Review Six: Futurama Threefer (Part 3 - 3) - Hell Is Other Robots

    In one of the more memorable episodes of Futurama, we are introduced to the religion of Robotology. Though the name is a direct ploy on Scientology, the messages sent from this episode resonate throughout all aspects of religious life.

    In this episode, one of the main characters, Bender (as seen above), deals with an addiction to electrical stimulation, a new robotic drug. Bender has a reputation for breaking the law, and upon realizing the full extent of his problems, searches for help. Bender stumbles upon a Temple of Robotology, where he is baptized. His new religion forbids any form of sinning (and all applicants are forced "eternal damnation in Robot Hell" if this law is broken). However, Bender becomes involved in his religion to a point where it annoys his friends. As a result, his friends take him to Atlantic City for a night of gambling, drinking, and soliciting prostitutes.

   In an odd twist, it turns out that Robot Hell actually exists. Robots built an underground torture chamber to torture all sinning robotologists for eternity. Robot Hell is complete with its own Robot Devil, a sign that the religion's punishment may have gone too far.

    This episode was created to make a statement against overly-involved religions and cults in general. It makes several statements that justify religion in general, and in no way do they attempt to dispute all forms of religion. It simply draws off of negative aspects of religions like Scientology and the cult involved with the Jonestown mass suicide.

    I enjoyed the episode due to its lighthearted portrayal of "sinning" in general with a decent - hearted message at the end. The episode also proves that one doesn't need to be human to understand severe consequence.