Futurama, A Swan Song - A Crossover

We knew it wasn't over. Meanwhile was not the end. The Planet Express crew-members had another adventure under their futuristic belts. This adventure would take place in the past, within the world of Matt Groening's other show: a little thing called The Simpsons.
Futurama is back for one last (?) hurrah and the result is a riotous episode. Mini-review to follow.

Simpsorama
A show out of ideas teams up with a show out of episodes

Plot

Bender is sent back to the 21st Century in the town of Springfield. At first, he doesn't know why. After befriending Homer Simpson, he meets Professor Frink who resets his memory. Bender can then remember his mission: he was sent there to kill Homer Simpson…

Futurama, A Top Ten

Introduction
Just a few days ago, Futurama last episode ever was broadcast on Comedy Central (check out the final mini-review here). This seems like the perfect moment to look back and pick the best episodes of the sci-fi show throughout its entire run(s).
Before we begin, I want to clarify a few things. First, like every top ten list, this one will be subjective and some of your favourite episodes may not appear in it. But Futurama has produced 140 episodes over its on-and-off 14 year run, so choosing only 10 episodes from those was not an easy task. But I'll try to explain each choice and I'll even mention the great ones that didn't make the cut. Of course, feel free to discuss my list and share your own in the comments.
Warning: There will be spoilers for episodes that aired in 2012 and before. For the series that aired this year, I'll stay evasive on the plot.
From number 10 to the best, let's roll!

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 12

Previously on Futurama, A Swan Song: Week 11. With mild spoilers, here is the review of what's possibly the last Futurama episode ever.

Meanwhile
AVENGE US

Plot
The Professor invents the time-button, a powerful device that sends the entire Universe ten seconds into the past. That's the perfect invention from Fry's point of view, as a recent accident on Luna Park made him realize how much he cares about Leela. So, using the time-button he proposes to the purple-haired pilot at Elzar's restaurant and asks her to meet him on the top floor of the Vampire State Building if she agrees to marry him. Fry intends to make that important moment last as long as he wants, thanks to the Professor's device. Unfortunately, Leela doesn't show up at the expected time, and Fry makes a decision that could change the Universe forever…

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 11

First you can check what happened last week on Futurama, A Swan Song: Week 10. And then, there is this lightly-spoilery mini-review.

Stench and Stenchibility
Not The Episode With The Dead Dog

Plot
John Zoidberg doesn't have a history of great success with women. But after another disappointment, he meets Marianne, who happens to be perfect for him: she was born with no sense of smell. So she doesn't know that Zoidberg stinks like "Comic-Con on a submarine". But there is a cure that could give Marianne a sense of smell. Will Zoidberg do the surgery, even if it means his relationship with the girl would end there? Meanwhile, Bender participates in a dance contest.

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 10

Last week on Futurama, A Swan Song: Week 9. And now, a mini-review. With a few mild spoilers. You've been warned.

Murder on the Planet Express
#1 Rated Show in Universe 3

Plot
There seems to be a trust issue amongst the Planet Express crew. When he realizes that, the Professor sends everyone including himself on a team-building business retreat. But the journey takes a turn for the worst when a monster gets aboard Bessie (the Planet Express ship's new nickname, if you didn't know), and starts eating people.

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 9

Previously on Futurama, A Swan Song: Week 8. Here comes a mini-review of the latest episode, with mild spoilers.

Game of Tones
If unable to see this message, turn on Futurama now

Plot
A threatening alien spaceship approaches Earth, emitting a powerful musical tone while doing so. Fry thinks he's heard that melody before but he can't remember when. The Professor finds out it was on the last day of 1999, the same day Fry was frozen for a thousand years; so the Planet Express delivery boy reenacts that day through a dream-state, trying to find that musical tone, in order to save the world.

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 8

Last time on this column, Futurama, A Swan Song: Week 7. Now is the time to mini-review another episode.

Leela and the Genestalk
Spoiler Alert: Robots and whatnot

Plot
Leela is diagnosed with an incurable genetic condition that will eventually transform her into a big purple squid. But a very expensive operation can push back the symptoms a few months; so the Planet Express crew sells the ship to get the money for that. Unfortunately, Fry comes back from the spacecraft market with only two magic beans…

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 7

Previously on Futurama, A Swan Song: Week 6. And now, a new mini-spoilery-review:

Assie Come Home
Featuring a new invisible character who doesn't speak

Plot
Bender's parts go missing after the Planet Express crew makes a stop on a planet ruled by gangs. So what remains of the beer-loving robot, Leela and Fry go on a quest across the universe to find Bender's head, arms, legs and body. But one particular shiny part is still lacking…

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 6

Previously on Futurama, A Swan Song : Week 5. Which was easily the least good episode of this season so far. Can Futurama turn things around with Calculon 2.0? Let's find out, in this mini-review (spoilers included).

Calculon 2.0
The Only Show Broadcast At The Speed Of Light

Plot
Calculon, the greatest acting unit ever, committed suicide one episode last season (The Thief of Baghead). Now he has been replaced in the soap opera All My Circuits, and the lack of Calculon in the TV show is threatening Fry and Bender's friendship. Thankfully, the Professor has some good news: it's possible to bring a dead robot back to life, using science…

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 5

Last time on Futurama, A Swan Song : Week 4. Prepare now to be spoiled and mini-reviewed, as we enter Week 5.

Saturday Morning Fun Pit
Brought To You By
Regretto
Permanent Clown Makeup

Plot
The President of Earth, Richard Nixon's head, spends his Saturday morning watching cartoons at the White House, despite the protest of angry viewers on his lawn. Each cartoon is a parody of a famous animated show where the Futurama characters are reinvented: Scooby-Doo becomes Bendee Boo and The Mystery Crew, Strawberry Shortcake for Purpleberry Pond, and G.I. Joe for G.I. Zapp.

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 4

Previously on our Futurama, A Swan Song column : Week 3. Stay tuned, as another mini-review unfolds before your very eyes. Right now.

The Inhuman Torch
As Seen At The 1939 World's Fair

Plot
The Planet Express crew goes on a rescue mission to the sun, in which Bender becomes a fire-fighter hero. So when they return to New New York, the gang evolves from the delivery business to fire-fighting. But there is a troubling pattern going through all their missions: Bender was in every place the squad had to intervene, before the fire started. Could Bender be setting fires for his own glory?

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 3

Previously on our Futurama, A Swan Song column: Week 2. Now, let's get mini-reviewy, mild-spoilery :

Forty Percent Leadbelly
Any Resemblance To Actual Future Is Purely Coincidental

Plot
When Bender bumps into Silicon Red, a famous folk singer, he feels a sudden urge to become a folk singer himself. So, he uses a 3-D printer to duplicate Silicon Red's guitar and takes the stage name of Ramblin' Rodriguez. But success escapes him, and he has to go live "a life worth singing about". As it happens, that life awaits him at the railroad. There, he meets Big Caboose, whose story is just perfect for Bender's new song.

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 2

Previously on Futurama, A Swan Song: Week 1. And now, another mini-review.

T.: The Terrestrial
One of the 7⁷ Wonders of the Future World

Plot
This week's episode, as made obvious by its title, is a full E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial parody. But this time around, it's Fry who gets abandoned on Omicron Persei 8. He befriends a young inhabitant of the planet; not Elliot, but Jrrr. Meanwhile, Bender tries to convince everyone on the Planet Express crew that Fry is back on Earth.
Review
The E.T. allusions were really fun to look for, and generally pretty funny. But the highlight of this episode for me was Bender using all sort of tricks to prevent the Planet Express crew from finding out about Fry's disappearance. That being said, I didn't think this episode was one of the show's best. I found the story not surprising enough; some moments were weird; and the ending wasn't very strong. But average Futurama is still better than most other animated TV shows.
Rating
7/10
Favourite Quote
Hermes: "It's up to everyone to get their partner back alive. Fry, you go with Bender. Amy, with Leela. And I'll go with… Uh…"
Zoidberg: "Screwed again, my friend!"

10 episodes left…

Futurama, A Swan Song - Week 1

Foreword
As you probably know, Futurama is nearing its end - possibly forever, this time. But we at A113Animation won't just let this brilliant animated sci-fi show go. Not that easily. Not without a proper goodbye. This is why we will be mini-reviewing each new Futurama episode in the upcoming weeks. Until it's all over.
The last season debuted this Wednesday on Comedy Central, with two new episodes. Here is what we have to say about those (mild spoilers ahead).