Futurama has made its much-anticipated return with the premiere of Season 12, and fans are in for a treat as the series dives back into its signature blend of humor and science fiction. The new season, available on Hulu, picks up where the previous episodes left off, bringing back the beloved characters for another round of outrageous adventures.
The first episode, titled “The One Amigo,” centers around Bender, the iconic robot known for his mischievous antics. This time, Bender embarks on a journey to rediscover his identity after losing it to the world of NFTs. The episode opens with a scene where Amy observes children, including Fry, creating digital art. The kids explain that they are making NFTs, which leads to a humorous and convoluted discussion about the nature of digital ownership. Their explanation leaves the Professor and others more confused than enlightened.
Intrigued by the concept of NFTs, Bender decides to get involved. He volunteers to be the face of a new NFT collection, and the kids quickly start distributing them. After some initial faking of sales, Bender manages to rake in 94 dollars. However, he soon discovers that a museum curator has purchased all the NFTs, leading to Bender’s dismay as he realizes he has lost a part of himself to this digital concept.
Feeling lost and disheartened, Bender sets off to his ancestral village in Mexico, humorously dubbed “Mexico, with three Xs,” in search of his roots. Upon arrival, he meets a robot named Doblando, who bears a striking resemblance to him but sports a mustache. The two robots quickly bond over their shared origins, and Doblando takes Bender to his family home, “Pueblo De Nanotecas.”
As Bender explores his heritage, he encounters various quirky traditions, including a bizarre sport called “Hoop,” which involves scoring with a heavy rock. The episode cleverly juxtaposes Bender’s journey of self-discovery with the antics of the Planet Express crew, who are busy planning a heist to retrieve the stolen NFTs from the museum.
Back in New New York, the Professor devises an elaborate plan to infiltrate the museum’s security system. He creates a 3D model of the museum, complete with the NFTs, and outlines a strategy to replace the security feed while they break into the computer room. Meanwhile, Bender continues to bond with his Abuelatron, who shares stories about his family and presents him with an ancient garment known as a quipu, which may hold secrets of their ancestry.
As the episode progresses, Bender participates in the village’s annual Hoop tournament, motivated by a desire to make his Abuelatron proud. The tournament culminates in a showdown between Bender and Doblando, with Bender emerging victorious. However, the celebration takes a dark turn when it is revealed that the winner is to be sacrificed to the ancient emperors.
In a parallel storyline, Fry and the rest of the crew execute their heist at the museum. As they navigate the security measures, they inadvertently trigger a miniature art heist, causing chaos as the security guards respond to the situation. The tension builds as Bender faces the ancient emperors, who are revealed to be stone robots operating with a string that reads beads and knots like a code.
In a twist of fate, Bender discovers that the quipu he received from his grandmother contains an algorithm of immense power. With the help of the Professor, they manage to decode it and retrieve Bender’s NFT. However, despite their success, the museum retains ownership of the digital art, leaving Bender with a unique string of numbers that no other machine can possess.
The episode concludes with Bender coming to terms with his identity and the nature of ownership in the digital age. He finds solace in the fact that he holds something special, even if it is just a string of numbers. The humor and heart of the episode resonate with fans, reminding them of the show’s ability to tackle contemporary issues through its unique lens.
Futurama Season 12 Episode 1 is now available for streaming on Hulu, and it sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting season filled with more adventures, laughs, and thought-provoking themes.
Source: Hulu
