Summary
Futurama season 11 fails to capture the magic of the original series, with its storylines and comedic moments falling short of the beloved early episodes.
In season 11 of Futurama, the handling of the cast poses a significant issue. Unlike the original series, where a more balanced approach was taken, most episodes in this season predominantly showcase one or two characters while neglecting the others. As a result, Fry, the main protagonist, appears to take a secondary role, frequently serving as a supporting character in someone else's narrative. This notable change deviates from his previous central position.
The revival of Matt Groening's beloved sci-fi animated series, Futurama, has returned with an eleventh season on Hulu after over a decade since the original series concluded. With the entire main cast back together, the Planet Express crew embarks on more zany sci-fi adventures. The reception for Futurama season 11 has been overwhelmingly positive, garnering praise from both fans and critics. However, it is worth examining how this newest season holds up in comparison to the original series.
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7 Futurama Season 11 Isn’t As Good As The Original Series
Despite the warm reception of Futurama season 11, it fails to live up to the greatness of the original series. The early seasons of Futurama gave us numerous iconic episodes that are considered classics. While season 11 of Futurama has its fair share of good storylines and comedic moments, they simply don't measure up to the brilliance of the original episodes. Whether it's the captivating storylines, innovative sci-fi concepts, or the way season 11 handles the beloved characters, it falls short in comparison to the earlier seasons. Let's delve into what makes the magic of the original series elusive for Futurama season 11.
6 Futurama Season 1-10 Balance The Cast Much Better
Futurama season 11 encounters a significant issue in its handling of the cast. In the original series, a magnificent equilibrium existed among the main characters, resulting in episodes that often felt like collaborative efforts. Each character received their fair share of screen time, and the jokes were evenly distributed among the Planet Express crew. Unfortunately, season 11 struggles to achieve this same balance.
Up to this point, most episodes have focused primarily on one or two characters, leaving the majority of the cast on the sidelines. Episode 2 delves into Amy's story, episode 4 centers around Leela and Nibbler, episode 5 revolves around Leela and Fry, and episode 6 showcases Bender and Zoidberg. While the other characters make appearances in these episodes, their presence is not as prominent, with Bender notably subdued in episode 4. While episodes 1 and 3 fare better in balancing the screentime of the Planet Express crew, it lacks the consistent execution seen in earlier seasons.
5 Fry Isn’t As Important In Season 11
Although Futurama features an ensemble cast, Fry undoubtedly takes center stage as the main character of the show. However, in season 11, he seems to have lost some of his significance. In episode 5, he shines as the focal point, but in the other episodes, he is relegated to a supporting role in someone else's narrative. Even in episode 1, which focuses on Fry, he is trapped in a streaming machine for most of the runtime, resulting in minimal dialogue for him. After more than 10 seasons of Fry-centric stories, it may be challenging to create new narratives for him, but it feels odd to sideline him as much as season 11 has done.
4 Futurama Season 11 Is Too Focused On Continuing Original Series Storylines
While the original seasons of Futurama maintained a certain level of continuity, it mainly consisted of Easter eggs and subtle references for astute viewers. However, in season 11, Futurama takes a different approach by directly continuing the stories of earlier episodes such as "Parasites Lost," "Xmas Story," "The Late Philip J. Fry," and more. Although the streaming service format allows for a more cohesive narrative compared to traditional cable TV, Futurama doesn't necessarily require an overarching storyline. The abundance of continued storylines in season 11 can make it somewhat challenging for new viewers to dive into the series.
3 Futurama Season 11 Already Feels Dated
Plenty of episodes of Futurama's original series seem outdated because, even though the show is set in the 3000s, it frequently delves into modern-day politics, news, and pop culture. The trend continues in Futurama season 11, but unfortunately, it already feels antiquated due to the stale and worn-out nature of many of its topics. With jokes about streaming services, COVID-19, Amazon, and drones, Futurama season 11 appears as if it were written years ago, with these references now resembling relics of the past.
2 Futurama’s Original Series Had Better One-Off Side Characters
Futurama thrives on its side characters, with the original series introducing a plethora of eccentric aliens and future-dwellers. While the majority of episodes in the original series showcased a new comical character, season 11 deviates from this pattern. Instead, season 11 of Futurama focuses on revisiting beloved side characters from previous episodes, including the Robot Mafia, the Borax Kid, the Moon Farmer, and Robot Santa. However, it falls short in the introduction of any new characters that leave a lasting impact, even though this was a notable strength of both the original series and Matt Groening's other acclaimed shows.
1 Futurama Season 11 Is Far From The Worst Revival Compared To The Original Series
Although the original series is superior to the modern version of Futurama, season 11 of Futurama is not the worst attempt at reviving a TV series. Other shows like Arrested Development and The Powerpuff Girls have made unsuccessful comebacks years later, even tarnishing the legacy of the original. While Futurama season 11 may not reach the same level of excellence as the original series, it is still a good show with genuinely enjoyable episodes. While there are some flaws and certain elements that cannot be replicated, overall, Futurama handles its 10-year absence quite well.
Furthermore, Futurama stands out in comparison to its sister show, The Simpsons, in terms of quality. The Simpsons has continued airing while Futurama was on hiatus, but it has experienced a significant decline in quality compared to its earlier seasons. Futurama season 11 cannot be compared to the modern version of The Simpsons, making it the best ongoing series by Matt Groening. With season 12 of Futurama, there is potential for improvement as the cast and crew regain their rhythm after the 10-year break. Nevertheless, even season 11 of Futurama is a commendable revival compared to other shows.
New episodes of Futurama release Mondays on Hulu.
