FUTURAMA - your guide to the universe

it's amazing that a cartoon show can provide so many insights into society, culture, and beliefs. whilst a superficial viewing of the show is enough to make it entertaining and fulfilling, looking beyond the celluloid can make the futurama even better than what it already is.

from beginning to end, each episode in the currently four-season series has brought to light some insight into societal values, trends, beliefs etc. even if in a satirical way, futurama makes comments on 20th century society and is constantly comparing it to the future world the show is set it.

phillip j fry (maybe a ode to "homer j simpson"?) is the main character here, and his trial and tribulations through the series brings to our attention the things we hold dear to ourselves.

there are a handful of completely quotable and memorable characters, such as captain leela, dr. zoidberg, bener bending rodrigez, and of course prof. hewbert farnsworth. each brings thier own unique comedic presence to the cartoon that is futurama. suporting characters such as zapp brannigan and the robot devil also make futurama, even on a superficial level, hilarious.

the writers of futurama (including brad bird, writer/director of "the incredibles (5/5)), i think are absolute geniuses when it comes to 20th century contemporary culture. all the episodes highlight something that we are all familiar with. not only that, each concept in the series is backed up by theoretical considerations that generally go unnoticed in a cartoon format. but still, futurama is one of those cartoon series that just makes you love being alive in the 20th century. it makes you appreciate things you always seem to take for granted. i could probably go one for a while about this series, but that would means i'd go through every episode with a fine-tooth comb.

if you get the chance, there are a few episodes that you really have to see:
"Jurrasic Bark"
"The Sting"
"I Dated a Robot"
"A Tale of Two Santas"
"The Luck of the Fryish"

i would like to advocate and justify the imporantance of cartoons and even comics - mark waid and alex ross's "kindgom come" is a testament to this genre.

matt groening, i salute you.