A Rocky Start for the New Season on Hulu
Futurama, the beloved animated series known for its sharp commentary on modern life, has returned for another season on Hulu. However, its latest attempt to tackle contemporary topics like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and artificial intelligence (AI) falls flat, failing to capture the quirky, sci-fi charm that originally made the show special.
NFTs: A Lackluster Debut Episode
The new season kicks off with an episode heavily centered on NFTs, a concept that many viewers might not have thought about for over a year. In this convoluted plot, Bender sells a CryptoPunks-style collection to make a quick buck, leading him on a quest to discover his origins in Mexico. Meanwhile, the Planet Express crew embarks on a heist to liberate Bender’s NFT collection from an art museum, only to be thwarted by the complexities of blockchain and digital ledgers.
Unfortunately, the episode spends too much time explaining what NFTs are without offering much in the way of jokes or insightful commentary. The concept of NFTs is presented without a Futurama twist, making the episode feel dated and dull.
AI and Other Topical Jokes: Hit or Miss
The season does slightly better in later episodes, with a Squid Game spoof that explores Fry’s childhood through bizarre time travel and a fast-fashion episode that transforms Cara Delevingne into Frankenstein’s monster while turning the professor into a style icon. These episodes manage to capture some of the original charm by using the future as a lens to exaggerate modern issues.
However, the AI-focused episode, where an AI chatbot becomes Leela’s jealous friend, feels unoriginal. It recycles familiar AI movie tropes into 20 minutes of animation and struggles to bring anything new to the table, which is particularly odd given Futurama's long history of featuring sentient robots.
The Missing Magic
More than a decade ago, executive producer and head writer David X. Cohen explained how Futurama successfully translated modern problems into its retro-futuristic world by taking one step removed from reality. This subtle separation allowed the show to comment on contemporary issues with a unique, humorous twist. Unfortunately, the new season often misses this crucial element, resulting in episodes that feel more like dull, dated jokes than clever sci-fi parodies.
Looking Forward
While the first six episodes of the new season show some promise, they largely lack the heart and humor that have kept Futurama fans loyal over the years. Hulu promises that the season will explore "the next chapter in Fry and Leela’s fateful, time-twisted romance," which may bring back some of the warmth and character-driven storytelling that made the series a hit.
For now, though, it seems that Futurama should have left NFTs and overly topical humor in the past, focusing instead on the oddball humor and long-running characters that made the show a classic. FAQs
What is the main issue with Futurama's new season?
The new season struggles to make contemporary topics like NFTs and AI funny, often missing the quirky, sci-fi twist that originally made the show special.
Why does the NFT episode fall flat?
Are there any good episodes in the new season?
Will the new season explore Fry and Leela’s romance?
Should Futurama have tackled NFTs and AI?
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