Futurama: 10 Worst Episodes

6. Bend Her

The Episode: Once again an episode of Futurama was ruined by too much Bender. This time, he's entering the robot Olympics. Except he isn't strong enough to compete as a man, so disguises himself as a female robot. He wins all of the events, but then had to Professor Farnsworth to giving him a sex change in order to pass the follow-up medical exam.

Why It Sucks: Generally this was just an incredibly uncomfortable episode. Creating a female Bender was one thing. It allowed for a new view of the character€™s personality. Except that it didn€™t change him at all. In fact, the only thing that changed was that Bender went from being a male, but largely androgynous, figure to a needlessly sexualised female character. In all, the episode was pretty offensive to both those who are born women and transsexuals.

The episode also failed in terms of the storyline and plot developments. In particular, Hermes initially seemed to have a major role in the episode. However, his career as an Olympic-level limbo-player was more or less forgotten about after the first few minutes. Ultimately, though, this episode marked a low point for Futurama in general as the previously clever plot twists and dialogue were replaced by vulgarity and melodrama.

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With a (nearly) useless degree in English literature and a personal trainer qualification he's never used, Freddie spends his times writing things that he hopes will somehow pay the rent. He's also a former professional singer, and plays the saxophone and ukulele. He's not really used to talking about himself in the third person, and would like to stop now, thanks.