After Futurama aired what appeared to be its final episode in 2012, fans thought that they had said goodbye to Bender (John DiMaggio), Philip J. Fry (Billy West), and the rest of the quirky characters at Planet Express. But then Hulu brought the show back for more episodes in July 2023, which was great news for fans who knew that there were more unique sci-fi stories to tell. From the season 11 premiere, "The Impossible Stream," it was clear that it would be a solid group of episodes. Professor Farnsworth (West) unfreezes the universe, and Fry goes on a mission to watch all the TV shows that have ever been made.
The Futurama season 11 finale isn't one of the animated show's saddest episodes, although it still has some moving moments. The last episode of season 11 of Futurama is just as emotional and philosophical as the rest of the series.
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What Is Futurama's Season 11 Finale About?
In the Futurama season 11 finale, which is called "All the Way Down," the TV series explores the sci-fi trope of simulations. Several movies have done an excellent job at examining what happens to characters who wonder if they're actually living in reality, from The Matrix to The Thirteenth Floor. At the beginning of the episode, the characters can't tell if they are in a simulation or the actual world when Professor Farnsworth builds a simulation.
Bender plays a central role in the Futurama season 11 finale when he learns that he isn't real but is a simulation. He and Farnsworth team up so the other characters can be left in the dark. This is when the TV series adds something unique to the typical simulation storyline. When Bender and Farnsworth make the simulation look more lifelike by building a hydroelectric generator for the supercomputer, the simulations explode a magnetar because they want to figure out their existence. Futurama has many fun objects like the What If Machine, and the supercomputer is another example of Farnsworth's quirky and eccentric but ultimately clever personality.
Futurama "All The Way Down" Director | Ira Sherak |
|---|---|
Writer | David X. Cohen |
Voice Actors | Billy West, Katey Sagal, Lauren Tom, John DiMaggio, Phil LaMarr, Tress MacNeille, David Herman, Maurie LaMarche |
Airdate | September 25th, 2023 |
Futurama's Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 92& Average Audience Score |
Where To Watch | Hulu |
If Futurama took a different route and didn't have the simulated characters try to learn if they are real or not, the Futurama season 11 finale would fall flat. Every episode of Futurama gets better with time because there are many philosophical questions about life and the world packed into most scenes. "All the Way Down" definitely fits into that category. While the plotline does delve into how unnerving living in a simulation would be, it's mainly about how the characters still manage to connect with each other, even in the scariest of circumstances.
How Does The Futurama Season 11 Finale End?
The end of the Futurama season 11 finale "All the Way Down" sees Bender taking center stage once again. When the simulations say that they are okay with not knowing if they are real or not because they can feel emotions, Bender realizes that it's best not to tell them the truth. When Bender reboots, it turns out that Bender has been simulated as well. Farnsworth then allows time to slow down because the characters aren't aware of it. Just like fans wonder if Scruffy is really a zombie, the Futurama season 11 finale leaves viewers with burning questions about what will happen to the Planet Express crew. Bender doesn't always think about his existence or try to be there for others, and he experiences true growth in this episode.
Claudia Katz, a producer on Futurama, spoke to Digital Spy about the Futurama season 11 finale and mentioned the deep topics that are explored in the episode. Katz said:
"How each person sees themselves and their place in the universe is unique to them. To some, the universe revolves around them. To others, they are a relative speck in the expanse of space and time. Does it matter if we're really in a simulation if we have a good life and are surrounded by people we love?"
Katz mentioned that Bender doesn't care what happens to him because he wants to help the others, which isn't his typical mode. She also shared that the relationship between Fry and Leela (Katey Sagal) is a significant part of the episode:
"At the end, Fry and Leela choose to stare into each other's eyes instead of watching the magnetar implode like the rest of the crew."
The Futurama season 11 finale is a perfect example of how the animated series uses the sci-fi genre to tell stories about human connection and the importance of relationships. Just like Bender fell in love with Marianne (Emilia Clarke) in an earlier episode, Fry and Leela realize that being together is enough, and that nothing can change the way that they feel about each other.
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