Difference between revisions of "Xmas Story"

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{{episode infobox 2
{{episode infobox 2
|name=Xmas Story
|name=Xmas Story
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|guest-stars=[[Conan O'Brien's head|Conan O'Brien]] as [[Conan O'Brien's head|himself in a]] [[head jars|jar]] and [[John Goodman]] as [[Robot Santa Claus|Robot Santa]]
|guest-stars=[[Conan O'Brien's head|Conan O'Brien]] as [[Conan O'Brien's head|himself in a]] [[head jars|jar]] and [[John Goodman]] as [[Robot Santa Claus|Robot Santa]]
}}
}}
On [[Xmas]] Eve, [[Philip J. Fry|Fry]] realizes he has been a jerk towards [[Turanga Leela|Leela]] and decides to make it up for her, when they both run into Robot Santa, who is nowhere as nice as the former children's character was made up to be.
On [[Xmas]] Eve, [[Philip J. Fry|Fry]] realizes he has been a jerk towards [[Turanga Leela|Leela]] and decides to make it up for her, when they both run into Robot Santa, who is nowhere as nice as the former {{cat|children|s=no}}'s character was made up to be.


== The Story ==
== The Story ==
Line 27: Line 28:


=== Act I: "He doesn't know about Santa Claus!" ===
=== Act I: "He doesn't know about Santa Claus!" ===
The [[Planet Express]] crew are all on a company [[Xmas]] ski trip at the Catskills Lodge.  [[Philip J. Fry|Fry]] begins to feel sad, since it's his first [[Xmas, 3000|Xmas in the 31<sup>st</sup> century]]. In an effort to cheer him up, they get an Xmas tree (a palm tree, since pine trees have been extinct for 800 years). Back at the office, everyone gets an Xmas card except for [[Turanga Leela|Leela]], and we realise that Leela is just as lonely as Fry. However, Fry doesn't, and complains rudely. Fry's moping affects Leela, and she runs off in tears.
The [[Planet Express]] crew are all on a company [[Xmas]] ski trip at [[Catskills Lodge]].  [[Philip J. Fry|Fry]] begins to feel sad, since it's his first [[Xmas, 3000|Xmas in the 31<sup>st</sup> century]]. In an effort to cheer him up, they get an Xmas tree (a palm tree, since pine trees have been extinct for 800 years). Back at the office, everyone gets an Xmas card except for [[Turanga Leela|Leela]], and we realise that Leela is just as lonely as Fry. However, Fry doesn't, and complains rudely. Fry's moping affects Leela, and she runs off in tears.


=== Act II: "Girls like swarms of [[Stink Lizards|lizards]], right?" ===
=== Act II: "Girls like swarms of [[Stink Lizards|lizards]], right?" ===
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[[File:Bongo.jpg|left|thumb|[[Bongo]]]]
[[File:Bongo.jpg|left|thumb|[[Bongo]]]]
[[File:Promo 2ACV04.jpg|right|thumbnail|[[Promo pic]] of this episode]]
[[File:Promo 2ACV04.jpg|right|thumbnail|[[Promo pic]] of this episode]]
[[File:December2006calendar.JPG|right|thumb|December - 2006 [[Calendar]]]]
[[File:December2006calendar.JPG|right|thumb|December - [[2006]] [[calendar]]]]


=== Trivia ===
=== Trivia ===
*[[Bongo]], the one-eared rabbit from [[Matt Groening]]'s comic strip ''{{w|Life in Hell}}'' makes a [[cameo]] appearance in the pet store. The comic company that publishes the [[Comic Listing|Futurama Comics]] is named for him.
{{revelations about the future}}
*[[Bongo]], the one-eared rabbit from [[Matt Groening]]'s comic strip ''{{w|Life in Hell}}'' makes a [[cameo]] appearance in the pet store. The comic company that publishes the [[Comic Listing|''Futurama'' comics]] is named for him.
*The scene where Hermes and Amy give up their prized hair to buy each other hair accessories is a reference to the "Gift of the Magi," a short story by the author O. Henry.
*The scene where Hermes and Amy give up their prized hair to buy each other hair accessories is a reference to the "Gift of the Magi," a short story by the author O. Henry.
*The idea of Robot Santa Claus was partly inspired by the infamous 1984 slasher film ''Silent Night, Deadly Night'', in which a young man comes to believe that he is Santa Claus, and begins murdering people who he deems to be "naughty."
*The idea of Robot Santa Claus was partly inspired by the infamous [[1980s|1984]] slasher film ''Silent Night, Deadly Night'', in which a young man comes to believe that he is Santa Claus, and begins murdering people who he deems to be "naughty."
* Conan O'Brien mentioning a war of 2012 is a reference to the belief that the Mayan calendar prediction that 2012 would be the end of the world.
*Conan O'Brien mentioning a [[war of 2012]] is a reference to the belief that the Mayan calendar predicted that [[2012]] would be the end of [[Earth|the world]]. <ref>See also ''[[3012 phenomenon]]''.</ref>


=== Allusions ===
=== Allusions ===
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=== Goofs ===
=== Goofs ===
*Leela uses a laser hatchet to cut the tree down, but atop the planet Express Ship, the tree has it's roots, wrapped in a burlap bag.  
*Leela uses a laser hatchet to cut the tree down, but atop the Planet Express Ship, the tree has its roots, wrapped in a burlap bag.  
*Amy shouldn't have had to sell her hair to buy combs, as she's from a wealthy family (though that was only done for the sake of the ''Gift of the Magi'' parody).
*Amy shouldn't have had to sell her hair to buy combs, as she's from a wealthy family (though that was only done for the sake of the ''Gift of the Magi'' parody).
*Leela states that global warming actually occurred, but in "[[A Big Piece of Garbage]]", [[Mayor Poopenmeyer]] said it turned out to be a scientific fraud, just like secondhand smoke.
*Leela states that global warming actually occurred, but in "[[A Big Piece of Garbage]]", [[Mayor Poopenmeyer]] said it turned out to be a scientific fraud, just like secondhand smoke.
**It occurred in "[[Crimes of the Hot]]" (even though nuclear winter canceled it out and it apparently started again after nuclear winter subsided), so it might just have been a mistake on Mayor Poopenmeyer's part (or Mayor Poopenmeyer may be one of those people who doesn't believe global warming is real).
**It occurred in "[[Crimes of the Hot]]" (even though nuclear winter canceled it out and it apparently started again after nuclear winter subsided), so it might just have been a mistake on Mayor Poopenmeyer's part (or Mayor Poopenmeyer may be one of those people who doesn't believe global warming is real).
*After Bender serves the parrot to [[Tinny Tim]], [[Nibbler]] steals the bird and sits in the corner. If you notice there is one frame where Nibbler's nose is all black.
*After Bender serves the parrot to [[Tinny Tim]], [[Nibbler]] steals the bird and sits in the corner. If you notice there is one frame where Nibbler's nose is all black.
*Despite pine trees being extinct for over 800 years, they are clearly visible in the background when the crew is out skiing and in the background at the beginning of the episode "[[Spanish Fry]]".
*Despite pine trees being extinct for over 800 years, they are clearly visible in the background when the crew is out skiing and in the background at the beginning of "[[Spanish Fry]]".
** These are most likely artificial (as the forest on that episode is called the Duraflame National Park), like the ones designed to respond to "Trees Down!"
** These are most likely artificial (as the forest in that episode is called the [[Duraflame National Forest]] and [http://www.duraflame.com/about-duraflame/ Duraflame] is a {{w|firelog}}-manufacturing company), like the ones designed to respond to "Trees down!"
*In the scene where Fry climbs to the top of the clock tower to retrieve the parrot, the time clearly reads, "04:24:xx."  However, after Fry drops the bird cage off the ledge and the view zooms out, the zero is missing and it reads "4:26:xx."
*In the scene where Fry climbs to the top of the clock tower to retrieve the parrot, the time clearly reads, "04:24:xx."  However, after Fry drops the bird cage off the ledge and the view zooms out, the zero is missing and it reads "4:26:xx." The clock also counts up when he is hanging off of it, going from 2 to 7.
*When the [[Planet Express attic]] is shown for the first time, there is nothing above the fireplace. However, when Bender walks out to volunteer, a row of stockings are seen above the fireplace.
**It's possible that they were being set up during the scene.


=== Quotes ===
=== Quotes ===
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=== Alien Language Sightings ===
=== Alien Language Sightings ===
'''Time''':05:24<br />
{{q|
'''Location''': Sign<br />
<poem>'''Time''': 05:24
'''Language''': [[Alien Languages#AL1|AL1]]<br />
'''Location''': Sign
'''Translation''': disposable office temps
'''Language''': [[Alien languages#AL1|AL1]]
 
'''Translation''': disposable office temps</poem>
'''Time''':12:24<br />
<poem>'''Time''': 12:24
'''Location''': Sign on shop's shutter<br />
'''Location''': Sign on shop's shutter
'''Language''': [[Alien Languages#AL1|AL1]]<br />
'''Language''': [[Alien languages#AL1|AL1]]
'''Translation''': joyeux noex  
'''Translation''': joyeux noex</poem>
}}


=== Appearances ===
=== Appearances ===
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*[[Alien Overlord & Taylor]]
*[[Alien Overlord & Taylor]]
*Andromeda Chuckle Hut {{miso}}
*Andromeda Chuckle Hut {{miso}}
*'''Debut''': Catskills Lodge
*'''Debut''': [[Catskills Lodge]]
*Galilee {{miso}}
*Galilee {{miso}}
*'''Debut''': [[Joe's Ark Pet Store]]
*'''Debut''': [[Joe's Ark Pet Store]]
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*Zion {{miso}}
*Zion {{miso}}
{{chars-end}}
{{chars-end}}
=== Themes ===
* The [[Fry-Leela relationship|romance]] between Fry and Leela is explored in this episode.


== Episode Credits ==
== Episode Credits ==
Line 153: Line 161:
**[[David Herman]]
**[[David Herman]]
**[[Lauren Tom]]
**[[Lauren Tom]]
**[[Frank Welker]] (Uncredited) <!-- In case there's ever a dispute, I know because he voiced Fry's Parrot. -->
**[[Frank Welker]] {{small|(uncredited)}} <!-- In case there's ever a dispute, I know because he voiced Fry's Parrot. -->
{{credits-end}}
{{credits-end}}
{{navigation bottom
{{navigation bottom
|prev ep=A Head in the Polls
|prev ep=A Head in the Polls
|next ep=Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?}}
|next ep=Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?}}
== Notes ==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:A plots focusing on Fry]]
[[Category:A plots focusing on Fry]]

Revision as of 01:48, 19 November 2014

Season 2 episode
Xmas Story
Xmas Story.jpg
No.17
Production number2ACV04
Written byDavid X. Cohen
Directed byPeter Avanzino
Title captionBased on a True Story
First air date19 December, 1999
Broadcast numberS02E08
Opening cartoonElmer Fudd in "Fresh Hare"
Special guest(s)Conan O'Brien
John Goodman
Additional
Commentary
(Transcript)
Transcript

Pictures

Season 2
  1. I Second that Emotion
  2. Brannigan, Begin Again
  3. A Head in the Polls
  4. Xmas Story
  5. Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?
  6. The Lesser of Two Evils
  7. Put Your Head on My Shoulders
  8. Raging Bender
  9. A Bicyclops Built for Two
  10. A Clone of My Own
  11. How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back
  12. The Deep South
  13. Bender Gets Made
  14. Mother's Day
  15. The Problem with Popplers
  16. Anthology of Interest I
  17. War Is the H-Word
  18. The Honking
  19. The Cryonic Woman
← Season 1Season 3 →

"Xmas Story" is the seventeenth episode of Futurama, the fourth of the second production season and the eighth of the second broadcast season. It is the first seasonal episode. It aired on 19 December, 1999, on Fox. It guest-stars Conan O'Brien as himself in a jar and John Goodman as Robot Santa. On Xmas Eve, Fry realizes he has been a jerk towards Leela and decides to make it up for her, when they both run into Robot Santa, who is nowhere as nice as the former children's character was made up to be.

The Story

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This plot section needs updating.
The following plot section requires a going-over, such as giving it more detail and description.

Act I: "He doesn't know about Santa Claus!"

The Planet Express crew are all on a company Xmas ski trip at Catskills Lodge. Fry begins to feel sad, since it's his first Xmas in the 31st century. In an effort to cheer him up, they get an Xmas tree (a palm tree, since pine trees have been extinct for 800 years). Back at the office, everyone gets an Xmas card except for Leela, and we realise that Leela is just as lonely as Fry. However, Fry doesn't, and complains rudely. Fry's moping affects Leela, and she runs off in tears.

Act II: "Girls like swarms of lizards, right?"

Fry feels guilty for upsetting Leela, and runs out to get an Xmas present. Everyone warns him to be back before dark, so the ruthless killer robot Santa Claus built in the 2800s doesn't get him. Bender goes to "volunteer" at a Liquor Kitchen, where he poses as a homeless robot to get free booze. Fry goes to the mall, and winds up shopping in the only store left open, Joe's Ark Pet Store, where he buys Leela a $500 parrot. On his way home, the parrot escapes, and Fry starts chasing it across town. Leela returns to Planet Express and learns Fry is out buying her a present; she runs out to find him. Fry, having chased the bird up a digital clock tower, falls off only to be saved by Leela. Before they can get home, they run into Santa!

Act III: "You dare bribe Santa?"

Bender and his new homeless robot friends go caroling, as an excuse to get into people's homes and rob them. Meanwhile, Fry and Leela are chased across town by Santa until they run into Bender. When Santa confronts Bender, he tries to blame the crippled orphan robot Tinny Tim. This is so incredibly naughty, Santa immediately adds it to his list, allowing Fry, Leela, and Bender a head start. They make it back to Planet Express, but Santa is right on their heels and gets inside. Santa gives Zoidberg a pogo stick, but attempts to kill everyone else for being naughty. Zoidberg, hopping on his new pogo stick, cuts a string of lights with his claws. The loose wire falls and electrocutes Santa, knocking him back into the fireplace. They slide the blast door closed before Rudolph explodes, blasting Santa out of the building. Everyone sits down to an Xmas dinner prepared by Bender - consisting of the parrot Fry had bought for Leela. They then sing "Santa Claus Is Gunning You down", while Robot Santa threatens that he'll be back next year.

Additional Info

Promo pic of this episode
December - 2006 calendar

Trivia

Click here to see revelations about the future made in this episode.
  • Bongo, the one-eared rabbit from Matt Groening's comic strip Life in Hell makes a cameo appearance in the pet store. The comic company that publishes the Futurama comics is named for him.
  • The scene where Hermes and Amy give up their prized hair to buy each other hair accessories is a reference to the "Gift of the Magi," a short story by the author O. Henry.
  • The idea of Robot Santa Claus was partly inspired by the infamous 1984 slasher film Silent Night, Deadly Night, in which a young man comes to believe that he is Santa Claus, and begins murdering people who he deems to be "naughty."
  • Conan O'Brien mentioning a war of 2012 is a reference to the belief that the Mayan calendar predicted that 2012 would be the end of the world. [1]

Allusions

Goofs

  • Leela uses a laser hatchet to cut the tree down, but atop the Planet Express Ship, the tree has its roots, wrapped in a burlap bag.
  • Amy shouldn't have had to sell her hair to buy combs, as she's from a wealthy family (though that was only done for the sake of the Gift of the Magi parody).
  • Leela states that global warming actually occurred, but in "A Big Piece of Garbage", Mayor Poopenmeyer said it turned out to be a scientific fraud, just like secondhand smoke.
    • It occurred in "Crimes of the Hot" (even though nuclear winter canceled it out and it apparently started again after nuclear winter subsided), so it might just have been a mistake on Mayor Poopenmeyer's part (or Mayor Poopenmeyer may be one of those people who doesn't believe global warming is real).
  • After Bender serves the parrot to Tinny Tim, Nibbler steals the bird and sits in the corner. If you notice there is one frame where Nibbler's nose is all black.
  • Despite pine trees being extinct for over 800 years, they are clearly visible in the background when the crew is out skiing and in the background at the beginning of "Spanish Fry".
    • These are most likely artificial (as the forest in that episode is called the Duraflame National Forest and Duraflame is a firelog-manufacturing company), like the ones designed to respond to "Trees down!"
  • In the scene where Fry climbs to the top of the clock tower to retrieve the parrot, the time clearly reads, "04:24:xx." However, after Fry drops the bird cage off the ledge and the view zooms out, the zero is missing and it reads "4:26:xx." The clock also counts up when he is hanging off of it, going from 2 to 7.
  • When the Planet Express attic is shown for the first time, there is nothing above the fireplace. However, when Bender walks out to volunteer, a row of stockings are seen above the fireplace.
    • It's possible that they were being set up during the scene.

Quotes

    Bender: Ah, let's face it: Comedy's a dead art form. Now, tragedy... [He laughs.] That's funny!

    Fry: All right, bird, you thought you could beat me in a game of wits, but you just met your equal.

    Fry: Leela! Oh my God! You saved my life! I'm going to get you so many lizards!

    Farnsworth: Good thing I got us out of that one.

    Farnsworth: Good lord! He doesn't know about Santa Claus!

Alien Language Sightings

    Time: 05:24
    Location: Sign
    Language: AL1
    Translation: disposable office temps

    Time: 12:24
    Location: Sign on shop's shutter
    Language: AL1
    Translation: joyeux noex

Appearances

(In alphabetic order)

Characters

Places

Themes

  • The romance between Fry and Leela is explored in this episode.

Episode Credits

Notes

  1. ^ See also 3012 phenomenon.