In the best case scenario, futurama takes a familiar science fiction idea and turns it into an utterly ridiculous plot. The show can choose from a buffet of pop culture and craft an episode that’s often stronger than the sum of its parts. Last week’s episode, “The One Amigo,” looked like a carbon copy. “Quids Game” still keeps the show within comfortable confines, but at least lets the characters drive the action with some great comedy.
Someone left the cake in the rain
The episode revolves around why Fry hates celebrating his birthday. Flashbacks reveal his painful eighth birthday party, which was themed “Game Night Afternoon.” What was intended to be a fun afternoon only resulted in estrangement from his childhood friends after he won every game and thought he cheated. This is a terrible birthday gift if your friend hates you.
Now, the crew throws a surprise party for Fry, much to Fry’s disgust. When their ship crashes on a planet, they’re forced to relive the same birthday party and games they played, thanks to three weirdo gamblers. Of course, these versions of children’s games are deadly.
The first few episodes about Fry’s past led to some of the show’s best episodes, and the harrowing Eighth Birthday offered similar dramatic potential. Still, “Quids Game” doesn’t reach the same emotional level as previous episodes dealing with his past, such as “Fryish’s Luck” or “Jurassic Bark.” These are two of the greatest episodes of the series ever (arguably TV episodes).
Screenwriter’s script Cody Ziglar There’s never really a connection between the childhood birthday trauma and what Fry is going through now. A stronger script might have brought in a cast of childhood friends, as we know the cast, so Fry was afraid to celebrate his birthday. Perhaps this could raise the stakes for drama in the current situation where Frye refuses to compete because he doesn’t want to be accused of cheating again, potentially endangering everyone. Instead, both stories end on punchlines that undercut any real emotional stakes in the episodes.
There’s a twist!
Thankfully, Ziegler peppers the episode with some truly inspired jokes (“It’s not an acid. It’s a highly concentrated base, so you dissolve twice as fast!”) and sight gags. . People may never think of “Pop Goes the Weasel” and musical chairs quite the same way again. He based it on the basic premise of a pandemic Korean TV show squid game and twist it future world Unique style of humor.
It’s fun enough to see that most of the show’s supporting characters (the scruffy janitor! Elza! Magda the robot fortune teller!) just showed up at Fry’s birthday party. Even more fun is seeing them brutally slaughtered in increasingly violent (and ridiculous) party games. If you’ve ever wanted to see Barbados Slim get his comeuppance, this is the episode for you. Add some excellent comic dubbing works Maurice LaMarche, David Herman, and Tom Kenny As an antagonist, this episode at least kept you laughing.
final verdict
Even if it’s not one of the best dramatic episodes Fly out of the future, “Quids Game” is a very interesting episode. There are some great lines in this episode (“Now I can start the sex league!”) and it’s fun to see most of the cast die ridiculously (again, Pop turns into a weasel). It’s disappointing that what provided fertile ground for the first few episodes (Fry’s past), can’t do the same here.
new episodes futurama It airs Monday on Hulu.
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