Tonight was the final episode of the final season of the final resurrection of Futurama. That means no more episodes on Fox/Comedy Central, no more revivals on other networks (unless Netflix is interested…please?), and probably no more standalone movies to fill the void.
Tonight’s episode was called “Meanwhile,” and if Futurama ever had to end——–and I wish it didn’t——then this is the perfect way for it to.
It followed our ordinary hero Fry as he finally proposed to his quasi-girlfriend Leila. Of course, it wouldn’t be Futurama if it were all that simple, and the episode’s main catalyst involves a button that allows the pusher to travel ten seconds into the past as much as they want.
[Mild spoilers ahead] Along the way is the lunar theme park featured in the second episode all those years ago, a wildly inventive balloon animal, the Vampire State Building, a free falling time loop, and spending eternity in one glorious moment with the person you love. The early gags are mildly humorous, but Futurama usually works best as a cerebral, creative sci-fi show with heart more than a gag-a-minute laugh-ride. And that’s just fine with the viewers.
The last fifteen minutes are exciting, innovative, fun, and more than a little emotional. I won’t be ashamed to admit that this is perhaps the only time I’ve ever watered up at an animated show, and I encourage you to embrace the end too. Grade for episode: A+