Summary
WhileFuturamaseason 12 is taking a big risk by revisiting one of the show’s most beloved outings, season 11 proves that this follow-up episode can succeed.Futuramahas one of the most complicated histories in the storied annals of American television production. The animated sci-fi sitcom began in 1999 and was canceled in 2003, only to be revived for a quartet of straight-to-DVD sequels in 2008. The success of these sequels resulted in aFuturamarenewal in 2010, only for the show to once again be canceled in 2013. Finally,Futuramawas revived once again in 2023.
Now,2024’s upcomingFuturamaseason 12represents either the show’s fourth or fifth revival, depending on who viewers ask. Regardless of the show’s knotty history, it is clear that there is still an appetite for more adventures fromFuturama’s Planet Express crew. The satirical series will debut its twelfth outing in July 2024, and season 12 is set to include a nod to one of the show’s numerous earlier series finales. This sounds like a risky proposition but, as surprising as it sounds,Futuramahas previously succeeded in the dangerous art of revisiting the show’s greatest hits.
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Futurama Season 12 Will Revisit “Meanwhile”
The Season 7 Finale Was Planned As A Series Finale
According to anSFXMagazineinterview with writer David X. Cohen,Futuramaseason 12 will revisit the story of the show’s season 7 finale, “Meanwhile.” This episode was originally written as a series finale and its poignant plot saw Fry and Leela spend a blissful eternity together after Professor Farnsworth’s latest invention accidentally froze time for the couple. In its closing moments, “Meanwhile” presents Leela and Fry with a tough choice. The pair can return to the moment that time froze and relive their lives again, but it will mean forgetting the decades that they spent alone together.
Futurama’s ending was perfect when it first aired in 2013.
In a sweet conclusion, the duo decide to reset the timeline and repeat their life together.Futurama’s ending was perfectwhen it first aired in 2013, frequently finding its way onto lists of the show’s best episodes despite taking place in the divisive later seasons. As such,it is a big risk forFuturamaseason 12 to revisit the self-contained story of “Meanwhile.”Despite this, Cohen teased that Fry will start to deal with some inconvenient memories from the episode’s events in season 12. Leela and Fry lost their memories when time was reset, but season 12 seemingly retcons to this.
Futurama Season 11’s Kif Story Fixes A Major Amy Mistake
Futurama’s Revival Centered On Underrated Characters
As surprising as it might sound, there is reason to believe that this episode could succeed.Futurama’s season 11 revival proves that a “Meanwhile” follow-up may worksincethe show’s 2023 revival successfully followed up numerous classic episodes without ruining the original outings. These sequel stories changed the plot’s main characters, resulting in follow-ups that felt nothing like their predecessors but still added to the earlier storylines. For example, season 11, episode 2, “Children of a Lesser Bog,” followed up the story of season 4, episode 1, “Kif Gets Knocked Up a Notch” and righted an old series mistake in the process.
While “Kif Gets Knocked Up a Notch” focused on Leela getting Kif pregnant, its season 11 follow-up finally centered on Amy, Kif’s underrated love interest.Futuramaseason 11 proved Amy was underusedin earlier seasons her storyline with Kif proved moving, funny, and unexpectedly profound. This plot couldn’t have happened ifFuturama’s creators hadn’t made the risky decision to revisit a self-contained episode whose well-liked story appeared to be over and done. Thus, a follow-up to “Meanwhile” may be as successful, and this episode is not the only evidence from season 11 that points toward this outcome.
“Parasites Regained” could have been another overly familiar Fry/Leela episode that did nothing but cheapen the original outing.
Futurama’s Dune Parody Avoided Ruining A Classic Episode
Futurama Wisely Changed The Focus Of This Sequel
In season 11, episode 2, “Parasites Regained,”Futurama’s creators took what seemed like another major creative risk. The episode revisited what remains one of Fry and Leela’s most fondly remembered outings, season 3, episode 2, “Parasites Lost.” This story sees Fry actively accept a colony of parasitic worms that infested his gut since they provided him with the ability to woo Leela. Fry’s clumsy attempts at winning over his crush were endearing in this outing and the seemingly silly plot’s conclusion was surprisingly sad. As such, “Parasites Regained” could have been another overly familiar Fry/Leela episode that did nothing but cheapen the original outing.
“Parasites Regained” felt sillier, zanier, and more playful, while “Parasites Lost” proved that Futurama could get serious and sad.
Instead, the episode became a more surprising Nibbler-centric plot asFuturamaseason 11 parodiedDunewith an absurd, fast-paced storyline.“Parasites Regained” was nothing like “Parasites Lost” and this was a good thing, with the massive tonal disparity between the outings making both look better in comparison. “Parasites Regained” felt sillier, zanier, and more playful, while “Parasites Lost” proved thatFuturamacould get serious and sad with the same characters and plot elements that made another episode hilarious. This once again proves that revisiting “Meanwhile,” although obviously risky, could be a great strategy for the series.
Ironically, it was Futurama season 11’s topical plots that fell flat.
Futurama’s Season 11 Sequels Prove Season 12’s “Meanwhile” Followup Can Work
The Comedy Has Shown That It Takes Its Legacy Seriously
Futuramaseason 11’s sequel episodes prove that the show really did need another revival, since these outings offered something legitimately fresh and new that simultaneously built on the earlier episodes instead of merely giving fans nostalgia bait. Ironically, it wasFuturamaseason 11’s topical plotsthat fell flat, with the show’s satirical takedowns of COVID-19 and NFTs feeling dated by the time they aired. Admittedly, season 12’s “Meanwhile” follow-up is a little different from season 11’s sequel episodes since it revisits a plot from the show’s 2013 revival, not its original run from 1999 until 2003.
However, this could be even better news for the episode. Following up a storyline from the show’s first four seasons is particularly tough since this is almost universally agreed to beFuturama’s peak. The show’s 2010–2013 revival was comparatively divisive, with even the kindest critics and fans calling these seasons less consistent than the show’s original run. Thus, although “Meanwhile” itself is fondly remembered, it comes from a middling era inFuturama’s history. Thus, since season 11 successfully revisited some of the show’s most beloved outings,Futuramaseason 12 should risk a follow-up to the show’s would-be season finale.
