Going to the World of Tomorrow 05.06.08: Raging Bender
Posted by Jerome Cusson on 05.06.2008
I present The Gender...Bender
Fry/Professor Farnsworth/Zapp Brannigan/Dr. Zoidberg…Billy West
Bender…John DiMaggio
Leela…Katey Sagal
Amy Wong…Lauren Tom
Hermes Conrad…Phil LaMarr
Various Voices…Maurice LaMarche
Writer: Lewis Morton
Director: Ron Hugan
Original Airdate: February 27, 2000
Production Code:2ACV08
Opening Subtitle: Nominated for Three Glemmys
Before we begin, I just want to remind everyone of my new blog, which can be found at The Jerome Cusson Experience I'll be writing about all things sports and provide some additional fun things like movie reviews done by my friend Stephanie and some additional televison recaps. Specifcally, I'll be writing about The Critic before moving onto Freaks and Geeks. Stephanie will be reviewing House and my friend Matt will be writing about South Park. So be sure to check it out.
Another good one here, as we put the world of professional wrestling under the microscope. Farnsworth has taught the toaster how to love. Aww. It immediately starts pestering Bender, and he takes care of it in short order. Hermes returns from the brain slug planet and he’s been taken over by a slug. The other Planet Express members pretend not to see the slug. Everyone except Hermes goes to the movie. They go see All My Circuits. We get a nice nod to Mystery Science Theater 3000. Also, just like in the old days, newsreels have returned.
One particular note includes The Masked Unit winning the Ultimate Robot Fighting League. That’s when a robot couple sits directly in front of an annoyed Bender. Bender and the robot begin arguing as the movie begins. The opening scene begins and this film is interactive. Bender is kicking the seat in front of him, and this is one robot you don’t want to mess with. As it turns out, it’s The Masked Unit. Then, he slips on some motor oil and knocks himself out. Everyone is immediately impressed, including the commissioner of the URFL. Bender decides to join up as Farnsworth remains in his seat confused.
Bender is excited as the rest of Planet Express remains concerned over Bender’s well-being. Leela tells a story from her childhood about practicing kung fu. Her master wouldn’t let her compete in the junior championships of kung fu because she’s a girl. This means Leela is more than willing to help Bender train to become the best robot fighter. Boy, is he in bad shape. He thinks he’s ready to go. Cut to the arena as Bender readies for his opponent, The Clear-Cutter. All of these different opponents for Bender are hilarious and well-done.
Bender starts out quite bad, but after a fluke kick to the face, he wins the bout. The commissioner congratulates him. Then, the secret comes out. Robot Fighting is rigged. I, for one, am shocked and appalled…more appalled. Not really. Anyway, only the most popular or over-with-the-crowd fighters will win. Bender is just happy he’s popular. His nickname is Bender the Offender. We get to see a montage of various matches with Billionaire Bot, The Foreigner and The Chain Smoker.
Bender is hanging out with some lovely young fembots, and Leela yells at him for not training anymore. It’s now time for Bender to do the J-O-B to a new young fighter. The Gender Bender is his new name and if he refuses to lose, The Destructor will take care of matters. Bender relays the story of his problem to the rest of Planet Express. Now, Bender needs Leela’s help. After a commercial where Leela learns her old sexist master is behind Destructor (in more ways than one), she decides to help Bender train for the fight.
Much like Homer versus Drederick Tatum, it’s not going to be pretty. Rich Little is even impersonating Howard Cosell. That’s how big of a fight this is. Bender is given absolutely no chance to win this contest, and when the bell rings it becomes obvious why. Destructor pretty much destroys him, as Bender pleads with Fry to throw in the towel. Sadly, Fry has been taken over by a brain slug. Leela notices Funog, the old master, is nowhere to be found. I have to say. This entire episode was going perfectly until Leela’s stupid storyline took over. Bender announces it’s benderin’ time, but still loses because Destructor falls on top of him. Leela probably should have waited a second, or told Bender to move before knocking her old master out.
On the positive side, Fry is back to normal after his brain slug starved to death. Leela is proud of Bender and is happy she got revenge. They roll up Bender and take him home.
The “Bite my shiny medal ass!” moment for best line/moment :It’s not even funny, but the way it’s delivered. The best line is when the referee/ring announcer announces him as “THHHHHHHEEEEEEEE GENDER…BENDER.”
The Zoidberg moment for worst line/moment: Why did the episode have to shoehorn Leela’s story into this one?
The 411: This was going pretty well until the last five minutes. I guess they had to find a way to pay off Leela’s storyline, but having the old master control some robot like a puppet didn’t make a whole lot of sense. Luckily, a good first half and the side commentary by Rich Little and George Foreman redeemed it.
Oh C'mon. The best line is easily from Frye "I thought Robot Fighting was
real; like Professional Wrestling. Then I find out its fixed; like boxing"
Classic
Posted By: Shaner (Guest) on May 06, 2008 at 11:46 AM
