Review Four: Futurama Threefer (Part 1 - 3) - The Mutants Are Revolting

    Futurama is a TV show set in the year 3000. The show's main plot revolves around Philip J. Fry, a human who accidentally traps himself in a cryogenic preservation tube for 100 years. Plot lines from Futurama revolve around life in a comedic perspective of what life becomes one thousand years into the future.

    The show refuses to focus on one aspect of the future, creating a detailed picture of all aspects of future life. Every episode focuses on a different aspect of future life, making the show a great observation topic for this blog. Therefore, I'm going to spend time on three different episodes.


Part One: The Mutants Are Revolting

    Before discussing the plot of the episode, the state of mutants in the Futurama universe must first be discussed. The show takes place in New New York City, a city built on top of Old New York. Mutants are thought of as uneducated and unsightly, so they are banished to live in the underground, the remains of Old New York. The underground is flooded with toxic waste (which created the mutants in the first place). The mutants are forced to live in unsanitary conditions. Mutants are capable of obtaining visas to go above - ground, but it is discouraged.

    This episode revolves around the idea of racial/class inequality. It starts off at a socialite event where the proceeds go to "educate" mutants. However, the idea of "educating" the mutants is rhetoric for keeping them unaware. The higher - ups plan to use the money to teach the mutants how to control the flow of the toxic waste that surrounds them, keeping them blissfully unaware that their living conditions are poor.

   

    At the end of the episode, the mutants rise from the sewers and protest against the prejudice held against them. The mutants' rally is a success; They gain the ability to go to the surface as they please.

    This episode parallels today's lengthening class divide and injustice. The plight of the mutants can be related to any story of prejudice or injustice, such as a racial or class war. The mutants are an obvious symbol for the less fortunate in our society, calling for change.

    I personally found the episode to be empowering and inspiring. It demonstrated a classic underdog story that can be related to real life.

The Mutants Flood New New York with Waste in Protest