Meanwhile (Futurama)
| "Meanwhile" | |
|---|---|
| Futurama episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 7 Episode 26 |
| Directed by | Peter Avanzino |
| Written by | Ken Keeler |
| Production code | 7ACV26 |
| Original air date | September 4, 2013 |
| Opening caption | "Avenge Us" |
"Meanwhile" is the series finale of the American animated television series Futurama. The episode premiered on September 4, 2013, on Comedy Central, along with a talk show special called Futurama Live that was aired prior to and following the episode. "Meanwhile" was written by Ken Keeler and directed by Peter Avanzino. As the conclusion to the series, the episode revolves around the romantic relationship between Fry and Leela. In the episode, Professor Farnsworth invents a button that allows the user to travel backwards in time by 10 seconds. However, the button is stolen and abused by Fry, who wants to use it to prolong the sunset during a romantic dinner after his marriage proposal to Leela.
Due to the recurrently uncertain production status of Futurama, "Meanwhile" is the fourth episode written to serve as an ending to the series. It follows "The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings", Into the Wild Green Yonder and "Overclockwise", all of which were also written by Ken Keeler.
The crew delivers a package to Luna Park, with Fry and Leela both mentioning that this is where they went on their first delivery. When Leela almost dies in an accident, Fry realizes he cannot live without her and decides to propose to her. The Professor announces two new inventions: a time button that causes the entire universe to jump backward 10 seconds in time, and a shelter that shields people from the button's effects. Fry takes the button and uses it to repeatedly steal candidate diamonds for an engagement ring. After presenting the ring to Leela, he invites her to meet him atop the Vampire State Building at 6:30 pm if she agrees to marry him. If she does not arrive, he will infer rejection. His plan is to use the button to make the sunset last as long as he and Leela want. He is heartbroken when, at what his watch tells him is 7:02 pm, she has still not arrived. He jumps off the roof, but sees Leela is approaching and notes the building's clock reads 6:25; his watch has continued to run normally through all his uses of the button. He tries to undo the jump but, because he has been falling longer than 10 seconds, is unable to return to the rooftop. As the device takes 10 seconds to recharge, he continually loops falling toward the ground from several feet below the roof, never able to reach safety.
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