Futurama aired at the turn of the century, captivating audiences with its unique plot. The misadventures of Philip J. Fry as he wakes up 1000 years in the future spoke to the anxiety felt by many viewers welcoming the 2000s. Aside from the clever timing of the animated series, Futurama is known for its top-tier humor and brilliant Easter eggs.
Most of the Easter eggs are drawn from pop culture and are easily understood by most viewers. However, some references require a rewatch so fans can uncover the hidden meanings. Rooted in sci-fi, Futurama also provides viewers with many science jokes. The series' connections are inclusive of many fanbases and even integrated obscure Easter eggs as a nod to niche interests.
10 Leela's Parents Make An Appearance Early On
Foreshadowing is a critical element of the series and is done differently throughout the series. The second season's first episode ("I Second That Emotion") features Leela's parents in the crowd; however, this Easter egg needs fans to rewatch the series.
It takes viewers until Season 4 to finally uncover Leela's origin story in "Leela's Homeworld." After deciphering the note left with baby Leela at the orphanage, the Planet Express crew discovers that although Leela had passed as an alien, she is indeed a mutant like her parents.
9 Even Brief Scenes In The Convenience Store Have A Lot To Unpack
The jokes in Futurama are multi-leveled and cater to a specific group. For example, in "The Route of All Evil's" opening scene, Bender and Fry buy a six-pack of Klein's beer from "seven to the power of eleven."
Even on a rewatch, this joke requires a scientific background. All the Klein bottles are one-sided, like the object described by Felix Klein. Another beer brand is the St. Pauli Exclusion Principle Girl Beer, which combines the quantum mechanics principle and the St. Pauli Girl's alcohol.
8 Ice-nine Is A Nod To Cat's Cradle
Futurama often references other media satirically, but the show sometimes enjoys highlighting great works. For example, "War Is the H-Word" opens up with a clear view of "seven to the power of eleven," which is the show's equivalent of the 7-Eleven franchise.
In the store's window, there is a signing advertising "FREE BAG OF ICE-9 WITH 6-PACK," this creates a link to Kurt Vonnegut's 1963 novel, Cat's Cradle. This novel implemented sci-fi elements and had a substance called "Ice-nine," which can freeze people if in close contact.
7 The Mysterious Number Nine Man Is Meant To Intrigue Viewers
A mysterious man wearing a white shirt with the number "9" on it appears in crowds throughout the series and the pilot, "Bender's Big Score," "My Three Suns," and "How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove." He only appears to give Fry random orders before walking away. Fans only discover that he is the leader of a group of telepaths called the Legion of Mad Fellows in the film Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder.
Since Matt Groening was a huge fan of The Beatles, many fans connected the mystery surrounding Number 9 to John Lennon's lucky number. Lennon often found it amusing how people would dig into the significance of the number; similarly, fans kept trying to understand the importance of this character.
6 Fans Could Figure Out That Fry Will Become His Own Grandfather With This Easter Egg
In "The Luck of the Fryrish," down on his luck, Fry tries to recover the seven-leaf clover he hid during his youth. Multiple flashbacks provide insight into Fry's relationship with his brother, Yancy.
In one of the scenes, Fry's father (Yancy) tells Yancy that their name is passed down to every male descendant but leaves Fry and his grandfather out of the list. This conversation foreshadowed the events of "Rosewell that Ends Well," in which Fry, the only member not named Yancy, becomes his own grandfather.
5 After Four Seasons, Professor Farnsworth's Strangely Labeled Folder Makes Sense
In the pilot, Fry must receive a career chip after coming out of the cryogenic tank by his then Fate Assignment Officer, Leela. After a long chase between Leela and Fry, they end up at Professor Farnsworth, and receive new career chips to join the Planet Express crew along with Bender.
Professor Farnworth pulls the chips out of a folder titled "Contents of Space Wasp's Stomach," foreshadowing the Season 4 episode "The Sting;" the team goes on a dangerous mission where giant bees almost devour them. This is the mission that their predecessors did not return from linking back to the wasp's stomach folder.
4 Pazuzu References A 1970s Graphic Novel
Like many great animated series, Futurama is known for its pop culture references. However, sometimes its connections are very niche. For example, in "Teenage Mutant Leela Hurdles," the gargoyle, Pazuzu, grants Professor Farnsworth three wishes. Although Pazuzu's specie is never confirmed, his glowing eyes and horns mimic the appearance of demons.
The demonic appearance references the antagonist (Pazuzu) in Jacques Tardi's graphic novel, The Demon of the Eiffel Tower. To strengthen the French connection, Pazuzu speaks the language and is featured next to the Eiffel Tower at the end of the episode.
3 Many Fans Miss The Connection To Life In Hell
Most fans can easily pick out Matt Groening's productions due to their unique animation style. Futurama, The Simpsons, and Disenchantment have used Easter eggs to form a connection. However, many viewers missed the references to Akbar, Blinky, and Bongo, three characters from Life in Hell, a comic strip also created by Groening.
In the show's pilot episode, Fry passes a building in the distance with bright letters spelling out AKBAR. In the next episode, "The Series Has Landed," one of the toys in the claw machine is Blinky. The second season also featured Bongo as one of the animals at the pet store in "XMAS Story."
2 The Culprit Who Pushed Fry Into The Cryogenic Tank Is Present From The Begining
Nibbler's first formal meeting with the Planet Express crew was on Vergon 6 in "Love's Labours Lost In Space," when Leela rescues him. However, the keen observer would've noticed his shadow under Fry's chair in the pilot episode.
Audiences discover many secrets about Nibbler, like he was the Supreme Fuzzler, capable of producing dark matter, and was the one who pushed Fry into the cryogenic tank. This Season 4 reveal ("The Why of Fry") connects the dots to why Nibbler's shadow was present in the pilot.
1 1729 Is An Easter Egg Only Math Lovers Can Figure Out
Some audiences might've noticed the repetition of "1729" throughout the series; however, not every viewer could decipher the significance. The Hardy-Ramanujan or taxicab number also appears in the registration of Nimbus (BP-1729); this vital ship leads the Democratic Order of Planets into war.
Bender receives a holiday card saying, "Merry Xmas son #1729," in "Xmas Story" from his mother. Likewise, "The Farnsworth Parabox" takes the Planet Express team to different parallel universes, including Universe 1729. The creators took this Easter egg to the next level in "Bender's Big Score" by featuring a taxicab numbered after a variation of the "taxicab" number (87539319).