Futurama (TV Series) The Impossible Stream (2023) User Reviews

Started off great, but....

[SureCommaNot · 6/10 · 25 July 2023]

Enjoyable start to the episode, but then it just flushes itself down the tubes of meta jokes. How many shows do we need where the script is full of obvious and subtle winks to the audience? This episode would've been fantastic if we haven't already seen this sort of thing 100 times.

But we have.

Even so, I can appreciate that the new episode still carried some of the old spirit of mildly funny gags. And I mean that sincerely positively. Futurama rarely felt like it was trying too hard. Rather than writers always needing a punchline, it was more about creating an environment of irony, idiocy, and sci-fi world-building, and the reboot did retain some of that. It was more-of-the-same Futurama at first, and then more-of-the-same other shows.

Hopefully they got the latter out of their system, and can get back to pure Futurama in the remaining new episodes.

Very solid

[EverythingzCool · 8/10 · 25 July 2023]

This episode is a very solid return to form for the iconic series Futurama, which is a bit surprising, considering the last episode aired over a decade ago. It leaned pretty heavily on meta jokes about cancellation and revival (especially in the post-credit scene) but had other good jokes hidden within. It already feels classic and quotable, just like an episode from the original run. The fact that this is just a reintroduction to the series makes me very excited for the episodes that aren't yet out.

Besides, any episode involving the great Calculon and his UNHOLY ACTING TALENT is worthy of a thumbs up from me.

Mostly classic Futurama

[auk-40601 · 8/10 · 25 July 2023]

The writing for this episode is fairly consistent with the most recent seasons. Not entirely funny or compelling like the earliest seasons. But ultimately not bad either, my expectations were low and they exceeded them so I'm happy with that. Here's hoping the remaining episodes are equal or better. I'm not expecting Rick and Morty levels of depth or humour just a simple relaxing show with sci Fi concepts and the goofyness of Fry and Bender.

This episode is essentially taking a bit of a dig at streaming services and is fairly meta. Which every other TV show is doing at the moment too. Gone are the days of space adventures for the time being at least.

It's back!

[lukeamsanchez · 9/10 · 25 July 2023]

I'm so glad Futurama is back. This first episode was great too. I don't feel like they undid/soiled the great ending they had last time. Just continuing what's great about the show. Every character felt authentic to who they've always been and the hijinx is par for the coarse. Im so stoked for the coming season. Im rating this episode a 9, because the previous ending was no doubt a 10. I would give this a 10 but I can't say this was better than that ending. So 9. And for me this is the perfect way to reboot a series. Everyone who loves Futurama should take a moment to just rate it real quick. Make sure our love for it is known.

He's Back, Baby!

[callahans20 · 10/10 · 24 July 2023]

Bender, Fry, Lela, Amy Wong, Hermes Conrad, Zoiberg, even Scruffy, all back. The first episode of Season 11 picks up right where the last episode of Season 10 left off. I mean exactly where it left off. The transition is seamless, the show has lost nothing of its wit and sight gags, and the commentary on life in our century is as scathing as ever. I swear there is even a bit about the writers strike, but perhaps I'm conflating it because, as always, there's is a lot to unpack. I have been waiting for this episode for ten years, and it did not disappoint. In fact, I'm awed by how Futurama has lost nothing of its Futurama-ness. Well done, guys!

I have never being much of a Calculon fan.

[pavlomir · 7/10 · 30 July 2023]

Flashback to just where we were a decade ago the romantic story of Fry and Leila is yet to begin again.

Long live the 30th century box, wait that was the 29th media, now it's the fulu and their placed advertising that rule the show. Long live the fulu platform. It wasn't much of a episode, the voice actors nail it as always, like they never took a break from voicing the characters. I expected it to way different after so long, but it kinda feels like the same show. Ignoring whatever happen to them and making jokes. Classic Futurama.

I won't ignore the fact that the episode was parody of itself, which considering the long canceling history of the show it turn into some tradition to mock the producers and the studio.

Not sure if they can manage to reboot the show without only relying on the historical and tech events in the last years as parody ground for the jokes in between. Futurama was a big thing, it was very original show, not your casual The Simpsons episode. I hope for a proper season to be remembered by this generation of viewers, no matter the streaming platform.

Classic Futurama with a lot of inside jokes

[ardnael · 10/10 · 25 July 2023]

If you're watched futurama since the beginning of time, you'll get it. They've been booted, rebooted, had movie deals cancelled then picked up by someone else.. and yeah they poke fun of their history but that's not the point behind the episode.

That being said.. they kept everything spot on. Character voices, no weird changes to drawings, personalities stayed. I was disappointed that the prior final episode wasn't really addressed much but really it wouldn't keep the normal futurama feel.

I loved the modern day jokes and the way they mocked themselves and their history.

Absolutely loved this more than their movies.

worth a watch but far too on the nose

[bensyani · 7/10 · 24 July 2023]

Ah Futurama, I'm so happy your back, i grew up with this show, which is why I was a little disappointed by this episode. It had absolutely hilarious moments, but many of the jokes felt a little too *OMG 10 YEARES*, which while enjoyable to watch I don't see it aging too well, because eventually the meta *its been 10 years* jokes wont land anymore and will just be seen as dated.

Don't misunderstand though, I definitely enjoyed this episode and so long as the 10 year jokes don't be the one thing this season is known for, the series will definitely have a long future. Even though i critisied the meta jokes the general topic was fun and interesting and i feel will age well, given the world we live in,

summery good episode but very on the nose about it being 10 years since an episode.

Decent

[heathlocklear · 8/10 · 24 July 2023]

Honestly the episode itself was fine. Had some funny jokes. I was real worried going in, but I'm a bit more optimistic now. It's just a strange choice for a first episode. It feels really detached from anything significant that already happened in the series. And some of the quips and slapstick were a little too overt to land for me. It's kind of it's own little thing with no continuity, and it was fine. Just a little odd. This episode would have made more sense being put halfway into the season or something. But again, there were actual good things about this episode and it looks like the show is in competent hands. Excited to see where they go from here.

A little too familiar, but relatable return.

[infinitezer0 · 7/10 · 24 July 2023]

The second return from hiatus episode once again relies too much on fourth wall breaking. The writers are very much focused on poking fun at their multiple cancellations and renewals. It's hard to say whether this Hulu run will improve upon the Comedy Central seasons. However, the run time has returned to 24 minutes(instead of 21), allowing for less rushed storytelling. Hopefully the likely budget increase will allow for a return to form of the first 5 seasons. If they were able to retain most of the original staff while being given time to craft less spur of the moment ideas, this revival certainly has potential. My advice would be taking a more back to basics approach. We rarely saw Planet Express making deliveries in the Comedy Central run, so the spirit of adventure was lost in favor of more regular topical humor. Although some of the episodes this season seem to be centered around current events, others seem to be direct sequels to the original run. Whenever the Hollywood writer and actor strike lifts, I would advise the crew to think "creative reboot" and craft imaginative sci-fi stories with less of the series' established tropes. After all, looking to the future doesn't mean revisiting the past.

Loved it then, love it now!

[abbeley · 10/10 · 24 July 2023]

Despite the seemingly endless cancelations of a sometimes "secretly smart" show, the Planet Express crew has proven again why they are so "revivable"!

The episode provided just the right amount of "we're back!", fan service, clever writing and light jabs at its owners and current/ relevant things.

Going from the last "series finale" to this episode felt like nothing more than a normal between seasons hiatus!

For me, nothing felt forced or overdone, like some reboots do. I can only hope more people feel the same way and give us as much more Futurama as possible!

I've loved Futurama since the beginning and even on a full series rewatch, it still holds up for me!

Feels like the old, but more rough.

[wcallum-63767 · 7/10 · 19 September 2023]

Before I get into the real episode I just wanna say that it just feels so good to see the intro again, it's probably my favourite cartoon intro and seeing it in such great quality was nice.

Anyway, the episode was decent.

The stuff I like: The acting, animation and characters all feel like their old selves, giving this episode the classic charm of futurama. I like the idea (although it wasn't executed the best) and the comedy was hit and miss, but I wasn't bored.

The stuff I dislike: I think the meta commentary was a bit too much and on the nose, like there are some okay jokes told with it, but some jokes are a little groan inducing with how much they lay on the meta commentary. The episode also is lacking real joke set ups or pay offs, every joke seems like it's quickly written in one scene and then it doesn't recur, kind of makes the episode feel like it's being made up as it goes along.

Overall, while the comedy is hit and miss, the commentary a bit too in your face and it feeling a little messy. This was a fun, charming return t these beloved characters.

Not the start most will expect

[suzasailor · 5/10 · 25 July 2023]

I'm so happy that Futurama is back. As a fan I'm very excited like everyone else but this episode was not a great start in my opinion.

A little late to the party as South Park had it's mini movie series of the streaming wars. This was an inferior take on it. It starts with a quick explanation of a convenient way to reset the show, kinda how Beavis and Butthead did. However this felt way too rushed and not earned.

The problem with the episode is it felt very recycled from better episodes. Fry wants to watch every episode of every show ever and he gets caught up in a streaming device that progresses the story. Nice platform for an episode, but it felt more like a not as funny take of Rick and Mortys interdimensional cable and that sucks cause they could have done a lot of funny things here but we get some retreaded jokes and half hearted attempts. Plus the ending is very meta in a bad way.

I'm hoping we get better episodes than this cause this wasn't it.

Surprisingly good

[larsstian · 9/10 · 24 July 2023]

As I sat down to watch this episode, I really didn't have high expectations - to be completely frank, I think the last couple of seasons of Futurama weren't all that great, especially compared to first four or five seasons.

I feared this would be akin to modern Simpsons, where soulless episodes are pumped out, but it really wasn't. I honestly think this episode is one of the best episodes since before Futurama was cancelled for the first time.

There were lots of jokes - and the style of humour is the same type of humour that set this show apart from other shows - and I laughed many times. The essence of the show felt true to previous seasons, and it felt way fresher than the most recent seasons, that often felt rushed and contrived.

The only real problem I had was that the conclusion was a bit quick, but it was a minor issue that hardly really matters.

At the end of the episode, Fry says something akin to "Don't bring a show back unless you can make it as good as it was before it stopped", and I think that wraps it up: This episode felt like it was written around a genuine desire to make something good, written out of love of the series.

To conclude, if all the episodes in this new season will be on a par with this one, this season would easily be better than the latter half of the previous seasons of Futurama.

Futurama's Back, Baby!

[seancp-39982 · 8/10 · 24 July 2023]

Futurama's back! Voices may be slightly different(such as the professor and Amy), animation may be different(definitely bender and some with leela) but the same humor and writing are back and that's all we can ask for. The self aware/deprecating humor and sharp/dull wit is had in this episode. It did have a "intergalactic TV" vibe a bit, but that's not a knock as futurama has its past commentary on contemporary TV. Some of the good old fashion laughs found in prior seasons are to be had too. Could have done with a different character than calculon(who never did have a great presence in the show) but I look forward to more episodes.

Watch this ASAP before you experience FOMO

[3HK · 10/10 · 24 July 2023]

This is something that I demand you watch AS SOON AS POSSIBLE before you run into the issue of people spoiling this episode or you experiencing FOMO because you didn't watch it. This episode is a really big deal for many different reasons and as such it is the main thing that really defines 2023. Well this and the upcoming new season of Teenage Euthanasia, which I'll admit I have higher hopes for compared to new season of Futurama.

Look, bottom line is, this episode stays true to the show and doesn't ruin it, unlike many other reboots to many other shows. It manages to encapsulate what made Futurama great and the writers definitely knew that the viewers were going to have VERY high standards because this show is naturally a show that people have high standards for. It's definitely as good as any other episode.

JUST WATCH IT! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

AVENGED

[jamstan-14686 · 10/10 · 24 July 2023]

This is the perfect reintroduction back into the series. There is a lot of meta humor about them being cancelled and brought back. This is probably the most meta episode in the series but that's not a bad thing. It feels like the show was kicking and screaming it's way back on screen.

The episode starts immediately after the last episode "Meanwhile" and it's a very smooth transition. We see what happens right after time unfreezes and then the episode starts with them being in the year 3023.

This episode feels like a celebration of coming back, after 10 long years, this show deserves a big meta episode about coming back. It has some fan service but that's what you should do as soon as you come back to really thank the fans for allowing them to keep coming back.

The humor is really good. It feels like normal Futurama which is a very good thing. The characters all act like you remember. It just feels like it's a new episode of Futurama, it's not a cheap knockoff, it's actually just more Futurama. That's what I wanted and I'm so glad they delivered.

This was a great episode and you should give it a watch. If you for some reason don't like this episode, stick around for more of the season, I promise there are episodes for everybody this season.

Thank you Futurama for coming back and being just as good as before.

Still Futurama! Obligatory We're back baby!

[pasapasi · 10/10 · 29 July 2023]

I rate this episode 10/10 because it is well made, doesn't feel rushed, makes satirical remarks about current events (but in a way that makes it feel classic). It was really well put together. No other adult cartoon show has been as consistent as Futurama. They simply do not miss. In reality the show is about 7.5-8 out of 10 if 10 is the best episode of Futurama. Like all fans I'm glad they're back but also sad that the last episode wasn't the finale since it was the perfect end to an amazing series! I hope future episodes will continue on the same path, giving the fans exactly what they want by remaining fresh yet classical with the charm of the older episodes.

Not one funny moment in 24 minutes. And the stunt casting of Cara Delevingne did not impress me.

[travinitrav · 1/10 · 24 July 2023]

Apparently modern humor is a solid stream of meta jokes and self references. Nothing that was supposed to be funny actually made me laugh.

We get it, Groening, you think its hilarious your show was cancelled and reborn 4 times. Its hysterical. Keep telling us that over and over for an entire episode. I'm sure somebody somewhere is laughing like crazy. Probably in the writers room. Less likely the people at home.

Either the writers completely underestimated modern audiences and felt the need to pander to their desire for jokes about the jokes, or the writers correctly estimated our intelligence and humanity is doomed.

This style of writing might be a good indicator traditional half hour sitcoms are on the way out and we will be in a Dark Ages of TV for some time to come. Maybe the writers strike is a good thing? Perhaps going without a constant barrage of garbage will encourage more people to read books or go outside and talk to their neighbors. I dont know.

I do know this episode is not funny. Which is sadder when we remember the original Futurama was once the funniest show on television. I'm starting to think we should let old things die, and move on & create newer better things. Maybe thats asking too much of an America obsessed with nostalgia.

Anywho, the plot is about Fry's addiction to television and streaming old shows cuz everything new is garbage. And since that meta joke has already been made countless times on other shows, its not amusing anymore. Thats it, theres your plot. A meta plot meta joke on how its all been done before.

I'm out!

[FourNaans · 2/10 · 26 July 2023]

Futurama was a great show... on FOX. Didn't care for the movies, nor the CC seasons but I figured I give them one last shot and they blew it.

Right from the start the whole thing feels off. Billy West voices the majority of the characters and unfortunately, his voice isn't what it once was. Everybody sounds older, slower and lacking energy.

This is only made even worse thanks to the massive drop in animation quality. Dear God, this looks cheap. It's a bad sign when you're making MacFarlene shows look visually appealing by comparison. All the characters appear flat, poorly drawn and completely rigid. Mouth flaps are the most noticeable, especially since their are so many close up shots. Also for whatever reason we're stuck in Planet Express rec room for most of the episode, like an old sitcom with only one or two sets.

Notice how I haven't mentioned the plot yet? That's because there isn't one. Fry feels like he hasn't lived a full enough life (huh?) so he decides to binge every show there is. He get trapped in a dumb plot device, the gang go to stupid lengths to get him out and then it's revealed Fry came out two days ago, so the whole episode was pointless. 20+ minutes of meta jokes and very few of them land.

I'm done with this series.

Fulu Garbage

[derekrocks-18539 · 1/10 · 25 July 2023]

What is this first episode back in 10 years? Sure I get that they wanted to promote Hulu in this episode and make fun of their own show in this episode, but it all falls flat. None of the jokes land in this episode, besides one. The story behind this episode is boring and I had to skip towards the end... they tried to do something about binging tv shows and the motives behind it were incredibly stupid. It all results in nothing as he gets out of the binging chair as he might become brain dead if he stopped watching episodes because he thought it was boring, that's how I felt watching this episode. It's uninspired and I really hope it gets better from this one. Possibly the worst episode I've seen on futurama.

Yeah it's bad

[jack_jones_devil · 3/10 · 29 July 2023]

Full of cringey dull jokes referencing about modern life (2023) which somehow still applies in the year 3000. They even have an "advert" in the episode for Hulu which is such bad form, cmon man really? Comes across as very desperate and unprofessional. Soon as I saw that advert and talking about streaming shows I knew exactly how the episode was gonna go and I knew it would be bad. I'm actually a bit mad, because I loved Futurama growing up and I feel like they've massacred it. It's like a worse version of Rick & Morty and I like that show! Yes I watched the whole episode, there was a few chuckles but overall it was trash.

Not a great start

[liamjamesroelofse · 2/10 · 29 July 2023]

As a very long time Futurama fan who probably watched every episode multiple times, I can't help but feel disappointed. Futurama had a very witty and subtle style of humor that revlovled around the usage of irony as a comedic device. In this first episode, the jokes were not so subtle and the main comedic devices they used were unfunny meta puns and metaphors which is a stark contrast of what made the original show so brilliant. The original writers all had PhDs in various fields and we're all highly intelligent writers. Judging by this first episode, I don't think that the writers can encompass everything that made Futurama great.

Started off weak and destroyed a perfect ending to a series.

[cswalt · 2/10 · 24 July 2023]

Big, big fan of the original 2 Futurama series. This time around, seems like someone is trying to make money off of a name/brand that was already established, watched, and had already ended with a perfect ending. Original ending left people thinking that the series would do a full circle and start over from the beginning. Hulu is playing off of the "fox and fans" reboot that once brought the franchise back. I was excited hearing about the reboot / continuation of my favorite cartoon show. Highly disappointed with the story line. Just repeated what was already done. Has a modern spin, but doesn't make up for ruining one of the best adult focused cartoons ever created.

well...i guess i didnt hate it. like the last reboot episode..

[rich-12169 · 4/10 · 25 July 2023]

Very boring episode...but it wasnt so bad that i wanted to rip my eyes out..Like i did on the last futurama reboot episode.

So at this point we dont even care if Fry and Leela get together right..Yeah we want to see Fry mature just a little bit, but its pretty clear thats not going to happen, Instead Fry gets dumbed down even more by proposing he watch every tv show ever made.,,when we are expecting him to want a family...? But no...dumb and not clever...thats the pitch here..

He somehow makes it through every tv show ever without commentary, then gets stuck on that robot show...for some reason...why they picked this show. Why they would pick a show they had no commentary or good jokes ready for it? They could have chosen the simpsons or something funny and clever...but nope.

And then it just ends..pretty lame ending

All the voices are great...except for the robot Devil.