Futurama season 1 episode 8 Recap and FAQ
Episode Summary
Professor Farnsworth announces a risky delivery and introduces his Death Clock invention at the Academy of Inventors' symposium. Rival Wernstrom mocks him, leading to Farnsworth's failed presentation of the Smell-O-Scope. Fry discovers a massive garbage ball, a remnant of 20th-century waste, hurtling towards Earth. The crew's initial plan to destroy it with a bomb fails due to a timer mishap. Inspired by Fry, they create a new garbage ball, launching it to collide with the original, diverting the threat. Farnsworth and Fry are hailed as heroes, despite ignoring future repercussions.
Full Episode S01E08 Recap
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Academy of Inventors annual symposium?
It's a scientific event where members present inventions and compete for the Academy prize.
What is the Death Clock?
An invention by Professor Farnsworth that predicts how long a person has to live.
Who is Wernstrom?
Wernstrom is Professor Farnsworth's former student, holding a grudge and seeking revenge.
What is the Smell-O-Scope?
Another invention by Farnsworth that allows users to smell distant objects in space.
Why is a giant ball of garbage headed towards Earth?
It's a ball of 20th-century garbage that was launched into space and is now returning to Earth.
How was the garbage ball originally dealt with?
In 2052, New York City launched its garbage into space on a rocket.
What was the crew's initial plan to stop the garbage ball?
They planned to plant a bomb on it to destroy or divert it.
Why did the bomb plan fail?
The bomb's timer was set incorrectly by Professor Farnsworth, leading to premature detonation.
How does Fry propose to stop the garbage ball?
By creating a second ball of garbage to collide with the first and knock it off course.
How do they create a new garbage ball?
Fry encourages the people of New New York to stop recycling and start producing garbage.
What does the new garbage ball do to the original one?
It collides with the original ball, knocking it into the sun and saving Earth.
Who takes credit for saving the city?
Professor Farnsworth and Fry are both credited for their roles in saving the city.
What is the public's reaction to the garbage solution?
They celebrate, showing no concern for the long-term consequences of their actions.
How does the episode portray the 20th-century attitude towards garbage?
It shows 20th-century people as wasteful and irresponsible in contrast to the recycling practices of the future.
Does the episode resolve the issue of space garbage permanently?
No, it ends with the characters ignoring the potential future consequences of their actions.
