#16 Fry and Leelas Big Fling--Episode 7ACV17 Written By: Eric Rogers Originally Aired: June 19, 2013 Opening Caption: WATCH IT OR DIE TRYING Episode Events Transpire In: Act IV YOU WERE IN A ZOO! Sometimes the best episodes are the ones where the loyal fans patience is richly rewarded. For the fans that had been rooting for the shows leading lady and its determined protagonist for the previous fourteen years (on and off), this was DEFINITELY one of those episodes. Its closing time at Planet Express and Fry and Leela have planned in confidence a romantic rendezvous after hours. After being unhooked from his locker door in an attempt to be covert, the endearingly clownish Fry romantically guides Leela to the surprise that hes set up for her--dinner in a fully decorated hangar adorned with supplies he stole from the office. Unfortunately, before the festivities can get underway, a particularly nosy janitor intervenes and ruins the moment. In spite of numerous efforts to find privacy, the duo is continually interrupted by poorly-armed robo-muggers, poorly paid Decapodian physicians who recently took up jobs as singing busboys and voyeuristic Nibblonians. (For the record, Just The Two of Us was once again the perfect song choice for the perfect scene). Exasperated, Fry and Leela find a trace of serendipity when a blip comes across Leelas wristlojackimator bringing to their attention a private island retreat, The Casa Isolada Eco Resort. Evidently, Leela is eligible for a 25% discount since shes a return customer. Heres the catch; her first visit was with her oft-discussed, never seen old flame Sean. This element was excellent fan service for those who had followed Leelas passing references to her former paramour, but wondered if he would ever come into the picture. Frys suspicions and insecurities are momentarily piqued, but Leela manages to quell his fears....Momentarily. A delivery arises the following morning, and as luck would have it, its a shipment to a planet detrimental to the safety of humans, so it appears that the vacation is a go. In our heroes places, Zoidberg and Bender are commissioned for the actual delivery and Amy takes the helm of the ship, however, as the inhabitants of Simian 7 are hostile toward humans, limits are tested and Amy brings her Marmoset pajamas along for the ride. Meanwhile, Fry and Leelas ship has arrived at a verdant utopia and they indulge in all of the luxuries a lovers holiday can offer. Little do they realize, however, that a monkey wrench (no pun intended) or two is about to be tossed into their plans yet again. During a round of Marco Polo, Sean finally and inexplicably surfaces after six seasons since first being mentioned. Hostilities flare when a severely inebriated Fry concludes that Sean is trying to make a move and breaks Seans saxophone reed in the confrontation. We later find that in fact, Sean wound up at the resort with his now-wife Darlene and is presently stranded on the island due to a mechanical failure of their shuttle. The intruders immediately flee the island upon discovering the ship is repaired, not wanting to be charged extra. The mass delivery of cars to Simian 7 a surprising success (the apes actually just wanted the tires for new tire swing office chairs), the makeshift crew tours the planet. Guided by familiar face and Mars University alum Guenter (Episode 1ACV11), the chimp recognizes Amy and swears her identity to secrecy during her visit to the planet. A sign of a great show is one that can still throw a curveball in its 7th Season/8th Volume/10th Broadcast Season (depending on who you ask) when bringing together two primary stories and intertwining them into one central focus in the final act. As the tour continues, Guenter leads Amy, Zoidberg and Bender to the City Zoo. Among their wildlife on display is their prized Human Exhibit, which, as it turns out, is the supposedly secluded island resort that Fry and Leela are visiting...and its apparently mating season. The greatest irony of all, of course, is that the whole idea of Casa Isolada being the perfect private getaway when in fact, its a stage for Fry and Leelas...ahem...antics to presented for all the world to see. Mistaking the flashbulbs for fireflies, the show continues and Amy, Bender and Zoidberg attempt to spare Fry and Leelas dignity by taking the matter to the zoos director--another familiar face and foil to Professor Farnsworth, Dr. Banjo. As they demand their friends release from the exhibit, Banjo informs them that they in fact paid to come and through surveillance footage demonstrates that perhaps any humiliation they suffer as a result of their visit is justified, since they dont seem to have any consideration for the rest of the crews feelings. Incidentally, the footage also blows Amys cover and the chase is on beginning with a crazed orangutan armed with a tranquilizer gun. As the crew outruns Cyclophages, Tasmanian Tigers, Bone Vampires and adorable Prarie Elephants, they attempt to make a last minute rescue only to be devoured and subsequently digested by a Moon Worm. The escape its tract a week later only to find that Fry and Leela have now safely evacuated the island of their own accord. Back at Planet Express, the happy couple recounts their week away from work as Amy and company vow to keep what they know secret to preserve individual friendships. However, when Fry and Leela start back in with their mockery again, Amy resolves to let Bender drop the bombshell on them in the closing seconds. Classic. Ive said it before and Im sure Ill say it again at some point, but episodes that result in sizeable character and relationship development get big points from me in terms of rank. Looking back on the series from this point in Season 7/8/10 (whatever), its wild to see the different twists and turns, just how drastically the friendship/relationship had grown and changed since the earlier episodes and the different stages/phases/avenues that the story arc has taken. As the years go on, it seems as though the characters grow both on us and with us, and for an animated program, thats incredibly rare. Its yet another detail that makes this show so very special. Simpsorama airs Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 8/7c on the FOX Network. So settle in, get drunk and eat some strawberry shortcake with a jar of peanut butter...Just remember, unlike the robot hands at Casa Isolada, the network wont air this episode at just any time (four, seven, any time)....Im not Lyin! :-P 8pm Eastern is your only chance, so record it, DVR it, TiVo, whatever it is that you kids are doing nowadays....DONT MISS THIS EPISODE. #ActV.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 07:21:47 +0000