Top 5 Futurama Episodes

5) Tie between "Three Hundred Big Boys" and "Luck of the Fryrish"

It was difficult for me to narrow down one episode for the number five spot, and I just couldn't choose between these two. These two episodes are what I would consider to be on opposite ends of the spectrum of Futurama episodes. The plot of "Three Hundred Big Boys" covers a wide array of stories focusing on each primary character's choices on how to spend a three hundred dollar stimulus check (issued as "Tricky Dick Fun Bills"). Generally, the episode is somewhat garbled and frantic, but Zoidberg's touching realization of how money can make him happy (after spending the entire episode searching for the answer) and Fry drinking enough coffee to transcend time itself makes this episode great.

Best quote:

Bender: You seem a tad wound up, buddy. And your face is greasy... real greasy. You been up all night?
Fry: Of course I've been up all night! Not because of caffeine, it was insomnia. I couldn't stop thinking about coffee. I need a nap... coffee time!

Whereas "The Hundred Big Boys" can be classified as 'wacky', "The Luck of the Fryrish" is one of the more sentimental episodes of Futurama ever made (the biggest tear-jerker being "Jurassic Bark" of course, but it's too sad to watch often or write about). In this episode, Fry questions the motives of his older brother, Yancy, through flashbacks of his 20th century life due to finding a statue in Yancy's likeness proclaiming Philip J. Fry to be the first man on Mars. Convinced Yancy stole his identity and his lucky seven leaf clover, Fry searches for answers, resulting in some hardcore pulling of the heartstrings.

Best quote:

Fry: That clover helped my rat-fink brother steal my dream of going into space. Now I'll never get there!
Leela: You went there this morning for doughnuts.

4) "A Flight to Remember"

I think (okay, I know) that the Titanic fan in me makes this episode hilarious. I think the plot of this episode is pretty obvious to just about anyone, but there are so many good one liners and gags scattered around. Watching Fry attempt to tango through the difficult situation of pretending to be both Amy and Leela's boyfriend by referring back to Three's Company, Bender's interactions with iZak and a hearty helping of Zapp Brannigan all add up to a great episode.

Best quote:

Zapp Brannigan: Ah, yes. Comets, the icebergs of the sky. By jackknifing off one after another at breakneck speed, we can create a gravity boost... or something.

3) "Roswell That Ends Well"

This is the episode of Futurama that scored an Emmy win, and it is definitely deserving of the award. When a freak occurrence involving a supernova and microwaved Iffy Pop popcorn transports the Planet Express crew back to Roswell, NM circa 1947, they realize that they are the aliens examined at Area 51. Fry decides to visit his grandfather Enis, and naturally, endangers his own existence. Watching Zoidberg interact with army personnel and President Truman makes for some great quotes.

Best quote:

Professor: You mustn't interferer with the past. Don't do anything that affects anything. Unless it turns out you were supposed to do it... in which case, for the love of God, don't not do it!
Fry: Got it.
Professor: If, for example, you were to kill your grandfather, you would cease to exist!
Fry: [gasp] But existing is basically all I do!

2) "Time Keeps on Slippin'"

Remember when I mentioned certain episodes that can get you a little teary? This is one of them. Although it begins with a ridiculous, but hilarious, plot involving the Harlem Globetrotters challenging earthlings to a basketball game to prove that they're not 'jive suckers', it shifts into an examination of the relationship between Fry and Leela. Time is leaping forward randomly and haphazardly, and no one can remember what transpires between these skips. During one of the skips, Fry does something extravagant and magical to make Leela fall in love with him... if only he could remember what it was. If you don't feel a knot in your stomach at the end of this episode, you have no soul.

Best quote:

Zoidberg: Don't be so hard on yourself, Fry. You lost the woman of your dreams, but you still have Zoidberg. YOU ALL STILL HAVE ZOIDBERG!

1) "The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings"

This is my favorite episode ever. It's the episode that I've seen so many times, I know every single line of dialogue by heart. This series finale is full of great lines, clever songs and complex emotions. Fry makes a deal with the Robot Devil that allows him to have mechanical hands in order to play the Holophonor (a sort of clarinet that produces images along with music) to win Leela's heart. However, when Fry receives the Robot Devil's own hands, he puts an intricate chain of events into motion to ditch Fry's 'bony hot dogs'. On paper, this episode does not receive the justice it deserves. Just watch it, trust me.

Best quote:

Leela: Don't stop playing, Fry. I want to see how it ends.