A Taste of Freedom
From Futurama Wiki
- Episode Number:4ACV05
- Title: A Taste Of Freedom
- Original Airdate:
- Starring: Zoidberg, Fry, Leela, Bender
- Also Starring: Zapp Brannigan, Kif Kroker, Richard M. Nixon's Head, Old Man Waterfall
- Intro Promotion: OR IS IT?
- Directed by: James Purdum
- Written By: Eric Horsted
[edit] Plot
While celebrating Freedom Day, a day when you could do anything you want without reaping the consequences, such as going naked or hitting someone, Zoidberg expresses his love for freedom by eating the Earthican flag. This sets off a movement to prosecute him as he flees to a Decapodian embassy. Ambassador Moiven promises the full support of the government. However, they are unable to give him an marshmallows in his cocoa.
Zoidberg acquires the services of Old Man Waterfall to act as his lawyer. The Supreme Court rules against Zoidberg, in a vote of 6 to 3. Also, in a Double Whammy vote, the Court finds polygamy constitutional. He is instructed to apologize. Zoidberg refuses, and is then sentenced to death. Zapp Brannigan and a brigade of troops proceed attacks the Decapodian embassy. The Decapodians takes this as a declaration of war. Moiven calls on Decapodian invasion forces to attack Earth. Zapp tries to fight back with all planetary defenses but he gives the codes to a poorly disguised Decapodian double agent, under alias Hugh Man, who Kif can see through. The Decapodians clamp the Nimbus, the last line of defense. The "Handsome Invaders" enslave Earth, claiming it doesn't know freedom, forcing humans to "glob" mud, building a mobile oppression palace, to cut occupation costs as the other warships depart. The crew decide to free themselves, and attempt to blow it up. They go to an old war museum and steal a heat-seeking missile. Unfortunately, palace is "cold blooded" though, so their missile won't target it. Zoidberg has a change of heart after the MOP crushes Old Man Waterfall, and sets a flag on fire, spears the MOP with it, thus leading the heat-seeking missile to free Earth again. Zoidberg is hailed as a hero and is allowed a bite of the new Earth flag.
[edit] References Explained
- We see that the Washington Monument has been "Rededicated to Washington the Sweathog, 2475." Washington the sweathog is a character on Welcome Back, Kotter, portrayed by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
- "The Fighting Dukaki" is a reference to Michael Dukakis, and in particular, a well-known photo of him in a tank.
- Shankman's Rubbing Compound is not a real product; Charleston Chew is.
- On Embassy Row, Zoidberg runs past the Neutral Planet embassy, the Klingon Embassy, and the Globetrotter Homeworld Embassy.
