The Sting

The writers of this show are absolute geniuses. They make a cartoon which is very often hilarious and sometimes moving and powerful. This particular episode is a great example of their talent.

Leela and the crew are sent to collect honey from giant bees- which is how the previous Planet Express crew died. Eventually, Fry and Leela get stung by one of the bees. Leela gets a small scratch but Fry got the full impact and she feels extremely guilty and depressed for causing his death.

What then follows is a series of bizarre hallucinations (including a hilarious scene where they all suddenly burst into song) and dreams and she becomes more and more certain that Fry is still alive.

This is an incredibly clever episode, with a great twist in the end and truly touching ending. I won't give away anything- but if you haven't yet seen this one, do so! It is the best work the crew of Futurama have done to date.

No matter how funny a comedy show is, its best moments are always defined by it serious episodes. Along with "Godfellas" this is my favorite episode in the series. Bender, Fry, and Leela are sent on the same mission which killed Professor Farnsworth's previous crew: collecting honey from killer space wasps. Although Fry does not want to go, Leela forces him. As they are completing their mission, Fry jumps in front of Leela, taking the wasp sting that was meant for her. Following Fry's funeral, Leela suffers terrible guilt.

"The Sting" is a pivotal episode as it shows the deep emotional bond that Fry and Leela share. Although it does have moments of classic Futurama comedy (including the main cast breaking into a rousing rendition of "Don't Worry, Be Happy"), this is a really deep, serious episode, which will likely bring viewer to tears.

After I watched this i thought it was above average but didn't think much of it, then I realized on my second watch how great this is, I wish I acknowledged how emotional and great this episode is.

I concur with the previous contributor - this is a beautifully made episode. It has all the fun and brilliant animated artwork one might expect from this series, and the ultimate absence of cynicism gives what I can only describe as an uplifting emotional jolt. Fry sacrifices his life to save Leela from being stung by a giant bee - or so it seems - and for most of the episode, we are taken through a series of dreams and hallucinations experienced by Leela. I was absolutely carried away by the story, and don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it - but now it's one I can put on at any time, and still enjoy it. It isn't schmaltzy - the creators of Futurama are too intelligent and too human to do that to their public...but it shows real heart, and it's definitely something to watch if you're feeling down.

Futurama is know for their weirdness, crazy unorthdox words, phrases, almost all the time, but they weren't like that with the ending of this episode. When Leela wakes from her coma, it's so heart-warming for an episode from a unorthodox TV Show. Those who don't prefer the show should watch it.