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Futurama, regardless of being largely centered on foolish sci-fi comedy, is a present considerably outlined by an undercurrent of philosophical consideration and contemplation. The present has delved into questions on religion, time, destiny, and love — all whereas highlighting the type of philosophy wanted to outlive a wild and bizarre world.
Futurama is the type of collection the place even throwaway characters can carry deeper which means and connection to the themes of the present. The Robot Mafia is a weird group of characters, however the truth that they even exist — seemingly of their autonomy and choice — speaks to one of many present’s greatest components.
Futurama’s robots are a novel addition to the universe. The fashionable incantation of them was designed by Prof. Farnsworth (as revealed in Season 4’s “Crimes of the Hot”) on the behest of Mom. The ultra-wealthy enterprise magnate retained management over a lot of the robots (as confirmed in Season 2’s “Mother’s Day”), though she allowed many to sometimes perform common roles on the earth. Many had been constructed by Mom’s Friendly Robot Company (which at one level even employed Hermes). Soon, robots crammed nearly each occupation throughout the universe — starting from building to public security to leisure. Some malfunctioned and went rogue, just like the Robot Santa Claus (who launched into an annual homicide spree in opposition to the “naughty,” a corrupted model of his programming). But different robots appear to have the ability to resist their programming and do one thing else as an alternative — as a result of their actions are downright felony.
The Robot Mafia, a reoccurring group launched in Season 2′ “Bender Gets Made,” might be Futurama’s most constant group of felony characters. Donbot, Clamps, and Joey Mousepad (who shares a performer with Bender) are featured at the very least as soon as a season following their introduction, typically committing crimes and arising in opposition to the Planet Express Crew indirectly. Their affect is so highly effective and widespread, that they will absolutely homicide a choose in plain sight in Season 6’s “The Silence of the Clamps” with none consequence. If the trendy robots in Futurama are comparatively latest creations, then the Robot Mafia would seemingly be a part of that technology designed by Mom’s Friendly Robot Company. The query is then raised — why did anybody ever construct a felony robotic? What operate might a “Donbot” truly serve for the world? It seems then that fairly overtly foolish Robot Mafia is perhaps one other instance of the present’s most enduring emotional threads.
Robots are proven all through the present coping with questions of free will in opposition to their programming makes up for a serious side of the present’s subplots. This extends to copy (one thing Bender himself does in Season 7’s “The Bots and the Bees,” resulting in the delivery of his son Ben). Bender additionally proves robots can act of their very own free will, a serious side of the character’s growth throughout the course of the collection. He is not the one robotic to take action — with Calculous’ unique type being a claw used for automobile building in Season 2’s “The Honking.” Calculon revealed that he grew to become an actor regardless of his programming being one thing completely different, a touch that robots even past Bender can change their fates.
The Robot Mafia is proof of that within the largest means, as it’s miles extra possible they had been designed for one thing else and selected a lifetime of crime. The Donbot is arguably one of many extra impartial robots within the collection. Like Bender, Donbot truly ended up having a spouse and two daughters, gaining a whole household (a number of of whom have affairs with Bender over the collection), suggesting a better deal of free will for the felony than most — he is simply keen to behave on it. The Robot Mafia chooses to be criminals.
While it is a morally doubtful choice, it is also one which speaks to the present’s final message. It appears that the Robot Mafia may need successfully taken over the felony underworld of Futurama — even claiming to be “duly elected” as a union felony connection in Season 3’s “Bend Her.” This suggests they’ve elevated themselves throughout the robotic group, past their programming — making egocentric and silly choices like Bender, actually establishing their free will. The significance of free will and energetic private progress is a serious theme of the collection, and one of many weirdest components of the present quietly highlights how vital it’s to your complete universe.
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