The Planet Express ship finally takes damage that can’t be repaired and is dumped in the Tropic of Ghosts, the plasma sea at the bottom of the multiverse where derelict ships are left to drift. But when Fry has an attack of déjà vu and passes out, the crew race back aboard and are killed.

OR ARE THEY?!

No of course not.

This season finale is an odd, but sweet, ending to an odd but sweet season. It’s pulling double duty as a possible series finale, triple duty as a spiritual sequel to previous series finale ‘Meanwhile’ and triple duty in needing to bring a very uneven season in to land. And you know what? it manages all of them.

The actual episode is a reminder that Futurama is very good at actual science fiction, something the more pop culture parody episodes this season didn’t quite manage. The Tropic of Ghosts is a lovely conceit especially coupled with the idea that the Planet Express ship isn’t actually indestructible it gives the world a welcome ‘corner’ of sorts. The ‘ghost ships’ are a nice conceit too, made more so by the fact that they’re reported as a minor inconvenience rather than the colossal mystery you’d expect. That’s the sort of subtle commentary that the show has missed the mark on a lot this year and it’s nice to see it done so well here.

It also helps that this is really, really funny. Consistently funny in fact, in a way that again has seemed a struggle this season. There’s some quality Zapp material but the standout is a running gag so large it gets its own plotline as Bender clashes with the can opener on the ship. You wouldn’t think that would culminate in a sword fight. A very funny one. But it does and it is and it’s an absolute joy to watch.

The series finale episode, and the subtle sequel to ‘Meanwhile’ also work well. Futurama, at its heart, is about Leela and Fry and this episode gives both of them a workout. Leela still doesn’t get much and it’s honestly mystifying how little she’s had to do this season but it’s heartfelt and sweet stuff and Katey Sagal does a great job. Billy West’s Fry is far better served, and the episode does an excellent job of reminding us that under the cheery squalor, Fry’s a deeply lovely guy. He’s calm and focused because he knows he loves her and that calm grounds the episode beautifully and, potentially, the series. That’s the real connective tissue with ‘Meanwhile’ and it’s really nicely done. The ending in particular is very sweet.

There are issues of course, there always are. A couple of plot points are cantered through and, as I say, the issues with giving the cast enough to do remain unsolved.

Verdict: This is a very strong ending for a very uneven season and if the show doesn’t come back this is a great place to end it. Until next time. 8/10

Alasdair Stuart