"Benderama" | |
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Futurama episode | |
Episode no. | Season 6 Episode 17 |
Directed by | Crystal Chesney-Thompson |
Written by | Aaron Ehasz |
Production code | 6ACV17 |
Original air date | June 23, 2011 |
Opening caption | "Others ask, "What if?" We ask, "Why if."" |
Opening cartoon | "Hollywood Capers" (1935) |
Guest appearance(s) | |
Patton Oswalt as the unattractive giant monster |
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Patton Oswalt as the unattractive giant monster
"Benderama" is the seventeenth episode of season six of the animated sitcom Futurama, and originally aired June 23, 2011 on Comedy Central. The episode was written by Aaron Ehasz and directed by Crystal Chesney-Thompson. American comedian Patton Oswalt guest stars in the episode, voicing an "unattractive giant monster". In the episode, Bender duplicates himself into two smaller copies in order to avoid work. However, the duplicates also want to avoid work, so they create their own smaller duplicates, resulting in a vast number of increasingly smaller copies of Bender ultimately threatening to consume all of the matter on Earth.
The premise of "Benderama" is the grey goo theory, an end-of-the-world scenario in which out-of-control self-replicating robots consume all matter on Earth while building more of themselves. "Benderama" received mostly positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised Patton Oswalt's guest appearance and noted that it was an improvement over the preceding episode "Neutopia".
The Professor invents a machine that can scan an object and produce two smaller copies, consuming matter provided to it in the process. He uses it to make smaller sweaters for himself, since he is shrinking and feeling colder as he ages. Bender originally refuses the Professor's request to fold them, and then stuffs the replicator into his chest cavity and uses it to make two duplicates of himself so they can each fold one sweater. Before they can do so, the Planet Express crew (including the two new Benders) is sent to deliver a shipment of personal hygiene products to an ugly, giant alien humanoid who lives in a cave. He endures the crew's comments about his appearance until Fry inadvertently insults his mother, causing him to lash out and nearly destroy the ship before it escapes.
Back on Earth, Bender's two duplicates (each of whom has a small version of the Professor's replicator in his chest) copy themselves in order to get four cigars for Bender. The process continues until there are 11 generations of Benders running around the office; the crew quickly moves in to exterminate all the duplicates, but Bender admits to setting one free. As this one gives rise to a new swarm that keeps reproducing and consuming matter, including Bender's couch and beer, the Professor worries that they will eventually eat the Earth. Leela points out that since the Benders are fueled by alcohol, they will run out of power once they have used up the world's supply. When this happens, the crew sweeps up the Benders and flushes them down the toilet.