Want to watch the new episodes of Futurama, but don’t want to go back through the 72 episodes and 4 movies? Now you don’t have to (although you should, they’re awesome!) here’s the rundown of characters and plot points you’ll need to know June 24th:
WARNING! If you DO plan to watch the episodes and movies, this contains spoilers!
An Insanely Simplified Summary: A delivery boy is cryogenically frozen on December 31st, 1999 and wakes up 1000 years later. He explores the future and the universe while working for Planet Express, an interstellar package delivery company.
Main Characters:
Fry (full name Philip J. Fry) Delivery boy, age 25 at the start of the series (1999). Frozen while on delivery on December 31st, 1999 he wakes up on December 31st, 2999. Works for his Great (x30 ) nephew, Prof. Farnsworth. Is missing Delta Brainwave which makes him impervious to Giant Brains, Brain Spawn, and The Dark Ones. Lack of Delta brainwave caused by becoming his own grandfather after a trip back in time to 1947. Most important person in the universe (has saved universe 3 times to date). Is in love with Leela.
Leela (Turanga Leela, Leela is her surname, but that’s what she goes by): One-eyed mutant, abandoned at orphanarium as a child by parents hoping to give her better life on the surface (mutants are forced to live in the sewers). Pilot of Planet Express Ship, off-and-on love object of Fry and Zapp Brannigan.
Bender (Bender Bending Rodriguez): Beer guzzling, chain smoking robot, works at Planet Express (alcohol powers his fuel cells). Bestfriend and roommate of Fry. Kleptomaniac. Bending Unit #22, serial number 2716057, and chassis number 1729. Sings folk songs when magnets are placed on his head.
Other Lead Characters
Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth: Great nephew of Philip J. Fry (through Fry’s brother, Yancy). Age: 160ish. Crazy inventor, professor at Mars University. Senile. Was thrice romantically involved with Mom (of Mom’s Friendly Robot Co.). Father to Igner, Mom’s youngest (and dumbest) son.
Amy Wong: Intern at Planet Express, student of the Professor’s at Mars University. Extremely klutzy. Has the same blood type as the Professor. Daughter of Inez and Leo Wong, who own the entire western hemisphere of Mars. Played mini golf as a child. Fonfon Rubok (equivalent of Earth marriage) of Lt. Kif Kroker.
Dr. John A. Zoidberg: Decapodian, doctor at Planet Express. Hideously poor. Once ate Earthican flag. Regularly eats garbage. Has a famous comedian/silent-movie star uncle, Harold Zoid. Was the alien captured at the UFO Roswell crash in 1947.
Hermes Conrad (at left): Jamaican accountant and Bureaucrat Grade #37 (although he says Grade #34 in a movie—the promotion was never mentioned). Works at Planet Express. Was once an Olympic limboer. Married to LaBarbara, has one son, Dwight. Hates Dr. Zoidberg.
Zapp Brannigan (Captain/General Webelo) : Captain of The Nimbus. Member of the Democratic Order of Planets (DOOP). Considers himself a lady’s man, but is generally repugnant to women; often pronounces word incorrectly.
Lieutenant Kif Kroker: First Officer to Zapp Brannigan. Fonfon Rubok of Amy Wong. Was accidently killed by Zapp when trying to launch a missile. Was brought back to life by Yevo; events following his death but preceding his resurrection caused trouble in his marriage to Amy (she slept with Zapp). Has no bones, but is supported by a system of fluid-filled bladders.
Nibbler: Member of Nibblonian High Council, assigned originally to Vergon 6, then to Earth. Pet to Leela. Watches over Fry. Has spoken in front of the Planet Express Crew before three times, forgot to wipe their memories the last time. Can eat very large animals in a single gulp.
Secondary Characters
Mom: CEO of Mom’s Friendly Robot Company/MomCorp, and various other “Friendly” companies. Evil genius. Was romantically entangled with Prof. Farnsworth and his rival, Ogden Wernstrom. Has three sons, Walt, Larry, and Inger, who she regularly slaps.
Cubert Farnsworth: The Professor’s clone, whose DNA was scraped from a growth on the Professor’s back. Aged 12-ish, enjoys Dungeons and Dragons.
Scruffy, the Janitor: janitor of Planet Express. Owns 40,000 shares of Planet Express Stock. Waxes philosophic.
The Harlem Globetrotters: They now occupy their own planet, and are known for their excellent dunking ability and mad mathematic skills.
The Omicronians: A race of Aliens that inhabit the Planet Omicron-Persei 8, which is 1000 light years from Earth. Invade Earth on a regular basis. Leaders are Lrrr, and his wife Ndnd.
Heads in Jars: The technology to keep human heads (and dogs—specifically Nixon’s dog Checkers) was invented by Ron Popeil. Celebrities seem very fond of doing this, as do US Presidents.
This should be enough to get you started. Enjoy the new episodes!
