If there’s one show on TV that played loosely with the facts, it was Futurama: no story or timeline was ever set in stone because the writers had so much fun carving them up. In true sci-fi fantasy fashion, characters were brought back to life, history rewritten, or entire civilizations recast.
So to suggest that there are key storylines that weren’t resolved is a bit disingenuous, as no story or plot piece was ever completely safe. Still, there are some key questions that Futurama fans have about the show that we may never see answered.
What Happened to Mom and her 3 Sons
Mom ruled Momcorp with an Iron Oven Mit, often interrupting Planet Express deliveries with her plans for world domination. A corporate tycoon, bad mother, and sometime lover of Professor Farnsworth, she could be counted on to bully family and enemies alike.
Although Mom and her three sons Walt, Larry, and Igner figured prominently in the show – especially the direct-to-DVD release Bender’s Game – her final destination is unknown. Did she conquer the world? Get thrown in jail? Or is she continuing to abuse her sons from her office high above New New York? We like to think she was overthrown by some aggressive investors, but knowing Mom, probably not.
Will the Space Brains Attack Again
The giant Space Brains, or Brain Spawn, were certainly clever enough to take over the Earth; but they were repeatedly foiled by the indefatigable stupidity of Phillip Fry and his friends. The Brains’ efforts to catalog all information in the universe – and then destroy it – also failed, thanks to a time-traveling Fry and Nibbler (more on him below).
Surely a force as powerful and intelligent and disembodied as the giant Space Brains would try again to understand and then obliterate the world? One imagines them putting their minds together to launch a new attack on Earth, in the hopes that Fry hasn’t gained enough knowledge to be able to defeat them. Perhaps they got sidetracked on the Brain Slug planet?
What Happens to All the Heads in Jars
One of the cleverest conceits of Futurama is the “heads in the jars” – a plot device to allow long-dead celebrities and historical figures to interact with the cast. These characters proved so popular, and useful to the writers, that they appeared in several episodes, especially when a caricature of Richard Nixon was needed.
There are many unanswered questions – who determines which heads get placed in a jar? Can they survive there forever? What happens to those people who’ve been jarred on the show, but subsequently died since Futurama debuted in 1999? And now that Futurama has ended – what’s going to happen to all those jars?
Do Hermes and his Wife Remain Together
As we’ll see throughout this list, the fate of many of the couples on the show remains unresolved. Futurama indulged its audience with several star-crossed romances, but marital bliss seemed to remain with reggae accountant Hermes Conrad and his wife LaBarbara.
Or did it? LaBarbara was quick to return to her ex Barbados Slim when Hermes was, well, decapitated (he survived, courtesy of the aforementioned Heads in Jars), and wasn’t always supportive of Hermes intergalactic exploits. Their fate and those of 2 other couples on this list remain unknown.
What Happened to Fry’s GF Michelle
One of the most important people in Fry’s life, former girlfriend Michelle Jenkins (Sarah Silverman), played a critical role in his character development, particularly when he thought he was transported with her to the year 4000.
Michelle eventually ran off with the recently resurrected Pauly Shore after she soured on Fry, and we were lead to assume the two lived unhappily ever after. However, Michele cameoed on 10 more episodes, including a moment at Fry’s funeral. Fry lives – what did we say about Futurama playing loosely with facts – but the fate of his erstwhile girlfriend is undetermined.
Are Kif and Amy Still a Couple
The second most prominent couple on our list is Planet Express intern Amy Wong, and starship lieutenant Kif Kroker. The on and off again lovers dated, married, and even considered raising a family when Kif became pregnant.
But long-distance relationships can strain, and with Kif light-years away they drifted apart, including Amy’s fling with Bender (the robot!). Last we saw of Kif, he was trying to woo Amy back with the bad-boy stylings of a leather jacket and black motorcycle.
Will Robot Santa Wreak Havoc Again
The Planet Express crew were almost extinguished by a rampaging Santa Claus called Robot Santa – twice – but they were able to get away and celebrate the holidays. Robot Santa became somewhat of an annual tradition on Futurama, supposedly attacking New New York every year at Christmas.
With the show over, we have to wonder – has his semi-holy reign of terror come to an end? Will he ever succeed in wiping out our heroes for their naughty behavior? Or will fellow satirical characters Kwanzbot and Chanukah Zombie turn him toward a more peaceful celebration of Christmas?
Does Nibbler Every Return Home
We all thought 3 eyed alien Nibbler was the innocent ravenous pet of space captain Turanga Leela – but over the course of 8 seasons, he was revealed to be Lord Nibbler, part of an ancient race from the Planet Eternium. In addition to comforting Leela, Nibbler spoke in riddles, saved the universe several times, and was often tasked with explaining whatever crisis had befallen our heroes.
Nibbler would play an important role in sending Fry on his 1,000-year journey, but now that the universe is safe – well, as safe as it ever is on Futurama – will he ever return home? Are there fellow Nibblonians awaiting his return? Will he ever overcome his irresistible, instinctual cuteness?
What Happens to Fry and Leela
This question has plagued the show and thousands of blogs since the beginning: do Fry and Leela end up together? Well yes, and no: Fry and Leela have had more prominent affection and discord than any other couple on the show, and although they’ve married (more than once) and had relationships with others in New New York, there was always the sense that Fry and Leela would end up together.
This was the central idea behind Futurama’s final episode “Meanwhile”, where Leela and Fry enjoyed years of romantic togetherness on a time-frozen earth, before Professor Farnsworth arrived to escort them back to the present (in the year 3,001). Fans speculated that this story was the final jumping-off point for a new series – but, like its move from Fox to Comedy Central, Futurama takes its characters in often unexpected directions. We may never know what happens to Leela and Fry, and the final episode makes clear that we can only hope their romance has a happy ending.
