Gorky

This is one of the best pilots I've ever seen--and it's easy enough to say that, since Futurama is my favorite show. But even in an objective sense, SP3K accomplishes everything that a premiere episode should.

The episode introduces us to most of the main cast efficiently, organically, and entertainingly: Fry meets Leela; he runs away from Leela and meets Bender; Leela sees the error of her Bad-Ass Career-Assignment ways and unites with Bender and Fry; while on the run as job deserters, they find Farnsworth and become his employees at Planet Express. All of this in 22 minutes, and with our plot we are given heaps of character development (that scene between Fry and Leela amidst the ruins of Old New York is one of my favorite scenes ever; it is so simply, effortlessly insightful and emotional) and an introduction to this universe where the characters--and we, as fans--will be spending most of their time.

My only gripe--and it's not so much a gripe as it is me steeling myself for those who will consider it a negative--is that this episode isn't as laugh-out-loud funny as later offerings. It's not exactly a quotable episode in the way that, say, "Amazon Women in the Mood" (or even, much more closely, "I Roommate") is. But there are some great situational things (the suicide booth is downright classic), and there's plenty in here that makes me grin, smirk, what-have-you.

This episode thoroughly endears you to New New York and its inhabitants, and it makes you excited for what's to come in the series--which is, ultimately, all a pilot episode can be expected to do. So the humor's not as shining as it is in later episodes; so the voice acting still has a way to go (but, to be fair, that's true of all animated shows right out of the gate). This episode tugs at the ol' heartstrings and entertains thoroughly--and, to me, that's what makes an episode great.

I know other people aren't as over the moon (pun not intended, but I suppose it works) about this episode as I am, but I really do think this is one of the best the series--let alone the season--has to offer. There is something exciting about seeing the crew go on their first mission; all that throat-clearing stuff, the character introductions, are funny and don't seem at all forced (my personal favorite is the "Just sign the paper" scene between Hermes and Leela, but there's something equally amusing about Fry getting a physical from Dr. Zoidberg). Once we get to the moon, not only are there some great observational bits (Fry acting like an idiot, buying gifts for other idiots, for example), but we get a really funny Amy/Bender subplot (their dynamic, which I think has been sorely underused in the series, is interesting).

My favorite thing about this episode, though, is how perfectly it captures the sense of wonder that Fry has about the future. You really understand why, for a kid growing up in the 1970s and '80s, going to the moon would be such a big deal. That conversation between Fry and Leela, in the lunar lander, is so wonderful: sweet, sincere, dare I say live-action-y (in the most complimentary sense of the phrase). One of my biggest complaints about season one (and much of season two) is that Fry seems like a bland, selfish guy whose only outstanding trait is how plumb stupid he is--any insight into his character, any moment of organic emotion (which we get plenty of in seasons three and four), is much appreciated.

Gag-wise, this episode is an improvement on SP3K. The crew outrunning a psycho moon hillbilly; Amy and Bender discussing crane games and lovemaking; Farnsworth keeping Amy around because she has the same blood type; "He was just using space travel as a metaphor for beating his wife"--all are laugh-out-loud worthy moments for me.

I'm kind of programmed to love all Ken Keeler episodes by default, but I think the guy solidified his standing as one of the most accomplished writers on Futurama very early on. He pulls of emotions, humor, and crazy sci-fi plots seemingly effortlessly--and this episode is no exception.

This episode is really tough for me to review, mainly because, while I find the A-plot lacking, the B-plot is among my favorites in Futurama history. Fry, Leela, and Bender brewing their own beer is all kinds of great; not only does it showcase the dynamics of their friendship (the three of them are a team of sorts, and it's not often that they get a story that revolves almost exclusively around them ("The Honking", "Godfellas", and "Less Than Hero" kind of have that same angle, but I think "The Route of All Evil" does it best and most entertainingly), but it's just plain fun to watch.

The A-plot, meanwhile, tends to drag when we just have Dwight and Cubert on the screen. I'll give the writers credit for exploring fatherhood, and how hard it can be to see your kids grow up (and be more successful than you), but I think "Bender Should Not Be Allowed on Television" does this sort of a story better (read: funnier). That said, Cubert and Dwight have their moments--they just happen to involve the other members of the PE crew (I like Cubert's belief that decals will make the ship go faster, and Dwight telling Fry that alcohol makes you stupid). When Cubert and Dwight are left to their own devices, though, the episode gets a sort of cutesy, Nickelodeon vibe, and it doesn't quite work.

Comedically this isn't the strongest episode, either; like I said, most of the laughs come from the subplot. If you pretend twelve or so minutes of the episode just don't exist, then it's right up there with the classics of the series. 'Course, stipulations like that are a tad bit unfair.