Futurama has been able to embrace pure comedy while still including memorable character development and expanding a truly impressive sci-fi world. The 31st century has been saved numerous times by Futurama's Planet Express crew, who rise above their often goofy natures to complete some wildly impressive tasks. But one notable member of that crew may not have even reached their true potential.

The fourth season of Futurama hinted that Fry wasn't the only chosen one -- Leela was also someone of galactic importance. Referred to as "the Other" by Nibbler, Leela seemed destined for a major fate. However, that never came to fruition in Futurama's seven seasons. Yet with Futurama about to return on Hulu, this is the time to find out what makes Leela "the Other" -- and what that exactly means.

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Who Is 'The Other' in Futurama?

Within the universe of Futurama, Phillip J. Fry is a deceptively vital figure in the cosmology and history of existence. Fry's status as his own grandfather due to some unexpected time-travel shenanigans left him without a delta brain wave -- making him impervious to threats like the Brain Spawn that the largely benevolent Nibblonians have spent eternity combating. This was the reason Fry was targeted and frozen at the dawn of the 21st century, which was explored in Futurama Season 4, Episode 10, "The Why of Fry." Fry has helped save the cosmos multiple times and -- thanks to Professor Hubert Farnsworth -- has actually outlived an entire universe.

But "The Why of Fry" suggested that Fry wasn't alone in his galactic destiny and Nibbler was also aware of someone only known as "the Other." When speaking to Nibbler in the past, a version of Fry admitted that one element of the future he couldn't live without was Leela -- who Nibbler believed could be someone else of importance. Nibbler promised to help Fry with his relationship with Leela, and in the future is shown playing up his disguise as a dumb pet to Leela so Fry's time "taking care of Nibbler" can be endearing. But despite Leela playing a part in other major events in the show, like the galactic stakes of Into the Wild Green Yonder, no other installments of Futurama highlighted her potential status as the Other. The Hulu revival can change that.

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Futurama's New Revival Can Finally Make Use of 'The Other'

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There are a number of plotlines that Futurama's Hulu episodes could re-explore from the show's previous ending -- including Fry and Leela tying the knot and affirming their romance once and for all. But a return for the Planet Express crew will likely also force Fry and the rest of his friends into another mission with unexpectedly high stakes, given the nature of the series. This would in turn be the best chance to finally dive into Leela's place in the universe as the Other.

This kind of revelation would add further layers to the show's debate about the difference between fate and choice, because Leela's choice to save Nibbler from a doomed world in Season 1, Season 4, "Love's Labours Lost in Space" would gain an additional meaning if it led to discoveries about her own role in the universe. The revival could give Leela the kind of cosmic significance that Bender and Fry have acquired over the years, and allow the most capable member of the central trio to take center stage in an important way. Leela has always been at the heart of the show, her relationship with Fry and her own personal growth serving as two of Futurama's emotional bedrocks. It's about time the show revealed the full scope of Leela's impact on the universe and let her live up to that potential.

Futurama is expected to premiere on Hulu in Summer 2023.