Summary
Futurama season 11 hints at a massive war between Earth and the moon, revealing a potentially significant event in the show's lore.
The hat slogan "The Moon Shall Rise Again" mocks the Confederate saying "the south will rise again" by implying that the moon suffered a defeat in a civil war against Earth. Futurama explores the moon's background extensively, highlighting aspects such as lunar colonization, the establishment of a lunar government, and the presence of numerous businesses on the moon.
Futurama, known for its high-concept sci-fi stories and humor, surprises with meticulous attention to detail. This suggests that every addition to the show serves a purpose. Although overlooked by many, a gag in season 11 hints at a significant war that could have altered the world of Futurama.
The long-awaited return of Futurama with season 11 on Hulu acknowledges the gap of over a decade since its cancellation in 2013. Episode 1 delves into the changes that have occurred within the show's universe during this time. However, it is episode 5 that presents an even more substantial question about the show's timeline and its far-reaching consequences.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Futurama Season 11 Hints At A Previous War Between Earth & The Moon
In "Related to Items You've Viewed," the fifth episode of Futurama's eleventh season, Fry, Leela, and Bender venture to the moon to explore the immense Momazon warehouse. While there, they encounter a man who resides on the outskirts of the facility and runs a farm resembling a quaint southern town. Emblazoned on the man's hat is the cryptic phrase "The Moon Shall Rise Again," a humorous detail never explicitly explained in Futurama. However, when interpreted literally, this slogan suggests that the Futurama universe may have witnessed a previous conflict between Earth and the moon.
The slogan featured on the hat in Futurama season 11, episode 5 cleverly mocks the well-known Confederate phrase "the south will rise again", which represents the Lost Cause myth perpetuated by many Confederates following their defeat in the Civil War. In this episode, the hat replaces the moon with the south, suggesting that perhaps a similar conflict between the moon and Earth took place, resulting in disgruntled moon soldiers who hold their own version of the Lost Cause myth. Although Futurama never explicitly mentions a war between the Earth and the moon, this comedic gag, coupled with the moon's history, hints at the possibility of such a scenario occurring.
Everything Futurama Has Revealed About Earth's Moon
In Futurama, the moon has a fascinating backstory to explore. Let's dive into everything we have learned about this celestial body orbiting the Earth. Our journey begins in 1947 when a departure from real-world history takes place. In the episode "Roswell that Ends Well," President Harry S. Truman arrives at Area 51 and reveals a shocking revelation – the moon landing of Apollo 11 was actually a hoax. As the story progresses, we find another intriguing detail from 1969. President of Earth Richard Nixon mentions the existence of an undiscovered species known as the "revolting Onion men" who apparently inhabit the moon. This peculiar piece of information has sparked curiosity, but further exploration is yet to be done.
During Fry's 1000-year cryogenic freeze, significant advancements in space travel led to early moon colonization. The moon became particularly appealing to rural farmers, as depicted in season 11, episode 5 of the show, although they were not the only inhabitants. Notably, Al Gore is known as the first moon emperor, but details on the moon's governing system remain undisclosed. This period of colonization also involved the misplacement of the original lunar landing site, sparking rumors that whalers actually reached the moon's surface before humans.
Given the vast and sparsely populated moon, certain enterprises have sought to profit from the inexpensive land, as Earthlings focus on colonizing other planets. Luna Park, featured in season 1, episode 2, resembles a Disneyland-themed amusement park situated on the moon, boasting satirical versions of popular Disney Park rides. Momazon is the latest corporation to establish a presence on the moon, although it may not be the sole entity. At present, it appears that the hydroponic farmer and fellow farmers constitute the primary and recurring residents of the moon.
What Major Events Happened In Futurama's Universe During 1000-Year Gap
Fry's frozen state from 1999 to 2999 in the pilot of Futurama unveils several significant events. The establishment of the Central Bureaucracy, the rise in popularity of robots, the depletion of Earth's petroleum leading to the adoption of alternative fuel sources, and the expulsion of New York City's waste into space are among these noteworthy occurrences. Additionally, advancements in space travel are observed, with scientists developing ships capable of traveling at the speed of light.
However, a pivotal moment arrives in 2308 when an alien invasion, later revealed to be Bender from the future, triggers the First Destruction of New York City. Subsequently, Earth plunges into a period known as the Second Middle Ages, resembling the medieval era with knights and monarchs. The year 2443 witnesses the second coming of Jesus Christ, only for New York City to face its Second Destruction in the early 2500s. Nevertheless, the construction of New New York soon commences, ultimately transforming into the primary backdrop portrayed in Futurama.
Colonization of the moon and Mars occurs simultaneously, and in the year 2636, Mars University is established. It is during this period that the main and recurring characters of Futurama begin to emerge. Robot Santa Claus is invented in 2801, followed by the birth of Professor Farnsworth in 2841. Notably, the infamous Land Titanic sinks in 2912, MomCorp is founded in 2925, and there is a resurgence of robots in 2928. As time progresses, new characters like Leela, Amy, and Hermes come into existence, and the various stories of Futurama take place in the early 3000s.
New episodes of Futurama are released on Hulu every Monday.