Futurama's thirteenth season delivers an episode that resonates deeply with the themes of classic science fiction, particularly reminiscent of the iconic Star Trek series.
Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t seen the latest episode of "Futurama," proceed with caution!
From its inception, "Futurama" has embraced a sharp satirical edge, cleverly blending humor with social commentary. The overarching joke of the series is that, despite being set a millennium in the future, humanity's struggles and societal issues remain strikingly similar to those of today. However, since its revival on Hulu, many episodes have leaned heavily into current events, often parodying trends that feel outdated even by the time they air.
In the previous seasons, particularly 11 and 12, the show tackled a variety of contemporary topics, including the rise of Amazon, the impact of streaming services, the Covid-19 pandemic, the complexities of cancel culture, the cryptocurrency craze, NFTs, and the emergence of chatbots. Season 13 continues this trend of cultural satire, but with a refreshing twist.
One standout episode, titled "The World is Hot Enough," addresses the pressing issue of global warming and humanity's persistent inaction in combating it. For those who want to feel a sense of despair about the lack of progress on climate change, it’s worth noting that "Futurama" previously explored this theme back in 2002 with the episode "Crimes of the Hot," which featured a guest appearance by Al Gore. Another episode, "Scared Screenless," humorously critiques the obsession of younger generations with their screens, while "Murderoni" takes a jab at the infamous Pizzagate conspiracy theory, which, while relevant in 2016, may now feel somewhat stale.
Despite these topical episodes, not every installment followed this pattern. In fact, Season 13 strikes a commendable balance between character-driven narratives and commentary on current events, suggesting that the show may have rediscovered its original charm.
The season finale, "The White Hole," stands out as a particularly compelling episode, likely due to the involvement of writer Patric Verrone, a veteran of the series since its debut in 1999. The episode's title refers to a fascinating astronomical phenomenon that exists light-years away from Earth. In scientific terms, white holes are theorized to be the opposite of black holes; while black holes draw everything into an inescapable void, white holes are believed to repel matter, energy, and light. In this episode, the white hole serves as the birthplace of a new universe, prompting the Planet Express crew to embark on a mission to observe this cosmic marvel.
Many of the writers behind "Futurama" share a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), alongside their love for comedy and animation. Co-creator David X. Cohen has a background in physics and computer science, while writer Ken Keeler holds a Ph.D. in mathematics, which he cleverly utilized to formulate a real mathematical theorem featured in the episode "The Prisoner of Benda."
The science fiction elements in "Futurama" often contain a kernel of truth, leaning more towards the intellectual exploration found in "Star Trek" rather than the irreverent humor of shows like "South Park." In "The White Hole," the Planet Express crew embarks on a journey into uncharted territory, reminiscent of the famous Star Trek motto of boldly going where no one has gone before.
However, the expedition to the white hole is not without its challenges; the phenomenon emits chronitons, particles that accelerate the passage of time. This means that if the crew gets too close, they could experience millions of years while only minutes pass outside the influence of the white hole. Sci-fi enthusiasts might draw parallels to the film "Interstellar," which similarly explores the complexities of time dilation in space travel.
Interestingly, "The White Hole" builds upon a previous episode from the original Fox run, "Time Keeps on Slippin'," where chronitons (a concept borrowed from Star Trek) cause unpredictable time jumps across the universe. This episode also features the character Bubblegum Tate, a Harlem Globetrotter turned super-scientist, played by Phil LaMarr. Importantly, "The White Hole" expands on the ideas presented in "Time Keeps on Slippin'" without feeling like a mere sequel or a lazy rehash.
To navigate the effects of the chronitons, the Planet Express crew opts for cryogenic hibernation, a concept reminiscent of the original "Planet of the Apes" where astronauts freeze themselves to travel into the future. During their journey, the ship is equipped with a 3D printer-like device capable of creating clones of the crew to perform specific tasks. However, these clones are short-lived, aging and disintegrating within just two minutes. The latter half of "The White Hole" follows these clones as they manage the ship over the course of millions of years.
The ethical implications of cloning are explored in a humorous yet thought-provoking manner. The clones possess the memories and emotions of their original selves, only to exist for a fleeting moment before their demise. "Futurama" cleverly acknowledges the existential dread associated with this concept, using it as a source of dark humor rather than deep philosophical reflection.
This cloning subplot draws comparisons to films like "Moon," where the protagonist, Sam Bell, discovers he is merely the latest in a series of clones created by his corporate employer, and "Mickey 17," in which the titular character volunteers to be an "Expendable" crew member, facing fatal tasks only to be cloned back to life repeatedly. While these themes may resonate with sci-fi aficionados, the execution in "Futurama" feels distinctively original. Rather than parodying these films, the show presents a similar narrative infused with its unique comedic style.
In terms of humor, the episode features a clever political joke early on, where Professor Farnsworth states that they need to persuade President Nixon's head to approve their mission "in a language he'll understand." The scene then cuts to Farnsworth dropping a bag of money on Nixon's desk, a humorous nod to political maneuvering.
While topical humor certainly has its place in "Futurama," the series shines brightest when it embraces its sci-fi roots. As we look forward to Season 14, one can only hope that it doesn’t reserve its most imaginative and fantastical episodes for the finale once again.
For those eager to catch up, all episodes of "Futurama," including the latest season, are available for streaming on Hulu.
