The Sting story
"The Sting" is the twelfth episode of season four of the American animated television series Futurama. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on June 1, 2003. In the episode, the Planet Express crew is sent to collect space honey, and find themselves in a harrowing battle with giant bees. The episode's plot originated from the writers wanting to do a story where it seemed as though a major character had died. The episode was then produced faster than normal and was well received by critics. Directed by: Brian Sheesley. Story by: Patric M. Verrone.
10 total · 5 major · 5 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| coping with the death of a friend | major | Leela grieved over the death of Fry. |
| descent into madness | major | Leela went gradually insane from being wracked with guilt about Fry's death. |
| remorse | major | Leela was wracked with guilt over feeling responsible for Fry's death. |
| sacrifice for a loved one | major | Fry gave his life for Leela or so she thought. |
| tragic love | major | Leela realized she loved Fry only after she thought Fry had died for her. |
| human vs. beast | minor | The Planet Express crew versus the space bees. |
| interstellar space travel | minor | The Planet Express crew traveled to a bee hive in outer space. |
| reverse psychology | minor | The Professor used reverse psychology to good effect on Leela. |
| the need to prove one's self | minor | Leela had to prove they were better than the old crew. |
| what if I were in a coma-like state | minor | Leela was in a coma. |