In the sixth episode of Futurama's triumphant twelfth season, the Planet
Express crew finds themselves in a whirlwind of fashion, technology, and
environmental disaster. The episode, titled "Attack of the Clothes," is a
satirical take on the fleeting nature of fashion trends and the consequences of
our disposable culture. It's a tale that weaves together humor, heart, and a
cautionary message about the future we're creating.
The episode opens with the crew gathered around the television in the Planet Express office, enjoying a moment of relaxation. However, their tranquility is short-lived as the room begins to tilt, leaving the crew scrambling to find their footing. The cause of this unexpected inversion? Professor Farnsworth's latest invention: a colossal sewing machine that he's built using the building's antenna. His aim is to enter and win a prestigious contest held by the Academy of Inventors, with the theme of recycling.
In a stroke of genius, the Professor decides to take the theme to the extreme by recycling old body parts into a new human body. For the head of this Frankenstein-esque creation, Cara Delevingne, a celebrity guest star, volunteers, hoping to add a unique look to her ever-changing style. Once attached to the body, Cara is initially displeased with the hospital gown she's forced to wear, but the Professor quickly remedies this with a custom silk garment that leaves her delighted.
As the Professor prepares to enter his creation into the contest, he faces off against his old nemesis, Wernstrom, and, despite his innovative work, he loses. Disheartened, the Professor leaves the world of science behind to pursue his first love: fashion. His foray into fashion design is an immediate success, and he quickly gains recognition for his unique and intricate designs.
The turning point comes when a famous Paramecium orders a garment from the Professor, catapulting him into the limelight and earning him a spot at Milan Fashion Week. His debut collection is a resounding success, but it also sparks a deep sense of envy and despair in Dr. Zoidberg, who was denied entry to the show due to his attire.
Zoidberg's plight inspires the Professor to create a new line of clothing accessible to the everyday person. He introduces a miniature moth that can develop a custom outfit every day, with the intention of discarding them after a single use. To facilitate this, the Professor invents the "fashcan," a trash can with a wormhole that disposes of the clothes instantly, though he's blissfully ignorant of their final destination.
The fashcan becomes a hit, and soon, everyone is discarding their clothes at an alarming rate. Zoidberg, now with a newfound sense of style, regrets throwing away his favorite pants and seeks the Professor's help to retrieve them. The Professor reveals that the fashcan uses a wormhole to send clothes through space and time, though he's nonchalant about the potential consequences.
In a moment of desperation, the crew flies their ship into the fashcan, only to find themselves on a planet buried under an avalanche of clothes. They crash-land and set out to find Zoidberg's pants, but they're beset by giant worms and the Professor's discarded pets. In the chaos, Cara manages to hold onto Zoidberg's pants, but in a moment of sacrifice, she lets go to preserve their quality and falls back to the planet.
The crew returns through the fashcan, and the Professor learns the horrifying truth: they've been sending their clothes to their own future, effectively destroying a civilization. As clothes rain down on Earth, the crew watches in horror as their actions unravel the fabric of time and space.
"Attack of the Clothes" is a poignant reminder of the impact our actions can have on the future. It's a hilarious and heart-wrenching episode that showcases the creativity of the Futurama team, delivering a story that's as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. With its unique blend of humor and social commentary, this episode is a standout in the series, leaving viewers with a smile on their faces and a question in their minds about the true cost of fashion.