2. A Backstory With A Memorable Ending
Prequels give script and screenwriters the perfect opportunity to add a whole load of backstory. I basically outlined the life that Fry is living in the introduction, but to recap, he has a shattered home, a lousy job and a cheating girlfriend. He has a wacky family and crazy boss, but his loveable dog is there with him always. This is the backstory we see briefly in the pilot episode, and occasionally through flashbacks. This backstory needs to be developed upon, and already has the foundations of a great and hilarious idea. Fry has so many traits that set him up perfectly as a comic character. Hes dumb, foolish and weak. Hes pathetic and ignorant. But overall, hes likeable. He makes mistakes and we laugh with him. We feel sorry for him when bad things happen. He may not be a heroic character, but thats why we can relate to him. For all intents and purposes, hes just a regular guy, he represents us. Now factor in the assured ending to the story. Whatever he gets up to in the 90s, we know whats going to happen. We can even foreshadow his fate, bringing in characters or events from Futurama itself. Single Female Lawyer, the 80s guy, Beck and the VW campervan could all show up in one form or another. And come on, we have to see Fry as a 90s Trekkie!