Futurama season 2 character’s return completely breaks a tragic sci-fi rule after 25 years

The following contains spoilers for Futurama season 12 episode 5, “One is Silicon and the Other is Gold,” now streaming on Hulu

Futuramas moves a character who has been on the show since season 2 into the spotlight, and it highlights how Futurama has broken a classic sci-fi tradition. One of the best elements of Futurama has always been the show’s ability to blend classic sci-fi storytelling tropes with a constantly subversive, darkly comic and surprisingly sweet touch. The show has delved into surprisingly difficult territory over the years, ranging from Bender’s life lessons to Fry’s tragic backstory. It is given Futurama A darker edge that plays surprisingly well alongside the more goofy elements of the show, effectively blending high-minded concepts with silly comedy.

It’s one of the ways the show has been able to endure for so long, and a major reason Futurama Generates enough passion to be revived after multiple cancellations. One of the most recent examples comes in season 12’s “One is silicon and the other is gold,” which largely Focuses on Leela’s attempts to make friends. The episode takes some unexpected detours and offers a clever riff on chatbots. However, a subtle element of the episode is the inclusion of a minor character that highlights how much the world of the 31st century has evolved since it was introduced twenty-five years ago.

Futurama finally gives Violet a major role after 25 years

Futurama Introduced Violet in Season 2

Violet finally gets a major role in an episode of FuturamaWhich speaks to the underlying “canal mutants” subplot and the way it’s sweet ending subverts a typical tragic sci-fi trope. Violet is one of the many sewer mutants who was introduced in season 2’s “I Second That Emotion.” She has since become a small but consistent member of the show, appearing in more episodes than almost any other minor member of the community. “One’s Silicon and the Other’s Gold” gives Violet a bigger spotlight than she’s ever had before, introducing her as a new member of Amy’s book club.

Along with Leela and Phoebe, Violet quickly fits into the group dynamic. She befriends the two of them, as well as Amy, Barbara and Lauren. She takes part in their partying, accompanies them on vacation, and mourns the apparent death of Phoebe. By the end of the episode, Violet is fully accepted as a member of the group, offering support to the others in their grief, while they are still quick to group against Phoebe once she is revealed to be the chatbot Chelsea who killed them. previously attacked. . This is a big step up for Violet, especially given her debut.

Futurama’s Mutant Storyline & Violet’s Role Explained

Futurama has steadily evolved their mutant storyline for decades

The Canal Mutants are established in “I Second That Emotion” as a hidden community that has built a society under New York. Violet was among the first of the sewer mutants to get a talking line, flirting with Frey while he tried to scare her away with fire. The sewer mutants are transformed by the radioactive sludge pumped underground by the surface society, leading to a series of physical transformations. for years, The channel mutants are banned from the surface. This actually plays heavily into Leela’s overarching circle in the show, with several episodes teasing her origins.

Season 4 “Leela’s Homeworld” revealed that Leela is actually one of the channel mutants too. While Leela’s parents became more important recurring characters, Violet and the other channel mutants remained underground until the events of season 7’s “The Mutants Are Revolting,” which saw Perry and Leela lead the charge to reverse the law that forbids mutants to live on the surface. Although the plot resolved with the heroes freeing the species, the mutants have largely remained out of the spotlight. This is what makes the role of ​​Violet in this episode, and being placed in Leela’s new friend group, all the more interesting and sweet.

Futurama’s mutant friendship proves how far the 31st century has come

like FuturamaS channel mutants came to the surface once and for all

One of the underlying elements of the Channel Mutants subplot was the way the species was treated as outsiders even in a universe where aliens and robots were considered the norm. always, Futurama Delved more and more into stories of negative social structures that are present even in clear utopias, highlighting the importance of community and collective growth. The channel mutants are an important element of this subplotWith their eventual allowance to venture onto the surface highlighting how much the world of the 31st century has grown (and continues to grow). Season 12 highlighted the acceptance of mutants.

Some appear among the supporting characters in “Kids Game.” In past seasons, their presence would be called into question by characters like Zapp Brannigan or police officers like URL. In season 12, these conflicts have been forgotten. The channel mutants are accepted as citizens of the future. This is a subtle but very sweet development for the series and the universe around it, highlighting how much the people of the 31st century still need to grow but proves that they are capable of it. It’s a minor hit, but one that highlights what makes Futurama Especially in the sci-fi genre.

Futurama gives a classic tragic sci-fi conflict a happy ending

FuturamaThe latest subversion is a sweet take on the “humans vs. mutants” cliché

The conflict between humans and “mutants” is a classic sci-fi story trope. It’s a plot that’s been present in the genre since the beginning, with early notable examples like The Time Machine Highlighting a divide between humanity and other off-shoot species. There is a conflict at the heart of stories like I am legendand provides the tragic notes that define franchises like these X-Men. Most of the time, the genre paints a bleak picture of that divide. Humanity and the other species are typically at war and at best (as in X-Men), a permanent peace can only be dreamed of.

Futurama Underestimates this in a surprisingly sweet manner. When mutants like Violet were introduced, Futurama Paint them as a comically subversive take on the whole premise. The sewer mutants are self-aware and down-to-earth, even as their ostracization from the surface frustrates them. Over time, they became more openly average in their personalities and drives, making their separation from the rest of the world even more pointless. Now, Violet and the other mutants are accepted and embraced as anyone else would be. It’s a small touch, but one that proves both hopeful and progressive Futuramas World opinion really is.