The following contains spoilers for Futurama Season 12 Episode 10, “Otherwise,” now streaming on Hulu.
Futurama It looks like they’re expanding across the multiverse, but that comes with some unique risks in the upcoming seasons. Futurama has always been willing to push the boundaries of its sci-fi setting for the sake of comedy or romance, and the past twelve seasons have seen plenty of universe-shaking events happen. Futurama The Season 12 finale, “Otherwise,” expanded the horizon exponentially with the formal introduction of the multiverse. The episode even ended with the show’s main characters drifting between realities. On the one hand, this is an exciting prospect. This opens the door to many storytelling possibilities.
However, there is also a fair amount of risk involved in taking the show in this direction. A new approach is well-trodden ground in modern science fiction, and this embrace of wild possibilities can distract from established continuity and the characters that helped create Futurama so convincing. It’s not necessarily confidence or strength. Futurama Season 12 as a whole suggests that a full multiversal move for Futurama it would still be interesting. Still, here are the biggest risks Futurama faces, if it becomes a full-fledged multiversal in seasons 13 and 14.
8
Multiverse adventures could lower the stakes even further
Futurama Having limitless realities can mean having no consequences
Opening up many possibilities and possible ret-cons, Futurama perhaps he was simply determined to lose any remaining tension of character. There was already a problem with rates in Futurama for many yearsthanks to the show’s glib approach to death. Several characters died in Futurama and was quickly returned either due to external intervention or unexpected plot twists in Futurama. It left Futurama it’s somewhat disappointing whenever it wants to shift into a higher gear and up the stakes, as the natural tension that could potentially build in these episodes is largely absent.
Characters like Bender are not in much danger. Futuramaregular continuity. The anthology’s non-canonical episodes may actually rely on minor blips with their versions of the main cast, but often for the sake of dark humor rather than continuing the overarching themes and plot of the story. Bringing Futurama across the multiverse could further undermine the stakes. While the emotional narrative of Fry and Leela’s potential ending was well done and compelling, it was somewhat undermined by the realization that the newly codified Futurama The multiverse can kill (and replace) whoever it wants.
7
The multiverse could cost the series its supporting cast
FuturamaSupporting cast could be lost if show leaves main reality
One of the most exciting potential moments in Otherwise is the revelation that the Planet Express crew was effectively marooned in the multiverse. This could shake up the show as a whole, allowing creatives to take the crew to exotic and inventive new locations. However, removing them from the main setting also means that the series may lose the ability to easily deploy the massive gallery of supporting characters it has developed over the years. Episodes of season 12 such as “The Game of Kids” were highlighted. pure comedic depth Futuramaminor characters.
Simply ignoring that growth—especially with Amy, given her three children—would undermine the underlying emotional strength of the characters, who have always been resilient. Futurama even when it embraces the strange
Leaving New York and the 31st century that has developed over the past twenty-five years may leave them behind. Aside from the comedic elements this may leave unclear, it may also dull the genuine character development and relationships of characters like Amy and Hermes, who especially grew over the course of Season 12 towards loved ones who aren’t on the ship. Simply ignoring this growth – especially with Amy, given her three children – would undermine the underlying emotional strength. characters who always landed Futurama even when it embraces the strange.
6
The show may be losing sight of its central arcs
Expansion into the Multiverse may prove problematic for FuturamaMain emotional storylines
With the ability to jump to any possible setting or time period in FuturamaSince this is a huge multiverse, it wouldn’t be surprising if the show took on a more liberated and experimental tone. However, this may have the unintended effect of detracting from many of the show’s central arcs.. Storylines such as Amy and Hermes’ marital problems, Zoidberg’s few interpersonal connections, and Bender’s constant existential quest may fade into the background in favor of a more formal sense of experimentation.
This would be a shame, since genuine and sustainable character development is at the heart of Futurama has always been a key part of what makes him so attractive. The show benefits from deeply nuanced and emotionally resonant characters at the center of the series. Despite their absurd sci-fi nature, the characters share similar desires, flaws, and strengths. If a series completely embraces adventures in the multiverse without paying much attention to the characters at the heart of the series, the emotional arc of the show may suffer.
5
Futurama may experiment with closure
One of the most interesting elements of “Else” is how the episode plays with Fry and Leela’s romance, ultimately demonstrating one of the ways the series could end. Although another version of Fry and Leela (along with the rest of the Planet Express crew) survives and goes on a new adventure, this episode gives the feeling of a potential conclusion to the Fry and Leela storyline. Ultimately, this may inspire creatives to explore other potential approaches to completion. for the series.
This could push the series toward actually wrapping up the storylines embedded in the series’ overall story. The risk of this can already be seen in “Otherwise”, which risks being an entirely bittersweet ending for Fry and Leela. If the possible true ending of their story is in FuturamaThe inevitable ending doesn’t reach the heights of “Otherwise.” then it might look even worse in comparison. The same can be said about any other study of how FuturamaThe stories and characters may end and the series will end up being compared to itself.
4
Futurama may be accused of imitations
Futurama Will explore a concept that has become very common
Futurama has officially ushered in a multiverse in the future, and it’s a fun concept. However, it is also a concept that has been increasingly used in recent years. Shows how Rick and Mortywhich clearly took inspiration from Futuramaapproach to science fiction and comedy have been traversing the multiverse for over a decade. The multiverse has provided fodder for popular blockbusters such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe and more artistic endeavors such as Everything everywhere and at oncehighlighting the various strengths of the narrative device.
Movies/TV shows about/focused on the Multiverse |
Year of issue |
Star Trek |
1966 |
Fringe |
2008 |
Rick and Morty |
2013 |
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse |
2018 |
Everything everywhere and at once |
2022 |
Dark Matter |
2024 |
Futurama |
2024 |
However, this means that Futurama Following a similar treatise could lead to it being accused of following a trend that is already producing diminishing results in other franchises. The concept of the multiverse is the driving force Futurama further developments of events may subsequently seem like a repetition of other science fiction works.. Bye Futurama has always successfully subverted expectations in the science fiction genre, the multiverse has already been used for comedy, drama, action and adventure. Futurama may face accusations that it is simply following the sci-fi trend instead of developing it.
3
Futurama may lose its integrity and plot continuity
FuturamaThe story may become more confusing due to the game’s alternate timelines
Although he was never afraid to break the rules he set for himself, Futurama has always benefited from a remarkably consistent continuity. Elements such as Fry’s status as the chosen one or Leela’s mutant storyline build on the development and growth of previous seasons. It helped to give Futurama a sense of scale even as the show itself remained character-focused and the resulting comedy of their interactions with an absurd universe.
While the multiverse expands this realm more than ever before, it also creates the possibility that it could overshadow the more mundane elements of character that have always been beneficial. Futurama. With the ability to switch from timeline to timeline, Futurama may lose some of that cohesion this always made the internal timeline compelling and understandable. The potentially countless encounters with options, each with their own timelines and options, could cost the series the tighter plot construction that allowed it to reveal lore slowly.
2
Futurama can get lost by playing with the genre too much
Too much experimentation can be bad for you Futurama
Although Futurama I’ve always had a lot of fun playing with tone, The show’s sci-fi setting usually served as the basis of the show. The non-canon anthology episodes tended to be places for more open experimentation with genres, resulting in snarky yet loving parodies of everything from classic animation to Scooby-Doo antics. The second season’s Anthology of Interest showed how a series freed from typical conventions and conventions could become an effective horror show. These are reasons to be excited about possible multiverse adventures Futuramabut they also pose a danger.
The series could embrace experimentation, leaving behind the established blend of darkly goofy comedy, high-concept sci-fi, and emotionally grounded characters that has defined the series thus far. If the multiverse proves to be a tempting playground for experimentation, Futurama may lose its unique sense of silly sci-fi identity. Although it would be very interesting to see Futurama filtered through different storytelling styles, it would be a shame to lose the distinct blend of tones that has come to define the animated series.
1
Futurama could reach dangerous new heights (or lows)
Futurama Can simply ignore big events if it relies too heavily on the Multiverse
FuturamaA tour of the multiverse could eventually lead to many things, including cosmic threats that put entire multiverses at risk. This could open up new heights in the show’s approach to action and adventure. However, there is also a risk that such bets will seem boring compared to regular bets. numerous near-apocalyptic events Futurama played (and promptly ignored) for the past twenty-five years.
Major events and potentially changing elements of the show can easily be washed away.similar to how Season 12’s “Attack of the Clothes” ended with an apparent end of the world that was quickly undone in the next episode. Futurama may lose any remaining excitement in the process, costing the show the drama and stakes it can generate from time to time. Biggest risk Futurama‘s The thing about the multiverse is that nothing ultimately seems important in the grand scheme of the series, causing the events of the series to blur together and become lackluster.