Why Futurama's Bender Is One of Sci

Futurama has established a colorful cast of characters, but Bender exhibits the show’s brilliant sci-fi commentary and deeper truths about technology.

Through icons like Darth Vader, Captain Kirk and E.T., sci-fi has proven to be an imaginative medium for exploring the intricacies of humankind -- its aspirations, values and imperfections. And while some may quirk an eyebrow at the idea of a chain-smoking, hard-drinking robot with a questionable moral compass offering insights into humanity, Bender's character in Futurama is more complex than most would give him credit for. Sci-fi, as a genre, has produced countless beloved heroes, intimidating villains and incredible creatures, but among them, Bender stands tall as one of the greatest characters ever crafted.

Debuting in 1999 and on the cusp of the new millennium, Futurama aired as a satire of sci-fi and the past visions of the future. As the series unfolded across multiple seasons and movies, the world was introduced to the outrageous Bender Bending Rodriguez (voiced by John DiMaggio) in its early episode, an android adept at contorting objects. With his sharp wit, profane language and uninhibited vices, Futurama's Bender quickly garnered a legion of fans as a sci-fi icon. Playing a vital role in the show's popularity and multiple revivals after its numerous cancelations, Bender's evolution cemented his place as an indelible part of Futurama's long-lasting legacy.

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As absurd as it might sound that a seemingly comedic character like Bender is comparable to legends like Luke Skywalker, surprisingly, not all the best sci-fi characters are valiant heroes or cutthroat villains. Despite being a vulgar rogue at times, Bender is as sympathetic as he is amusing, representing a distinguished brand of satire and Futurama's brilliance. Going against the usual robot tropes in popular fiction and pushing the image of an imperfect machine, Bender offers a deeper, albeit funny, vision of what humankind strives for.

Whether it's running with the robot mafia, robbing graves or indulging in other acts of unrestrained self-indulgence, Bender's bad habits and nihilistic wit help define the character while making him entertaining. However, what could've probably been a one-note character played for laughs and a test of Futurama's comedic boundaries, the writers surprisingly gave him a lot of depth. Futurama portrayed Bender as a loving father, a caring friend and even a conflicted god, showing complexities and stories that are surprisingly more emotional than most would expect from a cartoon comedy. Above all else, what makes Bender great is that despite being a machine, he's, at times, more human than the people who created him. Through his vices and virtues, strengths and imperfections, Bender has shown the best and worst of humanity as a metallic caricature made in its image.

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Futurama's crafty storytelling frequently explores human aspirations and humorously subverts them, revealing that even the noblest intentions for the future may not unfold as expected. Bender is a perfect example of this clever commentary on technology. In an era where humanity desires machines to become more human, Bender raises the question of whether they truly seek artificial intelligence that mirrors them or if they should be something greater. The thing about humankind is that it's flawed, and Bender is the brutal truth of what happens when a creation ultimately emulates its creators.

It's usually the best sci-fi that makes people think about the infinite possibilities of science and technology. Although ludicrous in its delivery and over-the-top in its tone, Futurama delivered some of the most thought-provoking, entertaining and overall best sci-fi stories since the dawn of the new millennium. In the case of a popular character like Bender, if Futurama's writers could make an unapologetic robot reflecting some of humanity's most unflattering aspects feel alive and even sympathetic, then it's clear that they did their jobs right.

Futurama is currently streaming on Hulu.

About Spencer Bollettieri: As a biologist, journalist, and writer, Spencer Bollettieri has written for publications such as Theme Park Magazine. Although mostly based out of New York, he’s traveled the world in pursuit of new stories.