light hearted episode, that often had more subltey than expected. Again, the play with expectations
7.5/10

[Reply #38 on:]

I loved the irony of Marianne hating the smell of flowers. No wonder she had to take a new job.

Tonya turning out to be evil was a nice twist that made the subplot a lot more interesting.

I swear Goodensexy's boobs get bigger with each appearance.

[Reply #39 on:]

Great episode, I think the B-plot of Bender tap dancing was random and I didn't expect it to add too much to the episode, but it was so hilarious I found it more interesting than Zoidberg's love tale. Bender was making me laugh harder than he ever has in recent episodes, and there were some really dark moments in it.

I doubt we'll see Marianne in the finale, and if the show is revived again, will Emilia Clarke return to voice her as a recurring character? We can only hope. Also, no explanation for Roberto's reappearance. How could he smell Zoidberg? He has no nose.

9/10